Lema
A girl's name of African origin with 373 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Lema is a girl's baby name of African origin, used in Ethiopian and Eritrean cultures, meaning 'intelligent' or 'gifted' — a name expressing the parents' hopes for a child of wisdom and exceptional ability.
Lema is short, clean, and deeply meaningful — a name that carries a complete aspiration within its four letters. It has gained some recognition through Ethiopian-born writer and professor Lema Wondimu, adding a literary dimension to its cultural roots.
EtymologyShow more
Lema is cataloged under the African naming tradition. African naming traditions are extraordinarily diverse, often tying a child’s name to circumstances of birth, family aspirations, or spiritual significance.
In the U.S., Lema has been recorded as a girl's name since 1890, with 373 total births. Browse the African names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Lema has 44+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1890.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 19 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 18 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 14 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 17 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 36 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 93 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 109 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 33 | — |
| 1890s | 34 | — |
The Story of Lema
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1915, Lema is a name steeped in history. Girls named Lema are most likely born between 1905 and 1925.
How rare is Lema?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Lema is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1890, peaked in the 1910s with 109 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Lema by the numbers
- Would fill 8 school buses
- Meeting one Lema per day would take 1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(44 years, 1890–2022)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 8 | #11790 |
| 2021 | 6 | #14487 |
| 2020 | 5 | #16493 |
| 2016 | 7 | #13728 |
| 2013 | 5 | #18129 |
| 2012 | 6 | #16056 |
| 2009 | 6 | #16376 |
| 2007 | 8 | #13378 |
| 1949 | 6 | #4990 |
| 1948 | 5 | #5651 |
| 1940 | 6 | #4124 |
| 1938 | 5 | #4686 |
| 1936 | 7 | #3566 |
| 1934 | 7 | #3648 |
| 1932 | 8 | #3446 |
| 1931 | 9 | #3112 |
| 1929 | 6 | #4347 |
| 1928 | 7 | #3993 |
| 1927 | 9 | #3435 |
| 1925 | 10 | #3250 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lema a boy's or girl's name?
When was Lema most popular?
How popular is the name Lema?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1890–2022