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Baby names

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

Original poster

Alternatives to Jemima?

34 replies

PitterPatter3 · 15/04/2024 20:34

I really like this name but we have American connections and it has racist connotations over there. I therefore think it has to be a no unfortunately. Any similar suggestions?

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SummerCam73 · 18/04/2024 22:30

Tallulah
Delilah
Tabitha

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 18/04/2024 22:30

Agree with posts that say Jessamine ( if you are wanting the nn Jem from Jemima) or Tabitha in terms of style are the obvious ones.

I’d possibly also add in terms of style ( as I think of Jemima as “British quirky/underused”):
Felicity
Verity
Saskia
Cassia
Celia
Rosamund
Bryony
Tamsin

resm · 18/04/2024 21:17

maudelovesharold · 18/04/2024 00:08

Why wasn’t it Mima (my-ma)?

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That’s what I thought! But yeah, she went by Mina.

FrogletandMe · 18/04/2024 21:07

Tallulah
Jessica

Original poster
PitterPatter3 · 18/04/2024 19:57

@AliceMcK I like the sound of it and the fact that it’s always been relatively unusual without being way out there.

Tabitha is my favourite alternative so far too.

OP posts:
AliceMcK · 18/04/2024 00:09

PitterPatter3 · 17/04/2024 23:47

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/17/business/media/aunt-jemima-racial-stereotype.html

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Can’t log in OP, but I can guess why it’s considered racist in America.

what about the name do you like, the J sound or A sound at the end.

I agree with @LadyGrillingSole Tabitha is beautiful,

maudelovesharold · 18/04/2024 00:08

resm · 15/04/2024 20:48

I knew a Mina (pronounced My-na, not Me-na) and only found out years later that she was actually a Jemima.

Why wasn’t it Mima (my-ma)?

Carouselfish · 18/04/2024 00:05

Ginevra ( means Juniper. Also lovely da Vinci portrait)

Enough4me · 17/04/2024 23:55

Arabella
Phoebe
Delilah/Delia
Francesca
Jillian
Helena
Marian
Janina
Juliet

Original poster
PitterPatter3 · 17/04/2024 23:47

serin · 17/04/2024 23:43

How is it racist?

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/17/business/media/aunt-jemima-racial-stereotype.html

OP posts:
serin · 17/04/2024 23:43

How is it racist?

renthead · 16/04/2024 06:28

I have a Jemima. Another J name I considered was Jessamyn. I also seriously considered Keziah, the sister of Jemima in the Bible and quite similar in feel and sound.

Mumofgirls2017 · 16/04/2024 04:06

Beatrix
lydia
tabitha
Paloma
matilda
dorothy
eliza
josephine
penelope
phoebe
delilah
henrietta
Primrose
juniper
ottilie
daphne
eloise
helena
harriet

Ellmau · 16/04/2024 00:55

Gemma
Tabitha
Jana
Genevieve

SnowFrogJelly · 16/04/2024 00:53

Joely

SnowFrogJelly · 16/04/2024 00:52

Jemma
Jenna
Jessamy
Jessica

Theoldwoman · 16/04/2024 00:22

Nina
Gemma
Gina
Johannah
Hannah
Jana
Alana
Melanie
Lillian
Dana

theduchessofspork · 16/04/2024 00:10

Yolanda
Estella
Fernanda
Miranda
Luella
Rosanna
Perdita
Tabitha
Edwina

LadyGrillingSole · 15/04/2024 21:26

Tabitha. Beautiful name.

hugheashman · 15/04/2024 21:25

Joanna
Matilda
Madeline
Pollyanna

RobertasRadio · 15/04/2024 21:21

Jeama (pronounced Jee-ma). I went to school with one about 40 years ago!

resm · 15/04/2024 20:48

I knew a Mina (pronounced My-na, not Me-na) and only found out years later that she was actually a Jemima.

11NigelTufnel · 15/04/2024 20:48

Tabitha
Juniper
Jasmine

I am of an age where Jemima goes with big Ted, little Ted and Humpty, but probably even most new parents wouldn't remember play school on TV, never mind kids!

DuchessOfSausage · 15/04/2024 20:46

Use it anyway. It's lovely.

Moreteaandchocolate · 15/04/2024 20:44

Jasmine
Genevieve
Matilda
Beatrice
Tabitha
Delilah
Eliza
Tallulah
Jessica
Georgina
Dorothy
Violet
Arabella
Gabriella
Jennifer
Vivienne
Penelope
Rosalie
Juliette