Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Jimmy

Jimmy is the diminutive of James. James is the English or anglicized form of Jacob; ultimately derived from the ancient Hebrew “Yaakov” traditionally thought to be derived from the word "akev" - which literally translates to "at the heel". In Genesis 25:26, Jacob was born the younger twin to Isaac and Rebecca and he "came out with his hand holding Esau's heel, so his name was called Jacob." The Lord told Rebecca that the younger would be stronger, and that the older would serve the younger. As the Biblical story progresses, the cunning Jacob eventually supplants his older brother by stealing his birthright and his father's blessing. "Is he not rightly named Jacob?" Esau asks in Genesis 27:36. "For he has supplanted me these two times." Therefore, the name Jacob is also associated with the verb ‘to supplant.’ The Greek form of the name Jacob (Iakobos) was given to the Latin (Iacomus) which eventually got anglicized to James. Sounds strange, but this is how languages mutated over time and geographical space. Historically it was thought that James and Jacob were two distinct names, but most etymologists would now agree James came from Jacob (even though the New Testament features two Disciples of Christ with the name James). James has remained a persistent favorite male name among English-speaking nations since medieval times. Jimmy as an independently give name is most common in the United States.

All About the Baby Name – Jimmy

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME JIMMY

The number Seven personality is deeply mystical and highly in tune with their spirituality. They operate on a different wavelength than the average joe. Spending time alone comes easily to Sevens, as it gives them time to contemplate philosophical, religious and spiritual ideas in an effort to find "real truth".  Sevens are wise, but often exude mystery as if they are tapped into something the rest of us don't understand. They love the outdoors and are fed by nature. Sevens are constantly seeking to understand human nature, our place in the universe, and the mystery of life in general. This makes them quite artistic and poetic, but they are also keen observers with high intellect - so they are equally scientific-minded. Sevens are charitable and care deeply about the human condition.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME JIMMY

Jimmy first appeared on the American male naming charts at the end of the 19th century, so this is a pet form of a more formal name (i.e., James) which has been in use as an independently given name for quite a while. Jimmy even secured a position on the Top 100 list of most commonly used boy names in 1931. By 1935, he was a Top 50 favorite; an honor the name held through much of the 1940s. It wasn’t until the 1980s that Jimmy withdrew from regular use. As we’ve crossed the threshold into the 21st century, Jimmy’s position on the charts continues to dwindle. Now the name is given to less than 800 baby boys per year. Jimmy reminds us of Tommy – it’s one of those nicknames that should remain just that. All of the famous “Jimmys” that come to mind (Carter, Buffet, Page, Stewart) were given James as a birth name; Jimmy is just the nickname they go by. This makes more sense. If a boy is named James, he has the flexibility to be called James, Jim, Jamie, or Jimmy. By just using Jimmy, your son has fewer options. Unlike Tommy, Jimmy does sound better on an adult male but it is still a somewhat childish name compared to the more regal and timeless James. Jimmy is more “cute” than sophisticated, but this is probably what some parents prefer when selecting Jimmy as a stand-alone choice.

Quick Facts

ON JIMMY

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

American

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

481

PRONUNCIATION:

JIM-ee

SIMPLE MEANING:

To supplant; At the heel

Characteristics

OF JIMMY

Mystical

Wise

Eccentric

Intuitive

Imaginative

Philosophical

Solitary

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Jimmy

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME JIMMY

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Jimmy

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME JIMMY

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Jimmy


Popular Songs

ON JIMMY

Doctor Jimmy
a song by The Who [explicit]

Jimmy Crack Corn
a song by Eminem [explicit]

Jimmy Dreams
a song by Jimmy Buffett

Jimmy Gets High
a song by Daniel Powter

Jimmy Is My Punk Ass Brother
a song by Nicotine

Jimmy James
a song by The Beastie Boys

Jimmy Jazz
a song by The Clash

Jimmy Jimmy
a song by Madonna

Jimmy Mack
a song by Martha & The Vandellas

Jimmy Olsen's Blues
a song by The Spin Doctors

Jimmy On My Mind
a song by Loretta Lynn

Jimmy Rae McGee
a song by Julianne Hough

Jimmy Says
a song by Pat Benatar

Jimmy Webb Is God
a song by The Boo Radleys

Jimmy Whalen
a song by Peter, Paul & Mary

Johnny the Fox Meets Jimmy the Weed
by Thin Lizzy

Jump Jimmy (Stronger Than Mine)
a song by Tonic

Like Jimmy Reed Again
a song by The Yardbirds

Me My Moms & Jimmy
a song by Cam'ron

Row Jimmy
a song by the Grateful Dead

So Long, Jimmy
a song by James Blunt

St. Jimmy
a song by Green Day

The Ballad of Jimmy & Johnny
a song by Rancid

The Facts About Jimmy
a song by Shawn Colvin

Top Jimmy
a song by Van Halen

Come back Jimmy Dean
a song by Bette Midler

Famous People

NAMED JIMMY

Jimmy Buffett (musician)
Jimmy Page (musician)
Jimmy Stewart (actor)
Jimmy Collins (baseball player)
Jimmy Choo (shoe designer)
Jimmy Conzelman (football player)
Jimmy Demaret (golfer)
Jimmy Fallon (actor/comedian)
Jimmy Gardner (hockey player)
Jimmy Johnson (football coach)
Jimmy Carter Jr. (U.S. President, Nobel Prize winner, peace)
Jimmy Kimmel (TV personality)
Jimmy Rollins (baseball player)
Jimmy Smits (actor)
Jimmy Spencer (racecar driver)
Jimmy Osmond (entertainer)
Jimi Hendrix (guitarist/musician)
Jimmy Buffett (musician)
Jimmy Page (musician)
Jimmy Stewart (actor)
Jimmy Collins (baseball player)
Jimmy Choo (shoe designer)
Jimmy Conzelman (football player)
Jimmy Demaret (golfer)
Jimmy Fallon (actor/comedian)
Jimmy Gardner (hockey player)
Jimmy Johnson (football coach)
Jimmy Carter Jr. (U.S. President, Nobel Prize winner, peace)
Jimmy Kimmel (TV personality)
Jimmy Rollins (baseball player)
Jimmy Smits (actor)
Jimmy Spencer (racecar driver)
Jimmy Osmond (entertainer)
Jimi Hendrix (guitarist/musician)
Jimmy Buffett (musician)
Jimmy Page (musician)
Jimmy Stewart (actor)
Jimmy Collins (baseball player)
Jimmy Choo (shoe designer)
Jimmy Conzelman (football player)
Jimmy Demaret (golfer)
Jimmy Fallon (actor/comedian)
Jimmy Gardner (hockey player)
Jimmy Johnson (football coach)
Jimmy Carter Jr. (U.S. President, Nobel Prize winner, peace)
Jimmy Kimmel (TV personality)
Jimmy Rollins (baseball player)
Jimmy Smits (actor)
Jimmy Spencer (racecar driver)
Jimmy Osmond (entertainer)
Jimi Hendrix (guitarist/musician)

Children of Famous People

NAMED JIMMY

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Jimmy

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME JIMMY

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Jimmy