Paloma combines a lovely meaning with a Spanish – and artistic – heritage, while still working beautifully in English.
Thanks to Joanna for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
The Noble Rock Dove
I’ve long thought that pigeons need better PR. Those urban dwelling survivors, often dismissed as rats with wings, are also known as rock doves. Rock Dove – that’s a whole other vibe, much classier, don’t you think?
Because if you’re going to be technical about things, Paloma comes from the Latin palumba – wood pigeon. But if you’re naming a child, you’re likely to prefer the bird’s other identity – dove, same bird, but from the Old Norse.
Peace and Faith
The bird isn’t just a bird, at least not when it is a dove. White doves symbolize peace. The dove is also a Christian symbol of the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, Noah released a dove; when it returned carrying an olive branch, he knew there was land – somewhere. Other religious traditions attach importance to pigeons, too. It is quite a bit of weight for a small bird.
Then there’s the folk song, “La Paloma.” Sebastian Yradier penned the song in the 1860s. I suspect this is the bridge between the bird and the name. The ballad is clearly about the dove, but the lyrics are all about romance. It’s been much translated and performed in many languages.
Picasso
Maybe that was part of Pablo Picasso’s inspiration when he named his youngest child Anne Paloma in 1949. She was born in April; that same month, the World Peace Congress adopted Picasso’s image of a dove, La Colombe, as their symbol. It was no mere coincidence, either. A year later, Picasso addressed the conference, noting that his father – also a painter and professor of art – had taught him to draw doves. His works are famous for their anti-war themes, like his staggering accomplishment Guernica.
I assume the name Anne was required by French authorities, or perhaps the church – to the best of my knowledge, she was always called Paloma. Even without the backstory to her name, she was the subject of several of dad’s paintings, lending Paloma some real artistic style. Plus the youngest Picasso is no slouch herself. She’s designed jewelry, including a collection for Tiffany & Co., and perfume, among other ventures.
Paloma also has that oh-so-current o sound – a logical way to get to Lola. Actress Ana Ortiz has a toddler called Paloma Louise, and she’s not alone. Paloma first cracked the US Top 1000 in 1993. By 2010 she’d reached #698. That’s not exactly Isabella, but it probably appeals to many parents seeking a cultural-spanning feminine name that sounds pretty without being in any way lightweight. But in recent years, the name has slipped to just #912 – which could signal an opportunity.
With ties to nature and the arts, her meaningful associations, and her cultural-spanning sound, it is hard to find a name as appealing as Paloma.
Thanks so much for researching Paloma, Abby! I agree, pigeons get a bad rap; a dove is a much more pleasing association. (And what wonderful symbolism.) I love how Paloma sounds – it’s such a graceful name. Another star baby Paloma is Salma Hayek’s Valentina Paloma, although she opted to use it in the middle spot. It’s a real gem of a name.
Nice addition about Salma Hayek’s daughter, Joanna – thanks!
Paloma has long been a favorite of mine. I love her history and meaning, plus the fact that she’s not ubiquitous on the playground. Most of all I love how Paloma sounds when I say it; it’s just a very melodic name to my ears.
I think Paloma would be fine for parents to use even if they aren’t Latino, though one might get some blank stares. I actually think Paloma sounds/looks kind of close to Pamela. Paloma to honor a Pamela? It’s a stretch but on sound alone I think it could work 😉
This is a name I definitely reccomend to friends, especially the Spanish-speaking ones. Oh, and I think Lola, Lolo, Polly, and Poppy are easy nicknames for parents who want nn options.
I adore Paloma. She sounds so romantic to me. If this baby is a girl, I would love her in the middle. I would really love her up front, but like the pp, we have zero cultural ties so it seems a bit off to use in the first spot. Not sure if I can convince him to even use her in the middle though..
How funny!!! I was just shopping for my christmas gift on Tiffany’s website last night and thought to myself Paloma would make a great BNOTD. Weird. I love it.. so feminine and almost luxurious. I also am biased for all names that start with P.
What a coincidence! The only real piece of jewelry that I own is from her collection. You’re right – there is a luxurious feel to Paloma.
I absolutely adore this name. For another artistic association, the marriage between Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo is known as the the marriage between “La Paloma y El Elefante” (the dove and the elephant). I don’t have any family ties or cultural reasons to use a Spanish name, so I probably wouldn’t, but if I did, this name would push toward the top of the list!
Paloma is one I really like for its sound and its symbology.
In 1951 Jose Alfredo Jimenez, a Mexican singer and songwriter, released a song dedicated to his wife Paloma, “Paloma Querida”.
Romantic!
I love this name!It has a lovely meaning, and has a jaunty rhythm to it. I know nobody named Paloma, but I’d love to meet someone with that name.
I really love Paloma. It feels good to say, too. Also, the quirky French novel “The Elegance of the Hedgehog” follows a super-smart preteen Paloma. It’s just been released in the U.S. on film, too.
Oh, perfect! I love a smart heroine with a great name. 🙂
Still pretty rare in the UK, although we do have a young jazzy-pop singer called Paloma Faith. Maybe it’ll catch on in a similar manner as Adele?
I think this name is absolutely beautiful.
I checked out an Australian parenting forum to see what they thought of Paloma – apparently, we’re so skin-cancer conscious that it reminded people of the word “melanoma”!