Given name
Jemima
“dove”·“horn of eyepaint”
Jemima is used as a given name. Interpretations include “dove” (Hebrew) and “horn of eyepaint” (Hebrew). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “dove” (Hebrew) and “horn of eyepaint” (Hebrew). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Where it comes from
A possible origin is Hebrew, although the derivation remains uncertain.
How it developed
In English usage, Jemima is a feminine form of James.
The story
In biblical tradition, Jemima is the name of the eldest of the daughters of Job.
Jemima through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 1,832
- 0 boys · 1,832 girls
- Most popular year
- 2018
- 64 babies
- 2025
- 43
- #3,544 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +13%
- Rising
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 43 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 3,544 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 13.3% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 64 in 2018. In 2025, Maryland and New York shared the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (5 each). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 2,015 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Jemima’s family of names
In English usage, Jemima has a diminutive in Jem. In English usage, Jemima is a feminine form of James. Jemima has a related form in Jemimah.
Inner ring: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 14
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Across languages 5
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
See also 2
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Jemima
- Jemima SumgongKenyan long-distance runnerborn 1984
- Jemima KirkeBritish-American artist and actressborn 1985
- Jemima OsundeNigerian actressborn 1996
- Jemima GoldsmithBritish screenwriter, television, film and documentary producerborn 1974
- Jemima MontagAustralian racewalkerborn 1998
- Public Universal FriendAmerican preacher (1752–1819)
- Jemima RooperBritish actressborn 1981
- Jemima WestFrench actressborn 1987
- Jemima BlackburnBritish artist (1823-1909)
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Jemima, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
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Adalia
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“illustrious” · “may he cause to shine forth”
19% boys · 81% girls