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).
Family [edit]. Denise Gordy, born in Detroit, Michigan, is the daughter of George and Rosemary Gordy and sister of Patrice and George Gordy, Jr., among others. She is the biological mother of Marvin Gaye III by legendary Motown artist Marvin Gaye, and also of actress Bianca Lawson by actor Richard Lawson. Her grandchildren include Marvin Gaye IV and Dylan Gaye. Motown founder Berry Gordy is her uncle, whilst her aunt, Anna Gordy Gaye adopted her son, Marvin III.