Jimi Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: JIM-ee /ˈdʒɪmi/
Origin: English; Swahili
Meaning: English: Supplanter; Swahili: God will uplift
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Jimi is a variant of the name James, which has its roots in the Hebrew name Ya'aqov (Jacob), meaning "supplanter" or "holder of the heel." This name was adapted into Greek as Iakobos and subsequently into Latin as Iacobus. The transition into Old French produced the form Jacques, which later influenced the English version James.
The name has been borne by numerous significant historical figures, including biblical characters, saints, and monarchs, with its prominence solidified through the translation of the Bible into English, particularly the King James Version published in 1611, which further popularized the name in the English-speaking world. Throughout the centuries, the name James has been associated with various kings and saints, contributing to its enduring legacy.
Notably, Saint James, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, is a significant figure in Christianity, and his feast day is celebrated on July 25. The name has also been borne by several English kings, including James I, who ruled from 1603 to 1625 and commissioned the aforementioned translation of the Bible.
This historical context has imbued the name with a sense of authority and reverence, making it a staple in both religious and royal contexts. The variant Jimi, while less common, has gained cultural resonance through its association with notable figures, particularly in the 20th century.
The most prominent example is Jimi Hendrix, an influential musician whose impact on music and culture has left a lasting legacy. The name Jimi, often seen as a diminutive or affectionate form of James, carries with it the weight of its historical roots while also reflecting a modern cultural identity.
This duality of traditional and contemporary significance contributes to the name's rich tapestry within the broader context of names derived from James.
Famous people named Jimi
In this section, you will find notable people named Jimi. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Jimi who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Jimi who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Jimi Hendrix is a musician best known for Are You Experienced, Electric Ladyland, and Voodoo Child (Slight Return).
Jimi Jamison is a singer best known for his work with Survivor and the song Eye of the Tiger.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Jimi, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Jimi. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Jimi was first seen in the United States in 1953.
Jimi has ranked as high as #1076 nationally, which occurred in 1971, and has been most popular in California, New York, and Michigan.
In the past 5 years the name Jimi has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Jimi is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Jimi was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Jimi (2012)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Jimi.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2022 | 14 |
| 2021 | 16 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2017 | 17 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2015 | 19 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2013 | 20 |
| 2012 | 18 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2009 | 15 |
| 2008 | 17 |
| 2007 | 21 |
| 2006 | 21 |
| 2005 | 23 |
| 2004 | 17 |
| 2003 | 17 |
| 2002 | 22 |
| 2001 | 16 |
| 2000 | 13 |
| 1999 | 16 |
| 1998 | 15 |
| 1997 | 14 |
| 1996 | 15 |
| 1995 | 26 |
| 1994 | 13 |
| 1993 | 27 |
| 1992 | 23 |
| 1991 | 22 |
| 1990 | 23 |
| 1989 | 16 |
| 1988 | 26 |
| 1987 | 22 |
| 1986 | 20 |
| 1985 | 15 |
| 1984 | 22 |
| 1983 | 21 |
| 1982 | 24 |
| 1981 | 19 |
| 1980 | 25 |
| 1979 | 32 |
| 1978 | 26 |
| 1977 | 31 |
| 1976 | 35 |
| 1975 | 28 |
| 1974 | 32 |
| 1973 | 28 |
| 1972 | 37 |
| 1971 | 46 |
| 1970 | 29 |
| 1969 | 15 |
| 1968 | 10 |
| 1967 | 5 |
| 1963 | 7 |
| 1961 | 17 |
| 1960 | 7 |
| 1959 | 17 |
| 1958 | 20 |
| 1957 | 14 |
| 1956 | 6 |
| 1955 | 10 |
| 1953 | 8 |