"short form of Kimberly; from Kimberley, South Africa"
Origin: English
Language: English
Kim
Pronunciation: [ k-IHM ]
Does Kim flow with your last name?
One syllable. Pure gold. Timeless.
English
Korean
Vietnamese
Scandinavian
Classic
Minimalist
Strong
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Kim
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"gold, precious metal"
Origin: Korean/Vietnamese
Language: Korean
"from Joachim, may God uplift"
Origin: Scandinavian/Hebrew
Language: Scandinavian
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Kim Kardashian and the Kardashian brand
- Also associated with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un
The Story of Kim
Kim has multiple distinct origins. As an English name, it began as a short form of Kimberly, which derives from the South African city of Kimberley (named after Lord Kimberley, British colonial secretary). As a Korean surname, Kim means gold and is the most common name in Korea. In Vietnamese, Kim also means gold or precious metal. In Scandinavian countries, Kim is gender-neutral, derived from Joachim.
Kim peaked in the US in the 1950s-1970s when it ranked in the top 20 for girls. The name was popularized by actress Kim Novak in the 1950s and Kim Basinger in the 1980s. Today it feels distinctly mid-century, associated with baby boomer naming trends.
In Korea, Kim is not just a name but the most common surname — approximately 21% of Koreans share it. As a Western girls name, Kim represents the confident, no-nonsense style of mid-20th century American naming. Rudyard Kipling's 1901 novel Kim featured a famous male character with this name.
Historical Record
Kim first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 178,226 babies have been named Kim in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kim is past its peak , currently ranked #4,816 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Kim is the most common Korean surname, shared by approximately 10 million people in South Korea alone
- Rudyard Kipling's 1901 novel Kim features a boy spy of Irish descent in British India
Kim in Other Languages
Korean
김
English
Kim
Japanese
キム
Vietnamese
Kim
Scandinavian
Kim
Popularity Over Time
#4,816
Current Rank
Peaked 1960
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Kim
K
Kim Kardashian
Business
1980
American media personality, socialite, and businesswoman known for her reality TV show and beauty brands
K
Kim Basinger
Actor
1953
Academy Award-winning American actress known for L.A. Confidential and 9 1/2 Weeks
K
Kim Novak
Actor
1933
American actress and Hollywood icon known for Vertigo and Picnic
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Compare Kim with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #4,816
- Total SSA Count
- 28
- Cultural Origins
- English Korean Vietnamese Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Kimmy
Kimmie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kim
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Kim is also used as a boy name, ranked #6932.
View Kim as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Candice
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Latin (candidus) origin
"glowing white, pure, sincere"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kim
What does the name Kim mean?
"short form of Kimberly; from Kimberley, South Africa" (from English). "gold, precious metal" (from Korean/Vietnamese). "from Joachim, may God uplift" (from Scandinavian/Hebrew). Kim has multiple distinct origins. As an English name, it began as a short form of Kimberly, which derives from the South African city of Kimberley (named after Lord Kimberley, British colonial secretary). As a Korean surname, Kim means gold and is the most common name in Korea. In Vietnamese, Kim also means gold or precious metal. In Scandinavian countries, Kim is gender-neutral, derived from Joachim.
What is the origin of the name Kim?
Kim has English, Korean/Vietnamese, Scandinavian/Hebrew, Korean, Vietnamese, and Scandinavian origins. In English, it means "short form of Kimberly; from Kimberley, South Africa". In Korean/Vietnamese, it means "gold, precious metal". In Scandinavian/Hebrew, it means "from Joachim, may God uplift".
Is Kim a boy or girl name?
Kim is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #4816. As a boy name, it is ranked #6932. Kim is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Kim?
Kim is pronounced k-IHM.
How popular is the name Kim?
Kim is currently ranked #4816 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Kim?
Common nicknames for Kim include Kimmy and Kimmie.
What are good middle names for Kim?
Popular middle name pairings include Kim Marie, Kim Anne, Kim Lee, Kim Jade, Kim Rose, Kim Grace, and Kim Nicole.
What are good sibling names for Kim?
Names that pair well with Kim as siblings include Kelly, Karen, Kevin, Kyle, Kari, Kristin, and Kent.
How many syllables does Kim have?
Kim has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Kim a common or rare name?
Kim is an uncommon name, ranked #4816 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Kim?
About the Name Kim
Kim is a girl name with English, Korean, Vietnamese, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "short form of Kimberly; from Kimberley, South Africa" in English .
Is Kim a boy or girl name? Kim is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #4,816 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #6,932. Kim is more commonly used as a girl name.
Kim is currently ranked #4,816 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Kim has 1 syllable and is pronounced k-IHM, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Kim include Kimmy and Kimmie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Kim include Kimberly, Kimber, Kimora, Kimberlyn, Kimani . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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