Jimmy Boy

Popularity: #657 · 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.

JackJakeJohnnyJamieJosephJasper

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.

JesseJeremyJaredJasonJordanJuliusJaxonJett

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Jimmy was first seen in the United States in 1883.

Jimmy has ranked as high as #89 nationally, which occurred in 1947, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Georgia, 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.

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.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 291 291 0
2024 286 286 0
2023 299 299 0
2022 325 325 0
2021 335 335 0
2020 340 340 0
2019 385 385 0
2018 392 392 0
2017 460 460 0
2016 517 517 0
2015 488 488 0
2014 536 536 0
2013 574 574 0
2012 589 589 0
2011 667 667 0
2010 772 772 0
2009 824 824 0
2008 882 882 0
2007 961 961 0
2006 988 988 0
2005 1,086 1,086 0
2004 1,134 1,134 0
2003 1,126 1,126 0
2002 1,175 1,170 5
2001 1,106 1,106 0
2000 1,194 1,189 5
1999 1,097 1,097 0
1998 1,095 1,088 7
1997 1,233 1,228 5
1996 1,366 1,361 5
1995 1,355 1,355 0
1994 1,384 1,374 10
1993 1,537 1,528 9
1992 1,563 1,555 8
1991 1,738 1,732 6
1990 1,805 1,788 17
1989 1,760 1,745 15
1988 1,749 1,731 18
1987 1,826 1,810 16
1986 1,844 1,820 24
1985 1,887 1,867 20
1984 2,091 2,069 22
1983 2,109 2,089 20
1982 2,108 2,090 18
1981 2,117 2,096 21
1980 2,220 2,205 15
1979 2,258 2,232 26
1978 2,193 2,168 25
1977 2,660 2,637 23
1976 2,526 2,495 31
1975 2,379 2,357 22
1974 2,594 2,568 26
1973 2,757 2,735 22
1972 2,956 2,932 24
1971 3,349 3,315 34
1970 3,695 3,660 35
1969 3,788 3,757 31
1968 3,847 3,814 33
1967 4,062 4,021 41
1966 4,260 4,238 22
1965 4,553 4,529 24
1964 4,947 4,913 34
1963 5,069 5,043 26
1962 5,560 5,518 42
1961 5,786 5,749 37
1960 5,849 5,817 32
1959 5,869 5,830 39
1958 5,650 5,618 32
1957 5,708 5,667 41
1956 5,380 5,345 35
1955 5,075 5,036 39
1954 5,355 5,327 28
1953 5,341 5,310 31
1952 5,344 5,311 33
1951 5,719 5,687 32
1950 5,796 5,761 35
1949 6,451 6,417 34
1948 6,959 6,927 32
1947 7,938 7,881 57
1946 7,158 7,128 30
1945 6,196 6,159 37
1944 6,363 6,320 43
1943 6,483 6,444 39
1942 5,981 5,949 32
1941 5,367 5,336 31
1940 4,993 4,962 31
1939 4,779 4,753 26
1938 4,763 4,730 33
1937 4,555 4,517 38
1936 4,246 4,214 32
1935 4,206 4,171 35
1934 3,738 3,696 42
1933 2,967 2,932 35
1932 2,513 2,461 52
1931 2,156 2,126 30
1930 1,829 1,799 30
1929 1,513 1,489 24
1928 1,257 1,226 31
1927 1,019 993 26
1926 910 882 28
1925 739 708 31
1924 552 529 23
1923 453 439 14
1922 392 381 11
1921 367 361 6
1920 337 324 13
1919 254 239 15
1918 217 198 19
1917 185 177 8
1916 186 172 14
1915 147 136 11
1914 111 103 8
1913 105 94 11
1912 79 79 0
1911 50 45 5
1910 51 51 0
1909 40 40 0
1908 33 33 0
1907 29 29 0
1906 43 43 0
1905 25 25 0
1904 28 28 0
1903 26 26 0
1902 18 18 0
1901 18 18 0
1900 42 42 0
1899 14 14 0
1898 17 17 0
1897 10 10 0
1896 14 14 0
1895 12 12 0
1894 15 15 0
1893 9 9 0
1892 9 9 0
1891 12 12 0
1890 11 11 0
1889 5 5 0
1888 5 5 0
1884 7 7 0
1883 7 7 0

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. 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 38
16%
TX 37
15%
GA 18
8%
FL 13
5%
NY 13
5%
IN 11
5%
IL 10
4%
NC 10
4%
OK 9
4%
LA 9
4%
AZ 9
4%
AL 8
3%
AR 7
3%
TN 7
3%
NJ 7
3%
KY 6
3%
MD 6
3%
VA 6
3%
OH 5
2%
PA 5
2%
MO 5
2%