Kimbra first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Kimbra has been for the last 42 years (from 1974 to 2015) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Kimbra

A feminine name originating from the British Isles with an uncertain meaning.

Popularity of Kimbra by gender

Based on the last 42 years of data, Kimbra is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2015, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Kimbra.

Year Male Count Female Count
2015 0 5
2013 0 9
2012 0 6
2006 0 5
2003 0 5
2001 0 6
2000 0 5
1999 0 8
1998 0 6
1997 0 5
1995 0 11
1994 0 5
1993 0 10
1992 0 18
1991 0 13
1990 0 23
1989 0 12
1988 0 29
1987 0 16
1986 0 12
1985 0 14
1984 0 23
1983 0 17
1982 0 17
1981 0 12
1980 0 15
1979 0 13
1978 0 12
1977 0 13
1976 0 42
1975 0 14
1974 0 12

The history of the first name Kimbra

The name Kimbra is a relatively modern name, with its origins tracing back to the late 20th century. It is believed to be a feminized form of the name Kimball, which is an English surname derived from the Old English words "cymbale" and "ball," meaning "cup-shaped hill."

While the exact origin of the name Kimbra is not entirely clear, it is thought to have emerged as a creative variation of the name Kimberly, which itself is a combination of the English names Kim and Berly. The name Kimberly gained popularity in the United States in the mid-20th century.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Kimbra can be found in the 1980s, when it was given to a handful of newborns in various parts of the world. However, it was not until the late 1990s and early 2000s that the name started to gain more widespread recognition.

One of the earliest notable individuals to bear the name Kimbra is Kimbra Johnson, an American singer-songwriter born in 1990. She rose to prominence with her critically acclaimed debut album "Vows" in 2011, which showcased her unique blend of pop, rock, and soul music.

Another famous Kimbra is Kimbra Lee Johnson, a New Zealand singer-songwriter born in 1990. She is best known for her collaborations with artists like Gotye and Mark Foster, as well as her solo work, which blends various genres including pop, jazz, and alternative rock.

In the world of literature, Kimbra Loring is a fictional character from the novel "The Daughter of Time" by Josephine Tey, published in 1951. The character plays a pivotal role in solving a historical mystery surrounding the fate of King Richard III.

Kimbra Hickey is an Australian actress born in 1982, known for her roles in various television shows and films, including the popular series "Wentworth."

Lastly, Kimbra Audrey Staveley is a British entrepreneur and businesswoman born in 1975, who co-founded the successful online fashion retailer Boohoo.com.

While the name Kimbra may not have a long and storied history like some more traditional names, its unique sound and modern appeal have contributed to its growing popularity in recent decades, particularly among creative individuals in the arts and entertainment industries.

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 Kimbra was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Kimbra first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 17, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/kimbra-meaning-and-history/.

"Kimbra first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/kimbra-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 17 May, 2025

Kimbra first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/kimbra-meaning-and-history/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.