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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kimball

Kimball

♂ Boy

Pronounced KIM-bəl /ˈkɪm.bəl/High

Meaning: From the Welsh Cynbel — variously 'a war chief; a chief of warriors' and 'bold, brave' (cyn, 'chief', plus bel, 'war'); routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A war chief; a bold chief: Kimball is the Welsh Cynbel — 'a war chief'. Crisp, distinguished, and warm.
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Origin LowWelsh, English
MeaningFrom the Welsh Cynbel — variously 'a war chief; a chief of warriors' and 'bold, brave' (cyn, 'chief', plus bel, 'war'); routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#11405 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1954
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,001

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 195419142025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Kimball comes from the Welsh Cynbel — variously 'a war chief; a chief of warriors' and 'bold, brave' (cyn, 'chief', plus bel, 'war'; routes layered, which we note). Long an English surname, now a fresh first name. A crisp, distinguished surname-name (nickname Kim).

In the U.S. it appears as a surname-name. Rare, a-war-chief at the root, and distinguished.

Did you know? Kimball comes from the Welsh Cynbel, variously 'a war chief; a chief of warriors' and 'bold, brave' (cyn, 'chief', plus bel, 'war') — a crisp, distinguished name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'KIM-bəl').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Kimball — routes layered

Variations

KimbellKemball

Nicknames

Kim

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kimball…

Campbell— a sound-neighbor -ll surname boys' name
Kendall— a fellow -all surname boys' name
Randall— a companion -all surname boys' name
Kendell— a fellow English choice
Kordell— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Kimball

By themeuncertainenglishsurname-namewelshwarriorbrave
By meaningWarriorBrave / CourageLeader

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kimball mean?

Kimball is the Welsh Cynbel — variously 'a war chief' and 'bold, brave'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Kimball?

It's said KIM-bəl /ˈkɪm.bəl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kimball a boy or girl name?

Kimball is a boy's name.

How popular is Kimball?

Kimball is a rare name in the U.S.

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