Rising since 2012, #14,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Jem since 1963
Babies named Jem per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 0 | 10 |
| 1970s | 0 | 5 |
| 1980s | 31 | 0 |
| 1990s | 18 | 0 |
| 2000s | 7 | 16 |
| 2010s | 19 | 11 |
| 2020s | 32 | 22 |
Meaning & origin
Jem is an uncommon unisex name in the United States, first recorded in 1986 and peaking in 1987. Although its absolute numbers remain small, the name has shown a consistent upward trajectory since 2012. With a raw rank of 14,942 in 2025 and an incidence of approximately 1 in 321,453 newborns, Jem remains a rare choice. Its etymological roots are uncertain; it likely functions as a short form of James or Jeremy, both derived from the Hebrew Jacob, but it could also be a respelling of Gem, the precious stone. The name's rarity and ambiguity give it a distinctive appeal.
Jem is most commonly considered a diminutive of James or Jeremy, both ultimately deriving from the Hebrew name Ya'aqov (Jacob). In some cases, it may be a variant spelling of Gem, from the Old French gemme, meaning 'precious stone'. The name saw limited use as an independent given name in the 20th century.
“Jem” around the world
Where Jem lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Gem
Sibling names for Jem
Names that share Jem's style, for a brother or sister.
