Where does the name Jimmy come from?

Jimmy is a boy name of Hebrew origin.

Is Jimmy a boy or a girl name?

Jimmy is used for both. In U.S. Social Security records, about 1% of children given the name Jimmy are girls and 99% are boys.

How popular is the name Jimmy in 2023?

Jimmy ranks #821 for boys in the U.S. Social Security Administration's 2023 dataset. Its all-time U.S. peak was 1947 with 7,938 babies.

How do you pronounce Jimmy?

Jimmy is pronounced JIM-ee (2 syllables).

What are common spellings of Jimmy?

Jimmy is also written as Jim, Jimmie, Jimi.

A name from Hebrew · Boy

Jimmy

A diminutive of James, from Hebrew Yaakov meaning 'supplanter' — the biblical patriarch who held his twin Esau's heel at birth. Independent as a given name since the 19th century.

Compare

Popularity over time

A 140-year arc in numbers.

288,160 U.S. births recorded from 1883–2023.

Popularity · 1883–2023

299 births in 2023

1883 1953 2023

Babies named per year Peak year Most recent

Meaning

A name that means something.

JA diminutive of James, from Hebrew Yaakov meaning 'supplanter' — the biblical patriarch who held his twin Esau's heel at birth. Independent as a given name since the 19th century.

Variants & spellings

3 ways to spell "Jimmy".

Each transliteration carries a slightly different cultural fingerprint.

Jim Most common Jimmie Jimi

Famous bearers

People who carry the name Jimmy.

J
Jimmy Carter (39th U.S. president)
J
Jimmy Stewart (actor)
J
Jimi Hendrix (musician; variant)

Quick answers

People often ask about Jimmy.

What does the name Jimmy mean?: Jimmy means a diminutive of James, from Hebrew Yaakov meaning 'supplanter' — the biblical patriarch who held his twin Esau's heel at birth. Independent as a given name since the 19th century.
Where does the name Jimmy come from?: Jimmy is a boy name of Hebrew origin.
Is Jimmy a boy or a girl name?: Jimmy is used for both. In U.S. Social Security records, about 1% of children given the name Jimmy are girls and 99% are boys.
How popular is the name Jimmy in 2023?: Jimmy ranks #821 for boys in the U.S. Social Security Administration's 2023 dataset. Its all-time U.S. peak was 1947 with 7,938 babies.
How do you pronounce Jimmy?: Jimmy is pronounced JIM-ee (2 syllables).
What are common spellings of Jimmy?: Jimmy is also written as Jim, Jimmie, Jimi.

Similar names

If you love Jimmy, also consider…

James

Boy ·Hebrew

Supplanter; one who follows

Michael

#16

Boy ·Hebrew

Who is like God? A rhetorical name honoring the archangel

Mary

#133

Girl ·Hebrew

Bitter; beloved; wished-for child

God is my oath; consecrated to God

About this page

Popularity counts come from the U.S. Social Security Administration's national dataset. Meanings and origins are curated from etymological sources. If you spot an error, please let us know.