Jemma

Jemma is an English (mainly British) variation of Gemma, an Italian nickname meaning “gem, jewel” that dates back to the Middle Ages.  The Old Anglo-Saxon word for a “precious stone or jewel” was actually gimm later changed to gemme in Middle English under the influence of the Norman French.  Both are believed to share a prehistoric connection to the roots *gen- meaning “to bear, produce” and *gembh- meaning “to bite, tooth.”  Two of the most famous name bearers include Gemma di Manetto Donati, wife of 13th century Italian poet Dante Alighieri (author of the Divine Comedy which includes Dante’s Inferno). The second is the late 19th century Italian saint Gemma Galgani who was the focus of many astonishing signs of grace such as the repeated appearance of stigmata and several fits of ecstasies. Most likely, however, English-speakers have adopted the name Jemma due to its pleasant and straightforward etymology: “gem, jewel.”  Historically, the names Jemma and Gemma have been most popular in England and Scotland since the 1980s (as well as Australia).  The United States only very recently discovered this “gem” of a name.