Petaluma
p(e)-talu-ma,
pet(a)-luma
Origin:Native American
Meaning:Flat back
You’ll have even more reasons to visit the West Coast when little Petaluma comes along. While Petaluma, California, put this title on the map, your new addition could give it another claim to fame! As a feminine first name, Petaluma stems from a language spoken by the Miwok people, a Native American group. In this dialect, Petaluma means “flat back,” perhaps referring to the Californian city’s mountainous landscape. When your Petaluma grows up, they might even decide to call their namesake city home.
On this page:
Sources
Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce, History of Petaluma
Britannica, Petaluma, California, United States, May 2025
WordSense Dictionary, Petaluma
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