Kimball is an American given name of English origin, derived from the Middle English word 'cymbel', meaning 'bell'. It gained popularity during the 19th century in the United States, likely due to its association with prominent figures like Kimball Union Academy founder Ephraim Kimball and Mormon leader Heber C. Kimball. Today, Kimball is considered a unique and distinctive name choice for boys.
The name Kimball seems to have had varying popularity over the decades, with a noticeable peak in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The highest number of births recorded in any single year was 17 in 1957. After a decline in the late 1960s and throughout much of the following decades, there was another small peak in the early 2000s with birth years 2000, 2001, and 2002 all having five births each. The total number of births over this period is 140.