Gemma

[girlsteve.livejournal.com]

It's pronounced with the 'gem' as in precious stone, and can be spelled Jemma. It's a really common name in the UK, but I recently found out that it isn't really used much elsewhere.

WDYT?

Comments

[th3-unicorn.livejournal.com]

It's used in Italy, but here it's firstly a word that means 'gem' or also 'bud', like the one on tree branches. That's why I'll never stand the Jemma spelling :P
In Italy it's kind of an 80's lady's name, used a bit more frequently in the south.

[crzydimond.livejournal.com]

I've known a few girls named Gemma. I prefer it with a G to a J.
I'm in Australia btw.

[http://users.livejournal.com/hajari_/]

I know a few Gemmas, I'm also in Australia

[rubytitania.livejournal.com]

Very blah. A little bit tacky.

[sweet-caro1ine.livejournal.com]

Our gorgeous eight year old German Shepherd is called Jemmah. Needless to say, I like the name. If using it for a child I would probably go with the G spelling, but the J and H on the end seemed to suit our dog better.

[omfg----hxc.livejournal.com]

I LOVE that name.
I think it's because I read Smack and that was the girl's name.
It's really punky to me.

[areawoman.livejournal.com]

I've always heard it pronounced "Hemma"

[mrsduryee.livejournal.com]

and you are from...?

[areawoman.livejournal.com]

The US. I've only known 2 people with that name. One was born in the Netherlands and the other in the US.

[mrsduryee.livejournal.com]

Interesting! I love Hispanic names, and Gemma certainly isn't common, but that is certainly how it would be prn in Spanish or other Hispanic-based languages.

Thanks!

[chibiaichan.livejournal.com]

don't like it... but thats because it's my step sister's name and reminds me of my step mum (i'm not from the uk, i'm from the usa, but shes from England. Just a suvinour my dad picked out while visiting England with his than family)

[barelyshocking.livejournal.com]

I too am from Australia, and I can vouch for it being a pretty popular name here. I know heaps of Gemmas/Jemmas.. Think Gemma Ward for exmaple!

[ifancylust.livejournal.com]

i love it.

[0o-faerie.livejournal.com]

The Dutch word for izard (some kind of mountain goat) (http://www.clevacances-65.com/img/home/izard.jpg)is 'gems'. So that's what it makes me think of. And no matter how cute that animal is, I say no to the name Gemma ;)

[mountain-nest.livejournal.com]

Hate it.

[mrsduryee.livejournal.com]

I love that name, mostly the sound, but my hubby hates it so I just took it off the list. I think it's adorable AND it grows up well... sort of.

I loved:
Gemma Elizabeth
Gemma Suzanne
Gemma Elaine
Gemma Eleanor
Gemma Rose
Gemma Grace

[bobinwales.livejournal.com]

I'm in the UK & I hate it!
I know a couple of them, and I don't like any of them!

[ouronlylight.livejournal.com]

I love the name Gemma. One of my great-great-aunts was named Gemma, though I never knew her. She was Italian-American.

[corielcries.livejournal.com]

I really like the name Gemma but probably would never actually use it.

[trtlstars.livejournal.com]

I do like it a lot! :)
My husband worked with a principal whose name was Gemma. It fit her...
Gemma...!

[queen-mab.livejournal.com]

Top three on my personal list. Love it.

[intothesea.livejournal.com]

I agree with the minority of the comments, and say I think it sounds a little tacky.

[minga13.livejournal.com]

I don't like it, I know so many people called Gemma/Jemma. I'm in New Zealand.