Paulsen is a Danish, Norwegian and German patronymic surname, from the given name Paul prefix, of Latin origin, itself derived from Paulus, meaning "small". People with the name Paulsen include:

• Aaron Paulsen
• Albert Paulsen (1925–2004), Ecuadorian-American actor
• Arthur R. Paulsen (1916–2010), American politician
• 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
• Diego Paulsen (born 1987), Chilean politician
• Edvin Paulsen (1889–1963), Norwegian gymnast
• Erik Paulsen (born 1965), former US Representative from Minnesota
• Frederik Paulsen Sr (1909–1997), 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 (1939–2021), 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
• John C. Paulsen, American architect
• Julius Paulsen (1860–1940), Danish painter
• Keith Paulsen, American engineer
• 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
• Logan Paulsen, former American football
• Louis Paulsen (1833–1891), German chess player
• Marianne Paulsen, Norwegian football defender
• Marit Paulsen (1939–2022), Swedish politician
• Nancy Paulsen, publisher of Nancy Paulsen Books at Penguin Group
• Otto A. Paulsen (1875–1957), American politician
• Pat Paulsen (1927–1997), American comedian
• Rob Paulsen (born 1956), American voice actor

• Paulson
• Paulsson
• Poulsen