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Baby names

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Original poster

Thoughts on Jemima

58 replies

bb2605 · 09/01/2020 14:20

What are everyone's thoughts on Jemima? I absolutely love it but my husband keeps repeating Jemima Puddleduck (sigh). Also I'm really worried it could be shortened to Jemma which (no offence intended to any Jemma/Gemma's out there) I really dislike. Any other nicknames that fall out of Jemima that could be cute instead? I'd be OK with Mima...

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ThroughThickAndThin01 · 13/01/2020 20:24

Love Jemima.

ZebraKid71 · 13/01/2020 20:20

I grew up in the states where there were strong associations with Aunt Jemima so I wouldn't use it.

I know 2 little Jemimas, one goes by Mima which I dislike and one goes by Jimmy which started off as a joke but stuck.

AlpacaGoodnight · 13/01/2020 20:05

Love it! Really like Mimi and Mima as nicknames

nocluewhattodoo · 12/01/2020 23:09

Jemima was a contender when we were naming DD, I love it

Astronica · 12/01/2020 23:05

I love Jemima. And love Mima as a short form. I also think Immy would work fine as a nickname. Also, Mimi, Jem.

MollyButton · 12/01/2020 18:32

I like Jemima - in the US it has very different connotations (slavery), so that could be a consideration but for most English people they expect Jemima to be a posh horsey girl, is anything.

Cobblersandhogwash · 12/01/2020 17:49

Love Jemima

Jojo19834 · 12/01/2020 17:48

I thought ‘I like it’ but then thought ‘puddleduck’ but I still like it so I’d choose it

diddlediddle · 12/01/2020 17:43

It's nice. Don't know why people are so bothered by the puddleduck association - it's not a bad one, and there are plenty of names that are associated with various characters. I don't think it needs to be shortened but Jem and Mima are ok.

Lobsterquadrille2 · 12/01/2020 13:59

@bb2605 my DD was at school with twins who were Imogen and Jemima, known as Midge and Mima! Both beautiful names.

Original poster
bb2605 · 12/01/2020 13:53

@flymetothestars good advice 😂 bizarre!

I do love Imogen and so does my husband but our niece is called Izzy and we would shorten Imogen to Immy so I feel that they are a bit too similar? Wavering though because I’m keener on Jemima than he is and we do both like Imogen. I just love Jemima and I don’t think it is twee at all and I like that it is unusual. I know two people (although not close friends) whose daughters are called Imogen so it feels common to me but you’re right I should look up the stats recently because they are 2 and 4 years old respectively so maybe by the time ours gets to school it won’t be so common. Thanks!

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Flymetothestars · 12/01/2020 13:47

@bb2605 I would ignore the odd strange comment like that.

Jemima is a gorgeous name and in no way bully material. Sadly if a child is going to get picked on it’s going to happen, regardless of their name

Have you made a decision on the name? Can I just say I adore the name imogen too. It’s much less common than it used to be 5-10 years ago if you look at the numbers

Original poster
bb2605 · 12/01/2020 13:44

@LindaMcCarthy what a strange thing to say! I don’t think a Jemima would be bullied any more than any other child a lot of it depends on children’s personalities not their names. Also you’re implying I should call my child a name I think they’ll be bullied for so that they experience pain and suffering through their school years? I don’t follow your thoughts at all, I’m sorry!

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TheWoodsareDarkandDeep · 10/01/2020 23:31

It’s very very twee.

SummerintoAutumn · 10/01/2020 23:21

I know a Jemima... known as Jemmy when she was little.
Her friends now call her Jem.

LindaMcCarthy · 10/01/2020 22:54

Jemima is a name which when they grow up they will be bullied so I think you should call her this because In your life you should experience pain and hurt, I hope you understand my thoughts - as you were Linda X

northernlittledonkey · 10/01/2020 22:50

I love it, we nearly had one DH vetoed it. Her first cuddly toy was called Jemima. I thought of Mimi or Jem for short.

Ginbauble · 10/01/2020 22:48

I don't like the name, too twee for me

The 2 jemimas I know are both known as Jem.

WestCountryLady · 10/01/2020 22:48

Actually I think it might have been Jeremy.

WestCountryLady · 10/01/2020 22:46

I like it, I didn't think of Jemima puddle duck though I thought of Jimmi and Jemima from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!

GreenTulips · 10/01/2020 22:40

Jemima is the doll from play school

But I love it and it was on our list

FriedasCarLoad · 10/01/2020 22:38

Love it. Such a beautiful name. The Jemima's I know are known as

Jemima x3
Mimi x1
Mim x1
Jem/Jems x 1

DramaAlpaca · 10/01/2020 22:37

Jemima will always be Puddleduck to me.

The name has negative connotations in the southern US though, but that might not bother you.

Grandmi · 10/01/2020 22:34

Love Jemima.

HedgeHogFoxBadger · 10/01/2020 22:25

Love jemima.I have a Delilah and shortened her name when she was a baby to Dee Dee but now I can her Delilah and she doesn’t like anyone calling her Dee Dee!
What about tallulah or Tabitha (oh that’s Peter rabbit too!) love all of those names