Origin, Meaning, And History Of Kim
The name Kim is a unisex name with multiple origins and meanings. It is also the nickname for several given names and has historical and cultural significance across different regions.
One origin of the name Kim is from Korea. In Korean, Kim is a common surname and given name, which signifies ‘gold.’ It is one of the most prevalent surnames in Korea and can be traced back to ancient times (1).
In addition to its Korean roots, Kim has a separate old English origin, often as a diminutive of Kimberley. The unisex name Kimberley originated in a place called Kimberley in South Africa and was named after the Earl of Kimberley in the 19th century. This title is, in turn, derived from another place called Kimberley in Norfolk, England. This place’s name has two parts: ‘Cyneburh,’ which means ‘royal fortress,’ and ‘lēah,’ which means ‘woodland’ or ‘clearing’ (2). Together, the name means ‘woodland clearing of the royal fortress.’
Additionally, Kim is the diminutive of Kimball, a common surname and a rare male-given name in the English language. The name has different meanings depending on its origins: it means ‘war chief’ in Old Welsh, in Old Celtic, it means ‘leader of the men,’ and in Anglo-Saxon, it means ‘leader of the warriors.’
The name also boasts of having origins in various other languages apart from English, such as Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, and Vietnamese.
This short and sweet name has several variations, including Kym, Kimmie, Kimball, Kimble, Kimbell, Kemble, Kimatra, Kimber, Kimberly, Kimberley, Kimberlee, Kimby, and many more.
The world of fiction includes notable characters named Kim. In the TV series 24, a character named Kim Bauer works as a field agent. In the BBC soap opera EastEnders, a character named Kim Fox is known for her big hair and lively personality. And in the video game Disco Elysium, Kim Kitsuragi is a character who serves as the partner of the game’s main character.
Kim
How To Pronounce Kim?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Kim in English.
Famous People With The Name Kim
- Kim Antonie Lode ClijstersRetired Belgian professional tennis player known for winning one of the most Grand Slam titles and reaching the top ranking in women’s singles tennis
- Kim Stanley RobinsonAmerican science fiction writer best known for his Mars trilogy
- Kim BasingerAmerican actress and former fashion model who won an Academy Award for her performance in ‘L.A. Confidential’
- Kim WildeEnglish pop singer, songwriter, and DJ known for her hit songs in the 1980s, including Kids in America and You Keep Me Hangin’ On
Kim On The Popularity Chart
As per Social Security Administration data, this gender-neutral name has witnessed a similar trend on the popularity and ranking chart. Check out the graph to learn more.
Popularity Over Time
The name first attained its peak popularity in 1980. To learn more about the name’s performance, glance through the graph.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The name reached its peak rank of 12,996 twice, once in 1980 and then in 1983. This chart explains its ranking over the years in detail.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Kim
Here are a few other names that have a similar tone as Kim.
Popular Sibling Names For Kim
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Kim, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Kim
Find matching brother names for Kim and create a wonderful team of siblings.
KaamKaamaari Kaami Kaamil Kaamilah Kaamjaa Kaamla Kaamran Kaemon Kahmat Girl Sibling Names For Kim
Looking for some suitable sister names for Kim? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
KaamakyaKaameh Kaamisha Kaamna Kaamnoosh Kama Kamadhenu Kamakhya Kamakshi Kamakya Other Popular Names Beginning With K
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter K to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With Similar Meaning As Kim
Looking for names that resemble Kim’s regal and timeless glow? Check out the following suggestions.
Popular Songs On The Name Kim
Acrostic Poem On Kim
Dive into the lyrical charm of the name Kim with this acrostic poem. Witness how each letter paints together a story, capturing the name’s individuality, strength, vitality, and sophistication. Inspiring, is it? Why not try a similar poem that describes what you think of your baby’s personality?
Knowledgeable and wise, you know no vice.
Imagination beyond compare, an inspiration for everyone you care.
Mindful and meaningful, free of thoughts that malign.
