Jimi
Jimi was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1971, when it ranked 1222nd with 46 babies. More babies were named Jimi in the 1970s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Jimmy) pet form of James · English, Hebrew
- Rank in 2025
- Not rankedboys
- Babies in 2025
- 0boys
- Girls and boys
- 18% girls, 82% boys2021–2025
- Peak year
- 197146 babies
- Total since 1880
- 1,908babies recorded
What does the name Jimi mean?
Jimi is a spelling of Jimmy, pronounced the same way, so it shares Jimmy's meaning and origin.
Jimmy is a pet form of Jim, the short form of James, made with the English -y ending. James comes from Late Latin Iacomus, a form of Iacobus, from Hebrew Yaʿaqov (Jacob). In Genesis 25:26 Jacob is born holding his twin's heel (ʿaqev), and the name is explained by that wordplay. It has been used as an independent name since the 19th century; President Jimmy Carter was born James Earl Carter.
Jim (English, “short form of James”)יַעֲקֹב (Yaʿaqov) (Biblical Hebrew, “Jacob”)
How sure is this? Well established.
Related names: James, Jim, Jimmie, Jamie.
See also: Hebrew names.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Jimmy', Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0; facts restated, no text reused)
- Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, ed. S. L. Uckelman, Edition 2023 no. 1, s.v. 'Jacob', DMNES (Durham University)
- Hebrew Bible, Genesis 25:26 (Sefaria, with JPS translation), Sefaria
Jimi popularity since 1880
| Year | Rank (girls) | Rank (boys) | Babies (girls) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | #14,190 | #6,453 | 6 | 13 |
| 2010 | #18,270 | #5,595 | 5 | 16 |
| 2000 | — | #5,427 | — | 13 |
| 1990 | #7,535 | #2,821 | 11 | 23 |
| 1980 | #5,672 | #2,139 | 12 | 25 |
| 1970 | #3,251 | #1,593 | 20 | 29 |
| 1960 | #5,984 | #3,206 | 6 | 8 |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
How popular is Jimi, counting every spelling?
Jimi is a spelling of Jimmy, a name family that ranked #770 for boys in 2025 once every spelling is counted together. Together these spellings went to 321 boys in 2025.
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How old are people named Jimi?
About 1,100 people born in the US named Jimi are alive today, with a median age of 38; half are between 21 and 50. That makes Jimi mostly worn by adults in their thirties to fifties.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Jimi: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Jimi, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Jimi
What does Jimi mean?
Jimi is a spelling of Jimmy, which means “pet form of James” (English, Hebrew origin). Certainty: well established.
How popular is the name Jimi?
Jimi was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1971, when it ranked 1222nd with 46 babies. More babies were named Jimi in the 1970s than in any other decade.
Is Jimi a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, 18% girls, 82% boys given the name Jimi in the US.