Kim
Kim is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Short form of Kimberly, meaning 'Cyneburg's meadow' or 'royal forest clearing'.
Origin and history
Kim originated as a short form of Kimberly, derived from an English place name meaning Cyneburg's meadow. It gained immense popularity in the mid-20th century as an independent given name. Although its usage for newborns has declined significantly in recent years, it remains a familiar American classic.
Popularity in the United States
179,817 babies in the United States have been named Kim since 1880. It ranks #221 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1883.
States where it is most popular
- NY (11.7 %)
- CA (9.6 %)
- PA (5.8 %)
- MI (5.1 %)
- OH (5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 5 |
| 1920-1930 | 57 |
| 1930-1940 | 209 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,285 |
| 1950-1960 | 56,080 |
| 1960-1970 | 94,388 |
| 1970-1980 | 20,697 |
| 1980-1990 | 3,816 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,600 |
| 2000-2010 | 875 |
| 2010-2019 | 587 |
| 2020-2029 | 218 |
Famous people named Kim
- Kim Basinger: Actress, Model
- Kim Kardashian: Media Personality, Businesswoman
- Kim Deal: Musician, Singer
Fun facts
- Rudyard Kipling popularized Kim as a male name in his 1901 novel, but it later became predominantly female in the U.S.
- Kim reached peak popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s as a standalone given name.