On Palmyra: it is. The Romans called it Palmyra because of the palmtrees in the area. It was an oasis.
City of Palmtrees
Tadmor in arabic but probably with the same meaning. My arabic is a bit rusty... ;-)

Interesting note for my "map-making": the Arche Seleukeia ignored this city so it should be untouched in EB by them if played historically correct.
Romans took hold of it twice. First between 68 and 54 bc annexed by Nero. Later the city was found deserted by Antonius in 41 bc.

If someone has other information on this, please feel free to share.