Jimmy Boy

Popularity: #648 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: JIM-ee //ˈdʒɪmi//

Origin: English; Hebrew

Meaning: English: Supplanter; Hebrew: He will be exalted

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Jimmy is derived from the English diminutive form of the name James, which has its roots in the Hebrew name Ya'aqov (Jacob), meaning "to follow" or "to supplant." The transition from Ya'aqov to James occurred through the Greek form Iakobos, which was then adapted into Latin as Iacobus. The name was further transformed into the Old French Jacques, which eventually led to the English James.

The diminutive Jimmy emerged in the late 19th century as a familiar or affectionate form of James, reflecting a broader trend in English-speaking cultures to create shorter, more intimate versions of traditional names. Historically, the name James has been significant in various contexts, notably in biblical texts, where James is the name of several figures, including two apostles, James the Less and James the Just.

The name gained prominence in England with the reign of King James I in the early 17th century, who commissioned the King James Bible, published in 1611. This translation played a crucial role in shaping English literature and language, further solidifying the name's cultural significance.

The use of James and its diminutives, including Jimmy, has persisted through centuries, often associated with notable historical figures and saints. Culturally, the name Jimmy has resonated in various forms of media and literature, often symbolizing familiarity and approachability.

It has been used in numerous songs, films, and television shows, reinforcing its place in popular culture. The name's association with figures such as Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, and various entertainers has contributed to its enduring presence in the English-speaking world.

As a diminutive, Jimmy conveys a sense of warmth and affection, making it a favored choice in familial and friendly contexts.

Famous people named Jimmy

In this section, you will find notable people named Jimmy. 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 Jimmy who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Jimmy 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.

Jimmy Fallon is a comedian and television host best known for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Saturday Night Live, and his work in comedy sketches.

Jimmy Carter is a former U.S. President best known for his humanitarian work and the Camp David Accords.

Jimmy Page is a musician best known for being the guitarist of Led Zeppelin and for his work on the album Led Zeppelin IV.

Jimmy Kimmel is a comedian and television host best known for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Man Show, and his comedic interviews.

Jimmy Buffett is a musician and author best known for his songs "Margaritaville," "Cheeseburger in Paradise," and his lifestyle brand.

Jimmy Iovine is a music producer and entrepreneur best known for co-founding Interscope Records and Beats by Dre.

Jimmy Connors is a former professional tennis player best known for winning eight Grand Slam singles titles and his rivalry with Björn Borg.

Jimmy Dorsey was a jazz clarinetist and bandleader best known for his work in the big band era and hits like "Green Eyes.".

Jimmy Neutron is a fictional character best known as the main character in the animated series The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.

Jimmy Choo is a fashion designer best known for his luxury shoe brand and contributions to the fashion industry.

Fictional characters named Jimmy

The following list of fictional characters named Jimmy is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Jimmy Neutron is a fictional character from the animated television series The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. He is a child prodigy and inventor who often uses his intelligence to solve problems and embark on adventures.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Jimmy, 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 Jimmy. 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 Jimmy was first seen in the United States in 1883.

Jimmy has ranked as high as #90 nationally, which occurred in 1947, and has been most popular in California, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, and Alabama.

In the past 5 years the name Jimmy has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Jimmy 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 Jimmy was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Top States for Jimmy (2024)

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 38
16%
TX 37
16%
GA 18
8%
FL 13
6%
NY 13
6%
IN 11
5%
NC 10
4%
IL 10
4%
OK 9
4%
LA 9
4%
AZ 9
4%
AL 8
3%
AR 7
3%
TN 7
3%
KY 6
3%

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 Jimmy.

YearBirths
2024282
2023298
2022325
2021334
2020340
2019385
2018392
2017460
2016517
2015488
2014536
2013574
2012589
2011667
2010771
2009824
2008882
2007961
2006988
20051,086
20041,134
20031,126
20021,170
20011,106
20001,189
19991,097
19981,088
19971,228
19961,361
19951,355
19941,373
19931,528
19921,555
19911,732
19901,788
19891,745
19881,731
19871,810
19861,820
19851,867
19842,069
19832,089
19822,090
19812,096
19802,205
19792,233
19782,168
19772,636
19762,496
19752,357
19742,569
19732,735
19722,933
19713,315
19703,659
19693,757
19683,812
19674,021
19664,237
19654,532
19644,911
19635,040
19625,519
19615,748
19605,818
19595,829
19585,615
19575,669
19565,346
19555,037
19545,326
19535,310
19525,311
19515,687
19505,761
19496,417
19486,926
19477,881
19467,128
19456,159
19446,320
19436,444
19425,948
19415,337
19404,962
19394,752
19384,730
19374,517
19364,213
19354,172
19343,696
19332,932
19322,461
19312,125
19301,800
19291,489
19281,226
1927993
1926882
1925708
1924529
1923439
1922381
1921361
1920324
1919239
1918198
1917177
1916172
1915136
1914103
191394
191279
191145
191051
190940
190833
190729
190643
190525
190428
190326
190218
190118
190042
189914
189817
189710
189614
189512
189415
18939
18929
189112
189011
18895
18885
18847
18837