The story behind Gemma
Ultimately from Latin gemma (“jewel”). The given name is mostly borrowed via Italian Gemma; the spelling Jemma in particular is associated with James. Doublet of gemma and gem.
Other language forms and explanations (1)
Tagalog entry
Borrowed from English Gemma, from Latin gemma.
Pronunciation
English; dialect unspecified: /ˈd͡ʒɛmə/
Regional pronunciation variants
- Tagalog; Standard-Tagalog: /ˈd͡ʒema/
- Tagalog; Standard-Tagalog: [ˈd͡ʒɛː.mɐ]
- Tagalog: /ˈdjema/
- Tagalog: [ˈd̪jɛː.mɐ]
Popularity
Gemma ranked #170 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Gemma
Gema
Borrowed from Italian Gemma, from Latin gemma (“gem”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Gerda
Latinate variant of Scandinavian Gerd, from Old Norse Gerðr, garðr (“protection”). The name occurs in nineteenth century Swedish poetry and in Hans Christian Andersen's Snow…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Gina
* (name from Greek): Clipping of Georgina. * (name from Latin): Clipping of Regina. * (name from Italian): Italian Gina Borrowed from English Gina.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Glenda
Coined in the twentieth century from Welsh glân (“holy, fair”) and da (“good”). From English Glenda, from Welsh, from glân (“holy, fair”) and da (“good”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Aida
Borrowed from Italian Aida, made famous by Giuseppe Verdi's opera Aida, which premiered in 1871. From Italian Aida.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Aída
Borrowed from Italian Aida.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Gemma
Bessie
Borrowed from English Bessie.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Birdie
From birdie (“little bird”). Also used as a diminutive of Bertha.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Blue
From the German surname, Americanized from Blau or its French cognate bleu.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Gemma
Aaron
From Latin Aaron, from Ancient Greek Ἀαρών (Aarṓn), from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן (ʾAhărōn), of unknown meaning, possibly meaning “bearer of martyrs”, or perhaps also, or instead,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abby
Borrowed from English Abby in the 20th century. Borrowed from English Abby.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abigail
From Hebrew אֲבִיגַיִל (avigáyil, “Abigail”, literally “my Father's joy” or “fountain of joy”). a female given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Abigail Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length