Kimberly is a feminine given name of English origin that is derived from the male given name Kimble, which means "from the clear meadow." The name Kimberly has been popular in English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century and was often used for girls born during this time period.
The name Kimberly has also gained popularity due to its association with famous individuals such as American actresses Kimberley Williams-Paisley and Kimberly Guilfoyle, as well as Australian tennis player Kim Clijsters. Despite being a popular choice for baby girls in recent years, the name Kimberly has not been widely used throughout history.
One notable historical figure named Kimberly was Kimberly, Countess of Deal (1872-1956), who was a British socialite and philanthropist known for her work with charities and hospitals during World War I. The city of Kimberley in South Africa was also named after the Second Earl of Kimberly, John Henry Wodehouse, who served as the governor of the Cape Colony from 1872 to 1875.
In literature and pop culture, the name Kimberly has been used for characters such as Kimiko Kondo, a character in the manga series "Naruto," and Kimberly Ann Barkley, a character in the television series "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." Overall, while not widely used throughout history, the name Kimberly has gained popularity in recent years due to its association with famous individuals and its meaning as being associated with clear meadows.
The name Kimberli experienced significant popularity from the mid-50s to late 60s, peaking at 163 births in 1968. However, its usage began declining in the late 70s and early 80s, reaching a low of 11 births in 2015. In recent years (2019-2023), there have been around 10 to 14 births per year with this name. Overall, Kimberli has been used for approximately 3917 babies since 1951.