"one who listens"
Ximena
Does Ximena flow with your last name?
El Cid's wife — a Spanish queen name meaning listener
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"one who hears"
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Browse nicknames →Things to Know About This Name
- Pronunciation confusion for English speakers — the X sounds like H, which many English speakers don't know
The Story of Ximena
Ximena is the Old Spanish form of Jimena, which derives from the Hebrew 'Simon' (Shimon), meaning one who listens or one who hears. In medieval Spain, it was the name of the legendary wife of El Cid — the famous Castilian knight and national hero. The name was brought to Mexico and Latin America through Spanish colonization and remains one of the most beloved feminine names across the Spanish-speaking world.
Ximena has surged in the US as the Latino population has grown, consistently ranking in the top 100 baby names in recent years. It's particularly popular in states with large Mexican American populations like California, Texas, and Arizona.
In Spain, Ximena is most famous as the name of Dona Jimena, wife of El Cid — the 11th-century hero of the Reconquista whose story is told in the medieval epic poem El Cantar de mio Cid. In Mexico and Latin America, Ximena is one of the most beloved feminine names, carrying an air of elegance and distinction.
Historical Record
Ximena first appeared in US Social Security records in 1966.
Over 37,963 babies have been named Ximena in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ximena is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #173 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Ximena is one of the top 10 names in Mexico
- The X in Ximena is pronounced like H in Spanish, following the Old Spanish convention
- Dona Ximena is a legendary figure in medieval Spanish literature and El Cid epic
Ximena in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ximena
Ximena Sarinana
Musician
1985
Mexican singer-actress with multiple Latin Grammy nominations and beloved across Latin America
Dona Jimena
Other
Legendary medieval Spanish noblewoman, wife of El Cid (Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar), hero of the Reconquista
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #173
- Total SSA Count
- 1,744
- Cultural Origins
- Spanish Latin American Mexican
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, Spanish heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Latin American heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ximena
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Ximena is also used as a boy name, ranked #24454.
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Same Origin Names (Spanish)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ximena
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Is Ximena a boy or girl name?
How popular is the name Ximena?
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What are good middle names for Ximena?
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How many syllables does Ximena have?
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About the Name Ximena
Ximena is a girl name with Spanish, Latin American, and Mexican origins . The name means "one who listens" in Hebrew .
Is Ximena a boy or girl name? Ximena is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #173 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #24,454. Ximena is more commonly used as a girl name.
Ximena is currently ranked #173 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Ximena has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Ximena include Xime. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
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Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis