What does the name Kimberly Mean? In this quick guide, we will explore the origin, history, popularity, and meaning of the name Kimberly.
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Meaning of The Name Kimberly
The name Kimberly originates from the English name Cyneburg. It is derived from two words, cynn, which means ‘royal’ and burg or bury, which means ‘fortress’. The name thus can be said to mean ‘royal fortress’ or ‘royal stronghold’.
The origin of this name goes back to the time of medieval Britain when families would construct citadels in order to protect their lands, homes and wealth. These strongholds became sources of power and each was named after the surrounding family or clan.
Kimberly could thus have been a prominent family that built a strong fortress and it came to represent them. The use of this name as a modern given has also grown immensely popular and has taken on many symbolic connotations such as strength, honor and an unyielding sense of loyalty or protection over one’s family and loved ones.
Many parents choose this name for their baby girls because they feel it conveys these strong qualities they want their child to possess in life.
History and Origin of The Name Kimberly
The name Kimberly is an Anglicized version of an old Irish surname, derived from a place near the River Cymer. In the county of Limerick, Ireland, there was once a town named Cairer Marr which translates to “the town by the Cymer.” This was later translated into Cymraeg and rendered into “Kimberly” or “Kimbrye,” which then became a surname.
The popularity of this name would eventually spread across to other parts of Europe and, eventually, to England and the United States. The first recorded use of Kimberly as a given name was in 1778 when Charles Cotesworth Pinckney named his daughter after Cairer Marr.
Today, Kimberly continues to be one of the most popular girl’s names in the USA, Canada and Australia where variations on the spelling (e.g., Kimberlee) are also sometimes used. The meaning of Kimberly is “chief” or “noble one,” symbolizing strength and power — perfect for your little princess!
Gender of The Name Kimberly
The gender of the name Kimberly is feminine and it is an English name meaning “lives near a bright clearing or meadow”. The origin of the name, however, is a bit unclear. Though many sources cite the Scottish surname, Kimberly appears to have developed as an alteration of other English surnames and place-names, such as Kimmeridge or Kimberly.
The spelling variations for the feminine version of the name include Kimberley, Kimburly, and Kimberlee. Additionally, there are many masculine versions such as Kimberlie, Kemberlee and Kemble.
Kimberly was a popular girl’s name in the United States since its indroduction in 1940 and it remains one of the top 200 most popular names today. People with this name are known to be intelligent and hardworking individuals wholove to socialize. They have excellent communication skills that enable them to excel in any field they choose to pursue.
Popularity of The Name Kimberly
The name Kimberly has been growing in popularity since the 1940s and is now one of the most popular girl’s names in the United States. According to U.S. Social Security Administration data, Kimberly was one of the top 30 names for girls born between 1950 and 1969 and it has consistently remained in the top 500 girl baby names since then.
The name is also very popular in other English-speaking countries, including Australia, Canada, England, Ireland and Scotland.
The peak popularity of the name Kimberly was between 1973–1982 when it was one of the top 20 most popular baby names given to girls.
In 1983 it fell out of favor briefly before steadily climbing back into the top 100 by 1993 and back into the top 30 by 2009 after experiencing a surge from 2001 to 2003 when it was suddenly in demand due to being featured on multiple television shows such as Sabrina, The Teenage Witch and Buffy: The Vampire Slayer at around this time.
Kimberly is a unisex name but is mostly used for female babies so its popularity amongst boys remains low compared to that of girls. In recent years approximately 95% of Kimblery’s born were female while only 5% were male.
Variations of The Name Kimberly
The name Kimberly is derived from an English place name, Kymberley, which means “Cyneburg’s wood” or “Cyneburg’s clearing”, in reference to the old Anglo-Saxon word for a royal forest. The name can also be found in other cultures, with different spellings and meanings.
Variations of the name Kimberly include Kamryn, Kimberlie (Old English), Kimberlya (Irish Gaelic) Kimbly (German), Cimmileigh (Scottish) and Kimby (jewish). In various Slavic languages and Hungarian it means “fury” while in Czech it means “constraint”. The Spanish interpretation of Kimberly is Quimera meaning principle or idea. In Greek mythology it translates to Kimolos meaning honey-like coverings. Finally is Persian, where it can mean “precious one”.
Famous People Named Kimberly in History
The name Kimberly is derived from the title “Chief of the meadow” and symbolizes strength and loyalty. Throughout history, there have been many famous people who have borne the name Kimberly. Some of these include:
- Actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, best known for playing Annie Banks in Father of the Bride (1991).
- Singer Kimberly Perry, who is part of the country music group The Band Perry.
- Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, whose birthname was Marie Jana Korbelová.
- Actress Kim Basinger, winner of numerous awards for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal in Batman (1989).
- Philanthropist Kimberly Libourel Diamond, who founded Mothers Against Drunk Driving in 1980 following the death of her 19-year-old son in a drunk driving crash.
- Activist Kim Kardashian West, who has become a leader in criminal justice reform and launched The Justice Project.
Pronunciation of The Name Kimberly
The name Kimberly can be pronounced with either two syllables or three syllables. The two-syllable pronunciation (kim-buhl-ree) is the most commonly heard, and it comes from the name’s Anglo-Saxon roots. The three-syllable pronunciation (kim-berr-lee) is derived from a French variant. When saying the name, the emphasis should always be placed on the first syllable.
Numerology of The Name Kimberly
The numerical value of the name Kimberly is determined by the numerology calculation. This is done by analyzing the vibrations of the letters in a name and reducing those values to a single digit. Each letter has its own numerical vibration, creating a unique numerology for each person’s name.
Numerology has been around since ancient times, although it was mainly considered to be a form of mysticism or superstition until recent decades. It’s now used in many areas as a way to gain insight into a person’s personality and traits.
To calculate an individual’s numerology of the name Kimberly, you’ll need to know their full birth name, as well as any nicknames or other names they may have used throughout life.
Using this information, you’ll be able to calculate their number using the following formula – take each letter of their full birth name and add up its numerical vibration (based on its place in the alphabet).
For example: Kimberly = 6+9+13+2+5+12+9 = 56; reduce this number (in this case 5+6=11) to one single digit i.e., 11 which becomes 1 + 1 = 2; So Kimberly’s numerology vibratory number is 2.
Knowing someone’s numerical value can uncover many aspects about them, from personal preferences to life paths and even potential areas for growth and healing. Numerology can also provide insight into relationship dynamics between two individuals whose names have similar vibrations — even if the two individuals were born years apart or thousands of miles apart!
Conclusion
In conclusion, the name Kimberly has a range of meanings that all point to the same basic concept. Kimberly is usually associated with beauty, intelligence, grace, goodness and communication; it also invokes a sense of safety and protection. Whoever bears this name will likely have all these traits as part of who they are. Although simply bearing the name does not necessarily dictate or guarantee any specific qualities or character traits, knowing the background and meaning behind the name can provide insight into how you see yourself or your child. Kimberly is an excellent choice for those who appreciate its deep heritage and add weight to an already compelling moniker.
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We DO NOT guarantee the accuracy of any listed name and its meanings. We collected these names with our best efforts. Though if you find any incorrect name or meaning please contact us at info@namesheaven.com