Palmina
Of Latin origin, meaning "Little Palm" or "Palm Tree".
Name Census estimates that about 12 living Americans carry the first name Palmina. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Palmina today is around 94 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Palmina births was 1928 (18 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Palmina. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Palmina is about 94 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Palminas were born before 1942.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Palmina. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
12
~ 1 in 28,562,862 Americans
Peak year
1928
18 babies that year
Average age
94
years old
1946 SSA rank
#5,514
Tracked since 1911
Popularity
Palmina: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Palmina from the 1910s through to the 1940s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 123 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1920s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Palmina by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Palmina during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Palminas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 3 states and territories. New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts recorded the most babies named Palmina, while Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 21 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Palmina
Palmina is a feminine given name with origins tracing back to ancient Roman times. It is derived from the Latin word "palma," meaning "palm tree" or "victory." The name likely originated in the Mediterranean region where palm trees were abundant and held cultural significance.
During the Roman era, the palm branch was a symbol of triumph and victory. It was customary for victors in battles or competitions to be adorned with palm fronds. As such, Palmina may have initially been bestowed upon girls born into families celebrating a recent victory or achievement.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Palmina can be found in Roman inscriptions and documents from the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. One notable bearer of the name was Palmina Procula, a Roman noblewoman who lived in the 3rd century and was known for her philanthropic work.
In the Middle Ages, Palmina remained in use, though it was less common than other names derived from Latin roots. It is recorded that a Benedictine nun named Palmina lived in a convent in Italy during the 12th century, renowned for her piety and dedication to her faith.
As the Renaissance period dawned, the name Palmina experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly in Italy. One notable bearer was Palmina Negroni (1516-1589), an Italian painter and one of the few female artists of her time to achieve recognition and success.
In the 17th century, Palmina Vieira (1608-1693) was a Portuguese writer and poet, celebrated for her contributions to the Golden Age of Portuguese literature. Her works explored themes of love, spirituality, and the human condition.
Moving into the 19th century, Palmina Pelleschi (1837-1901) was an Italian operatic soprano who performed in many of the major opera houses across Europe, including La Scala and the Royal Opera House in London.
While not as common in modern times, Palmina has maintained a presence throughout history, carrying with it the rich heritage of its Roman origins and associations with victory, achievement, and cultural significance.
People
Palmina + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Palmina as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with P
Other first names starting with P with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Palmina: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Palmina?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 12 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Palmina going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 28,562,862 US residents.
Is Palmina a common name?
We classify Palmina as "Very Rare". It ranks above 32.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 273 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Palmina most popular?
The single biggest year for Palmina was 1928, when 18 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Palmina is about 94 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Palmina a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Palmina in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.