Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Jimena
GirlSpanish, Basque
- Meaning
- uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Spanish, Basque
- Pronunciation
- hih-MEH-nuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #578
- US babies 2025
- 515
- Best rank
- #387 (2005)
- Peak year
- 2016
Meaning and origin of Jimena
Jimena is usually linked to Spanish and Basque roots, but its original meaning is uncertain.
Jimena is the modern Spanish spelling of Ximena, a medieval name from northern Spain. Its origin is uncertain; it has been explained as a feminine form of Simón, from the Hebrew for he has heard, and it may also have Basque roots. The name is famous through Jimena Díaz, wife of the Castilian warrior Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, known as El Cid, who appears in the medieval epic Cantar de mio Cid. Jimena is common in Spain and Mexico. In Spanish the J sounds like a breathy H, so it is said hee-MEH-nah.
Popularity over time
Jimena first appears in US Social Security records in 1966. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 25 different years, starting in 2001. Its best national rank was #387 in 2005, and the most babies received it in 2016, when 830 were named Jimena. In 2025, 515 babies were named Jimena, and it ranked #578 nationally. That is 26% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #7,029 in 1980, #2,222 in 2000, #403 in 2010, and #578 in 2025. Of the 17,034 US girls named Jimena since records began, 42% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 5,698 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Annalise, Aviana, Kennedi, Braelynn, and Scarlet.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Jimena ranked highest in California, Texas, and Nevada.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #270 | 122 |
| Texas | #306 | 112 |
| Nevada | #310 | 9 |
| Maryland | #370 | 15 |
| Idaho | #379 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Jimena is usually pronounced hih-MEH-nuh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with J and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Jimena
A few middle names that flow with Jimena: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Jimena
Similar names
Ximena Girl
hee-MEH-nuh
“possibly from Simon, 'he has heard'” · Spanish
#183
Mariana Girl
mar-ee-AH-nuh
“of Marius; also Maria plus Ana” · Latin
#261
Fiona Girl
fee-OH-nuh
“fair, white” · Scottish
#470
Sabrina Girl
suh-BREE-nuh
“from the Latin name of the River Severn” · Latin
#321
Luciana Girl
loo-see-AH-nuh
“light” · Italian
#273
Helena Girl
HEH-luh-nuh
“uncertain; possibly torch or light” · Greek
#363
Santana Unisex
san-TAN-uh
“Saint Anne” · Spanish
#855
Reina Girl
RAY-nuh
“queen” · Spanish
#582
Iliana Girl
il-ee-AH-nuh
“uncertain; possibly from Ilion or Helen” · Greek
#730
Solana Girl
soh-LAH-nuh
“sunshine” · Spanish
#495
Savanna Girl
suh-VA-nuh
“grassy plain” · Spanish
#1,090
Cristina Girl
krihs-TEE-nuh
“follower of Christ” · Spanish
#1,622
Lists that include Jimena
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jimena mean?
Jimena is usually linked to Spanish and Basque roots, but its original meaning is uncertain.
What is the origin of the name Jimena?
Jimena has Spanish and Basque roots. Jimena is the modern Spanish spelling of Ximena, a medieval name from northern Spain.
Is Jimena a popular name?
Yes. Jimena ranked #578 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Jimena a boy or girl name?
Jimena is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Jimena?
Jimena is usually pronounced hih-MEH-nuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings