"Cyneburg's woodland clearing"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Kimberley
Pronunciation: [ k-IHMB-erl-ee ]
A diamond city name that sparkled across the 1960s and 70s
English
South African
American
Australian
Classic
Vintage
Gentle
Traditional
Meaning & Origin
"from the city of Kimberley (South Africa)"
Origin: South African English
Language: English
The Story of Kimberley
Kimberley's roots go back to Old English: 'Cyneburg's leah,' meaning 'woodland clearing belonging to Cyneburg' (a feminine personal name). There is a Kimberley in Nottinghamshire, England, with this ancient origin. But the name gained global fame through Kimberley, South Africa — a city founded during the 1871 diamond rush and named after John Wodehouse, 1st Earl of Kimberley, who was then British Secretary of State for the Colonies. After the dramatic Siege of Kimberley in the Boer War, the name crossed over to women's use.
Kimberly was one of the quintessential baby boomer names — it was in the US top 5 for girls throughout the 1960s, peaking at #2 in 1967. Its rapid rise and fall followed the pattern of many mid-century names: meteoric popularity followed by equally swift decline. Today it's a nostalgic name strongly associated with women born between 1955 and 1980.
In South Africa, Kimberley (with the '-ey' spelling) is a city of significant historical weight — site of the world's largest hand-dug excavation, the Big Hole, created during the diamond rush that led to the founding of De Beers. Kimberlite, the volcanic rock in which diamonds form, is named directly after the city.
Fun Facts
- Kimberlite, the volcanic rock that carries diamonds to Earth's surface, is named after Kimberley, South Africa
- Kimberly was the #2 girls' name in the US in 1967
- The Siege of Kimberley (1899–1900), in which Cecil Rhodes was besieged, made the city — and its name — famous worldwide
Kimberley in Other Languages
French
Kimberley
Chinese
金伯利
Spanish
Kimberly
Japanese
キンバリー
Portuguese
Kimberley
Popularity Over Time
#5,106
Current Rank
Peaked 1967
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Famous People Named Kimberley
K
Kimberley Nixon
Actor
1985
Welsh actress known for 'Easy Virtue' (2008) and the Channel 4 series 'Fresh Meat'
K
Kimberley Walsh
Musician
1981
British singer, member of Girls Aloud, one of the UK's best-selling girl groups of the 2000s
K
Kim Kardashian
Entertainer
1980
American media personality and businesswoman, born Kimberly Noel Kardashian West
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #5,106
- Total SSA Count
- 26
- Cultural Origins
- English South African American Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Kim
Kimmy
Kimmie
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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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, 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
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Kimberley is also used as a boy name, ranked #20734.
View Kimberley as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Kimberley →Compare Kimberley with...
Same Origin Names (English)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kimberley
What does the name Kimberley mean?
"Cyneburg's woodland clearing" (from Old English). "from the city of Kimberley (South Africa)" (from South African English). Kimberley's roots go back to Old English: 'Cyneburg's leah,' meaning 'woodland clearing belonging to Cyneburg' (a feminine personal name). There is a Kimberley in Nottinghamshire, England, with this ancient origin. But the name gained global fame through Kimberley, South Africa — a city founded during the 1871 diamond rush and named after John Wodehouse, 1st Earl of Kimberley, who was then British Secretary of State for the Colonies. After the dramatic Siege of Kimberley in the Boer War, the name crossed over to women's use.
What is the origin of the name Kimberley?
Kimberley has Old English, South African English, English, South African, American, and Australian origins. In Old English, it means "Cyneburg's woodland clearing". In South African English, it means "from the city of Kimberley (South Africa)".
Is Kimberley a boy or girl name?
Kimberley is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #5106. As a boy name, it is ranked #20734. Kimberley is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Kimberley?
Kimberley is pronounced k-IHMB-erl-ee.
How popular is the name Kimberley?
Kimberley is currently ranked #5106 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Kimberley?
Common nicknames for Kimberley include Kim, Kimmy, and Kimmie.
What are good middle names for Kimberley?
Popular middle name pairings include Kimberley Anne, Kimberley Jean, Kimberley Sue, Kimberley Marie, Kimberley Elizabeth, Kimberley Lee, and Kimberley Grace.
What are good sibling names for Kimberley?
Names that pair well with Kimberley as siblings include Jennifer, Jessica, Tracy, Stacey, Ashley, Brandon, and Kevin.
How many syllables does Kimberley have?
Kimberley has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Kimberley a common or rare name?
Kimberley is an uncommon name, ranked #5106 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Kimberley
Kimberley is a girl name with English, South African, American, and Australian origins . The name means "Cyneburg's woodland clearing" in Old English .
Is Kimberley a boy or girl name? Kimberley is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #5,106 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #20,734. Kimberley is more commonly used as a girl name.
Kimberley is currently ranked #5,106 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Kimberley has 3 syllables and is pronounced k-IHMB-erl-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Kimberley include Kim, Kimmy, and Kimmie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Kimberley include Kimberly, Kimber, Kimberlyn, Kimberlynn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.