Kim
Kim began as a short form of Kimberly or Kimball, both of which are English place names. Kimberly comes from the Old English "Cyneburh" (royal meadow). The short form Kim emerged as a standalone name in the mid-20th century, used for both boys and girls but predominantly for girls. Kim was a top-100 American name for girls from 1945 to 1975, peaking at #14 in 1960. The peak was so concentrated that Kim now reads as definitively mid-century. Kim Novak (born 1933), the actress known for "Vertigo" (1958), was the defining 1950s bearer. Kim Kardashian (born 1980), the reality TV star and businesswoman, gave the name a contemporary charge. I find Kim has a brisk, mid-century quality — the single syllable is direct, and the "K" opening is firm. The name has been outside the US top 1000 since 2010. Kim is a unisex name of English (from Kimberly) origin that means "Royal meadow (from Kimberly)". Brisk, mid-century, and approachable. The name sounds friendly. Kims tend to be social. US peaked #14 in 1960. Outside top 1000 since 2010. Well-known people named Kim include Kim Novak (actress), Kim Kardashian (TV personality), Kim (short form), Kim Jong-un (politician, male). Common variations and related forms of Kim include Kimberly (full form), Kimmie (nickname), Kimmi (modern), Kim (unisex).