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Kimball

Pronunciation: [ k-IHMB-uhl ]

Boy Name #6,245 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A sturdy Old English surname with warrior roots

English American British
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Meaning & Origin

"bold warrior, warrior chief"
Origin: Old English/Welsh
Language: English
"royal and bold"
Origin: Old English
Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

  • Strongly associated with the female name Kim in modern usage

The Story of Kimball

Kimball derives from the Old English elements 'cyne' (royal) and 'beald' (bold) or alternatively from the Welsh 'Cynbel' meaning 'warrior chief.' It was primarily a surname through most of its history before transitioning to first-name use in the United States during the 20th century.

Kimball peaked as a given name in mid-20th century America, often as a surname-as-first-name choice popular among certain Protestant families. Its decline mirrors the broader shift away from traditionally male names that also became popular as female names (like Kim).

In the Mormon (LDS) community, Kimball holds special significance due to Spencer W. Kimball, the 12th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who served from 1973-1985 and made significant doctrinal changes.

Fun Facts

  • Spencer W. Kimball, a revered LDS prophet, helped popularize this name among Mormon families
  • Kimball is also a common city name in the American Midwest, particularly Nebraska and South Dakota

Kimball in Other Languages

Welsh Cynbel
French Kimball
German Kimball
Spanish Kimball
Japanese キンボール

Popularity Over Time

#6,245
Current Rank
Peaked 1954 Based on SSA data 1880–present

Famous People Named Kimball

S

Spencer W. Kimball

Religious

1895

12th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1973-1985), known for major doctrinal revelations

H

Heber C. Kimball

Religious

1801

Early LDS apostle and close associate of Brigham Young, one of the founding figures of Mormonism

R

Richard Kimble Fictional

Other

The wrongly accused protagonist of 'The Fugitive' TV series and 1993 film (surname spelled differently)

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#6,245
Total SSA Count
14
Cultural Origins
English American British
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
High

Common Nicknames

Kim Kimmy

Middle Name Ideas

Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style

Sibling Names

Bradley Whitney Spencer Courtney Dana Kendall Taylor

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Also a Girl Name

Kimball is also used as a girl name, ranked #47735.

View Kimball as a girl name →

Similar Names

Kenneth Wendell Campbell Ken Kendall Kendrick Kennedy Champion

Compare Kimball with...

Kimball vs Kenneth Kimball vs Wendell Kimball vs Campbell Kimball vs Ken

Same Origin Names (English)

Liam #1 Olivia #1 Noah #2 Emma #2 Oliver #3 Amelia #3 Theodore #4 Charlotte #4

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Kimball

What does the name Kimball mean?
"bold warrior, warrior chief" (from Old English/Welsh). "royal and bold" (from Old English). Kimball derives from the Old English elements 'cyne' (royal) and 'beald' (bold) or alternatively from the Welsh 'Cynbel' meaning 'warrior chief.' It was primarily a surname through most of its history before transitioning to first-name use in the United States during the 20th century.
What is the origin of the name Kimball?
Kimball has Old English/Welsh, Old English, English, American, and British origins. In Old English/Welsh, it means "bold warrior, warrior chief". In Old English, it means "royal and bold".
Is Kimball a boy or girl name?
Kimball is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #6245. As a girl name, it is ranked #47735. Kimball is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Kimball?
Kimball is pronounced k-IHMB-uhl.
How popular is the name Kimball?
Kimball is currently ranked #6245 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Kimball?
Common nicknames for Kimball include Kim and Kimmy.
What are good middle names for Kimball?
Popular middle name pairings include Kimball James, Kimball Lee, Kimball Ray, Kimball Scott, Kimball Wayne, Kimball Allen, and Kimball Reed.
What are good sibling names for Kimball?
Names that pair well with Kimball as siblings include Bradley, Whitney, Spencer, Courtney, Dana, Kendall, and Taylor.
How many syllables does Kimball have?
Kimball has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Kimball a common or rare name?
Kimball is an uncommon name, ranked #6245 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Kimball

Kimball is a boy name with English, American, and British origins . The name means "bold warrior, warrior chief" in Old English/Welsh .

Is Kimball a boy or girl name? Kimball is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #6,245 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #47,735. Kimball is more commonly used as a boy name.

Kimball is currently ranked #6,245 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Kimball has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-IHMB-uhl, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Kimball include Kim and Kimmy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

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