Olivia Chen

By Olivia Chen
Historical Naming Consultant

Updated on September 02, 2024

Palmerston

US Popularity Rank: None

Origin: British

Meaning: Pilgrim; Palm tree

Give your stately little fellow a name to match their dignified personality! Palmerston is a masculine moniker of English origin, deriving from the name Palmer, which means “pilgrim” or “palm tree.” While these two meanings may at first seem unconnected, pilgrims would often bring back palm fronds from their travels to show where they had been. This surname-turned-given name is also considered a habitational name; what is today known as Darwin in Australia was previously known as Palmerston, and you will find the name crops up all over the world. Your little world traveler will love the globe-stretching nature of this name, and is sure to grow into it perfectly.