Declining since 1985, #3,128 for boys today.
Popularity of Jim since 1880
Babies named Jim per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1959, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Jim's real moment was 1886.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 3,520 |
| 1890s | 2,841 |
| 1900s | 2,718 |
| 1910s | 5,764 |
| 1920s | 10,566 |
| 1930s | 20,823 |
| 1940s | 35,632 |
| 1950s | 26,215 |
| 1960s | 33,201 |
| 1970s | 6,021 |
| 1980s | 2,547 |
| 1990s | 1,607 |
| 2000s | 962 |
| 2010s | 506 |
| 2020s | 199 |
Meaning & origin
Jim emerged as a common American nickname for James in the 19th century and quickly became a standalone given name. Its peak year was 1886, when it ranked among the top names. Since 1985, its usage has been falling, dropping to rank 3,128 in 2025 with only 1 in 44,949 boys receiving the name. Jim's popularity was historically concentrated in Ohio, reflecting its strong Midwestern association. While no longer trendy, Jim retains a classic, straightforward appeal.
Jim originated as a medieval English short form of James, itself derived from the Latin Iacomus, a variant of Iacobus, from the Hebrew Ya'aqov (Jacob). The name Jacob means 'supplanter' or 'heel grabber,' referring to the biblical story of Jacob holding Esau's heel. James became popular in England after the 13th century, and Jim emerged as a common nickname by the 16th century. It gained widespread independent use in the 19th century, especially in the United States.
Where Jim is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Jim” around the world
Where Jim lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
35
babies in 2024
Ireland
14
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jimmy, Jimmer
Sibling names for Jim
Names that share Jim's style, for a brother or sister.
