There are underused gems, and then there are true rarities. Today’s choice is definitely in the latter category.
Thanks to Lola for suggesting today’s Name of the Day: Pomeline.
The name was all but unknown when Princess Caroline of Monaco named her daughter Charlotte Marie Pomeline in 1986 – she’s presently fourth in line to the throne of Monaco and oft-photographed by royal watchers.
While there are a few competing theories for Pomeline’s origins, let’s start with the historical record. Back in the 1400s, the Genoese aristocrat Pomellina Campo Fregoso married Jean I of Monaco. In French, the name became Pomeline. When her husband and son predeceased her, the noblewoman became regent for her granddaughter Claudine. It’s this ancestor who is usually noted as the inspiration for Charlotte’s third name.
Other Pomellinas appear in medieval Genoa from the 1300s through the 1500s. There are enough uses to suggest that it might’ve been rather fashionable. Nonetheless, Pomellina’s roots are unclear. A few theories include:
- Saint Poma is no longer listed in the official Roman Catholic saints’ directory, but appears in several references from the Middle Ages and before. Legend has it that Poma lived in the first century and took an impressive vow of silence. Pomellina could be an elaboration of her name;
- Pomona, the ancient Roman goddess of fruit trees, might’ve influenced Pomeline;
- Pomella meant apple in some Italian dialects and the Latin pomum refers to all fruit, so it might be an adaptation of a word name;
- There’s also the maclura pomifera – the Latin name for an orange tree;
- Most obviously, it’s tempting to draw a connection between the French word pomme - apple – and the name.
Others suggest that the name could derive from Pamela – but since Pamela was a poetic invention circa 1600, it doesn’t fit the history of use in Genoa.
Instead, most of the inspirations are fruit-flavored, so we’re tempted to group this one with Clementine – a subtle, edible name. And one many wish Gwyneth would’ve known about back in 2004!
Pomeline has never ranked in the US Top 1000 and appears quite sparingly in the census records. But following the birth of Charlotte Casiraghi, the name enjoyed modest use in France.
Should French-fried names for girls take off in the US, there’s no reason Pomeline wouldn’t work well. While her lack of an obvious nickname might put some off, with a mere three syllables, a diminutive is not required. (Though Polly is a contender, and even Poppy might work.) She presents an interesting alternative to Caroline, Madeleine and Katherine.
As all ends in -ine names, you could read it POM uh lin, POM uh line or even POM uh leen. Given the name’s rarity, there’s no consensus on which is best. While Pomellina, Pomelline and Pommeline all appear in various places, the clear frontrunner for most used spelling is the one we’ve chosen.
Pomeline appears to be attracting attention on baby naming sites. It’s a long way from consideration by a few of us nameniks to actually meeting one out in the world. But we suspect that given her French credentials, nature vibe and sophisticated sound, it’s not too long until at least a few of our daughters are wearing this deliciously rare appellation.
Yeah, Because she’s my #3 name, I’m beginning to see her in a few places myself. I actually stumbled across someone on another site suggesting Pomeline/Pommeline because she’d seen it on my polls!
I adore it and waffle between pom-eh-leen and pom-eh-len pronunciations. I can’t decide which pronuncation is best, here’s my combo, tell me which you like best!: Pomeline Frances Elinor. I think she’s luscious sounding, elegant looking and perfectly lovely. It’s fun to say, whichever pronuncation you decide on, try it! and with not only sweet Polly, perky Poppy and demure Millie to choose from as nicknames, she’s clearly a winner for me and has completely replaced starting to get trendy Clementine for me. I really liked Clementine too, her subtle orage flavor, her crisp feel and her possible Cleo nickname (you could go Clio too, the C, L, E & I are there and o endings feel like nicknames sometimes, why not Cleo? But these days, Pomeline has my heart and is definitely in the runnig for Josephine’s posible sister. (and no, the potential rhyming endings do not bother me the slightest bit!
Wow, I love it! If I had already used Lulette and I weren’t having a boy, I would use this name in a heartbeart! Such a great sound! And it’s soo uncommon but not strange sounding. And I’ve always absolutely LOVED Poppy, and never really liked any of the traditional named she’s a nickname for. Pomeline is gorgeous, I think I’d pronounce it Pom-eh-leen, all pronunciations are nice, but that’s the most natural to me. Thanks for this one! Lola, where did you find this name in the first place?
When Princess Caroline (my Mother was a huge fan of hers) used it for her daughter’s middle, my head went up. I started digging for info on it and her nature associations sealed it. She’s a firm, can’t shake it drt of love. You could save it for the next one and put it in the middle with something simple: Alice Pomeline, for example?
I love it! I just want to keep saying it: Pom-e-leen. She’s so sprightly, cute and interesting, I like the idea of her as an intriguing middle too, Alice Pomeline is adorable!
Lola you’re onto a winner here, in terms of nicknames though, I wonder if the most obvious choice wouldn’t just be Pom?…
Actually, I think from the sound of it, Millie might be the clear cut choice for a nickname. I like that she’s got several choices for a nickname, actually… Choices, lovely choices!
Very intriguing name! Lola, when I see it, I can’t decide whether it’s Pom-eh-leen or Pom-eh-line, like wine.
Ooh … Millie as a nickname! That’s quite appealing. And I agree – if Clementine can take off, then Pomeline is a perfectly accessible option.
Lyndsey, congrats on your baby boy!
uwaah! i love pomeline.. My name is Mindy Pomeline by the way.. heehee! XD
thank god my mom named me this.. i’ve never met anyone with this name ever in my life.. makes me feel kinda unique in a way..
XD
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This is currently in my top 10. I adore her so much. I would either use Pomme or Poppy as a nn.
I love my name and it’s always a great conversation starter
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