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Ximena

♀ Girl

Pronounced hee-MAY-nuh /xiˈme.na/High

Meaning: Hearkening, one who hears — Spanish feminine form of Jimeno/Ximeno, likely from Hebrew <em>Shimon</em> (he has heard)Medium

In 30 seconds: The grand Spanish form of Simon/Shimon, Ximena was borne by the wife of the legendary El Cid and has been a top-100 name in the United States for Hispanic families since the 2000s.
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Origin MediumSpanish, Hebrew
MeaningHearkening, one who hears — Spanish feminine form of Jimeno/Ximeno, likely from Hebrew <em>Shimon</em> (he has heard)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 23,571

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201619662017

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

History & Origin

Ximena (also written Jimena) is the medieval Spanish feminine form of Ximeno or Jimeno, a name of disputed origin. The most widely accepted theory connects it to Hebrew Shimon (Simon), meaning 'he has heard' or 'God has heard.' Another theory proposes Basque origins. The name was prominent in medieval Spain, most famously through Doña Ximena, wife of El Cid.

Ximena became one of the most popular girls' names in Spain and Latin America by the late 20th century. In the United States it entered the top 100 in the 2000s, driven by the growing Hispanic population and enthusiasm for names with strong Spanish heritage. The X spelling is traditional; Jimena is also widely used.

Did you know? Doña Jimena (also spelled Ximena) was the wife of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, the legendary 11th-century Spanish knight known as El Cid — one of the great figures of medieval Spanish literature.

Variations

JimenaSimena

Nicknames

XimeMena

Famous Bearers

  • ★Doña Ximena (fl. c. 1080)
    Wife of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar (El Cid), the legendary medieval Spanish knight.

If you like Ximena…

Valentina— elegant Spanish/Latin girls' name with comparable heritage and flow
Camila— popular Spanish classic sharing Ximena's Latin American appeal

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ximena mean?

Ximena is likely derived from Hebrew <em>Shimon</em> meaning 'he has heard' or 'God has heard,' via Spanish medieval forms.

How do you pronounce Ximena?

Ximena is pronounced hee-MAY-nuh /xiˈme.na/ — three syllables, with the X making an 'h' sound as in Spanish.

Is Ximena a boy or girl name?

Ximena is a girls' name, the feminine Spanish form of the male name Ximeno.

How popular is Ximena?

Ximena has been in the U.S. top 100 girls' names since the early 2000s, especially popular in Hispanic communities.