Find out how popular the first name Jemima has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jemima by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Jemima is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 61 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Jemima.

The history of the first name Jemima

The name Jemima originated from the Hebrew language, derived from the biblical name Yemima, which means "dove" or "little dove." The name is mentioned in the Book of Job in the Hebrew Bible, where Yemima is listed as one of the three daughters of Job, born to him after his trials and tribulations.

The name Jemima first appeared in ancient Hebrew texts, specifically in the Old Testament of the Bible. The Book of Job, believed to have been written around the 6th century BCE, is one of the earliest known references to this name. In the biblical context, Yemima (Jemima) symbolized peace, gentleness, and purity, qualities often associated with doves.

The earliest recorded use of the name Jemima can be traced back to the 17th century. One notable bearer of this name was Jemima Howe (1666-1737), an English-American settler in Massachusetts who was captured by Native Americans during King Philip's War in 1675 and later released.

Another famous Jemima was Jemima Wilkinson (1752-1819), an American preacher and founder of a religious society known as the Universal Friends. She claimed to have died and been reborn as a genderless evangelical prophet, taking on the name "Publick Universal Friend."

In the 19th century, Jemima Wedgwood (1828-1912), a British social reformer and member of the famous Wedgwood family of potters, was a prominent figure. She was actively involved in various educational and charitable initiatives.

Jemima Shore (1801-1876), an English painter and a member of the Royal Academy, was known for her portraits and subject paintings. She was one of the first women to be elected as an Academician at the Royal Academy in 1849.

Jemima Boone (1762-1834), the daughter of the famous American frontiersman Daniel Boone, was born and raised in the Kentucky wilderness. She was captured by Native Americans in 1776 and later released, becoming a symbol of resilience and strength in the face of adversity.

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

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

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