Jem
Jem is a given name, sometimes as a nickname for James, Jeremiah, Jeremy, Jemma, or Jemima, and sometimes as an anglicized version of the Turkish name Cem.
Meaning & Origin of Jem
What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.
Jem is a given name, sometimes as a nickname for James, Jeremiah, Jeremy, Jemma, or Jemima, and sometimes as an anglicized version of the Turkish name Cem.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →
The Story of Jem
As a girl name
Jem first appeared in U.S. Social Security Administration records as a girl name in 1986, with 5 babies given the name that year. Its peak popularity came in 1987, when 11 Jems were born — ranking #6,335 that year. As of 2026, Jem ranks #13,427 for girls with 6 births, gradually rising (+6%). In total, more than 102 Jems have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1980s through the 2020s.
As a boy name
Jem first appeared in U.S. Social Security Administration records as a boy name in 1963, with 5 babies given the name that year. Its peak popularity came in 2021, when 9 Jems were born — ranking #8,161 that year. As of 2026, Jem ranks #9,752 for boys with 7 births, with steady use. In total, more than 64 Jems have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1960s through the 2020s.
Popularity Over Time
Popularity by State
Names that sound like Jem
Phonetically similar names — useful when Jem is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Jem
What does the name Jem mean?
How popular is Jem in 2026?
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About the name Jem
Jem is a unisex baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 1986 and has accumulated 102 births in the dataset. Jem's peak popularity came in 1987 when it ranked #6,335. Use the chart and map above to compare Jem's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.
Continue exploring
- Top names of 1987 →
- Names of the 1980s →
- Names starting with "J" →
- Browse all girl names →
- Top names of 2026 →
- Browse unisex names →
Data sources
- Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
- Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
- Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
- Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
- Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .
Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.