The surname Palamara shows a probably nickname and occupational origin of Greek root. In this sense, E. Rossoni links it with the Greek term polýmitos ("of many threads"), which would have given rise, through dialect modifications, to a nickname related to the manufacture of ropes, cables or lines, that is, an activity linked to the maritime sphere.

For his part, N. Bergamo proposes an alternative interpretation, relating it with the Greek paláme ("palm of the hand"), which suggests a possible distinct semantic origin. In this way, the surname could reflect both an artisan specialization and a Greek lexical root reinterpreted in the dialect context of southern Italy.