Paolini is an Italian surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Brinson Paolini (born 1991), American professional golfer Cesare Paolini (1937–1983), Italian architect Christopher Paolini (born 1983), American fantasy and science-fiction writer Diego Paolini (active 1999-2013), Italian slalom canoer Enrico Paolini (1945–2025), Italian racing cyclist Gabriele Paolini (born 1974), Italian television prankster and condom advocate Giulio Paolini (born 1940), Italian sculptor Jasmine Paolini (born 1996), Italian tennis player Jean Paolini (1921–2015), French civil servant, prefect of police of Paris Lauren Paolini (born 1987), American female volleyball player Luca Paolini (born 1977), Italian professional road bicycle racer Marco Paolini (born 1956), Italian stage actor, theatre director, dramaturge and author Marco Paolini (footballer) (born 1995), Italian footballer Pietro Paolini (1603–1681), Italian painter of the Baroque era Pio Fabio Paolini or Pio Paolini (1620–1692), Italian painter of the Baroque period