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Shimmy

♂ Boy

Pronounced SHIM-ee /ˈʃɪm.i/Medium

Meaning: Shimmy reads as a Yiddish affectionate pet form of Shimon (Simon, 'he has heard') or Simcha ('joy'); it also matches the English word for a lively dance. Its exact intended route as a standalone name is uncertain.Low

In 30 seconds: A warm pet-name: Shimmy is a Yiddish form of Shimon or Simcha (said 'SHIM-ee'). Routes uncertain, which we note.

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Origin LowYiddish, Hebrew

MeaningShimmy reads as a Yiddish affectionate pet form of Shimon (Simon, 'he has heard') or Simcha ('joy'); it also matches the English word for a lively dance. Its exact intended route as a standalone name is uncertain.

U.S. rank (2025)#11785 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 37

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Shimmy reads as a Yiddish affectionate form of Shimon ('he has heard') or Simcha ('joy'), used warmly within Jewish families. As a standalone name its route is a little uncertain (said 'SHIM-ee').

It appears only rarely as a formal name in U.S. records. Rare, warm, and uncertain.

Did you know? Shimmy is a cozy Yiddish pet form of Shimon or Simcha ('joy') — and it happens to share its sound with the lively dance, its exact route as a full name uncertain, which we note (said 'SHIM-ee').

Overall data confidence 36%

References — Shimmy — Yiddish pet form of Shimon/Simcha; routes uncertain

Variations

ShimiShimmieShimon

Nicknames

ShimShimmi

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Shimmy…

Shimon— a base name Shimmy affectionately forms

Shlomie— a like Yiddish pet-name pick

Yossi— a like warm Jewish diminutive

Mendel— a like Ashkenazi heritage name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Shimmy mean?

Shimmy is a Yiddish pet form of Shimon ('he has heard') or Simcha ('joy'). Its route as a full name is uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Shimmy?

It's said SHIM-ee /ˈʃɪm.i/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Shimmy a boy or girl name?

Shimmy is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Shimmy?

Shimmy is a rare formal name in the U.S., seen most in Jewish families.