Pom

The name 'Pom' has a dual etymology. In Latin, 'pomum' means 'apple' or 'fruit', and this root has influenced various Romance languages. As a standalone name, 'Pom' is rare in this context. More commonly, 'Pom' is encountered as a Dutch diminutive or nickname. In Dutch, 'pom' can be a pet form of names like 'Pompilia' or 'Pommeline', or even a short form of names containing the 'pom' element. It can also be a direct reference to the Dutch word 'pom' which means 'apple' or 'potato' in some dialects, or even related to the number five, as in 'pomme' in French for apple, and 'pomme de terre' for potato. The usage as a given name is primarily as a short, affectionate form.