Kimberlea

Meaning & origin

Kimberlea is a feminine variant of Kimberley that first appeared in U.S. records in 1954. This spelling saw its greatest use in the 1970s, correlating with the popularity of similar names like Kimberly and Kimberly. The name peaked in 1970, when it was given to an estimated 20 or more baby girls per year. Over the next two decades, its usage declined steadily, and by the 2000s, it became rare, never again approaching its 1970s level. In 2025, the name remains stable but extremely infrequent, with fewer than 5 annual births expected. Geographically, Kimberlea did not concentrate in any particular state, reflecting its nationwide but sparse distribution. As a variant of the classic Kimberly, Kimberlea carries a vintage, late-20th-century feel that may appeal to parents seeking a distinctive yet familiar-sounding name.

Kimberlea is a variant of Kimberley, which derives from an English place name. The place name Kimberley comes from the Old English personal name Cyneburg (meaning "royal fortress") and lēah ("wood, clearing, meadow"). Thus the name originally meant "Cyneburg's meadow" or "royal fortress meadow." The surname Kimberley later became used as a given name, with the spelling Kimberlea emerging as a feminine elaboration in the mid-20th century.