The name [name]Jem[/name] is currently at the top of our list of boy names. It is traditionally a nn for [name]James[/name] or [name]Jeremy[/name]/[name]Jeremiah[/name], but I prefer [name]Jem[/name] to either of these. So, we are considering it as a full name. I first encountered it in To Kill a Mockingbird and in the [name]Anne[/name] of [name]Green[/name] Gables series. I recently started looking at online opinions and discovered that many feel it’s feminine because of the 80"s cartoon [name]Jem[/name] and the Holigrams. Also, girl names like [name]Jemma[/name] and [name]Gemma[/name] that could be shortened to [name]Jem[/name] are rising in popularity. Would people see the name [name]Jem[/name] and wonder at the gender? Is there the chance that these modern names could overshadow the historical/literary reference? I love the name, but I don’t want a feminine name for a boy.
I think the average person would see the name and wonder at the gender, unfortunately. I immediately thought of [name]Anne[/name] of [name]Green[/name] Gables, but I loved those books when I was a little girl. I do really like it, but I would go with a longer name and use it as a nn myself. Very cute on a boy, not so sure about a man.
I really like it, and I see it as all boy. I don’t know the cartoon you’re referring to (I was born late 80s), and I think it’s just as boyish as names like [name]Jeb[/name] and [name]Jed[/name], and nobody would confuse THOSE genders. My vote is go for it!
I haven’t heard of the 80s cartoon either, and when I hear [name]Jem[/name] I immediately think boy, but I see your point with confusion about [name]Gemma[/name]/[name]Jemma[/name]. I also love the literary references. I would name him [name]James[/name] (my favourite) or [name]Jeremy[/name] (also lovely I think) and then give him the nn [name]Jem[/name].
I would assume [name]Jem[/name] was a boy first but wouldn’t be surprised if it was a girl.
I used to watch the cartoon [name]Jem[/name] but To Kill A Mockingbird is a stronger association. [name]Jem[/name] isn’t a classic cartoon like Looney Tunes so many won’t know it.
Before the cartoon, there had been girls named Gem and boys named Jem (short for Jeremy/Jeremiah/James). But only in 1986 do baby girls named Jem start popping up on the SSA’s baby name list:
1986 – 5 baby girls named Jem 1987 – 11 baby girls named Jem 1988 – 9 baby girls named Jem 1989 – 6 baby girls named Jem 1990 – 8 baby girls named Jem 1991 – 5 baby girls named JemIn total, at least 56 baby girls have been named [name]Jem[/name] since 1986.
http://www.nancy.cc/2011/01/13/jem-and-jerrica-truly-outrageous-baby-names/
Most will think of the little boy from To Kill A Mockingbird. I used to watch [name]Jem[/name] and it wasn’t a classic like Looney Tunes so I doubt many will know it. TKAM, on the other hand, is required reading in most American school systems
Before the cartoon, there had been girls named Gem and boys named Jem (short for Jeremy/Jeremiah/James). But only in 1986 do baby girls named Jem start popping up on the SSA’s baby name list:
1986 – 5 baby girls named Jem 1987 – 11 baby girls named Jem 1988 – 9 baby girls named Jem 1989 – 6 baby girls named Jem 1990 – 8 baby girls named Jem 1991 – 5 baby girls named JemIn total, at least 56 baby girls have been named Jem since 1986.
What popularized the baby name Jerrica in the 1980s? – Nancy's Baby Names
[name]Jem[/name] is all boy!There will be tons of little girls with boy-ish names, so what if a boy has a name that’s a little bit feminine? I’ve got [name]Zooey[/name], [name]Quinn[/name] and [name]Innes[/name] on my list for [name]Baby[/name], and I bet lots of people will find those gender confusing… (Also, [name]Jeremy[/name] Renner’s character in The Town was called [name]Jem[/name], and he definitely makes it masculine!!)
Personally I think of [name]Jem[/name] and the Holograms so I would assume a [name]Jem[/name] would be female, I know it reruns on the Hub and I’ve heard it might get a remake but it’s been used in literature for males and most people don’t seem to know the cartoon so why not use it?
I see [name]Gem[/name] as female and [name]Jem[/name] as male…
[name]Ottilie[/name], thanks for mentioning The Town character. Never heard of this but always glad to see another masculine example in pop culture!
I would think [name]Jem[/name] was a boy but, you never know in this crazy world.
I think [name]Gem[/name] /[name]Jem[/name] feels feminine. I think more people have seen or heard of the cartoon than are likely to know of the literary connection. Sorry to be blunt. I actually like it on a boy, but I don’t mind feminine names on boys.
My first associations in no particular order would be [name]Jem[/name] and the Holograms and [name]Jem[/name] from To Kill a Mockingbird, and there was a female British singer named [name]Jem[/name] who had a few singles out a few years ago who I remember for no particular reason. If I saw [name]Jem[/name] on paper I wouldn’t make any assumptions about their gender. I see it as pretty gender-neutral, but I don’t think that’s a bad for a boys’ name.
this
[name]Gem[/name] I think [name]Gemma[/name]
[name]Jem[/name] I think To Kill a Mockingbird
[name]Jem[/name], too, used to be considered a quintessential “slave name.” Perhaps that association has long since faded, but I think it should be considered if you’re seriously contemplating it as a stand-alone name.
I immediately think of “[name]Anne[/name] of [name]Green[/name] Gables”; but I do wonder if the majority of people would…probably not. However, I wouldn’t let that be a deterrent. I really like the thought of [name]Jem[/name] on a boy; I say go for it!
[name]Jem[/name] and [name]Jim[/name] are basically indistinguishable in my default accent so just be aware in some parts of the US (if you are even in the US) that’s going to both a) be a pronunciation factor and b) skew the name male. I suspect [name]Jem[/name] in TKAM also grew up in a part of the south with the i>e merger before m and n. Listen to people in the south speak sometimes, words like enter sound like inter. It’s often easy to miss since the context makes the word clear.
Anyway I remember both the cartoon and TKAM, I thought the cartoon was spelled [name]Gem[/name]? [name]Gem[/name] I would assume female, [name]Jem[/name] I would assume male but wouldn’t be surprised if it was female?
I think it’s a nice name but I like [name]James[/name] and [name]Jeremy[/name] so much more that would decide it to me. But if you don’t that’s your call : D.
Could you have a [name]Benjamin[/name] or [name]Jameson[/name] nn’d [name]Jem[/name] or do you not like those / find it too indirect?
I only think girl… its very pretty…I don’t know why you would use it for a boy ever
jesba, I do like [name]Benjamin[/name] w/ nn [name]Jem[/name], but I didn’t know if that would be a stretch.
Personally I don’t find it a stretch but I know I am flexible. But I think your opinion is the only one that matters here. That’s in terms of opinions. In terms of facts, I think it’s a fact that with a [name]Benjamin[/name] it’s a possibility he won’t stick with [name]Jem[/name] and will go over to [name]Ben[/name], whether through his own choosing or because of others’ response to the name. The latter is easier to prevent: I think if you are clear that “this is [name]Benjamin[/name], we call him [name]Jem[/name]” or even just “this is [name]Jem[/name]” and only revealing [name]Benjamin[/name] when it comes up, others’ response will be according. But if he decides as a child or teen or adult that he prefers [name]Ben[/name], that’s harder to control. Good luck!