Find out how popular the first name Cem has been for the last 37 years (from 1982 to 2018) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Cem by gender

Based on the last 37 years of data, Cem is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2018, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Cem.

The history of the first name Cem

The name Cem has its origins in the Turkish language, and it is believed to have emerged during the Ottoman Empire era, which spanned from the late 13th century to the early 20th century. The name is derived from the Persian word "jem," which means "cup" or "goblet." This connection likely stems from the ornate and elaborate cups or goblets that were highly valued in Ottoman culture and often adorned with intricate designs and precious materials.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Cem can be found in the 15th century, when it was used by Cem Sultan, the younger son of Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople. Cem Sultan's full name was Şehzade Cem, and he was a prominent figure during the Ottoman-Mamluk War, where he sought to seize the throne from his brother, Bayezid II. Although his bid for power was ultimately unsuccessful, his name has been preserved in historical records.

Another notable figure bearing the name Cem was Cem Karaca, a Turkish rock musician and songwriter who was born in 1945 and passed away in 2004. Karaca was a pioneering figure in the Anatolian rock movement and is widely regarded as one of the most influential and iconic musicians in Turkey. His music blended traditional Turkish folk elements with Western rock and roll, creating a unique and captivating sound.

In the realm of literature, Cem Akaş is a well-known Turkish writer and poet who was born in 1946. His works often explore themes of love, loss, and the human condition, and he has received numerous accolades and awards for his contributions to Turkish literature.

Moving to the world of sports, Cem İlkay was a Turkish football player who played as a forward for various clubs, including Fenerbahçe and the Turkish national team, between the 1960s and 1970s. He was known for his goal-scoring prowess and was a key player in Fenerbahçe's successful campaigns during that era.

Lastly, Cem Özdemir is a prominent German politician of Turkish descent who was born in 1965. He is a member of the Alliance '90/The Greens political party and has served as a member of the Bundestag, the German federal parliament, since 1994. Özdemir has been a vocal advocate for environmental issues, human rights, and integration policies.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Cem was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Cem, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!