Gemma Girl

Popularity: #164 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: JEM-uh //ˈdʒɛm.ə//

Origin: Italian; Latin

Meaning: Italian: gem; Latin: jewel

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Gemma is derived from the Latin word "gemma," which means "gem" or "jewel." This term has its roots in the Proto-Indo-European word "gembh-" which also conveys the idea of something precious or valuable. The transition of the name into English occurred through the influence of Latin during the Roman Empire, where it was used as a given name, particularly in the context of beauty and preciousness associated with gemstones.

Historically, the name Gemma has been borne by various notable figures, including Saint Gemma Galgani, an Italian mystic and saint from the late 19th century, who is venerated in the Catholic Church. Her life and piety contributed to the name's association with virtue and holiness.

Additionally, the name appears in medieval texts and was used among the nobility, reflecting a cultural appreciation for beauty and refinement during that era. Culturally, Gemma has been associated with themes of beauty, value, and purity, resonating with the symbolism of gemstones in various traditions.

The name has been embraced in literature and art, often representing characters or ideals that embody these qualities. A diminutive form, Gem, has also emerged, though it is less frequently used in historical contexts.

Overall, the name Gemma carries a rich heritage that intertwines linguistic roots with cultural significance, reflecting the enduring human fascination with beauty and preciousness.

Famous people named Gemma

In this section, you will find notable people named Gemma. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Gemma who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Gemma who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Gemma Arterton is an actress best known for Quantum of Solace, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and The Disappearance of Alice Creed.

Gemma Chan is an actress best known for Crazy Rich Asians, Eternals, and Humans.

Gemma Collins is a television personality best known for The Only Way Is Essex, Dancing on Ice, and Celebrity Big Brother.

Gemma Whelan is an actress best known for Game of Thrones, The Moorside, and Gentleman Jack.

Fictional characters named Gemma

The following list of fictional characters named Gemma is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Gemma is a fictional character from the TV series The 100. She is a member of the Ark and plays a significant role in the survival of her people on Earth.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Gemma, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

EllaLilaMiaClaraSophieNina

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Gemma. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

JennaEmmaMinaTessaLenaCoraZaraLuna

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Gemma was first seen in the United States in 1904.

Gemma has ranked as high as #376 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

In the past 5 years the name Gemma has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Gemma is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Gemma was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Gemma.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 1,805 1,805
2024 1,517 1,517
2023 1,655 1,655
2022 1,509 1,509
2021 1,554 1,554
2020 1,388 1,388
2019 1,526 1,526
2018 1,384 1,384
2017 1,254 1,254
2016 1,274 1,274
2015 1,174 1,174
2014 1,219 1,219
2013 1,026 1,026
2012 1,017 1,017
2011 910 910
2010 683 683
2009 542 542
2008 314 314
2007 218 218
2006 210 210
2005 201 201
2004 147 147
2003 154 154
2002 175 175
2001 155 155
2000 107 107
1999 140 140
1998 111 111
1997 75 75
1996 69 69
1995 97 97
1994 80 80
1993 81 81
1992 59 59
1991 56 56
1990 62 62
1989 45 45
1988 55 55
1987 56 56
1986 47 47
1985 40 40
1984 35 35
1983 39 39
1982 32 32
1981 37 37
1980 46 46
1979 27 27
1978 30 30
1977 31 31
1976 32 32
1975 24 24
1974 29 29
1973 21 21
1972 24 24
1971 30 30
1970 26 26
1969 24 24
1968 26 26
1967 26 26
1966 19 19
1965 40 40
1964 29 29
1963 45 45
1962 28 28
1961 28 28
1960 35 35
1959 45 45
1958 27 27
1957 27 27
1956 38 38
1955 24 24
1954 23 23
1953 26 26
1952 31 31
1951 31 31
1950 41 41
1949 37 37
1948 39 39
1947 14 14
1946 14 14
1945 21 21
1944 11 11
1943 17 17
1942 15 15
1941 10 10
1940 20 20
1939 12 12
1938 10 10
1937 17 17
1936 14 14
1935 11 11
1934 12 12
1933 15 15
1932 11 11
1931 20 20
1930 16 16
1929 13 13
1928 13 13
1927 13 13
1926 18 18
1925 26 26
1924 32 32
1923 27 27
1922 20 20
1921 21 21
1920 30 30
1919 24 24
1918 26 26
1917 28 28
1916 19 19
1915 25 25
1914 23 23
1913 11 11
1912 16 16
1911 12 12
1910 6 6
1909 12 12
1908 5 5
1907 8 8
1906 6 6
1904 5 5

Top States for Gemma (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 190
13%
TX 145
10%
NY 93
6%
PA 68
5%
FL 65
4%
IL 60
4%
OH 56
4%
NJ 55
4%
WA 50
3%
MI 46
3%
NC 43
3%
VA 40
3%
IN 38
3%
TN 35
2%
UT 35
2%
MA 34
2%
GA 31
2%
CT 30
2%
MN 29
2%
CO 29
2%
IA 26
2%
MD 23
2%
MO 22
1%
AZ 22
1%
LA 21
1%
WI 20
1%
NE 19
1%
OR 19
1%
KY 18
1%
KS 16
1%
OK 16
1%
ID 12
1%
DC 10
1%
SD 10
1%
AL 10
1%
SC 9
1%
AR 9
1%
DE 7
0%
NV 6
0%
ND 6
0%
ME 6
0%
WV 5
0%
NM 5
0%
MS 5
0%
MT 5
0%
NH 5
0%