Jemima: Baby Name Meaning, Nicknames and Numerology

What does the baby name “Jemima” mean?

Jemima is a biblical Hebrew name, traditionally meaning "dove" or "little dove," belonging to one of the daughters of Job in the Old Testament. It has a sweet old-world charm that feels freshly appealing today.

Origin of the baby name Jemima

Jemima comes from the Hebrew name Yemimah (יְמִימָה), which most scholars believe is connected to the Hebrew word for dove, or possibly to the word for day. The name appears in the Book of Job as one of Job's three beautiful daughters, born to him after his great trials. Over centuries it has also been used informally as a feminine form of James in some folk-etymology traditions, though the connection is not linguistically precise.

Baby Jemima: The Nurturer →

History of the baby name “Jemima”

Jemima was adopted by English Puritans in the 16th and 17th centuries, who favored Old Testament names as a mark of religious identity. It remained a quiet but consistent choice in English-speaking countries through the 18th and 19th centuries, appearing in literature and on census records. The name became especially familiar in the United Kingdom through Beatrix Potter's beloved character Jemima Puddle-Duck, cementing a warm, countryside image for the name in British culture that endures today.

Why parents choose the baby name “Jemima”

Jemima has an old-world charm that feels freshly appealing to parents seeking something classic but not overused. In the United Kingdom it carries a cheerful, countryside energy, while in other English-speaking countries it feels like a rare and distinctive find. The name has beautiful natural imagery behind it, and its gentle, flowing sound makes it easy to love.

Nicknames for the Baby Name “Jemima”

Jem, Jemy, Jemin, Jemkin, Jemster, Jemerino, Jeminator

Nicknames from Around the World for the Baby Name “Jemima”

Terms of endearment for a baby name work differently around the world. Some cultures clip the name short, while others add an affectionate ending that can make it longer instead. Here is how the baby name Jemima might sound as a nickname in a few other languages and dialects.

Australian:

Jemo, Jezza

British:

Jems

German:

Jemimachen

Irish:

Jemeen

Italian:

Jemimetta

Spanish:

Jemimita

Variations on the baby name “Jemima”

Closely related forms include Yemima (the Hebrew original), Gemima, and Gémima. The short form Mima or Jemmy offers a playful nickname option. The name belongs to a small biblical family of women's names from the Book of Job alongside Keziah and Keren-Happuch. In some Spanish-speaking communities the name appears as Jémima, and the variant Jemina is occasionally seen in records from earlier centuries.

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