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Updated August 7, 2024

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Girl name origins & meanings

  • Latin : Precious stone (pronounce it with a soft “g,” as in “gemstone”)

What Does Gemma Mean and Stand For? 

The name Gemma comes from the Latin word for gemstone. It is a popular girls' name in Europe and the UK, and has been gaining rapid popularity in the U.S. since 2008. 

Syllables: 2

How Popular Is The Name Gemma

Family name origins & meanings

  • Italian (Tuscany and throughout the south) : from the popular medieval female personal name Gemma (from gemma ‘gem’, ‘precious stone’).

Famous people who gave their babies this name

What Does the Name Gemma Mean? 

Gemma is a girls' name of Italian origin, meaning "precious gemstone." The name has long been common in Europe, thanks to Saint Gemma of the Catholic Church, but it has only recently become a popular girls' name in the United States. 

How Popular is the Name Gemma? 

Gemma is the #207 most popular girls' name in the U.S., according to Social Security Administration data. The name has jumped in popularity in just 12 years, jumping from #887 in 2008. Gemma is the 5th most popular name on FamilyEducation.com 

According to Google search data analysis, in the last five years Gemma was at its peak popularity in August 2018. 

Popularity of the Name Gemma in the United States

Gemma was searched for most often in the following states: 

  • Rhode Island
  • New York
  • California
  • New Jersey 
  • Massachusetts 

Famous People Named Gemma and Gemma in Pop Culture 

Famous Gemma's include Marvel actress Gemma Chan, British reality star Gemma Collins, and model (and older sister of Harry Styles) Gemma Styles. 

Gemma Wilde is a character on the British TV drama Holby City

Pairs Well with These Middle Names 

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