Meaning & Origin
A unisex given name. A male given name transferred from the surname. A female given name transferred from the surname, of 1940s and later usage.
Kim is a girl's and boy's baby name of uncertain origin, most commonly associated with English surnames derived from Old English place names. It soared to popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, landing in the U.S. top 10 for girls during that era.
Compact and punchy, Kim carries a distinctly mid-century American feel. While it has faded from the top charts, it remains familiar across generations — and as a middle name it pairs beautifully with longer first names.