Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Jimi
BoyEnglish, Hebrew· “short form of James”
- Meaning
- short form of James
- Origin
- English, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- JIH-mee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- Unranked
- US babies 2025
- 0
- Best rank
- #1,222 (1971)
- Peak year
- 1971
Meaning and origin of Jimi
Jimi is an English and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “short form of James”.
Jimi is a spelling of Jimmy, the pet form of James. James is the English form of the Late Latin Iacomus, a variant of Iacobus, which goes back to the Hebrew Ya'akov, Jacob. The spelling Jimi became famous through the guitarist Jimi Hendrix, who adopted it for his stage name. It is said JIH-mee, like Jimmy. As a full name it has a playful, musical flair. It also works as a nickname for a boy formally named James.
Other spellings with the same sound: Jimmy, Jimmie.
Popularity over time
Jimi first appears in US Social Security records in 1953. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,222 in 1971, the same year it reached its highest count of 46 babies. It did not appear in the 2025 data, which only lists names given to at least five babies.
Its national rank moved from #2,139 in 1980, #5,427 in 2000, and #5,595 in 2010. Of the 1,241 US boys named Jimi since records began, 26% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 210 babies. Since 2010, 194 more have been named Jimi.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Spence, Nils, Yancey, Tino, and Lajuan.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 84% of US babies named Jimi over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Jimi is usually pronounced JIH-mee, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with J and ends in “-mi”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Jimmy and Jimmie.
Middle names for Jimi
A few middle names that flow with Jimi: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Jimi
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Lists that include Jimi
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jimi mean?
Jimi is an English and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “short form of James”.
What is the origin of the name Jimi?
Jimi has English and Hebrew roots. Jimi is a spelling of Jimmy, the pet form of James.
Is Jimi a popular name?
No. Jimi was not recorded for five or more babies of its most common sex in 2025, so it is rare today.
Is Jimi a boy or girl name?
Jimi is mainly a boy's name. About 84% of US babies named Jimi over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Jimi?
Jimi is usually pronounced JIH-mee. 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