How popular is the baby name Jim in the United States right now? How popular was it historically? Use the popularity graph and data table below to find out! Plus, see all the blog posts that mention the name Jim.

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Popularity of the baby name Jim


Posts that mention the name Jim

California family with 20 children

kinderfest

In late 1966, Jim and Eldora Parnell of Bakersfield, California, welcomed their 20th child.

Here are the names of all twenty kids, plus their 1966-ages:

  • Robert, 26
  • James, 24
  • Edwina, 21
  • Marie (nn Baby Doll, “because we were sure she’d be our last one”), 19
  • Eddie, 18
  • Bill, 17
  • Charlotte, 16
  • Chris (female), 15
  • Elledie, 13
  • Patrick, 12
  • Wanetta, 11
  • Peggy, 9
  • Gail, 8
  • Donna, 7
  • Steve, 5
  • Logan, 4
  • Gil, 3
  • Daryl (twin), 18 months
  • Gerald (twin), 18 months
  • Teri Kay, newborn

Which girl name is your favorite? How about boy name?

Bonus: The article included name stories for Charlotte and Logan. Charlotte “was born in the family car during a visit to Los Angeles. The police officer delivering the baby was named Charley–so, Charlotte.” Logan “was named after Dr. Lloyd Q. Logan, who delivered eight of his older brothers and sisters. But when Logan was born, Dr. Logan was out of town and another doctor delivered him.”

Source: Hillinger, Charles. “Managing a Family of 20 Poses Big, Happy Problem.” Spokesman-Review 11 Dec. 1966: 7.

Image: Ein Kinderfest (1868) by Ludwig Knaus

Where did the baby name Judalon come from in 1953?

The character Judalon de Bornay from the movie "The Iron Mistresss" (1952)
Judalon from “The Iron Mistress“

The name Judalon has appeared in the U.S. baby name data just once so far:

  • 1955: unlisted
  • 1954: unlisted
  • 1953: 11 baby girls named Judalon [debut]
  • 1952: unlisted
  • 1951: unlisted

Where did it come from?

The movie The Iron Mistress (1952), a fictionalized account of American frontiersman James “Jim” Bowie, after whom the Bowie knife was named.

In the film, the love interest of Bowie (played by Alan Ladd) was wealthy New Orleans woman Judalon de Bornay (played by Virginia Mayo).

Judalon never existed in real life, though — she’d been invented by Paul Wellman, the author of the 1951 book upon which The Iron Mistress was based.

What are your thoughts on the name Judalon?

P.S. The similar name Judaline was one-hit wonder several years earlier…

Sources:

Image: Screenshot of The Iron Mistress

Where did the baby name Jareth come from in 1986?

The character Jareth from the movie "Labyrinth" (1986).
Jareth from “Labyrinth“

The curious name Jareth first popped up in the U.S. baby name data in 1986:

  • 1988: 51 baby boys named Jareth
  • 1987: 50 baby boys named Jareth
  • 1986: 10 baby boys named Jareth [debut]
  • 1985: unlisted
  • 1984: unlisted

What put it there?

Jim Henson’s goblin-filled musical fantasy film Labyrinth (1986).

The movie’s main character was a teenage girl named Sarah (played by Jennifer Connelly). While babysitting her cranky baby brother Toby, she “teasingly wishe[d] the goblins would take him away.” The problem? Her wish came true.

Jareth the Goblin King (played by David Bowie) explained to Sarah that the baby was now in his castle, which was at the center of a massive, otherworldly labyrinth. She could have her brother back…but only if she could find her way to the castle.

“You have 13 hours in which to solve the labyrinth before your baby brother becomes one of us forever.”

I don’t know which of the Labyrinth‘s creators (Jim Henson? Brian Froud? Terry Jones?) came up with the name Jareth, or how it was coined. Perhaps it was based on the Welsh name Gareth, or on the Biblical name Jared. (Or both?)

What are your thoughts on the name Jareth?

Source: Labyrinth movie review & film summary (1986) | Roger Ebert

Where did the baby name Corbett come from in 1892?

Boxer James Corbett (1866-1933)
James Corbett

One of the most impressive baby name debuts of the late 19th century was Corbett, which first popped up in the U.S. baby name data in 1892.

Corbett was the highest debut until 1898 rolled around with the names Manilla, Hobson, and Admiral — all inspired by the Spanish-American War.

According to the SSA’s data, at least 23 baby boys were named Corbett in 1892:

  • 1894: 20 baby boys named Corbett
  • 1893: 15 baby boys named Corbett
  • 1892: 23 baby boys named Corbett [debut]
  • 1891: unlisted
  • 1890: unlisted

But the actual number was much higher. The Social Security Death Index indicates that at least 59 people named Corbett were born in 1892:

  • 1894: 67 people named Corbett
  • 1893: 49 people named Corbett
  • 1892: 59 people named Corbett
  • 1891: 5 people named Corbett
  • 1890: 3 people named Corbett

So, what gave Corbett a boost that year?

Sports!

In September of 1892, boxer James “Gentleman Jim” Corbett defeated John L. Sullivan to win the World Heavyweight Boxing Championship in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Even if he hadn’t won, the press leading up to the match would have popularized the name enough for it to make a splash. More than half of those baby Corbetts — 31 out of 59 — were born before the match even took place.

(That said, many babies born in those days were not named immediately after birth. So no doubt a portion of the early Corbetts were actually nameless until the day of the event.)

Usage of the name increased again in 1894, which is the year Corbett defended his title against boxer Charley Mitchell.

Jim Corbett ultimately lost the title in 1897, to Bob Fitzsimmons.

(Sullivan, Corbett and Fitzsimmons are the first three middle names of the girl with 25 heavyweight champion-inspired middle names.)

So what does the English surname Corbett mean? It can be traced back to a Norman French nickname meaning “little crow” or “raven.” The nickname was likely given to a person with a dark complexion or dark hair.

Do you like the name Corbett?

Sources:

Image of James J. Corbett from LOC