"royal fortress meadow"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Kimberly
Pronunciation: [ k-IHMB-erl-ee ]
Does Kimberly flow with your last name?
A classic English meadow name that defined a generation
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Meaning & Origin
"Cyneburga's meadow"
Origin: Old English place name
Language: English
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The Story of Kimberly
Kimberly originates as a place name from Kimberley, a town in Nottinghamshire, England, derived from Old English 'Cyneburga's leah,' meaning 'Cyneburga's meadow' or 'royal fortress meadow.' The South African city of Kimberley, center of the 19th-century diamond rush, also popularized the name internationally. It entered use as a given name in the late 19th century and became enormously popular in the mid-20th century United States, defining a generation of baby boomer women.
Kimberly was a top-5 US girl's name from 1966 to 1976, reaching #2 in 1967. It was the quintessential baby boomer girl's name. It has declined significantly and now feels distinctly retro to contemporary parents — a name associated with mothers and grandmothers rather than newborns.
The city of Kimberley, South Africa, was founded during the 1870s diamond rush and named after Lord Kimberley, the British Colonial Secretary. The diamond mines there gave the world the word 'kimberlite,' a type of rock containing diamonds — a sparkling etymological connection.
Historical Record
Kimberly first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 844,133 babies have been named Kimberly in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kimberly is past its peak , currently ranked #247 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Kimberlite rock, which contains diamonds, takes its name from Kimberley, South Africa
- Kimberly was the #2 US girl's name in 1967 — the height of baby boomer naming
- Kim Kardashian's full birth name is Kimberly Noel Kardashian
Kimberly in Other Languages
French
Kimberly
German
Kimberly
English
Kimberly
Spanish
Kimberly
Popularity Over Time
#247
Current Rank
Peaked 1966
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Kimberly
K
Kim Kardashian
Business
1980
American media personality and businesswoman (born Kimberly), known for reality TV and her SKIMS brand
K
Kimberly Williams-Paisley
Actor
1971
American actress known for Father of the Bride and married to country star Brad Paisley
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #247
- Total SSA Count
- 1,285
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Kim
Kimmy
Kimber
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, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 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
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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
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kimberly
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Kimberly is also used as a boy name, ranked #23495.
View Kimberly as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kimberly
What does the name Kimberly mean?
"royal fortress meadow" (from Old English). "Cyneburga's meadow" (from Old English place name). Kimberly originates as a place name from Kimberley, a town in Nottinghamshire, England, derived from Old English 'Cyneburga's leah,' meaning 'Cyneburga's meadow' or 'royal fortress meadow.' The South African city of Kimberley, center of the 19th-century diamond rush, also popularized the name internationally. It entered use as a given name in the late 19th century and became enormously popular in the mid-20th century United States, defining a generation of baby boomer women.
What is the origin of the name Kimberly?
Kimberly has Old English, Old English place name, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "royal fortress meadow". In Old English place name, it means "Cyneburga's meadow".
Is Kimberly a boy or girl name?
Kimberly is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #247. As a boy name, it is ranked #23495. Kimberly is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Kimberly?
Kimberly is pronounced k-IHMB-erl-ee.
How popular is the name Kimberly?
Kimberly is currently ranked #247 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Kimberly?
Common nicknames for Kimberly include Kim, Kimmy, and Kimber.
What are good middle names for Kimberly?
Popular middle name pairings include Kimberly Ann, Kimberly Marie, Kimberly Grace, Kimberly Nicole, Kimberly Lee, and Kimberly Renee.
What are good sibling names for Kimberly?
Names that pair well with Kimberly as siblings include Beverly, Brittany, Whitney, Jennifer, Tyler, and Brandon.
How many syllables does Kimberly have?
Kimberly has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Kimberly a common or rare name?
Kimberly is a popular name, ranked #247 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Kimberly?
Are there other spellings for Kimberly?
About the Name Kimberly
Kimberly is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "royal fortress meadow" in Old English .
Is Kimberly a boy or girl name? Kimberly is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #247 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #23,495. Kimberly is more commonly used as a girl name.
Kimberly is currently ranked #247 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Kimberly has 3 syllables and is pronounced k-IHMB-erl-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Kimberly include Kim, Kimmy, and Kimber. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Kimberly include Kimber, Kimberlyn, Kimberlynn . 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