Jama

♀ Girl

Pronounced JAH-muh /ˈdʒɑː.mə/Medium

Meaning: Jama is an early-twentieth-century American girls' name whose origin is not securely documented. Possible routes include a short form of Jemima, from Hebrew for 'dove', or a homespun coinage in the Southern tradition of brief vowel-rich names. We flag the root as uncertain rather than invent one.Low

In 30 seconds: Jama is an early-century American name of uncertain origin, possibly a short form of Jemima, 'dove'. We note the uncertainty rather than guess.

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Origin LowEnglish

MeaningJama is an early-twentieth-century American girls' name whose origin is not securely documented. Possible routes include a short form of Jemima, from Hebrew for 'dove', or a homespun coinage in the Southern tradition of brief vowel-rich names. We flag the root as uncertain rather than invent one.

U.S. rank (2005)#15269 ↘ Falling

2005 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1961

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,552

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Jama is an early-to-mid-century American girls' name of unsettled origin. The likeliest reading is a short form of Jemima, Hebrew for 'dove', though a plain coinage is also possible. Jama stayed rare and reached its high around 1961.

It reads as a soft, brief two-beat name with an antique feel. Because the root is not documented, we keep the entry honest and flag the uncertainty.

Did you know? Jama looks like several things at once — a clip of Jemima, a place name, a coinage — which is exactly why its true origin is hard to pin down.

Overall data confidence 40%

References — Jama — possibly short for Jemima; origin uncertain

Variations

JamahJemima

Nicknames

Jam

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Jama…

Jemima— the name Jama may shorten

Jenna— a like soft two-beat girls' name

Jamila— shares the Jam- opening

Tamar— another brief vintage-feeling girl's name

Explore names like Jama

By themeuncertain vintage early-1900s

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Jama mean?

Jama's origin is uncertain; it is possibly a short form of Jemima, Hebrew for 'dove', or a coinage.

How do you pronounce Jama?

It's said JAH-muh /ˈdʒɑː.mə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Jama a boy or girl name?

Jama is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Jama?

Jama was a rare name that reached its modest high around nineteen-sixty-one.