Paulsen is a Danish, Norwegian and German patronymic surname, from the given name Paul prefix, of Latin origin, itself derived from Paulus, meaning "small". There are over 200 varied spellings of the surname, including the English language version, Paulson. While Paulsen is a common surname, it is rare as a given name. People with the name Paulsen include:
August Paulsen (1871–1927), Danish American businessman
Axel Paulsen (1855–1938), Norwegian figure skater
Dave Paulsen, American basketball coach
David Paulsen, American television screenwriter and producer
Edvin Paulsen (1889–1963), Norwegian gymnast
Erik Paulsen (born 1965), US Representative from Minnesota
Frederik Paulsen Sr (born 1909), Medical Doctor and the founder of Ferring Pharmaceuticals
Frederik Paulsen Jr (born 1950), businessman, son of the founder of Ferring Pharmaceuticals
Fridtjof Paulsen (1895–1988), Norwegian speed skater
Friedrich Paulsen (1846–1908), German philosopher
Gary Paulsen (born 1939), American writer
Harald Paulsen (1895–1954), German actor
Harold Paulsen, American collegiate ice hockey player
Jan Paulsen (born 1935), President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Julius Paulsen (1860-1940), Danish painter
Kai Paulsen (1947–2002), Norwegian journalist
Kraig Paulsen, American State Representative in Iowa
Leif Otto Paulsen, Norwegian football midfielder
Lisa Paulsen, American CEO, President of the Entertainment Industry Foundation
Liv Paulsen (1925–2001), Norwegian sprinter and shot putter
Louis Paulsen (1833–1891), German chess player
Marianne Paulsen, Norwegian football defender
Marit Paulsen (born 1939), Swedish politician
Pat Paulsen (1927–1997), American comedian
Rob Paulsen (born 1956), American voice actor
