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

Jimmy is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 2,218 recorded births.

When was Jimmy most popular?

Jimmy reached its peak popularity in 1947 with 7,881 births that year. It is currently ranked #859 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Jimmy?

Jimmy is currently ranked #859 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 288,433 babies since 1883.

Jimmy

A familiar Hebrew name with steady appeal.

Boy's name| Also girlsHebrewDeclining Also a pet name

#859▼ 38in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A diminutive of the male given names James or Jim, also used as a formal given name.

Jimmy is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, a diminutive of James — from the Latin Jacobus and ultimately the Hebrew Ya'akov meaning "supplanter." Jimmy developed as a distinctly American informal variant of Jim in the early 20th century.

Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. President, ran as "Jimmy" — a deliberate choice signaling approachability over formality. Jimmy Hendrix, Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Page span music and entertainment. Few names feel this simultaneously humble and iconic.

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Popularity Over Time

Jimmy was #280 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #859, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Jimmy
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	1,579	#788	▼
2010s	5,379	#531	▼
2000s	10,466	#306	▼
1990s	14,105	#219	▼
1980s	19,522	#144	▼
1970s	27,101	#102	▼
1960s	47,395	#76	▼
1950s	54,891	#71	▼
1940s	63,522	#45	▲
1930s	35,398	#61	▲
1920s	7,332	#220	▲
1910s	1,294	#428	▲
1900s	302	#408	▲
1890s	123	#614	▲
1880s	24	#933	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(139 years, 1883–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Jimmy
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	282	#859	-16 (-5.4%)
2023	298	#821	-27 (-8.3%)
2022	325	#777	-9 (-2.7%)
2021	334	#755	-6 (-1.8%)
2020	340	#727	-45 (-11.7%)
2019	385	#673	-7 (-1.8%)
2018	392	#654	-68 (-14.8%)
2017	460	#594	-57 (-11.0%)
2016	517	#557	+29 (5.9%)
2015	488	#575	-48 (-9.0%)
2014	536	#522	-38 (-6.6%)
2013	574	#480	-15 (-2.5%)
2012	589	#462	-78 (-11.7%)
2011	667	#418	-104 (-13.5%)
2010	771	#373	-53 (-6.4%)
2009	824	#368	-58 (-6.6%)
2008	882	#355	-79 (-8.2%)
2007	961	#332	-27 (-2.7%)
2006	988	#325	-98 (-9.0%)
2005	1,086	#303	-48 (-4.2%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Jimmy as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Jimmy has also been given to 2,218 girls in the U.S. since 1911.

Unranked

Current rank

2,218

Total births

1947

Peak year

Compare Jimmy as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Jimmy be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Jimmy is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #859. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Jimmy has two lives

Jimmy, the baby name

#859boys

288,433 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1883–2024) · Methodology