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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on October 3, 2008, and substantially revised on March 12, 2012.
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.
Pomeline was all but unknown when Princess Caroline of Monaco named her second child Charlotte Marie Pomeline in 1986. Her first name honors her grandmother. Charlotte is presently fourth in line to the throne of Monaco.
The tiny principality on the French Riviera officially recognizes both French and Italian, and Monégasque, a local dialect, is also spoken, making their names a mix of the familiar and the stunningly unexpected.
Pomeline is straight from the Grimaldi family tree. 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 princess became regent for her granddaughter Claudine. Pomellina is almost certainly the inspiration for Charlotte’s unusual middle.
Other Pomellinas appear in medieval Genoa from the 1300s through the 1500s, but 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 Poma;
- Pomona, the ancient Roman goddess of fruit trees, might’ve influenced Pomeline;
- Pomella meant apple in some Italian dialects and the Latin pomum refers 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 to the French word pomme – apple.
Others suggest that the name could derive from Pamela – but since Pamela was a poetic invention circa 1600, it doesn’t fit the history.
Instead, most of the inspirations suggest a link to the apple. This puts Pomeline in the company of the equally edible Clementine – a subtle nature name. Gwyneth Paltrow’s daughter Apple still makes the list of wackiest celeb baby names, but no one would raise an eyebrow for Pomeline. Apple names have appeared here before, and the category is surprisingly rich.
Pomeline has never ranked in the US Top 1000 and appears quite sparingly in the census records. Following the birth of Charlotte Casiraghi, a handful of girls received the name in France.
French names for girls are having a moment in the US, opening the door for parents to consider Pomeline. She needs no nickname, but Polly is one possibility, and Poppy, Millie, and Lina might work, too. With Madeleine so popular and Vivienne so Jolie-Pitt, more obscure French names continue to appeal. They’re feminine, yet tailored, and while Mireille or Agathe might not translate flawlessly into English, most are quite portable.
Pomeline’s pronunciation is pom uh LEEN, but you might hear variations.
If you’re looking for a combination of continental style, nature-name vibe and sophisticated sound, Pomeline makes for a deliciously rare appellation.
Apheline would make a great twin name to a Pomeline. Apheline is German/French root to Apple. Totally unexpected!
Still one of the best rare names out there
All I can think of is the pommel horse.
Love it! THanks for rerunning it, Abby!
I love my name and it’s always a great conversation starter 🙂
I love my name and it’s always a great conversation starter 🙂
I love my name and it’s always a great conversation starter 🙂
I love my name and it’s always a great conversation starter 🙂
This is currently in my top 10. I adore her so much. I would either use Pomme or Poppy as a nn.
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
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!
Very intriguing name! Lola, when I see it, I can’t decide whether it’s Pom-eh-leen or Pom-eh-line, like wine.
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! 😀
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?…
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?
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?
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!