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Roma

Girl name · 120 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Roma: 120 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 10 births in 2021.

Of Romani origin, Roma likely began as a feminine short form of Romana, itself derived from the Latin *Romanus*, meaning "a citizen of Rome," though it also directly evokes the endonym of the Romani people, making its heritage dual. The most famous bearer is the British actress Roma Downey, best known for her starring role as Monica in the long-running television series *Touched by an Angel*. While no major cities or towns directly share the name, the Italian capital Rome—etymologically linked through the same Latin root—lends the name an enduring classical grace. In Scotland, Roma has seen modest but consistent use since the 1970s, prized for its short, lyrical sound and its quietly independent feel, often chosen by parents drawn to names with both European and cross-cultural resonance.