Norma

Norma is a female given name of Latin origin and meaning "normal" or "standard". It was created by the Italian poet Giovanni Boccaccio for his character Normilla in his collection of tales, the Decameron. The name became popular in England during the late Middle Ages after the publication of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, which featured a character named Normunda. The name Norma has been used throughout history and across different cultures. In ancient Rome, it was used as a family name, with some notable examples including the gens Norba, an ancient patrician family that traced its origins back to the mythical hero Numa Pompilius. The name was also popular among early Christians, with Saint Norma being venerated in Italy and other parts of Europe. In more modern times, the name Norma has been associated with a number of notable figures. For example, the famous Italian opera singer Maria Callas was born Anna Maria Cecilie Sofia Kalergi but performed under the stage name Maria Callas-Norma. The name has also been used as a literary device in works by authors such as Gustave Flaubert and Oscar Wilde. Overall, the name Norma is of Latin origin and meaning, with a long history of use across different cultures and time periods. While it may have fallen out of fashion in recent decades, it remains a strong and distinctive name option for parents looking to give their daughters a unique and meaningful name.