Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Jemima
Jemima is an ancient Hebrew name, borne from the Bible as the eldest daughter of Job. She is mentioned only fleetingly in Job 42:13-15 (when the Lord restored the prosperity of Job): “And he had seven sons and three daughters, of whom he called the first Jemima, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. In all the land no other women were as beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance among their brethren.” Revival of this obscure Biblical name was owed to the Puritans after the Protestant Reformation in the early 18th century, and it was they who brought this unusual name to the New World colonies in America. The Puritans had a knack for rediscovering little-known names from the Bible – it was their way of showing humility before God. The Hebrew name Ymiymah (ימימה) either means “dove” or “bright of day”. Unfortunately for Jemima, the name was tarnished forever in the United States thanks to Aunt Jemima (a brand of breakfast foods introduced in the late 1880s). The character of Aunt Jemima was based on a stereotypical “mammy”-like southern kerchief-wearing house servant, and the food brand featured distasteful slogans such as “I’s in town, Honey!” For obvious reasons, African-Americans have been highly offended by the reinforcement of these minstrel (i.e., “black face”) type vaudevillian characters, and over time the Aunt Jemima character has been recreated by the Quaker Oats Company into a middle-class Black woman with pearl earrings and a natural afro. Still, in the United States, Jemima is a name forever associated with racism and as a result is never used. Because Jemima doesn’t carry the same negative connotations in England as it does in America, it is actually quite familiar in Britain. It’s the name of a Beatrix Potter character (Jemima Puddle-Duck); the Pott’s family daughter in Ian Fleming’s children’s book “Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang”, and a principal character (kitten) from British composer Andrew Lloyd Weber’s musical “Cats”. Interestingly, when “Cats” came to Broadway from London, the character of Jemima was changed to “Syllabub” due to the American audience’s natural aversion to the name Jemima (again owing to Aunt Jemima). Again, Jemima’s off-putting legacy is distinct to the United States. Everywhere else, this is a perfectly acceptable, old ancient Biblical name with a pleasant etymology. It’s currently a Top 200 name in England. Go figure.
All About the Baby Name – Jemima
Personality
OF THE GIRL NAME JEMIMA
Romance is the hallmark of the Six personality. They exude nurturing, loving, and caring energy. Sixes are in love with the idea of love in its idealized form - and with their magnetic personalities, they easily draw people toward them. Like the number Two personality, they seek balance and harmony in their life and the world at large. They are conscientious and service-oriented, and a champion for the underdog. These personalities naturally attract money and are usually surrounded by lovely material objects - but their human relationships are always primary. They thrive in giving back to others rather than being motivated by their own desires. This is when they achieve great things. Sixes are natural teachers, ministers and counselors.
Popularity
OF THE GIRL NAME JEMIMA
Jemima was in circulation as an American baby girl’s name probably as far back as the early 1700s (a favorite among religious nonconformists like Puritans and Quakers). However, after 1893 Jemima basically disappears from the naming lists forever. Non-coincidentally, this is right around the time that Aunt Jemima pancake mix was making a name for itself. The name became too closely associated with the character representing the brand. And it was a racially offensive character at that. In fact, to this day, names like “Aunt Jemima” and “Uncle Tom” are used disparagingly toward African-Americans (considered a racial slur in some ways). It seems that no one will touch this name in the U.S. despite its positive Biblical origins. It will forever live in the dark shadow cast by insensitive white businessmen well over 100 years ago. Although, we should mention that, ironically, the original creator of the “Old Aunt Jemima” character was actually an African-American Vaudevillian entertainer named Billy Kersands (c.1842-1915).
Quick Facts
ON JEMIMA
GENDER:
Girl
ORIGIN:
Hebrew
NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:
3
RANKING POPULARITY:
N/A
PRONUNCIATION:
jə-MIE-mə
SIMPLE MEANING:
Dove
Characteristics
OF JEMIMA
