What Does the Name Kimberly Mean?
Kimberly is a girl's name of Old English origin meaning “royal forest meadow / Cyneburg's field.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Kimberly |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Old English |
| Meaning | royal forest meadow / Cyneburg's field |
| Variants | Kimberley, Kim, Kimber, Kimberlee, Kimberlyn |
| Popularity | A top 5 US girls' name in the 1960s-1970s |
The meaning and origin of Kimberly
The name Kimberly means “royal forest meadow / Cyneburg's field” and has Old English origins. From an Old English place name and surname, ultimately meaning 'Cyneburg's field' (from a name meaning 'royal fortress') plus leah, 'meadow.' Brought to wider attention via the South African town Kimberley, it became a popular feminine given name in the mid-20th century.
Variants and related names
Kimberly is related to several other names you may recognize: Kimberley, Kim, Kimber, Kimberlee, Kimberlyn. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Kimberly?
A top 5 US girls' name in the 1960s-1970s
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kimberly mean?+
The name Kimberly means “royal forest meadow / Cyneburg's field” and is of Old English origin.
What is the origin of the name Kimberly?+
Kimberly originates from Old English.
Is Kimberly a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Kimberly has trended in the US over time.
Kimberly by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press