Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Ximena
GirlSpanish, Basque· “possibly from Simon, 'he has heard'”
- Meaning
- possibly from Simon, 'he has heard' (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Spanish, Basque
- Pronunciation
- hee-MEH-nuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #183
- US babies 2025
- 1,686
- Best rank
- #118 (2018)
- Peak year
- 2016
Meaning and origin of Ximena
Ximena is often said to mean “possibly from Simon, 'he has heard'”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Spanish and Basque roots.
Ximena is a medieval Spanish name, the feminine of Ximeno or Jimeno. Its origin is debated: some trace it to Simeon, a Hebrew name meaning he has heard, while others suggest a Basque source whose meaning is lost. The most famous early bearer was Jimena Díaz, wife of the Castilian hero Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, known as El Cid, who is remembered in Spanish epic and legend. The X spelling reflects older Spanish, in which the letter stood for a sound that later developed into the modern J sound. Today Ximena is loved across Mexico and the wider Spanish-speaking world, and Jimena is the modern spelling of the same name.
Popularity over time
Ximena 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 #118 in 2018, and the most babies received it in 2016, when 2,680 were named Ximena. In 2025, 1,686 babies were named Ximena, and it ranked #183 nationally. That is 35% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #12,128 in 1980, #1,480 in 2000, #274 in 2010, and #183 in 2025. Of the 39,656 US girls named Ximena since records began, 53% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 11,294 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Adalyn, Reagan, Norah, Teagan, and Adaline.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ximena ranked highest in New Mexico, California, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | #51 | 21 |
| California | #54 | 460 |
| Texas | #62 | 413 |
| Nevada | #72 | 29 |
| Arizona | #73 | 77 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Ximena is usually pronounced hee-MEH-nuh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with X and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Ximena
A few middle names that flow with Ximena: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ximena
Similar names
Jimena Girl
hih-MEH-nuh
Spanish
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loo-see-AH-nuh
“light” · Italian
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san-TAN-uh
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Reina Girl
RAY-nuh
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Iliana Girl
il-ee-AH-nuh
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Solana Girl
soh-LAH-nuh
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Savanna Girl
suh-VA-nuh
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Cristina Girl
krihs-TEE-nuh
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Johana Girl
joh-HAN-uh
“God is gracious” · Spanish
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Susana Girl
soo-SAH-nuh
“lily” · Spanish
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Ariadna Girl
ah-ree-AHD-nah
“most holy (form of Ariadne)” · Spanish
#1,417
Malena Girl
muh-LAY-nuh
“blend of María and Elena, or Magdalena” · Spanish
#2,271
Lists that include Ximena
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ximena mean?
Ximena is often said to mean “possibly from Simon, 'he has heard'”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Spanish and Basque roots.
What is the origin of the name Ximena?
Ximena has Spanish and Basque roots. Ximena is a medieval Spanish name, the feminine of Ximeno or Jimeno.
Is Ximena a popular name?
Yes. Ximena ranked #183 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Ximena a boy or girl name?
Ximena is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Ximena?
Ximena is usually pronounced hee-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