[Opinions] Re: Gillian and Gemma
in reply to a message by Lily
Gemma is the only G name I'd call a favorite. Gemma doesn't remind me of gems. It reminds me of ripe spring buds, because of the biological term (which I encountered before I ever saw the name). It's like Chloe to me, sort of a subtle fertility-name. I'm disappointed that it seems to be a passing fad in the UK, and possibly not a very good image on it either, from what I can gather... sort of like Kayla in the US? - faddish.
I like Gillian as well - thanks for mentioning it. I added it to my longlist. I was aware of it as a name growing up, but I don't remember any bearers until Gillian Anderson got famous. So I agree, it's just a nice name. But I don't think it's witchy. I think it's just sort of "rare but normal and safe" like Claudia or Bridget.
I don't care for Jillian either - it reminds me of Ann Jillian, who's fine, but her "surname" is a gimmick, and Jillian as a first name says to me, "I don't trust anyone to be able to pronounce Gillian, all you people are stupid." And I can't stand Jemma. Jemma is like a contracted Jemima and that bothers me because Jemima is a completely different name, different like Giulia is different from Joelle.
I'm not a synaesthete, I'm just a plain old associator of sensations and images with names.
Gemma is compact and tidy and round, but has mass and fullness. Primary colors. Artistic, softspoken, but not too terribly sophisticated.
Jemma is ... uh, denim overalls and a case of the hiccups, if I see the spelling. If I only hear the name, though, it's Gemma.
Gillian is tweedy/herringbone gold and black, dressy and cheerful, neat and sunny
Jillian wears cherry lipstick with the tweed. It's still neat and sunny, but it's missing the mark somehow, clashing, goofy. I like the name Jill as a nickname for Gillian - Jill is white and gray and appealingly pebbly; adventurous.
I like Gillian as well - thanks for mentioning it. I added it to my longlist. I was aware of it as a name growing up, but I don't remember any bearers until Gillian Anderson got famous. So I agree, it's just a nice name. But I don't think it's witchy. I think it's just sort of "rare but normal and safe" like Claudia or Bridget.
I don't care for Jillian either - it reminds me of Ann Jillian, who's fine, but her "surname" is a gimmick, and Jillian as a first name says to me, "I don't trust anyone to be able to pronounce Gillian, all you people are stupid." And I can't stand Jemma. Jemma is like a contracted Jemima and that bothers me because Jemima is a completely different name, different like Giulia is different from Joelle.
I'm not a synaesthete, I'm just a plain old associator of sensations and images with names.
Gemma is compact and tidy and round, but has mass and fullness. Primary colors. Artistic, softspoken, but not too terribly sophisticated.
Jemma is ... uh, denim overalls and a case of the hiccups, if I see the spelling. If I only hear the name, though, it's Gemma.
Gillian is tweedy/herringbone gold and black, dressy and cheerful, neat and sunny
Jillian wears cherry lipstick with the tweed. It's still neat and sunny, but it's missing the mark somehow, clashing, goofy. I like the name Jill as a nickname for Gillian - Jill is white and gray and appealingly pebbly; adventurous.