Jimmy

Meaning of Jimmy

Jimmy, a masculine appellation in the Anglo-American onomastic tradition, began as a diminutive of James—the English reflex of the Hebrew Yaʿaqōb, transmitted into the vernacular through Greek Iákōbos and Latin Iacobus—yet the suffixal –y/-ie ending typical of English pet forms has allowed Jimmy to stand as an independent entry on birth certificates since the late nineteenth century. Sociolinguistic evidence drawn from U.S. vital statistics shows that its popularity crested during the mid-twentieth century, when it briefly occupied a place within the national Top 50, before entering a gradual, though measured, decline to its current mid-600s ranking; this trajectory mirrors a broader shift from informal diminutives toward more formal given names. Cultural associations remain robust: the name evokes President Jimmy Carter’s image of Southern civic duty, actor Jimmy Stewart’s embodiment of mid-century American integrity, and guitarist Jimmy Page’s enduring influence on rock music. Together, these references convey a blend of approachability and competence, rendering Jimmy a choice that balances friendly familiarity with a storied historical pedigree.

Pronunciation

English

• Pronunced as JIM-ee (/ˈdʒɪmi/)

• Jim
• James
• Jamey