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More than just Pancakes...

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"Aunt Jemima" is a mild racial slur. It's the female version of "Uncle Tom"

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I'm not sure how many people would know that now, but I think it's icky enough to make the name risky in the US. "Jemima Puddleduck" is a much cuter association, so Jemima's fine outside the US!

I love the name Jemima, it's a fave of mine. I'm from Australia, so I'm not sure if it's popular in the UK or not, but it sounds like a name that would be liked over there.

As far as I know, Jemima hasn't been popular in the UK. Like other "minor character" Biblical names, it has been used from time to time since Puritan times, but at no time has it achieved the name hit parade. The only person I've heard of with this name is Jemima Khan (formerly Goldsmith), the socialite who was a friend pf Princess Diana. In the satirical magazine "Private Eye" she gets called Jemima Puddleduck after the Beatrix Potter character. I was told there's an Aunt Jemima brand in the USA, but in Britain or Oz we'd think of Jemima Puddleduck. That association makes the name seem rather laughable, though I did see it in a posh London newspaper BA within the past fortnight or so.

This message was edited 12/22/2008, 1:52 PM

I think it has been used there a bit more than in other countries but I don't think it has been popular, just quietly fashionable, like Clementine.

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I like it. I also like it spelled Jemimah. But it's not something I'd use.

I love the name Jemima. It reminds me of the little girl in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I also like it spelled Gemima, nn Gemma. This spelling & nn could help it leave its "Aunt Jemima" image, because it's just too cute!

Um, not that I know of! I live in the UK, and I have family all over it in different parts. I've only ever met one Jemima - she started at my school this year - and, far from accepting it as the norm, everyone giggles and thinks she has a really weird name. I personally quite like Jemima (especially with the nickname Gemma/Jemma), but the bearer I know does get a lot of teasing for it.

I'm from the US and I don't think it's weird.

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I think Jemima is a charming, sweet name. It's a favorite of mine for girls... I love it. :)

pancakes and syrup lol

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Yes it does remind me of pancakes and syrup too! (I'm from the states.) However I love, love, LOVE Jemima! I read a book called Jemima J a couple years ago and fell in love w/ it.