Jim
Jim is a classic English diminutive of James, derived from the Hebrew name Jacob meaning 'supplanter' or 'one who follows.' It became established as a standalone name in the 20th century, embodying a friendly, approachable American sensibility.
Current Popularity
#3159 for boys
in the United States (2025)
Popularity over time
Good to Know
- •Extremely easy to spell and pronounce across cultures
- •Often used as a nickname for James, but stands well on its own
- •Has a warm, everyman quality that's both professional and casual
- •Strong vintage Americana feel from mid-20th century popularity
Similar Names
Famous People
Jim Carrey
Actor and Comedian
Jim Morrison
Singer and Poet, The Doors
Jim Henson
Puppeteer and Creator of The Muppets
Jim Thorpe
Olympic Athlete
Statistics
153,122
Total births since 1880
1959
Peak year
Discovery
Keep browsing
Rising now
Browse trending names
Names that climbed the most between 2020 and 2025.
Always popular
Explore timeless classics
Names that have sat in the top 50 for decades.
For this gender
See all-time favorites
The most common names since 1880, by total births.
Stories
Read famous-name profiles
How well-known people changed the names they carried.
Guides
Browse recent articles
Recent articles on naming trends.