Kimball
From Old Welsh Cynbel, from cyn (“chief”) + bel (“war”).
Every Kimball since 1914 — 2,148 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Kimball
Kimball is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #11,405 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1914, 2,148 American babies have been named Kimball — about 93% boys and 7% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1954, when 66 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
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 Kimball stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Kimball year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 6 | #11,405 |
| 2024 | — | — | 14 | #6,344 |
| 2023 | — | — | 7 | #10,294 |
| 2022 | — | — | 12 | #7,053 |
| 2021 | — | — | 8 | #9,307 |
| 2020 | — | — | 8 | #9,178 |
| 2019 | — | — | 17 | #5,462 |
| 2018 | — | — | 15 | #5,929 |
| 2017 | — | — | 11 | #7,344 |
| 2016 | — | — | 16 | #5,678 |
| 2015 | — | — | 12 | #6,899 |
| 2014 | 5 | #17,948 | 21 | #4,629 |
| 2013 | — | — | 21 | #4,549 |
| 2012 | — | — | 17 | #5,391 |
| 2011 | — | — | 19 | #4,917 |
| 2010 | — | — | 22 | #4,453 |
| 2009 | 7 | #14,508 | 23 | #4,367 |
| 2008 | — | — | 26 | #3,993 |
| 2007 | — | — | 27 | #3,849 |
| 2006 | — | — | 22 | #4,309 |
| 2005 | — | — | 23 | #3,998 |
| 2004 | — | — | 34 | #2,991 |
| 2003 | — | — | 20 | #4,207 |
| 2002 | 5 | #16,858 | 26 | #3,411 |
| 2001 | 5 | #16,706 | 27 | #3,280 |
| 2000 | 6 | #14,110 | 18 | #4,307 |
| 1995 | — | — | 16 | #3,975 |
| 1990 | — | — | 7 | #6,839 |
| 1985 | — | — | 20 | #2,557 |
| 1980 | — | — | 14 | #3,183 |
| 1975 | — | — | 15 | #2,703 |
| 1970 | — | — | 15 | #2,451 |
| 1965 | — | — | 35 | #1,307 |
| 1960 | 9 | #4,610 | 43 | #1,199 |
| 1955 | 5 | #6,285 | 55 | #1,020 |
| 1950 | — | — | 30 | #1,329 |
| 1945 | — | — | 20 | #1,515 |
| 1940 | — | — | 11 | #2,249 |
| 1935 | — | — | 10 | #2,461 |
| 1930 | — | — | 5 | #4,294 |
| 1925 | — | — | 6 | #3,973 |
| 1920 | — | — | 14 | #2,285 |
| 1915 | — | — | 7 | #3,237 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kimball mean?
From Old Welsh Cynbel, from cyn (“chief”) + bel (“war”).
How popular is the name Kimball in 2025?
Kimball ranked #11,405 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 6 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Kimball?
2,148 babies have been named Kimball in the United States since 1914, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Kimball most popular?
Kimball peaked in 1954, when 66 newborns received the name.
Is Kimball a boy or girl name?
Kimball is used for both: about 7% of babies named Kimball have been girls and 93% boys.
Is the name Kimball rising or falling?
Kimball is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.