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Kim
Pronounced KIM /ΛkΙͺm/High
Meaning: Variously the Vietnamese kim, 'gold; metal', a Korean family name, and a short form of Kimball ('war chief; bold'); used for both sexes; here for boys; routes layeredLow
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Kim comes variously from the Vietnamese kim, 'gold; metal', the Korean family name Kim, and a short form of Kimball, 'war chief; bold' (routes layered, which we note). Rudyard Kipling's hero Kim bore it for a boy. A crisp, cultural name, used for both sexes, here for boys (slug distinguished).
In the U.S. it appears in Vietnamese, Korean, and English families. Rare for boys, gold-and-metal at the (Vietnamese) root, and cultural.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Kim mean?
Kim is variously Vietnamese 'gold; metal', a Korean family name, and a short form of Kimball; the routes are layered.
How do you pronounce Kim?
It's said KIM /ΛkΙͺm/ β one syllable.
Is Kim a boy or girl name?
Kim is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.
How popular is Kim?
Kim is a rare name for boys in the U.S.