Paavolainen is a Finnish language patronymic surname derived from the first name Paavo.[1] Notable people with the surname include:
- Pekka Paavolainen (1868–1930), Finnish lawyer, civil servant and politician
- Erkki Paavolainen (1890–1930), Finnish journalist, educationist and politician
- Jaakko Paavolainen (1927–2007), Finnish historian