Find out how popular the first name Gem has been for the last 46 years (from 1978 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gem by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Gem is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 97% of people named Gem being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 8 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Gem.

The history of the first name Gem

The name Gem is a modern English name derived from the word "gem" referring to a precious or semi-precious stone. Its origins can be traced back to the Latin word "gemma" meaning a bud or jewel. The name likely emerged in the English language during the late 19th or early 20th century as a given name for girls.

In ancient times, gemstones were highly valued for their beauty, rarity, and believed to possess mystical properties. They were often associated with wealth, power, and even spiritual significance in various cultures. The use of the word "gem" as a name may have been inspired by these positive connotations and the desire to bestow a name that symbolizes something precious and valuable.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gem was in the late 19th century. Gem Littler, an English actress born in 1892, was known for her performances in various plays and pantomimes during the early 20th century.

Another notable bearer of the name was Gem Munro, a Canadian artist and sculptor born in 1905. She is best known for her sculptures depicting the lives of indigenous peoples in Canada, and her work is featured in several museums across the country.

In the world of sports, Gem Naysh was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for various clubs in the early 20th century, including Fulham and Brentford. He was born in 1893 and played professionally from 1912 to 1928.

Gem Archer, born in 1966, is an English musician and songwriter best known as a founding member and guitarist of the British rock band Oasis. He has also worked with other artists and released solo material.

Gem Schubert, born in 1966, is an Australian artist and designer known for her intricate and detailed drawings and illustrations. Her work has been featured in various exhibitions and publications worldwide, and she has received numerous awards and accolades for her artistic achievements.

While the name Gem is relatively uncommon, it has been used throughout history as a given name for girls, often drawing inspiration from the precious gemstones and their symbolic meanings of beauty, value, and rarity.

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 Gem was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Gem, 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!