I think it's British.

[pooshminky.livejournal.com]

I've been in this group like, 2 or 3 days but it seems like forever with all the posts. I never said what names I like though.

Boy:
Peter

Girl:
Elizabeth
Jane
Margot

Anyway, weird question again.

I was watching something on TV awhile back and it was a British show. I think. The people on the show had a kid named Gemma. Now that I know there's atleast one person from across the pond in here, how is that named pronounced? Is it gem-a or is it Gemma with a g like in gay? Also, what is it short for? Where did it come from? I think it's cute.

Comments

[bopeepsheep.livejournal.com]

Gemma with a J-sound. It's not short for anything, it's Latin, and can mean bud (as in flowers) or jewel.

[pooshminky.livejournal.com]

Awesome.

[incarnadinesea.livejournal.com]

it is a popular italian name, based on the saint Gemma Galgani. http://www.stgemma.com/

[purplejellygem.livejournal.com]

i lived in italy for 18 years and never heard it. it's pretty common here in britain though.

[bopeepsheep.livejournal.com]

I have an Italian cousin Gemma, but she's named for the jewel meaning, not the saint. It definitely isn't as popular there as in the UK, but it's not uncommon either.

[pooshminky.livejournal.com]

That's really cool. I was named after a saint (the Irish Saint Brigid) so that's neat.

[nevershagagreek.livejournal.com]

My best friend (in England) is Gemma Jane (pronounced like they said above (Gem-a) and I've always planned to name my daughter after her :-) I also have a British friend that now lives here with the same name.

It's actually relatively common in England!

[pooshminky.livejournal.com]

Yeah that's what I thought. I think it's cute, I don't know why it isn't popular here.

[chadam-lives.livejournal.com]

I actually prefer the spelling Jemma, but that's just me. Lol. I'm from Ireland, and I know a couple of Gemmas, and a Jemma. hehe

[frogsrscary.livejournal.com]

I went to high school with a girl named Gemma and it was pronounced Jay-ma. She would get so mad if people called her Gem-ma. Only one i've ever heard of though.

[jadedone2many.livejournal.com]

Isn't one of the Spice girls named Gemma?

[chibiaichan.livejournal.com]

i was gunna answer that one! lol! my dad married a lady from england and she has a daughter named gemma ^^*

[superswimmer021.livejournal.com]

yay! my name is margot!

[sunshinenation.livejournal.com]

I'm a Gemma. I've read that it's not only Italian, but French, and just means 'gem'.

It is quite common over here in Britain, but personally I don't think it's too much so, or rather, not as much as some names are.

I'm not fussed over it - when I was little I much preferred my middle name, Louise, and had many a tantrum asking my parents to change it. Now I don't dislike it but I also don't love it.