Declining since 2011, #7,133 for girls today.
Popularity of Jema since 1976
Babies named Jema per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 11 |
| 1980s | 23 |
| 1990s | 55 |
| 2000s | 75 |
| 2010s | 186 |
| 2020s | 65 |
Meaning & origin
Jema is a rare and relatively modern name in the United States, first appearing in official records in 1976. It reached its peak popularity in 2011, but since then its usage has been falling steadily. As of 2025, only about 1 in 107,151 newborn girls were named Jema, placing it at rank 7,133. The name's origins are somewhat uncertain: it may be a phonetic variant of Gemma (from Latin for 'precious stone') or a shortened form of Jemima. While no top states were recorded for Jema, its modest use has been spread thinly across the country. Overall, Jema remains an uncommon choice for parents seeking a name that sounds familiar yet distinctive.
Jema likely emerged as a modern phonetic variant of Gemma, from Latin gemma 'precious stone', or as a shortening of Jemima, a Hebrew-derived name. Its use in the United States dates to the late 20th century, first recorded in 1976, with modest popularity peaking in 2011.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jem, Jemmy
Sibling names for Jema
Names that share Jema's style, for a brother or sister.
