Jemima is an attractive and distinctive name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'like dove'. It was introduced into England during the Middle Ages through the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, who used it in his Canterbury Tales. Over time, the spelling has evolved from its original form, Jeminia, to Jemima, which gained popularity in the 18th century due to the character Jemima, a black slave girl, in Henry Fielding's novel "The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling". Today, Jemima is still a unique and appealing choice for parents seeking an uncommon yet meaningful name for their daughter.
The name Jemina has seen fluctuations in popularity over time, with a notable spike in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but it remains relatively uncommon overall, with only 111 recorded births between 1981 and 2018.