Zimo
A modern invented name of unknown origin and meaning.
Name Census estimates that about 5 living Americans carry the first name Zimo. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Zimo today is around 10 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Zimo births was 2016 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Zimo. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Zimo. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
5
~ 1 in 68,550,868 Americans
Peak year
2016
5 babies that year
Average age
10
years old
2016 SSA rank
#14,196
Tracked since 2016
Popularity
Zimo: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Zimo by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Zimo during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Zimo
The given name Zimo has its roots in the ancient African language of Kimbundu, spoken by the Mbundu people of present-day Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The name dates back to the 16th century and is derived from the Kimbundu word "zima," which means "to rest" or "to be at peace."
In the early days, the name Zimo was primarily associated with the Mbundu tribe, and it carried spiritual significance. It was often given to newborns as a wish for them to lead a life of tranquility and inner peace. The name's connection to the concept of rest and peace reflects the Mbundu people's cultural values and their reverence for nature.
While there are no known direct references to the name Zimo in ancient texts or religious scriptures, some historians believe it may have been mentioned in oral traditions passed down through generations within the Mbundu community.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Zimo was a prominent Mbundu chief who lived in the late 17th century. His name was Zimo Ngola, and he played a crucial role in negotiating peace treaties between the Mbundu and the Portuguese settlers in Angola.
Another notable figure was Zimo Kalenga, a renowned healer and spiritual leader from the 19th century. He was revered for his extensive knowledge of traditional Mbundu medicine and his ability to connect with the spiritual realm.
In the 20th century, Zimo Nzambi was a prominent Angolan poet and writer who helped preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Mbundu people through his literary works. He was born in 1925 and passed away in 2001.
Zimo Lutumba was a Congolese politician and activist who dedicated his life to promoting human rights and advocating for social justice. He lived from 1947 to 2018 and played a significant role in the struggle against colonial oppression.
More recently, Zimo Hunga is a contemporary Angolan artist known for his vibrant paintings and sculptures that celebrate the traditions and folklore of the Mbundu people. He was born in 1975 and continues to inspire audiences worldwide with his unique artistic expression.
While the name Zimo has its origins in the Kimbundu language, it has transcended cultural boundaries and gained recognition in various parts of the world, particularly among those with an appreciation for African heritage and spirituality.
People
Zimo + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Zimo as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with Z
Other first names starting with Z with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Zimo: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Zimo?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 5 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Zimo going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 68,550,868 US residents.
Is Zimo a common name?
We classify Zimo as "Very Rare". It ranks above 18.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Zimo most popular?
The single biggest year for Zimo was 2016, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Zimo is about 10 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Zimo in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Zimo a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Zimo in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Zimo still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Zimo in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Zimo can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people are named Zimo?
Find out how many people share the name Zimo on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org — a quick modern estimate with the living-bearer count front and centre.