The name “Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo” is a layered expression of respect, spiritual function, and feminine dignity within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. “Jetsunma” is an honorific title, often rendered as “Venerable Lady” or “Reverend Noble Woman,” used for highly respected female practitioners and teachers. It signals not only formal status but also recognition of spiritual attainment, suggesting a woman who is held in deep reverence as a guide on the path. In this way, the title frames her life as one dedicated to the Dharma in a manner worthy of public veneration.

“Tenzin” means “Holder of the Teachings” or “Upholder of the Dharma.” The name points to a responsibility rather than a mere label: to preserve, maintain, and transmit the Buddha’s teachings. It evokes the image of someone who safeguards the doctrine so that it remains alive and accessible for others. Within the monastic context, such a name indicates a conscious commitment to embody and carry forward the living stream of Buddhist wisdom.

“Palmo” carries the sense of “Glorious Lady” or “Glorious Woman,” with “pal” referring to glory, splendor, or noble excellence, and the feminine form emphasizing a distinctly female embodiment of these qualities. This part of the name suggests a radiance grounded not in worldly status but in spiritual nobility. Taken together, the three elements—Jetsunma, Tenzin, and Palmo—present a portrait of a revered female practitioner who is both a noble, glorious presence and a dedicated holder of the Buddha’s teachings, uniting respect, responsibility, and awakened feminine qualities in a single, meaningful name.