boys' name · peaked 1959

Jim

Every Jim since 1880 — 153,938 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
123418801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#3,159
among boys
Babies in 2025
38
named Jim
Peak year
1959
5,697 babies
All-time total
153,938
since 1880

The story of Jim

Jim is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #3,159 in 2025 with 38 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 153,938 American babies have been named Jim. Its peak came in 1959, when 5,697 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Jim stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Jim year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 38 #3,159
2024 23 #4,494
2023 27 #4,060
2022 34 #3,437
2021 37 #3,212
2020 40 #2,952
2019 39 #3,076
2018 39 #3,022
2017 37 #3,158
2016 43 #2,811
2015 42 #2,831
2014 63 #2,164
2013 60 #2,188
2012 58 #2,250
2011 61 #2,157
2010 64 #2,106
2009 61 #2,193
2008 88 #1,727
2007 79 #1,837
2006 97 #1,542
2005 92 #1,540
2004 102 #1,400
2003 101 #1,351
2002 117 #1,197
2001 105 #1,271
2000 120 #1,157
1995 158 #861
1990 219 #685
1985 207 #608
1980 302 #486
1975 439 #372
1970 1,259 #204
1965 9 #4,634 2,772 #116
1960 8 #4,940 5,549 #75
1955 7 #4,932 1,699 #167
1950 6 #4,987 1,930 #139
1945 12 #2,666 3,625 #68
1940 15 #2,154 2,715 #78
1935 15 #2,151 2,244 #90
1930 17 #2,064 1,464 #125
1925 13 #2,692 1,124 #147
1920 10 #3,222 838 #165
1915 20 #1,704 668 #170
1910 13 #1,295 331 #100
1905 6 #1,804 236 #95
1900 9 #1,367 399 #68
1895 5 #1,710 278 #71
1890 7 #1,144 336 #62
1885 370 #46
1880 345 #49

Famous people named Jim

  1. Jim Carrey Actor · b. 1962
  2. Jim Mattis Politician · b. 1950
  3. Jim Jones Extremist · 1931–1978
  4. Jim Clark Racing driver · 1936–1968
  5. Jim Jarmusch Film director · b. 1953

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Jim in 2025?

Jim ranked #3,159 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 38 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Jim?

153,938 babies have been named Jim in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Jim most popular?

Jim peaked in 1959, when 5,697 newborns received the name.

Is Jim a boy or girl name?

Jim is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.

Is the name Jim rising or falling?

Jim is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Jim?

Well-known people named Jim include Jim Carrey (actor), Jim Mattis (politician), Jim Jones (extremist).

Names like Jim

Compare Jim with similar names →