A pretty Sanskrit name, but people may want to think twice about using it in English speaking countries. Padma - pad - maxi pads. I don't know anyone who would want their name associated with feminine hygiene products.
This is a cute name. It makes me think of a nice, laid-back, fun-loving guy, and a serene, thoughtful, and beautiful girl. It's great either way. Oh, and it makes me think of Padma Maharassa, from the webcomic Friendly Hostility. He's the father of one of the two main characters, Fox, and he's a very eccentric man indeed.
Padma was George Lucas's inspiration when he named Padme Amidala, a main character in the Star Wars series. Many of her costumes and the sets associated with her character (house, palace, apartment, etc) sport lotuses.
― Anonymous User 6/8/2005
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Can also be spelled 'Padme' such as is the first name of the great, modern South Indian dancer, Dr. Padme Subramaniam. Padmini is a lovely variation of this name. There is a famous story of a beautiful medievel courtesan named 'Padmini' who was the princess of Chittorgah in North India.