Aunt Jemima & maple syrup was what I immediately thought of... sorry!

It's all pancake syrup to me...

It's strange how a name can be so dominated by a product - I feel like there aren't many more dominated by a product than Jemima...  Mercedes, Reese, can't think of any more but those two seem much more usable. 

Although the first few times I heard Bentley I could only associate it with the car but then we all know what happened to it.

Isn't it pronounced a little different in the UK or no?

The problem with Jemima in America is not just that it's the name of a brand of syrup.  It's the icon associated with the brand - the image of Aunt Jemima.  Aunt Jemima is a "mammy" stereotype - an image of black women who are big, maybe "sassy", and who love nothing better than taking care of white folks.  Aunt Jemima is a lie white people told themselves to feel better about exploiting black domestic workers (during and after slavery).

The syrup company has tried to update the brand icon, but the damage is done.

Jemima is a lovely sounding name.  And its history is much older than America; it comes from the Book of Job. So I can completely understand why you like it.

Plus I think there's something to the idea that if non-black people use the name, that might help kill off the stereotype?  I'm not sure about that.

But it is culturally loaded here, and you should know that before using it.

Perhaps Gemma instead?

This thread may help you:

http://www.babynamewizard.com/forum/thoughts-on-jemima

I first think of the syrup, and then the historical negative associations.

I like Gemma much better.

I think Jemima is lovely, but I'm Australian and only know of the US associations with the name from this site. 

I have heard several people comment that they would like to see it revived. My opinion is that Delilah is getting a quite a bit of use lately and that has negative association so I don't see why Jemima can't get a run too.  Of course I would probably try and canvas people in your circle of friends/family before using it. It may turn out it's not a big deal and people would love to see the name on a baby/toddler.

I think Jemima is a lovely name, just not here in the U.S.  Unfortunately, it's still very racially loaded here (Aunt Jemima was more than just syrup).  I think the previous thread someone posted will be helpful to you.