Thoughts on this name?

[ClareaBear]

I am expecting a baby girl (sister for brother Jamie- Christened James). My husband and I had narrowed down our final list but he came to me a couple of days ago after watching a film with a character called Paloma. wasn't keen at first but it is already growing on me. What do people think of this? One thing that concerns me is I like nicknames and names that can be shortened. I cam't think of anything for Paloma other than Pal/Pally but to be frank that reminds me of a dog's name! Any input would be great :) Thanks all!

[Dovahkiin]

It's a lovely name! I wish my DH would come up with something half as nice - he suggested Samantha earlier...
I think Lola or Polly would be natural nicknames.

[EyelinerQueen]

I don't like it - it's Spanish for pigeon which is not pretty or feminine.

I also don't think it goes with James/Jamie. At all.

And I don't understand English people using Spanish/French names when there's no direct connection.

[Dovahkiin]

I thought it was dove rather than pigeon - much nicer connotations :)

[ClareaBear]

Dovahkiin I was surprised myself especially as he suggested "Iingrid" a few weeks ago!!

[ClareaBear]

EyelinerQueen it actually does mean dove, not pigeon :) I understand where you are coming from but there are so many popular names that people use whether they have connections to that country or not. French- Madeleine, Aimee, Amelie, Fleur, Eloise, Monique, Lorraine, Jolie, Ariane, Renee, Blanche, Elise, Camille, Jacqueline, Esme, just off the top of my head!!

Spanish- Sofia, Isabella, Gabriella, Bianca, Antonia, Natalia, Marina.. Name's are crossing over more and more now and I don't really see that as any bad thing

[PandaFeet]

I just think of Paloma Faith the singer.

On a side note, Samantha seems to be coming back in. I know of two baby Samanthas born recently.

[Lyonesse]

It actually means both dove and pigeon

[Raxacoricofallapatorius]

I prefer Ingrid.

[EyelinerQueen]

It means both dove and pigeon.

The name came up in a conversation with my Spanish relatives and they all disliked it and said their first thought was 'pigeon'.

Not being a fan of the disease-ridden winged rats, it is enough to put me right off .

[ClareaBear]

Thanks for the input EyelinerQueen. Not having any Spanish connections or connections to Spanish people, this doesn't concern me too much :)

[Dovahkiin]

Still voting for Paloma here. Professor Wikipedia suggests lots of famous Spanish and American women called Paloma, including the brilliantly named Paloma Kwiatkowski, which suggests a truly international background :)

Samantha = Samantha Fox = lady mullet and giant boobs. Not good.

[Floggingmolly]

But lots of English people are aware of the meaning, op. I'm Irish and I knew it...

[UriGeller]

Paloma is lovely. I think of Paloma Picasso.

And it makes me think of Palomino which would be a lovely name too.

[lljkk]

It's okay, I would have thought Pam is obv nn.

[LCHammer]

Paloma Picasso as well. It's like Pamela but more exotic. I quite like it.

[2girls4lou]

I think it's lovely. Floggingmolly I always knew it to mean "dove" and I think that's what most people think of, not pigeon. Let's not forget that Rachael means "female sheep" but that hasn't put people off!

[2girls4lou]

Nice names with bad meanings:

Emily - Rival
Claudia-Lame
Cecilia- blind
Deirdre- sorrowful
Lola- lady of sorrows
Mara- bitter
Portia- pig
Saskia- knife
Byron- barn of cows
Cameron- crooked nose

Point being- don't worry about Paloma meaning pigeon as most people know it to mean dove anyway

[Floggingmolly]

Now that I didn't know, 2girls. Point taken

[Allalonenow]

I think it's a lovely name, it reminds me of the dove of peace. I like Lola as a nn too.

[Seminyak]

Love it, it's on my list