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I live in Australia. I was just reading the comments on the name and there were many mentions of 'Aunt Jemima', which I have just Googled. This reference does not bother me at all as it means nothing to Australians and I have never heard it used or heard any reference to it- but if this association really does bias your opinion on the name, I would like to know

I'm not sure about the long 'I' sound in the middle. Nor do I think it ages well.. and I just can't get the image of Jemima Puddleduck out of my head (she was my favourite character/toy out of everything when I was small) but it could be a lot worse.

I love it. I think it's so charming and quaint. The only thing against it here in the States is the Aunt Jemima association. Since that's not a problem where you live, then I'd say go ahead and use it. But be aware if your daughter ever visits the US, she will most likely hear, "Like the pancake syrup?" when she tells people her name.

I love, love, love the name Jemima. It's a fave of mine and a name I could definitely use in the future. I don't find it too cutesy at all, I think it's lovely.

Jemima from cats.

Mmm... syrup!

I think Jemima is a beautiful name.

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I live in the US and am not at all bothered by the syrup/pancake association.

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I was won over by the name in my youth after reading a book that had a character in it named Jemima. Seeing it and saying it to myself over and over throughout the book made me realize just how nice it is.

This message was edited 4/22/2008, 7:42 AM

I adore Jemima and would absolutely consider using it, even though I may or may not currently have a bottle of Aunt Jemima syrup in my pantry. I don't really care, I think it's a lovely name!

I found out this was my g-grandmothers name and I do really like it, knowing a bit more about an actual woman with the name has shaken off most of the cutesy, little England, Beatrix Potter character associations. I'd quite like to see it on a child again, but I'm in two minds because it seems that for most people, in the UK and America at least, it still has some strong associations, and so it might be quite a difficult name to carry.

I don't think it's too cutesy at all. On the contrary, I think it's a wonderful classic name that's sturdy and strongly feminine without going overboard in the frills department. In fact, I LOVE the name. I wish it would break free from all the syrup connotations here in the States. It's such a lovely name with a lovely meaning. I also love the Hebrew form, Yemima.

Puddleduck!

Nothin' could be finer....

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Than the taste of Aunt Jemima... that's what it makes me think of...

Love it!

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Here it is seen as kind of an upper-class name but I really love it, and the nickname Jem. It's one of my favourites at the moment.

I like it, but I feel like the syrup connotation is too strong for a first name (in the US - in Australia, go for it). It could make an interesting middle name. It's not a name I would personally use, but I like the sound and feel of it. I don't think it is too cutesy if it's paired with a stronger name. Elizabeth Jemima or Jemima Claire have a nice ring to them.

This message was edited 4/22/2008, 9:10 AM

I like it a lot

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Jemima is a lovely, underused name. I don't think it's cutesy at all.

It reminds me of the syrup and Beatrix Potter. It's a nice enough name but I just can't shake those associations.

Hmmmm

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Cute (and not cutesy..well, perhaps only borderline) but the Aunt Jemima association is unfortunate. However, I do think it has interesting potential. I love the flow of the three syllables and it sounds feminine without being saccharine...a rare achievement I think!

Puddleduck, LOL ... Actually I didn't think of that. But it has the same stern religious archaic Old Testament and/or 19th century Southern (US) vibe for me, as names like Jedidiah and Gomer and Hepzibah. Cutesy? Hardly.

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I prefer Gemma.

This message was edited 4/22/2008, 9:27 AM

I don't really like it, I think it sounds sort of whiney. I don't see it as too cutesy though.

It makes me think of Jemima Puddleduck and the English celebrity Jemima Khan.

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Nothing against either (!), but I don't like it at all.

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I really really like it a lot. It's growing on me daily. I think the nn Jemma is adorable, and Jemima (while cutesy, yes) allows for growth. It's not a name, I don't think, that's associated with a certain age range. At least not to me :)

I live in the States and Jemima resides in my own top 15. Sometimes I let the pancake thing get me down but not often (I don't eat the disgusting things myself). She floats in & out of my top 10 but she's never fallen off the top 20, not once in ten years. I'm beginning to get the nerve to actually use Jemima and find it a nice, if undetected, link to me. My confirmation name is Keziah (not that I use it, already having two middles.. but it's there).

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I really, really like Jemima and Jem, Jemma, & Mimi as possible nicknames.

I love the name Jemima. It's so much fun to say.

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Jemima Puddleduck and the girl from "Chitty Chitty, Bang Bang!" are what I think of.

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Unfortunately, I think it's unusable here in the U.S. The racial overtones (Aunt Jemima) are too ingrained. It's a shame because it's such a nice name. But on balance I couldn't see it working here. I hope it does well in other countries, though.

This message was edited 4/22/2008, 12:55 PM

I predict it will become very popular.

Love it.

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I don't know if I can give much else feedback on it, since I've never contemplated it beyond pining for it from afar (I'm American), but it brings me strange joy to approve of it for someone who won't have to deal with the sketchy race issues. Also, I like the meaning, and it doesn't seem too cutesy to me at all (rather, it feels strong and feminine).

Thanks everyone!

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I think this is a definite contender as a mn. I am happy most people don't see it as cutesy and I love the sound and meaning but there is a lot of baggage with it (besides 'Aunt Jemima', I hadn't thought of Jemima Puddleduck). I also don't want my hypothetical daughter to be restricted if she did decide to move to the US and considering my current SO is American it is something to consider.

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Thanks again :)

I like it. :-)