What is the name of the woman Mario is attempting to save from the giant ape in the original Donkey Kong?

The woman Mario is tirelessly attempting to rescue from the clutches of the giant ape in the original 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong is named Pauline. When the game first debuted, she was initially referred to as "Lady" in Japan and simply "the beautiful girl" or "Lady" in early English promotional materials. She holds a significant place in video game history as one of the earliest and most iconic examples of the "damsel in distress" trope.

The name "Pauline" was adopted for the North American release of the game. This came about when Nintendo of America's president, Minoru Arakawa, mistakenly believed the wife of Nintendo of America's warehouse manager, Don James, was named Pauline, rather than her actual name, Polly. Interestingly, Mario himself also had a different identity in this inaugural appearance, being known as "Jumpman" and depicted as a carpenter, rather than the plumber we know today.

While Pauline was Mario's original love interest, she was eventually succeeded by Princess Peach in the Super Mario series. However, Pauline made a triumphant return to prominence in 2017's Super Mario Odyssey, where she was reintroduced as the stylish mayor of New Donk City and even showcased her impressive singing talents. Since then, she has become a recurring character, appearing in various Mario spin-off titles.