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.

@lekkerkroketje

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

I would avoid a name which has a French pronunciation (and is also a type of lettuce). You’d forever be saying, “yes it’s spelled like that but it’s pronounced differently”.

Thanks everyone, Rosa and Romilly are great alternatives.

I should've said, our surname begins with R. I'm reluctant for the alliteration but DH loves it!

I love Sienna, Anna, Eloise, Emma. Maybe these are quite different styles?

Oh I love alliteration too! Depends on the names tho I guess.

No, for the reasons already mentioned.

Another suggestion which is unusual but the eponymous name of a classic novel - Romola.

I don’t think it Is usable due to the Roma being an ethnic group, and it’s not fair to give your child a name that may be considered ‘cultural appropriation’ and that may lead her to be ashamed of her name.

What about;
Tessa
Leona
Anya
Saskia
Pippa
Hannah

My Nana was called Roma, as is my sisters godmother, it is my daughters middle name, it means Rome, it is a lovely name.

Oh yes a lot of people do call Corona , "Rona" which I guess is similar
Love alliteration though and think Rosa and Romilly are much nicer

Sienna, Anna, Eloise and Emma are all gorgeous by the way @Calmondeck

Rome’s a great name as you can tell from my username lol

Rosa is a great alternative

I wouldn't, @Calmondeck.
The ethnic group and that it sounds like Aroma.

Romy might be an alternative, but I'm not keen.

Ii don't get the love for Romilly, Romaine is a lettuce, Romany is awful,

Romy is a lovely name. So are Lana, Elana, Clara.

For me, Roma is associated with the Romany people and I wouldn't use it for a child's name. www.coe.int/en/web/roma-and-travellers

I wouldnt use it due to the connotations

Cultural appropriation

It’s what every Italian calls Rome, as in a place. How many Caucasian girls called India do you know? People need to calm down.

I like it OP. It’s unusual and I immediately think of Rome not anything else.

I know two Roma’s, both male Russians, shortened from Roman.

I quite like it, and think it would be ok. Romany doesn't raise eyebrows and it's the same really isn't it? What about Ramona? Or as Romany is more known as a name then Romany shortened to Roma?

I do think there is a difference between naming a child after a city or a country compared to a people or name for an ethnic group. Personally, I wouldn't use the name of an ethnic group as a Christian name.

Nobody else used the term 'cultural appropriation' apart from you, LongPause.

My first thought was the Roma people. I would avoid Romany for the same reason.

I know someone called Gypsy and I automatically think of gypsies when I hear her name.

Rosa is a lovely alternative. It's outside the top 100 so not overused but also well known and easy to say and spell. Rosanna is nice too.

Romany doesn't raise eyebrows

Seriously? It raised mine - I've never heard of Romany being used as a name, it hadn't occurred to me that anyone would.

There’s an Italian actress/singer, and daughter of Tyrone Power, called Romina because she was apparently conceived in Rome. Might that work?

In Italy the association with her would be strong, but outside Italy you’d probably be safe. Also it’s not a lettuce or an ethnic group

Roma makes me think immediately of traveller people.

Rose, Rosie, Rosa, Romilly, Romola, Ramona, Rhona, Romy are all better options.

@LongPauseNoAnswer

Cultural appropriation

It’s what every Italian calls Rome, as in a place. How many Caucasian girls called India do you know? People need to calm down.

I like it OP. It’s unusual and I immediately think of Rome not anything else.

Not cultural appropriation of the city, but of the widely oppressed ethnic group.

Romola is a lovely suggestion. I love Romilly if the ‘de’ ending isn’t a deal-breaker.

‘ee’

I know a lady called Roma. I’ve never made the connection to the ethnic group. I think it’s fine as a name.

Roma are a race, not a group of people
HTH

What about Ronia or Ronja? Very similar sound.