Girl · Latin (via Italian) · Christian · International

Gemma

Say it JEM-uh

Meaning today: Jewel, gem
Original meaning: "a bud; a precious stone, jewel" Lewis & Short, s.v. gemma
Say it: JEM-uh
Other spellings: Jemma

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Gemma

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Gemma meaning

Gemma is a Christian and international girl's name of Latin origin (via Italian).

A bud; a precious stone, jewel

Also used to mean: gem

Gemma is the Italian form of Latin gemma, which Lewis & Short define first as a bud on a vine or tree and then, in its usual sense, as a precious stone or jewel; English gem comes from the same word. The name is best known through St Gemma Galgani (1878–1903), an Italian mystic canonised in 1940. In India it is used by Catholic families, especially in Kerala and Mangalore, and name lists agree on the meaning 'jewel'.

Source: Lewis & Short, A Latin Dictionary (1879), via Logeion, s.v. gemma · entry gemma · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026

References: Logeion, gemma (Lewis & Short) · Wikipedia, Gemma Galgani