Find out how popular the first name Jim has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jim by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Jim is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Jim being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 26 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Jim.

The history of the first name Jim

The name Jim is an English diminutive form derived from the male given name James. James has its roots in the late Latin name Iacomus, which was derived from the Hebrew name Ya'aqov. Ya'aqov can be traced back to the biblical patriarch Jacob, one of the founding fathers of the Israelites in the Old Testament.

The name James first appeared in Britain after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It became increasingly popular due to the veneration of Saint James the Great, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. The diminutive form Jim emerged in the 17th century as a shortened version of James.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Jim can be found in the works of the English writer Samuel Butler, who used the name in his satirical prose work "Hudibras," published in 1663. In this work, Butler referred to a character named "Tall, brawny Jim."

The name Jim has been borne by various notable figures throughout history. One of the most famous was Jim Bowie, the American frontiersman and soldier who lived from 1796 to 1836. Bowie is best known for the legendary "Bowie knife," which he popularized.

Another well-known Jim was Jim Thorpe, an American athlete of Native American descent who excelled in various sports, including football, baseball, and track and field. Thorpe, who lived from 1887 to 1953, was named the greatest athlete of the 20th century by the Associated Press.

In the world of literature, Jim Hawkins is the protagonist of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic adventure novel "Treasure Island," published in 1883. The book follows Jim's journey as he encounters pirates and searches for buried treasure.

Jim Morrison, the lead singer of the iconic rock band The Doors, was another famous bearer of the name. Morrison, who lived from 1943 to 1971, was known for his poetic lyrics and charismatic stage presence.

Lastly, Jim Carrey, the Canadian-American actor and comedian born in 1962, has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry with his unique comedic talents and versatile acting skills.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Jim was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Jim, please contact us.

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