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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Jemima

57 replies

BoJingle · 31/12/2020 19:40

We really struggle with names but we have landed on Jemima and as the days go on, we both actually like it.

I just can't decide if its OK or if we have lost our minds?! So tell me sensible people, what do you think of Jemima?

Any names like Jemima we might like?

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Labobo · 11/01/2021 08:54

I love it.

Jemima

In my mind it goes with these names, but is the best of them all:
Tabitha
Matilda
Arabella
Clementine
Charlotte/Charlotta
Alexandra
Georgiana

Lemonlemon88 · 11/01/2021 08:47

Jemima is lovely.

Sheleg · 11/01/2021 08:36

Awful, rheumy name. Puts me in mind of a spoilt, whiny child with a runny nose.

shittingthreeeyedraven · 11/01/2021 07:43

@wybie

thats the ugliest name ever
Thanks for such an insightful comment there. Ever heard the phrase, ‘if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything’?
wybie · 10/01/2021 22:47

thats the ugliest name ever

JemNo66 · 10/01/2021 22:03

I'm a 34 year old Jemima and love my name! I always get lots of nice comments about it, and it's unusual enough that I hardly ever meet another one, but normal enough that the majority of people know how to say it. I do get people misreading and calling me 'Jemma' from time to time, and some struggle with the spelling, but that doesn't bother me much. I'm aware of the Aunt Jemima thing but I've travelled quite a bit in America and it has never been a problem, and nobody has ever said anything to me about it. If you like it, go for it! You do of course get the odd 'puddleduck' comment, but not that often really and it's usually from someone of an older generation!

RainingBatsAndFrogs · 02/01/2021 10:15

Jemima is lovely.

ducktales1986 · 02/01/2021 10:05

Yeah but Arlo was at like 700 something one minute and 22 the next!! You can never tell!

EdgeOfACoin · 02/01/2021 09:13

Trendy? It's currently ranked 273 in England and Wales.

I don't think the Beatrix Potter connection is a problem. As PP said, Tabitha is a Beatrix Potter name too. I associate Tabitha with a cat. I also still associate the name Noah with an ark...

Jemma / Gemma are nice names but very 1980s. People will expect a 60-year-old woman when she's in her 20s!

ducktales1986 · 02/01/2021 08:20

Do you think it might be getting a bit trendy? I've heard of a few recently

basilsmom · 01/01/2021 21:55

I work with a girl called Jemima, it suits her. She gets called Jammy a lot.

VenusClapTrap · 01/01/2021 21:49

I don’t like it. To me it’s the Playschool rag doll. Makes me think of Hamble, Humpty and Little Ted.

LittleTiger007 · 01/01/2021 21:31

I love it

Bluesername · 01/01/2021 21:23

It's OK and I like Jemma as nickname.

Cordelia
Elspeth
Louisa
Matilda
Jessamine
Marina
Isadora
Susannah
Victoria
Pearl
Annabel

ThanksItHasPockets · 01/01/2021 20:46

Aunt Jemima has racist connotations in the US but so do Uncle Tom and Uncle Ben, and I have never seen anyone advised not to use those boys’ names on those grounds.

Original poster
BoJingle · 01/01/2021 20:30

Lots of puddleduck references here which I expected but I don't personally see that as a negative. The Aunt Jemima is obviously more of a concern as I'd not want anyone to think "oh they've picked a racist name" when I announce my new babies name

I just really like how it sounds. It sounds good with the surname and also my DDs name too. To the PP who mentioned Gemma/Jemma, not really an option unfortunately as DD has a gemstone name herself.

@shittingthreeeyedraven I'm not big on nicknames so would plan on using full name and seeing what naturally comes but I think Jim/Jimi could be cute

Thanks for your comments, its definitely given me something to think about.

OP posts:
Smallbus1 · 01/01/2021 20:28

I love it

ZebraKid71 · 01/01/2021 20:26

I grew up in the States so I wouldn't use it but its fine in the UK I think . I know two, one goes by Mima and the other by Jimmy.

shittingthreeeyedraven · 01/01/2021 19:54

Thank you catatecheese I’ve always associated Mimi with Amelia or Esme so hadn’t thought of that. I guess she could have whatever she wants as a nickname anyway, I went to school with someone who we all called Mousie but her name was Sarah. Also a Sandy who was really Sophie

catatecheese · 01/01/2021 19:48

Mimi, Mim, Emi

shittingthreeeyedraven · 01/01/2021 19:47

I love Jemima too! I’m contemplating it if this bump turns out to be a girl. My only slight hesitation is I can’t think of a shortening that I like, both Jem and Mima I have come across and I’m not keen. Anything else it could shorten to?

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 01/01/2021 19:42

It is as racist as the name Ben - ie, not at all.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 01/01/2021 19:33

@catatecheese

Jemima is lovely. I wouldn't worry about the American links. The brand has actually recently stopped using the Aunt Jemima marketing. Also in UK it has very different associations more upper class or as many people point out Puddle duck but nothing really negative. Unless Beatrix Potter is suddenly off limits? That would include Peter, Benjamin, Tom, Tabitha and Rebecca among many many other classic names Grin It's very pretty and sort of sits alongside Matilda, Tabitha, Martha type names.
Agree with this - in the UK it has a more upper/ upper middle class feel (like Jemima Goldsmith or Actress Jemima Rooper) or quirky Beatrix Potter vibes. The Aunt Jemima thing isn't a problem unless you live in the US imo.
catatecheese · 01/01/2021 19:24

Jemima is lovely.
I wouldn't worry about the American links. The brand has actually recently stopped using the Aunt Jemima marketing.
Also in UK it has very different associations more upper class or as many people point out Puddle duck but nothing really negative. Unless Beatrix Potter is suddenly off limits? That would include Peter, Benjamin, Tom, Tabitha and Rebecca among many many other classic names Grin
It's very pretty and sort of sits alongside Matilda, Tabitha, Martha type names.

RuthW · 01/01/2021 15:58

Jemima is lovely.