Kimberly

Updated: October 20, 2023 by MomsWhoThink Staff

Most moms and dads today probably grew up in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. For this reason, they may think of the baby name Kimberly as dated or something from their own childhoods. However, love her or hate her, a certain famous reality TV star has helped to keep the name on the list of the top names for baby girls in the United States. If you're looking for ways to make it stand out in the 2020s, try a cute nickname, alternative spelling or even sweet nature middle name like Jasmine, Rose or Willow.

Meaning of the Name Kimberly

There is some debate on where the name Kimberly originated, but most everyone agrees that it started out as a place name. The towns of Kimberley in Nottinghamshire County and Kimberley in Norfolk County, both in England, were both mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086.

Some people associate Kimberly with royalty because one potential meaning of the name is “royal meadow or forest.”

Nicknames for Kimberly

Kimberly evokes images of someone who is fun and adventurous but also loyal. Below, we've compiled a list of possible nickname options for the Kimberly in your life. However, feel free to come up with a nickname that's unique to their individual personality.

Kim
Kimmie
Kimmy
Kiki
Kimber
KK
Berry

Kimberly Name Details

Style: Modern

Gender: Kimberly is traditionally considered to be a girls name.

Pronunciation: KIM-ber-lee

Syllables: Three

Alternative Spelling for Kimberly

Kimberlee
Kimberleigh
Kimberley
Kimberli
Kymberly

Kimberly Name Popularity

Kimberly has been one of the top 1,000 baby names in the United States since 1946, even reaching the top 10 between 1964 and 1977, according to the Social Security Administration. As of 2020, it ranks at number 185.