Sim
From Middle English Sym, diminutive of Simeon and Simon.
Every Sim since 1880 — 1,933 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Sim
Sim is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 1,933 American babies have been named Sim. Its peak came in 1918, when 40 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
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 Sim stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Sim year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | 5 | #13,961 |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | 6 | #12,144 |
| 2006 | 5 | #13,724 |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | 5 | #12,951 |
| 2003 | 5 | #12,489 |
| 2002 | 5 | #12,233 |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | 5 | #10,106 |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | 5 | #7,436 |
| 1980 | 5 | #7,154 |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | 8 | #3,790 |
| 1965 | 10 | #2,754 |
| 1960 | 13 | #2,410 |
| 1955 | 17 | #1,967 |
| 1950 | 17 | #1,871 |
| 1945 | 16 | #1,759 |
| 1940 | 20 | #1,563 |
| 1935 | 18 | #1,703 |
| 1930 | 25 | #1,491 |
| 1925 | 27 | #1,446 |
| 1920 | 38 | #1,179 |
| 1915 | 32 | #1,155 |
| 1910 | 10 | #1,107 |
| 1905 | 15 | #633 |
| 1900 | 25 | #467 |
| 1895 | 11 | #672 |
| 1890 | 20 | #412 |
| 1885 | 22 | #385 |
| 1880 | 16 | #462 |
Famous people named Sim
- Sim Iness Athlete · 1930–1996
- Sim Kwon-ho Wrestler · b. 1972
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sim mean?
From Middle English Sym, diminutive of Simeon and Simon.
How popular is the name Sim in 2025?
Sim did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Sim?
1,933 babies have been named Sim in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Sim most popular?
Sim peaked in 1918, when 40 newborns received the name.
Is Sim a boy or girl name?
Sim is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Sim rising or falling?
Sim has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Sim?
Well-known people named Sim include Sim Iness (athlete), Sim Kwon-ho (wrestler).