"one who listens"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Spanish
Ximena
Girl Name
#173 Most Popular
Rising
3 Syllables
El Cid's wife — a Spanish queen name meaning listener
Spanish
Latin American
Mexican
Bold
Elegant
Unique
Sophisticated
Meaning & Origin
"one who hears"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Things to Know About This Name
- Pronunciation confusion for English speakers — the X sounds like H, which many English speakers don't know
The Story of Ximena
Ximena is the Old Spanish form of Jimena, which derives from the Hebrew 'Simon' (Shimon), meaning one who listens or one who hears. In medieval Spain, it was the name of the legendary wife of El Cid — the famous Castilian knight and national hero. The name was brought to Mexico and Latin America through Spanish colonization and remains one of the most beloved feminine names across the Spanish-speaking world.
Ximena has surged in the US as the Latino population has grown, consistently ranking in the top 100 baby names in recent years. It's particularly popular in states with large Mexican American populations like California, Texas, and Arizona.
In Spain, Ximena is most famous as the name of Dona Jimena, wife of El Cid — the 11th-century hero of the Reconquista whose story is told in the medieval epic poem El Cantar de mio Cid. In Mexico and Latin America, Ximena is one of the most beloved feminine names, carrying an air of elegance and distinction.
Fun Facts
- Ximena is one of the top 10 names in Mexico
- The X in Ximena is pronounced like H in Spanish, following the Old Spanish convention
- Dona Ximena is a legendary figure in medieval Spanish literature and El Cid epic
Ximena in Other Languages
Arabic
هيمينا
French
Ximena
Spanish
Jimena / Ximena
Japanese
ヒメナ
Portuguese
Ximena
Famous People Named Ximena
X
Ximena Sarinana
Musician
1985
Mexican singer-actress with multiple Latin Grammy nominations and beloved across Latin America
D
Dona Jimena
Other
Legendary medieval Spanish noblewoman, wife of El Cid (Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar), hero of the Reconquista
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #173
- Total SSA Count
- 1,744
- Cultural Origins
- Spanish Latin American Mexican
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Xime
Pairs Well With
Ximena Sofia
Ximena Isabella
Ximena Valentina
Ximena Lucia
Ximena Elena
Ximena Maria
Ximena Camila
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Ximena is also used as a boy name, ranked #24454.
View Ximena as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ximena
What does the name Ximena mean?
"one who listens" (from Hebrew). "one who hears" (from Hebrew). Ximena is the Old Spanish form of Jimena, which derives from the Hebrew 'Simon' (Shimon), meaning one who listens or one who hears. In medieval Spain, it was the name of the legendary wife of El Cid — the famous Castilian knight and national hero. The name was brought to Mexico and Latin America through Spanish colonization and remains one of the most beloved feminine names across the Spanish-speaking world.
What is the origin of the name Ximena?
Ximena has Hebrew, Spanish, Latin American, and Mexican origins. In Hebrew, it means "one who listens". In Hebrew, it means "one who hears".
Is Ximena a boy or girl name?
Ximena is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #173. As a boy name, it is ranked #24454. Ximena is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Ximena?
Ximena is currently ranked #173 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ximena?
Common nicknames for Ximena include Xime.
What are good middle names for Ximena?
Popular middle name pairings include Ximena Sofia, Ximena Isabella, Ximena Valentina, Ximena Lucia, Ximena Elena, Ximena Maria, and Ximena Camila.
What are good sibling names for Ximena?
Names that pair well with Ximena as siblings include Alejandro, Mateo, Valentina, Sebastian, Emilio, Catalina, and Diego.
How many syllables does Ximena have?
Ximena has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Ximena a common or rare name?
Ximena is a popular name, ranked #173 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Ximena
Ximena is a girl name with Spanish, Latin American, and Mexican origins . The name means "one who listens" in Hebrew .
Is Ximena a boy or girl name? Ximena is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #173 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #24,454. Ximena is more commonly used as a girl name.
Ximena is currently ranked #173 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Ximena has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Ximena include Xime. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.