The nameGemma
Gemma is a girl's name of Italian origin meaning "gem, precious stone". Very popular in Britain in the 1980s, it is a classic in Italy.
- Girl's name
- Italian
- Feast day
Meaning
Gemma is the Italian word for "gem, precious stone", from the Latin gemma, "bud, jewel".
Origin
Italian. Gemma Donati was the wife of Dante. Saint Gemma Galgani, a young Italian mystic, was canonised in 1940.
History
Gemma was among the leading names in Britain in the 1980s and reached the top 50 in England and Wales in the late 1990s. It is popular in Italy and Spain.
Famous people named Gemma
- Saint Gemma Galgani
- Gemma Arterton, actress
- Gemma Chan, actress
- Gemma Collins, television personality
Popularity of the name Gemma
Gemma in the United States
Gemma was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 11,463 births over the decade, 47% of all recorded babies named Gemma. Its rise began around 2002, and it peaked in 2023. Half of all babies named Gemma in the United States were born before 2016, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 1,523 births a year on average, against 1,322 in the five years before.
Gemma in the United Kingdom
Gemma was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 4,746 births over the decade, 54% of all recorded babies named Gemma. Half of all babies named Gemma in the United Kingdom were born before 2001. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 14 births a year on average, against 24 in the five years before.
Gemma in Ireland
Gemma in France
Sibling names for Gemma
Names from the same generation as Gemma, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Gemma? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Gemma with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Gemma side by side with the name of your choice.
Gemma in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gemma mean?
Gemma is the Italian word for "gem, precious stone", from the Latin gemma, "bud, jewel".
What is the origin of the name Gemma?
Italian. Gemma Donati was the wife of Dante. Saint Gemma Galgani, a young Italian mystic, was canonised in 1940.
Is Gemma a girl's or a boy's name?
Gemma is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Gemma?
In 2024, Gemma was the 203rd most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 1,514 births.
What are good sibling names for Gemma?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Vera, Olive, Rosalie and Myla for a sister, Sullivan, Jasper, Matteo and Romeo for a brother.
Who are famous people named Gemma?
Saint Gemma Galgani; Gemma Arterton, actress; Gemma Chan, actress; Gemma Collins, television personality.