Jimmy

♂ Boy

Pronounced JIM-ee /ˈdʒɪm.i/High

Meaning: Pet form of James, from the Late Latin Jacomus, ultimately from the Hebrew Yaakov meaning 'he who supplants' or 'held by the heel' — referring to the biblical patriarch Jacob who grasped his brother Esau's heel at birthHigh

In 30 seconds: Jimmy is the cheerful, approachable pet form of James, meaning he who supplants, rooted in the Hebrew Jacob. Presidents, rock legends, and late-night hosts have carried the name's warm American energy across the 20th and 21st centuries.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningPet form of James, from the Late Latin Jacomus, ultimately from the Hebrew Yaakov meaning 'he who supplants' or 'held by the heel' — referring to the biblical patriarch Jacob who grasped his brother Esau's heel at birth

U.S. rank (2025)#847 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births291 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1947

Total births (all-time)≈ 288,724

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Jimmy is a pet form of James, which evolved from Late Latin Jacomus, a form of Jacobus (Jacob). The Hebrew Yaakov means 'he who follows at the heel' or 'supplanter', referring to the patriarch Jacob who grasped Esau's heel at birth (Genesis 25:26). The name Jacob/James became one of the most common names in Christendom through the apostles James the Great and James the Less.

Jimmy was extremely popular in the United States in the mid-20th century, ranking in the top 10 boys names in the 1940s and 1950s. Presidents Jimmy Carter, musicians Jimmy Hendrix and Jimmy Page, and entertainers Jimmy Durante and Jimmy Fallon have given the name a wide cultural footprint. It now carries a warm, vintage-American feel.

Did you know? Jimmy Carter is the only U.S. president to have used a diminutive nickname officially on the presidential ballot — running as Jimmy Carter rather than James Earl Carter Jr. — signaling his famously approachable, plain-spoken character.

Overall data confidence 92%

Behind the Name — Jimmy — Hebrew etymology as pet form of JamesU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

JimmieJimJames

Nicknames

Jim

Famous Bearers

★Jimmy Carter (1924–2024)
39th President of the United States, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and longtime humanitarian who worked with Habitat for Humanity.
★Jimi Hendrix (1942–1970)
American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in music history.

If you like Jimmy…

Tommy— same mid-century American -y nickname standalone feel

Bobby— shares the vintage two-syllable doubled-consonant nickname charm

Teddy— fellow cheerful -y nickname name enjoying a vintage revival

Johnny— same warm, classic American boy nickname used as a given name

Frequently Asked

What does the name Jimmy mean?

Jimmy means supplanter or he who holds the heel, as a pet form of James from the Hebrew Yaakov (Jacob).

How do you pronounce Jimmy?

It is said JIM-ee, with two syllables.

Is Jimmy still a popular name?

Jimmy peaked in the U.S. mid-20th century and has declined significantly, though it remains warmly familiar.

What is the full name for Jimmy?

Jimmy is most commonly a pet form of James, though it can also be used independently.