Jimi Unisex

Popularity: — · Trend: ↘ Falling

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.

JamieJaxonJordanJasperJettJude

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.

JimmyJemJaceJettJulesJadenJoryJoryn

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Jimi was first seen in the United States in 1944.

Jimi has ranked as high as #2429 nationally, which occurred in 1971, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, North Carolina, 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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2024 11 6 5
2023 10 10 0
2022 14 14 0
2021 21 16 5
2020 19 13 6
2019 7 0 7
2018 19 13 6
2017 17 17 0
2016 16 11 5
2015 19 19 0
2014 11 11 0
2013 26 20 6
2012 18 18 0
2011 10 10 0
2010 21 16 5
2009 21 15 6
2008 17 17 0
2007 21 21 0
2006 21 21 0
2005 28 23 5
2004 17 17 0
2003 17 17 0
2002 28 22 6
2001 21 16 5
2000 13 13 0
1999 24 16 8
1998 25 15 10
1997 22 14 8
1996 25 15 10
1995 36 26 10
1994 22 13 9
1993 38 27 11
1992 33 23 10
1991 29 22 7
1990 34 23 11
1989 32 16 16
1988 41 26 15
1987 34 22 12
1986 31 20 11
1985 24 15 9
1984 31 22 9
1983 32 21 11
1982 37 24 13
1981 37 19 18
1980 37 25 12
1979 47 32 15
1978 40 26 14
1977 46 31 15
1976 51 35 16
1975 47 28 19
1974 47 32 15
1973 45 28 17
1972 56 37 19
1971 66 46 20
1970 49 29 20
1969 25 15 10
1968 18 10 8
1967 14 5 9
1966 9 0 9
1965 11 0 11
1964 8 0 8
1963 20 7 13
1962 13 0 13
1961 28 17 11
1960 14 8 6
1959 26 17 9
1958 38 20 18
1957 27 14 13
1956 19 6 13
1955 23 10 13
1954 10 0 10
1953 17 8 9
1951 5 0 5
1949 6 0 6
1948 5 0 5
1946 5 0 5
1944 6 0 6

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. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 5
100%