The first name Gemma
A girl’s name from Italian meaning “jewel”.
Pronounced /ˈd͡ʒɛmə/ 2 syllables Female
Meaning and origin
Italian origin
Gemma means “jewel” in Italian.
Ultimately from Latin gemma (“jewel”). The given name is mostly borrowed via Italian Gemma; the spelling Jemma in particular is associated with James. Doublet of gemma and gem.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 4 girls were named Gemma, making it the 4,867th most popular girls’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 1,261 births (#50).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Gemma with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Gemma at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 1,805 girls born in the United States were named Gemma, the 170th most popular girls’ name that year.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Gemma in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Spelled Gemma in Catalan, Italian, Polish and Spanish too.
Nicknames and spellings
Famous people named Gemma
18 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Gemma ArtertonBritish actress, born 1986
- Gemma ChanBritish actress (born 1982)
- Gemma FrisiusFrisian physician, mathematician and cartographer (1508–1555)
- Gemma WardAustralian model and actress, born 1987
- Gemma JonesBritish actress, born 1942
- Gemma AtkinsonBritish actress and model, born 1984
- Gemma WhelanEnglish actress (born 1981)
- Gemma GibbonsBritish judoka, born 1987
- Gemma SpofforthBritish swimmer, Olympic athlete, world champion, world record holder, born 1987
- Gemma BeadsworthAustralian water polo player, born 1987
- Gemma Font OliverasCatalan association football player, born 1999
- Gemma BonnerEnglish footballer (born 1991)
More Italian girls’ names
Questions
- What does the name Gemma mean?
- Gemma means “jewel” in Italian.
- What is the origin of the name Gemma?
- Ultimately from Latin gemma (“jewel”). The given name is mostly borrowed via Italian Gemma; the spelling Jemma in particular is associated with James. Doublet of gemma and gem.
- How popular is the name Gemma?
- In 2025, 4 girls born in England and Wales were named Gemma, ranking 4,867th. Its peak was 1996, with 1,261 births.
- What are nicknames for Gemma?
- Common nicknames for Gemma include Gem, Gemmy.
- Is Gemma a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a girl's name: 100% of the 26,042 US babies named Gemma since 1880 were girls.
- When was Gemma most popular?
- 2025 in the United States, when 1,805 babies were named Gemma, its highest rank at 170th.
- How do you pronounce Gemma?
- Gemma is /ˈd͡ʒɛmə/, 2 syllables.
- What are other spellings of Gemma?
- Jemma.