Kim’s Zodiac Sign And Birth Star As Per Vedic Astrology
Vedic astrology, also called Jyotisha, provides deep insights into a person’s life based on celestial positions at birth. Rashi and nakshatra, which are an integral part of Jyotisha, are believed to influence an individual’s personality and life events. The following sections give you rashi-related information, such as the associated letters, elements, ruling body, quality, and nakshatra for the name kim. These details help analyze a person’s characteristics, personality, and behavior.
Zodiac Sign (Rashi)
As shown in the following table, each rashi is associated with specific sounds, which are often used as the starting letters of names for newborns in Hindu families. Each rashi is represented by a figure and one of the five elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether (Space). One ruling celestial body, known as its 'rashi lord' or 'ruler' is assigned to these rashis. These bodies include Venus, Mars, Sun, Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn. Furthermore, the rashis are assigned various qualities or gunas.
| Rashi (zodiac sign) | Mithun (Gemini) |
|---|---|
| Starting letters for Mithun (Gemini) rashi | K, CHH, GH, Q, C |
| Representation | Twins |
| Element | Air |
| Ruling body | Mercury |
| Quality | Dual (dvisvabhava) |
Birth Star (Nakshatra)
Another important aspect of Vedic Astrology is the nakshatras, the lunar constellations or star clusters that the Moon occupies during a person's birth. There are 27 nakshatras, each with its own unique qualities, attributes, and symbolism. Each rashi contains two-and-one-fourth nakshatras in it. For example, Aries contains Ashwini, Bharani, and Krithika nakshatras.
The below table provides information on the nakshatras’ degrees on the zodiac circle, their lords and related syllables, for babies born in the Mithun (Gemini) rashi. These syllables/phonetics are popularly used to choose the baby name. For precise nakshatra calculation based on your baby's birthplace and date, use our Nakshatra Calculator.
| Nakshatra | Degrees Of The Nakshatra | Nakshatra Lord (Ruler) | Name Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mrigashira (Makayiram, Mrigasira) | Gemini (0 to 6.40 degrees) | Mars | Ve, Vo, Ka, Kaa, Ki, Kee, We, Wo |
| Ardra (Arudra, Thiruvadhirai) | Gemini (6.40 to 20 degrees) | Rahu | Ku, Kam, Ja, Cha, Gha, Da, Na, Jha |
| Punarvasu (Punartham, Punarpoosam) | Gemini (20 to 30 degrees) | Jupiter | Ke, Kay, Ko, Ha, Hi, Hee |
Infographic: Know The Name Kim‘s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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Kim In Different Languages
It’s exciting to see our baby’s name spelled and written in various languages. See how people spell Kim in Spanish, French, German, Italian, and more! Each language has its own way of saying Kim, but it’s still the same special name. Learn how the name looks and sounds in different languages around the world!
| Name | Language | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Kim | English | en |
| 金 | Chinese | zh-CN |
| किम | Hindi | hi |
| Kim | Spanish | es |
| Kim | French | fr |
| كيم | Arabic | ar |
| কিম | Bengali | bn |
| Kim | Portuguese | pt |
| Ким | Russian | ru |
| کم | Urdu | ur |
| Kim | Indonesian | id |
| Kim | German | de |
| キム | Japanese | ja |
| किम | Marathi | mr |
| కిమ్ | Telugu | te |
| Kim | Turkish | tr |
| கிம் | Tamil | ta |
| Kim | Vietnamese | vi |
| Kim | Tagalog | tl |
| 김 | Korean | ko |
| Kim | Hausa | ha |
| Kim | Swahili | sw |
| Kim | Javanese | jv |
| Kim | Italian | it |
| ਕਿਮ | Punjabi | pa |
| કિમ | Gujarati | gu |
| คิม | Thai | th |
| ಕಿಮ್ | Kannada | kn |
| ኪም | Amharic | am |
| किम | Bhojpuri | bho |
| Kim | Yoruba | yo |
How To Communicate The Name Kim In Sign Languages
In Nautical Flags
kim
In Sign Language
kim
In Braille Alphabet
kim
In Morse Code
kim
Name Numerology For Kim
Numerology is an occult system that gives significance to numbers and their influence on human life and destiny. Numerologists attribute specific qualities, energies, and characteristics to a number. Parents who believe in numerology prefer to choose baby names that resonate positively with the child’s unique numerical vibrations, often derived from their date of birth. Here we give a general birth number and personality traits of the name Kim, based on the Pythagorean (Western) system. This analysis will differ from child to child based on their date of birth. You may use our numerology calculator for more personalized information.
