"bold warrior, warrior chief"
Origin: Old English/Welsh
Language: English
Kimball
Pronunciation: [ k-IHMB-uhl ]
Does Kimball flow with your last name?
A sturdy Old English surname with warrior roots
English
American
British
Vintage
Strong
Traditional
Bold
Classic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Kimball
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Kimball
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"royal and bold"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Kimball
See all →What the Kimball report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Kimball the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Kimball
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Kimball head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Kimball actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
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.
Historical Record
Kimball first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,658 babies have been named Kimball in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kimball is past its peak , currently ranked #6,245 for boy names in the US .
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
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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)
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Aydrien
Boy
"rich, wealthy"
#6,098
Tyran
Boy
"land of Eoghan (Owen's territory)"
#6,128
Alfy
Boy
"elf counsel, wise counselor"
#6,072
Demond
Boy
"man from South Munster (Ireland)"
#6,159
Drayven
Boy
"Raven; dark messenger"
#6,335
Compare Kimball with:
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
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kimball
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Kimball fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Kimball is also used as a girl name, ranked #47735.
View Kimball as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Kimball →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Kimball with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Kimball
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Kimball and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Kimball sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Aydrien
Boy
Latin origin
"rich, wealthy"
#6,098 in US
Tyran
Boy
Irish Gaelic origin
"land of Eoghan (Owen's territory)"
#6,128 in US
Alfy
Boy
Old English origin
"elf counsel, wise counselor"
#6,072 in US
Demond
Boy
Irish Gaelic origin
"man from South Munster (Ireland)"
#6,159 in US
Drayven
Boy
Old English/Old Norse origin
"Raven; dark messenger"
#6,335 in US
Damier
Boy
French origin
"checkerboard pattern"
#6,193 in US
Kawhi
Boy
Kawaiisu (Native American) origin
"like a big body of water"
#6,067 in US
Zavi
Boy
Arabic origin
"bright, splendid"
#6,373 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Kimball's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
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.
Keep Exploring
Old English/Welsh Names
Browse all names with this origin
K
Names Starting with K
More boy names like Kimball
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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