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Paloma

♀ Girl

Pronounced pah-LOH-mah /pəˈloʊ.mə/High

Meaning: Dove; from the Spanish paloma meaning dove or pigeon, from Latin palumba meaning wood pigeon, the dove being a universal symbol of peace and the Holy SpiritHigh

In 30 seconds: Paloma means dove in Spanish, a name of extraordinary peace symbolism carried by the daughter of Pablo Picasso, whose father's famous peace dove prints made the bird central to 20th-century artistic culture.
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Origin HighSpanish, Latin
MeaningDove; from the Spanish paloma meaning dove or pigeon, from Latin palumba meaning wood pigeon, the dove being a universal symbol of peace and the Holy Spirit
U.S. rank (2025)#793 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births343 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2009
Total births (all-time)≈ 10,759

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200919212025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Paloma derives from the Spanish paloma, meaning dove, from Latin palumba (wood pigeon). The dove is a universal symbol of peace, the Holy Spirit in Christianity, and faithfulness. In Spain and Latin America, paloma appears in religious imagery, folk songs, and poetry, making it a name rich in cultural resonance.

Paloma has been a traditional Spanish girls name for centuries, used across Spain, Mexico, and Latin America. In the United States it gained celebrity visibility through Paloma Picasso, and has been rising as parents of all backgrounds discover its beautiful meaning and elegant three-syllable sound.

Did you know? Pablo Picasso named his daughter Paloma in 1949, the same year he created his famous lithograph La Colombe (The Dove) for the Paris World Peace Congress. Paloma Picasso grew up to become a celebrated jewelry designer, her name permanently linking dove, peace, art, and feminine elegance.
Overall data confidence 98%
Behind the Name — Paloma — Spanish and Latin etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

PalomitaPalom

Nicknames

PaliLoma

Famous Bearers

  • ★Paloma Picasso (1949–present)
    French-Spanish jewelry designer and daughter of Pablo Picasso, renowned for her work with Tiffany and Co. and her bold personal style.

If you like Paloma…

Palomino
Dolores— same category of traditional Spanish feminine name with deep Catholic imagery
Isabella— shares the flowing Spanish classic with pan-European recognition
Carmen— fellow traditional Spanish feminine name with strong poetic and musical associations

Frequently Asked

What does the name Paloma mean?

Paloma means dove in Spanish, from the Latin palumba meaning wood pigeon, symbolizing peace and the Holy Spirit.

How do you pronounce Paloma?

It is said pah-LOH-mah, three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Paloma a popular name?

Paloma is popular in Spain and Latin America and is rising in the United States, valued for its beautiful peace symbolism.

Is Paloma related to Picasso?

Paloma Picasso, daughter of artist Pablo Picasso, is the name's most famous modern bearer; her father named her in the same year he created his iconic peace dove.