The name Jimson is of English origin and means "son of James." It is a variant spelling of the name Jameson, which itself is a patronymic form of the given name James. The name James is derived from the Latin name Jacominus, which was a form of the personal name Jacob. In turn, Jacob comes from the Hebrew name Ya'aqov, meaning "supplanter" or "held by the heel." This biblical name was borne by the patriarch Jacob in the Old Testament.
The use of the name Jimson is relatively rare compared to other variants such as Jameson and Jamie. However, it has been recorded in various countries over the centuries. For instance, there are records of individuals named Jimson in England during the 16th and 17th centuries. In more recent times, Jimson has been used sparingly as a given name for boys.
In literature, there is at least one character named Jimson, appearing in the novel "The Gadsbys" by Carol Shields. This suggests that while not incredibly common, the name Jimson has made its mark in popular culture.
Overall, the name Jimson carries a strong connection to its root name James, offering a unique yet familiar option for parents looking for an uncommon boy's name with a meaningful origin and history behind it.
The name Jimson has seen some fluctuations in popularity over the years in the United States. In 1983, there were 5 babies named Jimson. A decade later, in 2002, the number of births with this name increased slightly to 7. Over these two years combined, a total of 12 children were given the name Jimson at birth. This data shows that while Jimson is not one of the most common names, it has maintained some presence in the United States over time.