Is Jemima 'unusable'?

[butternut234]

I love the name Jemima, but have only recently found out it's considered 'unusable' and 'derogatory' in the US. I don't live in the US, but I do live overseas, so a kid of ours could end up living anywhere. Don't want her to be teased or have a name she is ashamed of or feels could offend people. Am I worrying unnecessarily? Really took me by surprise when I first discovered this, so not sure how widespread a view it is, or if it's just the problem with googling!

Thanks in advance!

do it do it do it

Jemima

I reeeeally wanted a Jemima but DP vetoed.

No idea about connotations in other countries sorry.

oh and lovely nicknames Jem/Mim

DS2 would have been Jemimah. My concern would have been MIL's overuse of Puddleduck to follow, but given she calls any little girl Jemima Puddleduck anyway...

love it . its a great name .dd4 would have been it but have a niece called this so couldn't use it.

I love it, but I think Americans do consider it unusable. I don't quite understand why it is worse than say Ben, as in Uncle Ben (the rice) but for some reason, to use Jemima in the US is a whole can of worms.

We could say well that's stupid, but Randy is unusable here and no American could convince us otherwise I bet.

She could always call herself just 'Jemma' if she finds herself in the US

Why is it unusable? What are the connotations?

Em, ask Mathanxiety!

The term "Aunt Jemima" is sometimes used colloquially as a female version of the derogatory label "Uncle Tom". In this context, the slang term "Aunt Jemima" falls within the "Mammy archetype", and refers to a friendly black woman who is perceived as obsequiously servile or acting in, or protective of, the interests of whites.[2] The 1950s television show Beulah came under fire for depicting a "mammy"-like black maid and cook who was somewhat reminiscent of Aunt Jemima. Today, the terms "Beulah" and "Aunt Jemima" are regarded as more or less interchangeable as terms of disparagement in popular discourse.[citation needed]

That was from wiki

Aaaaah, I see! Never heard that one.

And there's the Aunt Jemima brand syrup and other foods, showing a 'mammy' with her hair tied up in a kitchen-maid's scarfy thing, smiling, cooking -- here's an older version. The modern label shows a slimmer woman minus the scarf. But the association with patronising attitudes towards black women remains.

I love the name, though. I wouldn't say it's unusable, but it's not used in the African American community much.

I think it´s a lovely name.

Good enough for Jemima Goldsmith-wonder if she gets scoffed at for it?

a 'jemima' was also Victorian slang for a prostitute/loose woman.