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Baby names

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Original poster

Opinions on Jemima?

33 replies

Corsu · 23/06/2015 06:03

I think it's beautiful, biblical but not particularly common. I think people will know how to pronounce it. What do you all think?

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thebestever · 25/06/2015 18:22

I know a Jemima and she gets called "Jemima Vagina" at school!!

WhattodowithMum · 25/06/2015 18:19

In the U.S. Everyone will instantly think of "Aunt Jemima." She is a character used to sell pancake syrup and mix. She's had a modern overhaul, but she was originally presented as a fat, happy, docile black slave with her hair up in a red bandana and big gold hoop earrings.
Obviously, this isn't a problem here in the UK where the first association is "puddle duck." But good to be aware, just in case.

FatimaLovesBread · 25/06/2015 18:08

We've used it as a middle name as all the middle names i'd picked we didn't like when she arrived. DH picked it
Her first names not very common either so it probably does sound pretentious, ah well

emwithme · 25/06/2015 18:01

I'm alternating between Puddleduck and the dolly off Playschool.

But I actually really like it.

Cliffdiver · 25/06/2015 17:39

I love it.

I loved BP when growing up so love the reference to Jemima Puddleduck Smile.

DH would not even entertain it when I suggested it for DD2.

pasbeaucoupdegendarme · 25/06/2015 17:17

I have one Smile. She is mostly Mimy, or Mima. We also call her Puddle-duck as that association doesn't bother me at all (although that particular Jemima isn't the best role model..!)

whatever22 · 25/06/2015 17:02

I think of puddleduck too, as the only association. It is a very nice sounding name though, it needs a revival.

pilates · 25/06/2015 16:55

I like it

Zakken · 25/06/2015 16:42

Goldsmith (Khan)

Winterqueen · 25/06/2015 16:00

Beutiful name with quirky English sound, rare but well known and everyone can spell it. Mimi also very cute nickname. Could also be Jem or Emi.
The puddle duck association is hardly a bad one and the same could be said of Rebecca (jemima ducks sister!).

TorrAlexandra · 25/06/2015 15:43

Yeah, I see Jemima, I hear Puddleduck. Sorry.

drspouse · 25/06/2015 11:00

DH has a Jemima in his family tree and when thinking of a name for DD we went through all the family names we could find. I listed this and he said "Puddleduck!". So that's a no then.

WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 25/06/2015 10:48

Personal opinion...
Ugh. Pretentious. Not sure why, just an opinion.
Know a jemima, she is a bit posh, but nothing awful.
She goes by jem, which is really sweet.
Know a toddler jemima too. Her mum is always trying to fit in with the posh set. She is mima. Awful. Mima would be the downfall of this name for me!
Hamble and jemima were the dolls on a tv show when I was a kid?

poocatcherchampion · 24/06/2015 20:38

Glad I didn't put you off!

Strangely we most often shorten Georgina to Geor. Her sister started it. Otherwise Georgie is most oft used.

RonaldosAbs · 24/06/2015 18:32

DS's girlfriend is called Jemima but it's shortened to Mimi.

I like Mimi but I hate Jemima, it's very jolly hockey sticks to me.

MitzyLeFrouf · 23/06/2015 16:38

Don't like it. Sounds quite prissy.

bluewisteria · 23/06/2015 16:35

Very pretty. One in my DD's class, she is 4, and the only one I have ever met.

TempsPerdu · 23/06/2015 16:31

Not really my style, but it's a nice enough name. Like the nn Jem. My cousin is called Jemima, and she's anything but posh and pretentious!

Lunastarfish · 23/06/2015 16:28

I love it! (albeit it was my childhood cat's name but i would still use it for my baby if my DP would let me!). It was a contender for the middle name but strangely enough we have decided on Georgina.

Leaflitter · 23/06/2015 16:26

Lovely.

Original poster
Corsu · 23/06/2015 16:25

Thanks everyone. I'm not too bothered by the racist connotation thing - there is a history of the name way before that and I think that anyone who decided we were racist based on a name would have to be crazy.
I actually know a Jemima vaguely, and her classmates call her Jim. I don't think we would call her that as a family but friend nicknames don't bother me too much.
Georgina is a nice alternative, although the shortenings of that name bother me more for some reason.

OP posts:
Sophronia · 23/06/2015 11:15

I think it's lovely and very underused.

LibrariesGaveUsPower · 23/06/2015 10:59

It does have racist connotations in the US. Wouldn't bother me here
,

Zakken · 23/06/2015 10:50

Racist?! What utter bollocks.

I've only known one Jemima, at school, and she was mostly called Jem or Jemma.

MadAngryGnome · 23/06/2015 10:29

I love it and tempted to use it for a future dd. Jem is definitely a cuter nickname than Mima! Like a pp I also recall old ladies in rural Scotland known as Mima Smile