It is of Hebrew origin, and the meaning of Jemima is  dove . Biblical: eldest of the three daughters of Job (see also Keren and Kezia), renowned as the most beautiful women of their time. The name has been recorded from the early 1700s in England.
(Tom Colburn / Houston Chronicle). (R-L) actor Patrick Swayze, his mother Patsy Swayze and his wife Lisa Haapaniemi (aka Niemi) dance at Patsy Swayze's dance studio in Houston in 1978. (Tom Colburn / Houston Chronicle).
HOUCHRON CAPTION (10/01/1995): Patrick Swayze, with his wife of 20 years, actress Lisa Niemi, in a 1978 photograph less. PHOTO FILED: PATRICK SWAYZE. 06/1978 - (L-R) Lisa Haapaniemi (aka Lisa Niemi) and husband Patrick Swayze at Patsy Swayze's dance studio in Houston.