Kim
Kim: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /kษชm/ ยท [kสฐษชm]
Meaning and origin of Kim
- A unisex given name.
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
- A female given name transferred from the surname, of 1940s and later usage.
Etymology
Clipping of Kimball and Kimberley as a male name, and of Kimberley and Kimberly as a female name.
How popular is Kim?
Since 1880, 179,817 girls and 34,951 boys in the U.S. have been named Kim (84% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #34 in 1960. Its highest rank for boys was #98 in 1955. In 2025, 40 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Kim
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Surname unisex names
Sibling name ideas for Kim
Sister and brother names that share Kim's Surname roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Kim FAQ
What does the name Kim mean?
A unisex given name. A male given name transferred from the surname. A female given name transferred from the surname, of 1940s and later usage. Clipping of Kimball and Kimberley as a male name, and of Kimberley and Kimberly as a female name.
What is the origin of the name Kim?
Kim is listed as a name of Surname (transferred from a surname) origin.
How popular is the name Kim?
Since 1880, 179,817 girls and 34,951 boys in the U.S. have been named Kim (84% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #34 in 1960. Its highest rank for boys was #98 in 1955. In 2025, 40 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Kim a boy or girl name?
Kim is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (179,817 girls and 34,951 boys since 1880).
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880โ2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.