Baby Name Lists Containing Kim
Read through our baby name lists that include the name Kim and several other similar names. The wider the choice, the better your selection. Isn't it?
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Movie Titles Inspired By The Name Kim
Discover the presence of Kim in an array of films. Know about the various movies that have this name.
| Movie title | Other titles | Release year |
|---|---|---|
| Kim's Video | 金的音像店 | 2023 |
| Kim Bu Aile? | 2022 | |
| Kim Mihri | 2022 | |
| Kim Min-young of the Report Card | Seong Jeog Pyo Ui Gim Min-yeong, Świadectwo końcowe Kim Min-young, 閨密妙詩吟 | 2021 |
| Kim Jong-boon of Wangshimni | Wangsibli Gim Jong Bun | 2021 |
| Cannon Arm and the Arcade Quest | Cannon Arm. Król zręcznościówek, Fallbyssan og tölvuspilsheimsmetið, Kim Kanonarm och resan mot världsrekordet, Kim Kanonarm og reisen mot verdensrekorden, Kim Kanonarm og rejsen mod verdensrekorden | 2021 |
| Writing Kim | 2020 | |
| Office 39: Kim's Cash Machine | Bureau 39: Cash for Kim, Büro 39 - Nordkoreas schwarze Kassen, Nordkoreas penningverkstad, Office 39, Pohjois-Korean Kimin rahapaja, Pohjois-Korean rahapaja, Ured 39 | 2020 |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Kim?
The name Kim means ‘gold’ or ‘woodland clearing.’
2. What is the origin of the name Kim?
Kim has a Korean origin.
3. Why is the name Kim so popular in Korea?
Kim is one of Korea’s most common and popular names due to its royal lineage. Several high-ranking officials and royal family members during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties bore this name. Kim is also a popular surname in Korea associated with several clans. The name’s origins can be traced to the Silla dynasty and the Gaya confederacy, ancient kingdoms in the Korean peninsula. When these kingdoms became one, the last name Kim became very popular.
4. How does the popularity of the name Kim vary across different countries or regions?
Kim is used as a given name in several countries, including Australia, Belgium, and the US. In Australia, Kim ranked among the top 1000 names until 1984, whereas in Belgium, the name was among the most popular until 2001. Kim was a popular boy’s name in the US between 1940-1985. However, its popularity declined in the following years. The name was a popular choice for baby girls in the US between 1944 and 1991, but its popularity fell, and the name has not appeared on the list since then (3).
5. Which personality traits does the name Kim reflect?
According to numerology, individuals named Kim are believed to be amicable and easy-going. They may have a generous, compassionate, and understanding personality. Additionally, they may be extremely faithful and protective toward their near and dear ones. However, not everyone named Kim will exhibit these characteristics. Remember, everyone has good and bad traits, irrespective of their names.
6. What are some good middle names for Kim?
Kim is a charming name with multiple origins and interpretations. Middle names with versatile origins and meanings may effortlessly blend with Kim. Some attractive options worth considering include Amelia (industrious), Chandella (like a candle), Carla (free man), and Delma (noble protector). Moreover, Kim is a one-syllable name; pairing it with one or two-syllable middle names is another way to create meaningful combinations. Some options that may complement Kim are Abe, Ace, Barb, Bae, Clark, Clay, Eve, and Fae.
References:
- Kim.
https://www.familysearch.org/en/surname?surname=Kim&print=true - KIMBERLEY Family History.
https://www.familysearch.org/en/surname?surname=KIMBERLEY - Popularity of name Kim.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
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