DH adores the name Roma...

[Calmondeck]

...and I'm not convinced. We're non-Europeans living in Europe; I imagine for Europeans, the name Roma is associated either with the group of people or the city. Or the tomato!

DH is convinced it's what we're looking for - feminine but strong sounding (no ee endings, so Romy is out); easy to pronounce and spell, uncommon but traditional.

I admit, I like the sound of Roma, it feels warm to me. But not all of the connotations (I'm not hugely into place names as people's names).

Would really love people's thoughts and alternatives that might match our impossible criteria.

I knew a lady named Roma. I think she was polish. I never associated the name with anything but I’m Australia. Never heard it since.

I guess Roma is uncommon like you have stated is part of your criteria
Only one letter added and you've just spelt out one of the top rising most popular trendy boy names: Roman. Would that bother you if there were a couple of Roman's in the class.

I like Rosa, Roxanne / Roxanna nickname Rox

I think of travellers

I misread it as Rona, as in Corona...

It's a nice name, but the association you mention with travellers is what will prob come to mind for most so depends if you mind or not. I prefer Romy but you've said that's a no because of the ending so how about Rosa? Or Romana as a full name shortened to Roma?
Very true about Roman rising in popularity for boys, so something to consider if the similarity bothers you.

I agree with you re the connotations.
What about Nora
Nina
Ruth
Thea
Mila

I like it, only ever met one Roma. What other names do you like OP? My DH wanted the name Maximilian for our DS, neither of our sons are called that!

I quite like it. It's not something I'd choose but I think it works as a name. There is the issue of it being the same as a group of people but people would soon just associate it with her name.

What about Paloma instead? I like Roma too but would assume you had some connection to Rome or maybe she was conceived there

I do like Roma.

Paloma
Rhona
Rowan
Rowena
Petra
Fiona
Julia
Lydia
Paula
Hero
Claudia
Norah
Zenobia
Vita
Romaine (but not easy)
Iona (also a place name)
India (ditto)

I wouldn’t use this name.
I’m sure this is not your intention, but it seems arrogant to appropriate the name of an entire ethnic group to be your child’s name.

How about:
Nova,
Nola,
Remi,

I think of travellers when I hear Roma

Romilly with nick name Roma

Rosa and rose

Rona

Rumana and Romana are alternatives you might prefer? I have met one from Bangladesh and she was an architect.

I guess they are like Romany so doesn't help there.

Aurora nn Rory?

Ramona?

Mara

Maura
Moira

Does he like it because of the city?
I know a girl with Roma for a middle name because her parents loved the place.

Like others have used Rio or Paris.

If I’m being totally honest it just made me think of Coronavirus as a lot of people around here shorten it to ‘Rona’ or say ‘the rona’.

Your DH says he likes it because it’s traditional - for an ethnic group of travellers it is!

Ramona Flowers is a great Scott Pilgrim character to be named after. I’d go for that instead.

Isn’t it just like calling your child ‘arab’ or ‘caucasian’? Seems a bit strange. Rosa sounds similar, would that interest him?

It sounds fine although like other posters, prefer Rosa.

I know a little girl called Romilly, you could use that and Roma for short?

I know a female Romaine (but it's more often male Romain), pronounced Ro-man, and a Runa which has a similar sound.

I immediately thought of Roma the Hoob 😂 I don't think it's a bad name though!