Your Daughter JEMIMA (US readers only)

[namelover7]

First, let me start off by saying that I don't think a name can be racist. The parents can be racist and the child can be racist, but a name cannot be racist. Second, I think white Americans are the absolute worst over making too big of a deal over what is and isn't "racist." Before I posted this response I sent a text message out to my black friends and asked if they would be offended by the name Jemima. Only one of them said no, and the rest had no idea what I was talking about. After I explained, the response was unanimous: how can a name be racist? One of my friends even remarked, "Why are people still thinking of some names as 'slave names'? That's what's racist to me."

That being said, the only way to make the name Jemima "not racist" is to start using the name again. It is time to put the past behind us and move on. If white parents continue to avoid the name Jemima because it is "racist," how will that ever happen? Jemima is a lovely Biblical name with a pretty sound and peaceful meaning. There is no reason it should not be used. Absolutely no reason.

ETA: "African American" is not synonymous with black. There are white and Arab Africans who are American citizens as well.

Very well said agirlinread, and I agree with you. The fact that Americans in Florida, one of the states that one might think that Jemima is an issue in, can see Jemima for the lovely, antique gem that is and not for the negative connotations it had BRIEFLY in it's entire history of use (it is biblical, after all) should send a message to the rest of the country.

Aside from that, I am an American teenberry and I can bet not one of my friends or classmates knows the history behind Jemima (they may know it from the syrup, but that is meaningless) or would find it so offensive that it can't be used. I actually didn't know ONE of the histories behind the name Jemima (this one, the one that HAD "tainted" the name) and I'm a history buff! So if kids from my generation would barely pick up on it (maybe a few would, but it's nothing people can't get passed, truely) then I'm sure the children your daughter will grow up with won't either.

Also, Jemima goes perfectly with Harriet! What a great sibset!

[characternamer]

I agree with agirlinred and namelover7. I'm also a teenberry and I've heard of the syrup, of course, but never any real negative connotations. If you're really worried, you could use nicknames like Jem, Jemma, Mimi, etc. and still get your favorite name. But really, if people start to use it, as previously mentioned, it will become considered more as an absolutely normal name.

[sugarfoot]

I really can't believe how many of you berries think this name is racist? I literally laughed out loud when I read that! Maybe it's because I'm from CA, but the name Jemima is in no way tied to racism or anything else on the negative side. It's fashion forward and on the rise in the UK. If someone would think this name is racist for a white person to use in this day and age, it would seem to me that they themselves are racist. I mean, it's just maple syrup people, youre not naming your child Kunta Kinte or Calpurnia. Maybe this would be a problem in the south, where I assume racism is still a problem. But out here in my neck of the woods, it would be a name that makes other parents swoon with envy. Go ahead and use it!

[catloverd]

I just wanted to point out racism still exists with the name. I'm originally from southern Missouri, like way down south, and I actually had a kind of racist grandma.... but I'm not sure if that's still the case. The younger generation may be a lot better than my grandma's and mine.....

I agree there is no such thing as a racist name, but the connotations that come from a name is enough not to use it. I remember being told not to use Lunette because apparently it's a brand of menstrual cup and people kept saying it's not a name, so I settled for the alternative spelling Lunete, which is from Arthurian legend so I know it's a legit name.

Overall I would say if you are worried about using a name, that's enough of a reason not to use. Not just for the racism, but for any reason. If you think it'll lead to teasing, then toss it.... etc... It's just not a good idea to give your kid a name that you are agonizing over no matter how good it sounds....

[thetxbelle]

I think this name would be more of an issue in the south than anywhere else, if I met a white kid named Jemima I would definitely wonder if they parents knew the history of the name in the states and I would think of the syrup (which I love!)

I think Jemma would be a great alternative.

[penguin]

You might find this link helpful: http://babynamesworld.parentsconnect...of_Jemima.html

[nat108]

I think you'll be fine
I'm Black and recently on an AA forum a mom asked about this name. She was AA and her hubby was Jewish. He always loved the name Jemima but didn't predict that his future children would be half Black. Mom thought it was pretty but was at the same time horrified. The overall consensus was Jemima is fine for a White child but opinions were split for a Black/biracial child. Posters suggested Yeminah/Jeminah

But out here in my neck of the woods, it would be a name that makes other parents swoon with envy. Go ahead and use it!

Racism is a problem everywhere and being from Cali, I'm shocked that you don't realize all of the racial tension in that state. I know Southerners who've moved to Cali and are eager to get back to the South because of the racism

[catloverd]

I just thought of another potential problem, what happens when she becomes an aunt? She'll be called "Aunt Jemima" and then you have the whole syrup association.... that would be annoying...

[lori johnson]

Here's what Nameberry.com's creators, Linda Rosenkrantz and Pamela Redmond Satran, have to say ...

"Jemima, the name of a strong and beautiful Biblical daughter of Job, has long been among the chicest choices of aristocratic Brits. Unfortunately, Jemima is still linked in this country to the stereotypical smiling Aunt of pancake fame, which we think is a pity. It's time to liberate this excellent name, with its peaceful meaning. ... " [http://nameberry.com/babyname/Jemima#.T_emefVrPyU]

In their 2007 book, "The Baby Name Bible", Jemima is among their "recommended best bets -- names [they] find to be particularly appealing ... ".

If memory serves me correctly, Harriet and Jemima are two personal favorite names of Pam's.

According to "The Official Sloane Ranger Handbook" [1982] by Ann Barr and Peter York, both are upper-class names in Britain.

Personally, I think the only regret you'll have with the name Jemima is not using it!

[geauxtee]

I live in the South, and I guess I don't see the big racist deal of Jemima. Yes, a mammy type character has that name, but so what? I think it would be a lot more racist to name your kid after a confederate general (ie. Jackson, Robert Lee, Beauregard). If you do live in the South you might get some funny looks but I don't think most black people would think you are racist for naming your daughter Jemima. I mean parents aren't afraid if the name Ben from Uncle Ben's rice, are they?