Gemma
Gemma is a Christian girl name of Italian, from Latin origin, meaning “Gem, precious stone”.
| Meaning | Gem, precious stone |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Italian, from Latin |
| Pronunciation | JEM-uh |
| Tradition | Christian, Modern & Classic |
| Used in | Italy, United Kingdom, Spain, Australia |
Meaning and origin of Gemma
Gemma is the Italian word for 'gem', from Latin gemma, which first meant 'bud' and later 'jewel'. It has been an Italian given name since the Middle Ages; Dante's wife was Gemma Donati. Saint Gemma Galgani, an Italian mystic who died in 1903 and was canonised in 1940, brought it to Catholic families. It became very popular in Britain from the 1970s.
Is Gemma a Christian name?
Gemma is used across faiths, but Catholic families often link it to Saint Gemma Galgani, venerated for her devotion and suffering.
How popular is Gemma?
Common in Italy and the UK; less common in the US.
Gifts with the name Gemma
- Gemma name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Gemma baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Gemma
Names similar to Gemma
More Christian girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gemma mean?
Gemma means 'Gem, precious stone'. It is of Italian, from Latin origin.
Is Gemma a Christian name?
Gemma is used across faiths, but Catholic families often link it to Saint Gemma Galgani, venerated for her devotion and suffering.
How do you pronounce Gemma?
Gemma is pronounced JEM-uh.
Is Gemma a boy or girl name?
Gemma is usually a girl name.