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Gemma

Girl name · 6,941 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Gemma arrived in Scotland from Italy, where it means "precious stone" or "jewel," drawn directly from the Latin *gemma* — a name that sparkles with an inherent, understated elegance. It gained widespread popularity in the UK during the 1980s, partly thanks to the actress Gemma Craven, who starred in the film *The Slipper and the Rose*, and later Gemma Arterton, known for her roles in *Clash of the Titans* and *Quantum of Solace*. The name also appears in Scottish households as a diminutive of Jemima, though its Italian roots remain the primary origin. Gemma has a lovely, song-like double 'm'