See the results of this poll: Please vote: Gemma vs. MacKinley vs. Emery?
Respondents: 55 (This poll is closed)
- Gemma : 44 (80%)
- MacKinley: 2 (4%)
- Emery: 9 (16%)
[name]Gemma[/name] [name]Lark[/name] definitely gets my vote. Mackinley and [name]Emery[/name] are too trendy and masculine for my taste. All the best!
Wow! A landslide! It is interesting that so many look but don’t vote. Oh well. We want your votes and comments! 
Yes, I know I’m posting to myself, but I just wanted to add something here. I added [name]Gemma[/name] to our names for girls list this summer and my husband really wasn’t loving it. I took it off for a while as it just didn’t seem right to have a name on there that he wasn’t fully in support of. Well, lately he has started to change his mind. I’ve loved it for a while but really thought it wasn’t going to happen.
Then we get to [name]January[/name] and decide we want to re-visit our list because we weren’t loving our top choice. I finally (bravely?) posted a short list over the weekend and was stunned by the feedback. It was so helpful and not critical as I had feared. Then, we decided to narrow the list and add a poll, which would be short and sweet. And, the results continue to be [name]Gemma[/name] in the lead–a very strong lead! Whoa. That reaction has apparently challenged the view my DH had that the name was somehow “not real.” (I wish he’d told me that was his concern.) Anyway, thanks for the feedback and the votes. We appreciate your help. It has opened up the real possibility of naming our daughter a name I’'ve been pining for. And, my hubby doesn’t feel pressured about it, as no one would want that. Thank you.
[name]Gemma[/name] [name]Lark[/name], by [name]MILES[/name].
[name]Edit[/name]: definitely a real name! it’s my younger sister’s name and she gets many compliments on it
[name]Hi[/name]! I agree, [name]Gemma[/name] [name]Lark[/name] by far! I’ve always thought it very charming and sweet, although I would prefer to spell it [name]Jemma[/name] myself. I’m pleased your DH is coming round to the name! For the other two, IMPO, I really dont like using obvious surnames for names, especially for girls and I always think names like [name]McKenzie[/name] or [name]McKinley[/name] may be shortened to [name]Mac[/name], which I dont think is very feminine. For [name]Emery[/name], I’m afraid it does sound rather masculine to me too and also reminds me of a nail file = not very flattering perhaps? Sorry if I’ve been a little Harsh, but it is only my opinion, take what you like and leave what you dont ("J)
[name]Gemma[/name] [name]Lark[/name]! The whole combo is stunning
My younger sister is [name]Jemma[/name] but personally I prefer the [name]Gemma[/name] spelling as it seems more classic. My best friend in school was [name]Gemma[/name] and it’s actually a fairly common name here in the UK! I know several and would say it’s along the lines of [name]Claire[/name], [name]Phoebe[/name] and [name]Abigail[/name] as far as popularity in my generation (mid twenties). So your husband can rest assured it’s definitely a real name! And a real lovely one
Thanks so much! [name]How[/name] could I forget emery boards? Ack! Pregnancy brain. I think I just like “m” sounds and combos like [name]Emmalyn[/name], [name]Emerson[/name], weren’t quite fitting what I was looking for. Thank you for the suggestions and feedback.
I’m a fan of surname names, but agree that the downside is that they are not as feminine. [name]Mack[/name], however, is a family name on my mother’s side, and it sounded cute and fresh to me as a nn. However, [name]McKinley[/name] was a name we considered for our son, so obviously at one time it sounded masculine to me. Oh well. Tastes and impressions change.
I was aware that [name]Gemma[/name] was quite popular in the U.K. (in the 1980s?) and in Australia, but it apparently is just making it across the pond here in the U.S. We love it and and are glad that it is an enjoyed name too.
Thanks so much Berries!
Definitely [name]Gemma[/name] [name]Lark[/name]. It’s very pretty, and plus it’s the only one of your names that says “feminine” to me. I really don’t care for any Mc/[name]Mac[/name] names on girls (or at all for first names, honestly) because they mean “son of” and that’s not what I would want my daughter’s name to mean. [name]Emery[/name] is a man’s name to me and could cause gender confusion on paper.
[name]Gemma[/name]! Please, please, please- [name]Gemma[/name] is so gorgeous!
[name]Lucia[/name] would made an amazing sister for [name]Gemma[/name]…
[name]Gemma[/name] [name]Lark[/name] is great! I love it. It’s feminine and elegant and sweet, but it also has a touch of whimsy to it with [name]Lark[/name] in there. It’s a name that screams girl, but it isn’t overly frilly or sugary. It’s got a classic feel to it, but at the same time it’s very modern. I think it’s perfect for you!
[name]Lemon[/name]
PS If you did want something that had a surname-y feel like MacKinley and [name]Emery[/name], you might like [name]Bellamy[/name]. [name]Bellamy[/name] [name]Lark[/name] would be very pretty! [name]Bella[/name] or [name]Belle[/name], or even [name]Birdie[/name], could work as nicknames.
I [name]LOVE[/name] [name]Gemma[/name] [name]Lark[/name]! It’s the most beautiful choice by far! Great name!