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Baby names

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Original poster

To wonder why Gemma is currently so unpopular? What do you think of the name?

131 replies

1horatio · 17/12/2016 11:27

I had to stay up yesterday evening and to keep me awake I started thinking about baby names for our 2nd child (I'm not pregnant yet, but depending on some developments we may start trying again after Christmas...).

Anyhow, I really like the name Gemma. It really works with my Italian heritage, the Italian part of the family could pronounce that one, it sounds lovely and I don't think there would be any issues with it in the UK (or am I wrong?).

So, do you like Gemma?

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MrsJayy · 17/12/2016 12:33

I have a very popular 1970s name probably the Evie of the day but it doesn't matter really

MrsJayy · 17/12/2016 12:31

Yeah if you like a name use it I would never be put off a name, andyeah it is Gemma not Jemma imo

Original poster
1horatio · 17/12/2016 12:29

I know that popularity doesn't matter.

But if there's an Eva, Evie, Ava and Ada in one class... well, they are very lovely names. But, I personally, as a kid, would have been very annoyed, tbh.

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fledglingFTB · 17/12/2016 12:27

I'm clearly biased but I do think a lot of the popular names are very fucking twee atm. Seems like adding ie on the name for the sake of it. They're just going to get shortened in everyday use anyway, and then they're just as bog standard as everyone else.

Also the argument for a name not being "popular" is redundant, name them whatever you want. It's not a contest. Smile

Original poster
1horatio · 17/12/2016 12:26

Jemma looks a bit wrong to me... I know, it's a perfectly acceptable variant of Gemma. But... I'm not sure why I don't like it. Blush

Plus, Gemma was the wife of Dante Alighieri. So, Gemmas are in very good company, imo ;)

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MrsJayy · 17/12/2016 12:25

Gemma Collins ,? If you don't know who she is you are lucky she is a pain in the neck.

Groovee · 17/12/2016 12:23

Prefer Jemma as the spelling x

throwingpebbles · 17/12/2016 12:21

I really like the name Smile

Original poster
1horatio · 17/12/2016 12:20

Who is Gemma of Towie? Should I know her? Is she famous for something bad? Just asked DH, he doesn't know her either 🙈
I'll have to look her up.

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Original poster
1horatio · 17/12/2016 12:19

Oh... it's nice to hear so many Gemmas (Gemme? 🤔) like their name!

One of the interns of the place I work in was called Gemma. She was an asweome kid (well, I assume she still is😂).

But it's a perfectly nice name and at least she wouldn't be one of several in her class with that name now.

right? I feel like granny names (and don't get me wrong, I really like granny names) are currently very much in style. But in a class with them little Gemma would actually be kind of uncommon, right? But not so 'unique' that nobody could spell it...

And it would work with the name of DD1.

OP posts:
MrsJayy · 17/12/2016 12:18

I think it is one of those names that is not back yet Dd is in her 20s a few Gemma's in her school year it was a popular name. There is nothing wrong with it but I just think of that Gemma off Towie and how whiny she is

Oysterbabe · 17/12/2016 12:16

It's alright, just a bit dated.

fledglingFTB · 17/12/2016 12:12

As a Gemma I've always quietly liked my name, and felt it's quite understated.

It's very easy going. Short, simple, not hard to pronounce and although familiar, it's not overly common. Always nice when someone reaches the tipping point of friendliness and starts to shorten the name too. Slightly egotistical on my behalf I realise, but I do enjoy being called a Gem Grin

Your Italian heritage makes it a lovely choice IMO

GemmaB78 · 17/12/2016 12:09

I like it ;-)

coffeetasteslikeshit · 17/12/2016 12:06

I like it.

PaperdollCartoon · 17/12/2016 12:04

I'm 29 and was at school with a few Gemma's, definitely for an 80s baby. But it's a perfectly nice name and at least she wouldn't be one of several in her class with that name now.

whatishappeninghey · 17/12/2016 11:58

I think its a lovely name. I know a couple of Gemma's who are in their 30's but i still think it would be nice now for a newborn

lokisglowstickofdestiny1 · 17/12/2016 11:57

Nothing wrong with the name at all. It isn't a classic name though so just isn't fashionable at the moment.

cornflowerblu · 17/12/2016 11:56

I think it's a beautiful name

Original poster
1horatio · 17/12/2016 11:53

Oh... DD isn't half Italian. My nonna is Italian, so... DD would be 1/8.

But I grew up in a town with a pretty big Italian community (Italian church, Italian shops, Italian wedding dress sellers etc) and it's DM's native language. So, despite being quite far removed from Italy I still speak Italian, am very close to my Italian family (I think I'm closer to the Italian part than to any other, tbh...)

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KatherinaMinola · 17/12/2016 11:50

Very beautiful name, especially if half Italian. As PP say, only unpopular now because it hit a peak in the mid-80s and so now seems rather dated/unfashionable.

Original poster
1horatio · 17/12/2016 11:45

the first time I ever met a Gemma was when I came to the UK.

Beautiful and really smart woman. Also very intelligent. So, I guess I just have very positive associations with the name. And I think it would work with the name of DD. so, of DC2 will be a girl... ;)

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CashelGirl · 17/12/2016 11:45

I love Gemma and I know lots of lovely Gemma's. If it works for you, and you love it, then don't let other people's opinions put you off. Xx

yeOldeTrout · 17/12/2016 11:43

That's a fun graph to play with.
It only looks so dramatic because Gemma was so popular 20 yrs ago.
The name Edith looks like it's had a reverse experience, from almost nobody to very popular, but when you look at the actual % now, it's about the same as Gemma, so just as popular.

I know an 8yo Gemma. And many adults!! Doesn't seem uncommon to me.

KoalaDownUnder · 17/12/2016 11:41

I don't dislike it, but it's very dated to my ears.

Gemma was quite popular when I was at school (Australia, 1980s), so I think of it as a 'mum' name.

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