Jemima

I think Jemima and Jonah would make a good sibling set as well, because they both mean "dove".

This is my name and I have never been bullied for it, even when I was at school. Personally, I quite like my name, and my parents like it a lot too. When I think of Jemima I never think of the syrup brand. My parents were either going to call me Jemima or Sophy, but I am glad they chose Jemima. I am often called 'Mimes' or 'Mima'.

If I had twin girls, I would name them Jemima and Columba. Both names mean dove, a symbol of peace, in Hebrew and Latin,respectively.

A bearer of this name would certainly hear jokes regarding the syrup brand and, if black, certainly racist attitudes and comments. However, I do think this name has potential to become popular again and move beyond that history. The meaning is good and it has a good sound to it and, really, if Aunt Jemima syrup hadn't been at the center of a social and political debate I think it would even be a positive association.

I like it, It’s much, much, much better than Jemma, I think the ‘ie’ sound in the middle of it just makes it sound attractive.

Beautiful, sweet, warm name, but I can't get past the syrup connection. The Aunt Jemima US cultural reference doesn't bother me, but it might bother the child and there would certainly be other people in public who would be triggered by it and possibly say rude things to my child. Best left as a middle name in the US.

I love it! The history of it, plus it means dove. What ain't to love?

Gorgeous name, it really rolls off the tongue. Sounds sweet and bubbly, with plenty of nickname options.

I love the name Jemima. Probably won’t use it as for Aunt Jemima and Jemima Puddleduck.

I don't like it that much. Too many m's. I don't think of Aunt Jemima though.

Here is a haiku about this name:

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Wait a second, what?
This would be embarrassing.
It's a syrup brand...

Very cute and bubbly. Jemima is a lovely name for your daughter: it has a nice meaning, and while it is ancient, it sounds refreshing in this day and age. It's not very common anymore.

Terrible. Makes me think of Aunt Jemima and it sounds super low class.

I hate my name, the constant chanting "Jemima puddle duck, Jemima puddle duck, Jemima puddle duck".

I love the name Jemima. It sounds elegant. After losing everything Job was blessed with three of the most beautiful daughters ever. Jemima was one of them. I too lost family and I would love to name my daughter this name that holds so much meaning for me. However, The racism and meanness in America is such that I won't be able to call my daughter Jemima, for her sake.

Personally, I love the sweetness and warmth of this name; there's something so lovely and classic about it. Unfortunately cultural associations have largely ruined it for me, especially in the US. If I remain in the UK, however, I could very well see myself considering it as a middle name.

A very ugly name. Anyone with this name in the USA would be teased mercilessly, especially if they were black. Other black people would be all like "daaang... was your mama tryin' to say you're some kinda kitchen negro who cooks for massah?!?"

This name is very befitting an African-American woman.

This is such a unique, pretty, always-overlooked name! Jem or Mimi could be good nicknames.

I'm called Jemima and although I've never been teased because of it it's always embarrassing to tell people my full name. I usually stick to the nickname Mima (although this is childish) because I've grown up with it, even to the extent that most people don't know my full name. There aren't many nicknames for Jemima, Jem, Mima, and Jay(this is my favourite and is American). Sometimes it's also easier to shorten it to Jemma to be less embarrassing.

I love this name. It is so sweet and warm. It's a real classic and I'm surprised more girls aren't called Jemima.

A sweet, underused name that sounds lovely and IS lovely. =)

This is my best friends name and personally I LOVE it. I am from england where it isn't associated with Aunt Jemima or anything else. When I hear the name Jemima I think of the sweet innocnt girl from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It is very unique and british and I think it is a brilliant name. My friend Jemima has never been teased or bullied about her name before and she is the only one I know - unique.

Does anyone else google name combinations of children that haven't been conceived yet? Today I googled Jemima Pearl thinking what a cute little baby she'd be. Turns out she's a punk singer- not a bad one though, kind of an early Go-Go's sound to her, but still. I can't name my pretend daughter that anymore. Sigh.

I don't like this name. It makes me think of Aunt Jemima.

I am all for out-of-the-spotlight names... But perhaps "Jemima" is out for good reason. It simply has a very classless feel and pronunciation. Not to mention the ever-so evident "Aunt Jemima Maple Syrup," which I am unable to free my mind of (it is not even true syrup-- ick). As always, I would much prefer this name over many others that parents have dubbed their poor children.

Jemima is a cute name, but reminds me of Jemima the doll from Playschool.

I wouldn't use this name, at all. It reminds me too much of maple syrup, the word "mime" is in it (mimes can be really, really creepy), and it's TOO old fashioned. A kid would be teased constantly if they had this one. A variation might work, like some of the ones listed above.

Myself being the only Jemimah I've ever known, I can say from these comments that I wish I had lived in Britain to have been dubbed with the upperclass mark or at least the association with Jemima Puddleduck. Having grown up in the States and constantly chastized about pancakes, my name became J, which later in my college and professional life I converted to Jae.

This name is quite beautiful. I love the meaning, and it's not overused. However, I don't like the association with Aunt Jemima, which has pretty much ruined this gorgeous name in America.

I know four girls (born late 80s/early 90s) named Jemima and they all go almost exclusively by the nickname Jem. Younger children tend to say Mima or Mimey. I really like this name.

No. Just - no! It's a cute name, granted, but in the real world little Jemima will probably be teased mercilessly for having such a goofy, upper-class, old-fashioned name. Do you really want to lumber your child with the nickname "Jemima Puddleduck" for life?!

This name is hilariously horrible- it's so bad, it made me laugh out loud!

Despite being Biblical, this name is actually quite nice. I think the name Jemina, however, is a prettier version of this name, and it's actually a Finnish name (pronounced YE-mina), although not a very common one. The only Jemina I've heard of is the lead singer Jemina Pearl from the crappy teen band Be Your Own Pet, unfortunately enough. You could use that one if this one sounds too much like the Aunt Jemima character, which I, as a Finn born in the mid-80s, am unfamiliar with.

One too many m's. Feels like you're stuttering.

I think this is a lovely name. I think of the girl in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang when I read this name, all sweet and innocent and charmingly British. And I really like the meaning, "dove," too.

I like this name, but Aunt Jemima kind of ruins it for me.

I just adore this name - it's perfect.

I think the first thing people think of is Aunt Jemima.

I think it's a name that should be used only for cats. Doesn't it sound good as a name for a cat?

I think Jemima sounds lovely, but unfortunately it is occasionally used as a racial slur towards African-Americans. This is reason enough for me to put it on my "if only" list.