What name could "Pem" be short for?

[RogFromBrum]

Hi there,

I've got a family photo which says on the back "Aunt Pem". I think Pem must be a diminutive but I've not been able to work out what for - Emma? Emily? Penny? Penelope?

I've searched www.whatsinaname.net and www.behindthename.com but not found any reference to it.

Anyone come across this given name before?

Thanks, Roger

[01debbie]

Could possibily be a shortened version of a surname.  In my first husbands family, we had Grandma Maud...as in Mawdsley

Just a thought, is it definitely PEM & not PAM?

Debbie

[RogFromBrum]

Yes, I suppose it could be related to a surname although I don't know what that would be. Or it might be a unique nickname peculiar to the family.

However, it does definitely say Pem and not Pam.

Cheers, Roger

[Gadget]

We've had odd diminutives in our family at times. Also, many people were called Aunty and Uncle because they were eithere cousins of parents' generation or friends of parents rather than being relatives. So cast your net wide 

Like Debbie, I first thought that it could be a shortened version of a surname - do you have any possibles? Pemberton, comes to mind.

Also I've come across a merging of the first two given names - could it be short for  Patricia Emily?

Gadget

[krisesjoint]

Hi Roger,

There is a name Pemily - I know 3 generations of them. Pemily (shortened to Pem/Pemmy) They are the only people I have ever known with the name, but to me it is not unusual. Pem no1 told me, the name was invented by her mother who came up with it due to an old lady called Emily who lived in the street. When she heard some of the young children try to say Emily it sounded like Auntie Pemily/Pemmy and she thought it lovely and unusual and decided if she ever had a daughter she would call her Pemily. I guess names come about for all different reasons and in your case it may be a nickname, but there really are Pem/Pemily's out there..........Kris  

[01debbie]

To confuse matters further, my daughter, when aged about 2 or 3, took to naming relatives after their animals so she could remember who was who.  So we had a Nanny Candy, Aunty Bingo, Nanny Binki & a Nanny Fat Cat!!!

Gadget's right about 'Aunts & Uncles' too.  Maybe asking around the older relatives or maybe cousins, might jog someones memory.

Debbie

[RogFromBrum]

Thanks everyone!

At least it wasn't something very obvious that I'd overlooked!

I believe it's a sister of my paternal grandmother and her maiden name was Parker. That's really all I know but you've all given me food for thought with your ideas.

Thanks, Roger

[krisesjoint]

Roger,

Just been having a look and I see there are some Pemily's listed on FreeBMD so my friend was certainly not the first - dont see a Parker unfortunately.....Kris 

[Gadget]

Is there an Emily or Emma Parker, Kris?

Gadget