Holding steady.
Popularity of Kym since 1950
Babies named Kym per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 358 | 87 |
| 1960s | 611 | 43 |
| 1970s | 193 | 0 |
| 1980s | 82 | 12 |
| 1990s | 42 | 31 |
| 2000s | 11 | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Kym is a variant spelling of Kim that saw its peak year in 1959, according to Social Security data. The name has been recorded since 1950 and has remained stable in use, though it has never appeared in the top 1000 since the 1970s. Its trajectory suggests steady but low-frequency usage, with no strong geographic concentration. As a respelling, Kym reflects mid-century naming trends favoring simplified or modified spellings of familiar names.
Kym is a variant spelling of Kim, which originated as a short form of Kimberly, a place name from Old English meaning 'royal fortress meadow'. It also functions as a feminine form of the Welsh name Kimball, meaning 'chief warrior' or 'leader'. Kym gained modest use in the mid-20th century, particularly as a feminine given name in English-speaking countries.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kim
Sibling names for Kym
Names that share Kym's style, for a brother or sister.
