Boy · 85th of 6,773
Jim
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
153,899
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1959
Peak Popularity Year
5,696
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Jim stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Jim is a diminutive of the name James, which has Hebrew origins meaning 'supplanter.' The name has evolved through various languages from Yaakov to Jim. It is commonly associated with a friendly demeanor and gained popularity in the 19th century. Although Jim has no direct biblical background, it is tied to the biblical Jacob. Variants include James and Jimmy, and notable figures with this name include Jim Carrey and Jim Morrison.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/dʒɪm/
Origin
English
Etymology
Jim is a diminutive form of the name James, which derives from the Hebrew name Yaakov (Jacob) and means 'supplanter' or 'one who follows.'
Meaning
supplanter
Language Evolution
Yaakov (Hebrew), Iacobus (Latin), Jacobus (Old French), James (Middle English), Jim (Modern English)
Biblical Background
Jim does not have a direct biblical reference as it is a diminutive of James, which is derived from the biblical Jacob.
Historical Usage
The name Jim gained popularity in the 19th century as a common diminutive for James, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
James, Jimmy, Jem
Modern Popularity & Image
Jim is often perceived as a friendly and approachable name, commonly associated with a down-to-earth personality.
Famous People
Jim Carrey, Jim Morrison, Jim Henson
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 5,696 peak births in 1959
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Wyoming
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 3 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 155th of 7545 | 16,122 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 85th of 6773 | 43,472 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 105th of 7552 | 65,219 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 231st of 10718 | 16,029 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 664th of 16616 | 3,497 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1505th of 24088 | 1,501 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2987th of 23106 | 483 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2180th of 9107 | 281 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2286th of 9204 | 256 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 4299th of 12526 | 158 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 9197th of 19264 | 56 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 27321st of 27321 | 5 |