Kim Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Kim has roots in both Old English and Korean, with meanings related to 'king' and 'gold.' Its language path shows evolution from Cyning to its modern forms. The name conveys traits of leadership and strength, while its biblical relevance is non-existent. Kim has gained popularity as both a first name and surname, especially in contemporary culture.
The name Kim is most popular in Wisconsin, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Baby Boomers generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Kim has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Kim' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3783rd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 874th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 186th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 492nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1257th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5178th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 7747th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 5122nd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1386th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 74th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 97th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 708th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2105th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3326th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Kim' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Kim"
Pronunciation
/kɪm/
Origin
Old English, Korean
Etymology
The name Kim has multiple origins. In English, it is often derived from the Old English name 'Cyning,' meaning 'king' or 'ruler.' In Korean, it is a common surname that means 'gold.'
Meaning
king, gold
Language Evolution
Cyning (Old English), Kim (Modern English), 김 (Korean)
Historical Usage
The name Kim has been used in various cultures, with its popularity increasing in the 20th century, especially in Korea as a common surname.
Variants & Derivatives
Kimberly, Kimmie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Kim is a widely recognized name, often associated with strength and leadership in English-speaking cultures and is a very common surname in Korea.
Famous People
Kim Kardashian, Kim Jong-un, Kim Basinger
Explore More Kim Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Kim"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Kim"
"Kim" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3783rd of 7545 | 73 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 874th of 6773 | 960 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 186th of 7552 | 28,096 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 492nd of 10718 | 4,317 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1257th of 16616 | 1,132 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 5178th of 24088 | 248 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 7747th of 23106 | 118 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 5122nd of 9107 | 49 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1386th of 9204 | 569 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 74th of 12526 | 113,179 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 97th of 19264 | 59,524 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 708th of 27321 | 4,469 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2105th of 35406 | 1,414 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 3326th of 30306 | 577 |
Regional Popularity of "Kim" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
36.68% 567th/1546 |
50.51% 786th/1556 |
81.26% 1912th/2353 |
29.99% 464th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
5.84% 130th/2227 |
8.19% 199th/2430 |
10.02% 286th/2853 |
5.73% 159th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
15.66% 460th/2937 |
15.04% 524th/3483 |
13.81% 486th/3518 |
12.39% 501st/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
45.05% 1660th/3685 |
30.86% 1381st/4475 |
31.23% 1622nd/5194 |
16.21% 1024th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
76.12% 3931st/5164 |
- |
67.40% 5030th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Kim" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
66.95% 1035th/1546 |
64.07% 997th/1556 |
100.00% 2353rd/2353 |
46.74% 723rd/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
2.87% 64th/2227 |
2.72% 66th/2430 |
3.54% 101st/2853 |
1.95% 54th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
3.44% 101st/2937 |
1.75% 61st/3483 |
3.24% 114th/3518 |
2.67% 108th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
22.90% 844th/3685 |
12.45% 557th/4475 |
15.36% 798th/5194 |
10.99% 694th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
71.96% 3297th/4582 |
37.86% 1955th/5164 |
30.12% 2203rd/7313 |
23.11% 1725th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
100.00% 3984th/3984 |
71.72% 3218th/4487 |
44.44% 3032nd/6822 |
39.39% 2472nd/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Kim"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Kim" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.