Declining since 2003, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Kimball since 1914
Babies named Kimball per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 46 |
| 1920s | 0 | 76 |
| 1930s | 0 | 36 |
| 1940s | 0 | 185 |
| 1950s | 66 | 469 |
| 1960s | 24 | 304 |
| 1970s | 17 | 147 |
| 1980s | 0 | 122 |
| 1990s | 5 | 151 |
| 2000s | 23 | 246 |
| 2010s | 5 | 171 |
| 2020s | 0 | 55 |
Meaning & origin
Kimball is an English surname-turned-given name with a strong, regal meaning: 'bold king'. Its use as a first name dates back to at least 1914, when it first appeared in U.S. Social Security records. The name hit its peak popularity in 1954, but has since become quite rare. Since 2003 its usage has been steadily falling, and in the most recent year (2025) it ranked 10,695th nationally, with only about 1 in 284,679 newborns receiving the name. Despite its low current frequency, Kimball has a classic, distinguished feel that appeals to parents seeking an uncommon but recognizable name.
Kimball is an English surname transferred to given name use, derived from the Old English personal name Cynebeald, composed of cyne 'royal' and beald 'bold'. As a surname it was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Chinebell. It became a given name in the 19th century, particularly in the United States, and enjoyed moderate popularity in the mid-20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kim, Kimmy, Baldy
Sibling names for Kimball
Names that share Kimball's style, for a brother or sister.
