The nameJimmy

Jimmy is the friendly short form of James. It was a top 50 American name in the 1940s.

Boy's name
Hebrew
Feast day

Meaning

Jimmy shortens James, from the Hebrew Yaakov, linked to "heel" and often read as "may God protect".

Origin

Hebrew, through English.

History

In the United States Jimmy reached 41st place in 1944. President Jimmy Carter made it known worldwide.

Did you know?

Jimmy Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 and died in 2024 aged 100, the longest lived American president.

Famous people named Jimmy

Jimmy Carter, president of the United States
Jimmy Page, guitarist
Jimmy Fallon, television host
Jimmy Stewart, actor

Popularity of the name Jimmy

Jimmy in the United States

858thmost popular boys' name in the United States in 2024

1947peak year (7,938 births)

290,651babies named Jimmy in the United States since 1880

Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Jimmy was most popular in the United States in the 1940s, with 63,888 births over the decade, 22% of all recorded babies named Jimmy. Its rise began around 1926, and it peaked in 1947. Half of all babies named Jimmy in the United States were born before 1956, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 316 births a year on average, against 448 in the five years before.

Jimmy in the United Kingdom

428thmost popular boys' name in the United Kingdom in 2025

2017peak year (183 births)

3,688babies named Jimmy in the United Kingdom since 1997

Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Jimmy was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 1,539 births over the decade, 42% of all recorded babies named Jimmy. Half of all babies named Jimmy in the United Kingdom were born before 2012, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 115 births a year on average, against 150 in the five years before.

Jimmy in France

736thmost popular boys' name in France, latest official figures

1991peak year (1,875 births)

36,175babies named Jimmy in France since 1900

Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Jimmy in Belgium

1995peak year (109 births)

943babies named Jimmy in Belgium since 1995

Births per year in Belgium. Source: Statbel, names given at least 5 times a year.

Jimmy in Norway

1978peak year (25 births)

627babies named Jimmy in Norway since 1945

Births per year in Norway. Source: Statistics Norway (SSB), table 10467.

Variants and related names

Sibling names for Jimmy

Names from the same generation as Jimmy, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Jimmy? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Jimmy in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Jimmy mean?

Jimmy shortens James, from the Hebrew Yaakov, linked to "heel" and often read as "may God protect".

What is the origin of the name Jimmy?

Hebrew, through English.

Is Jimmy a girl's or a boy's name?

Jimmy is a boy's name.

How popular is the name Jimmy?

In 2024, Jimmy was the 858th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 282 births.

What are the variants of the name Jimmy?

Variants and related names of Jimmy include Jacques and James.

What are good sibling names for Jimmy?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Sharon, Abby, Annika and Elisabeth for a sister, Jon, Ruben, Ernesto and Alberto for a brother.

Who are famous people named Jimmy?

Jimmy Carter, president of the United States; Jimmy Page, guitarist; Jimmy Fallon, television host; Jimmy Stewart, actor.