♡
Why parents love Gemma- The meaning gem/precious stone is an instant endearment.
- It's been a top-10 name in the UK and Australia — internationally proven.
- Five letters, two syllables with a warm, bright sound: JEM-ah.
- Gem is a cute, obvious nickname.
- It feels European and sophisticated without being difficult.
◎
The vibe of Gemma
gemItaliansparklingwarmEuropeanpreciousbrightsophisticated
◎
Origin & history of Gemma
Latin gemma (gem/precious stone/bud)
→ Italian Gemma
→ English Gemma
1
Latin / Italian roots
Gemma comes from the Italian word for gem or precious stone (from the Latin gemma, which also means bud). Gemma Donati (c. 1265–c. 1332) was the wife of Dante Alighieri, the greatest Italian poet. Saint Gemma Galgani (1878–1903) was an Italian mystic canonised in 1940. The name has been hugely popular in the UK, Ireland, and Australia for decades — it was a top-5 name in England in the 1980s. Gemma Chan (Crazy Rich Asians, Eternals) and Gemma Arterton have brought it to American attention. The name is climbing the US charts.
2
First recorded
Earliest known use: Medieval Italy — Gemma Donati was Dante Alighieri's wife; Saint Gemma Galgani (1878–1903).
3
Today
Gemma remains a beloved choice, ranking #217 in the US. 24,227 babies have been named Gemma since 1904.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names, SSA data
◆
How popular is Gemma?
2023
peak year
The name Gemma reached its peak in 2023, with 1,653 registrations (ranked #177). The name has actually been around since 1904 — over a century — though it took until recently to find its widest audience. Since the peak, the name has eased to around #217 today, averaging about 1,422 new babies per year. Gemma's usage has held roughly steady recently. Across all years on record, approximately 24,227 American babies have carried this name.
Year-by-year registrations
1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
1,653
Babies named in peak year
(ranked #177)
(ranked #177)
1,422
Avg. per year
(last decade)
(last decade)
14,220
Total registrations
last 10 years
last 10 years
24,227
All-time total
(since 1880)
(since 1880)
✦
Numerology of Gemma3
Life path number
The Creator
Creativity, joy and self-expression.
Gemma's Life Path 7 is the seeker's number — hidden facets beneath a sparkling surface. People named Gemma tend to be multifaceted, perceptive, and more complex than their bright exterior suggests. Like a gem, they reveal new colours from every angle.
♡
Multifaceted depth✦
Reveals new angles◈
Perceptive sparkle◎
Complex beneath brightness♡
Precious and strongG7
E5
M4
M4
A1
Sum: 21 → Life path 3
♡
Personality of Gemma✨
Bright & creative
Imaginative, expressive, endlessly inventive.
😊
Magnetic warmth
Their laugh is contagious. People love being near them.
🌈
Eternal optimist
Even in dark moments they find the light.
🗣️
Storyteller
They can describe anything and make it fascinating.
◆
Famous people named GemmaClick any name to view their Wikipedia page.
G
Gemma Donati
Wife of Dante Alighieri, the greatest Italian poet.
G
Gemma Chan
British actress known for Crazy Rich Asians and Eternals.
G
Gemma Arterton
British actress known for Quantum of Solace.
G
Saint Gemma Galgani
Italian mystic and saint canonised in 1940.
G
Gemma Collins
British TV personality known for TOWIE.
◎
If you like Gemma, you may also love◎
Names that sound like GemmaIf you love Gemma, you might love these names with a similar sound, rhythm or feel.
♩
Names that combine with GemmaSibling pairings that share the timeless, classic energy of Gemma.
♡
Middle names for GemmaThe right middle name turns Gemma into a complete story. Explore options for first-and-middle pairings, then last-name flow.
Want a personalised middle name for Gemma? Try our dedicated generator with 1,000+ pairings.
♡ Generate middle name for Gemma →✦
Numerology life path calculatorEnter any full name and date of birth to discover the life path number — a core numerological indicator of personality, purpose and destiny.
First name
Middle name (optional)
Last name
Date of birth
7
Life path number
How we calculated this
Gemma is a beautiful choice.
Save it to your list, share it with your partner, or keep exploring.