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[Opinions] Kimberly
This is a name I've never formed a strong opinion about, it's just THERE. I do like Kim, though.So, thoughts on Kimberly? I know it's dated, but do you think it could work more as a middle name? If so, what would you pair it with?Also, do you like Kimmy/Kimmie? I don't. :P Hmm. Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
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I actually really like Kimberly / Kim and even Kimmy / Kimmie a bit. The only problem I have is I immediately think of Eminem’s song “Kim” / Eminem’s ex wife which makes me dislike it.I don’t think I’d ever actually use it, I like it but I like other names way more!
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I love the song “Kim”, lol.
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Me too, but the “Kim” from the song is all I can think about when I hear the name!
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I remember liking the “K” sound in the beginning of Kim a lot when I was a kid. It’s still kind of pleasant to me. I think Kimberly is pretty, I think Kim is strong/trustworthy, and I think Kimmy only works for a certain person. Like Kimmy Schmidt.Ultimately I think Kimberly is kind of dated for a lot of Americans, but if you look at some data it is still pretty popular among Hispanic/Latino babies in particular, which I think is interesting!
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Yes, I know a lot of hispanic (mostly Mexican) women named Kimberly / Kim!
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I agree it's just there. Yet, I don't like it!
I don't like the burly in it. It sounds like an adjective, and not a flattering one. Same with Beverly.
And it reminds me of a not-so-nice person that I've known. Or two.Kim is alright. It's unisex imo but I expect a woman.
I don't care for Kimmy either. It seems pretty childish.I'd sooner use Kimbra or Kinborough as a middle name, because Kimberly is so clunky. (I consider Kimbra a form of Kinborough / Cyneburga rather than a form of Kimberly even though that probably isn't technically true)

This message was edited 2/13/2018, 12:21 PM

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I feel the same way about Kimberly. It's a name that is just there. It's bland and tasteless, another surname turned into a name. Kim is similar to me. I see a 30-40 year old receptionist with the name, perfectly ordinary. Kimmy reminds me of the really annoying character on Full House. I can't take it seriously at all.
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There are lots of Kim people in South Africa but I've never encountered a Kimberly. I suspect part of the reason is that the diamond-mining town of Kimberley uses that spelling; similarly there are plenty of Beverley people here but not a Beverly in sight. But I've never seen a local human Kimberley either.I know a woman in her late 40s (guessing!) who goes by Kim. Her father was reading a book with a character named Kimron, female character, and that's what they named her, but she refuses to admit to it and certainly would never answer to it.I once taught a male Kim. Nice child, and everyone accepted his name without fuss. Another local male is no doubt over 40; he is a retired ballet dancer whose name is Kimbrian. I'd always assumed that it was pronounced like Kim + Brian, but then I met someone who knew him and pronounced it KIMbreeun, like Cambrian with an i instead of an a.I don't mind Kim much but I'd never use it for either boy or girl. Kimmy is immature and flimsy.
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I like Kimberly. It makes me think of diamonds, I guess because of the diamond mine. It's a very sparkly name for some reason and it's really pink in my mind. I also like Kim. I dislike Kimmy/Kimmie, I just don't like the way it sounds. I also find it very dated. But as a middle name it's fine.Maya Kimberly
Isla Kimberly
Rose Kimberly
Jane Kimberly
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It's okay! I hate Kim and Kimmy, but Kimberly is nice.
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I like it but I don't like Kim.
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If you go by the numbers, Kimberly isn't actually all that dated, and it's been popular for several generations now. I think it's a modern classic.I think it's very pretty. Kim is okay but I think it's nicer and a bit more distinctive to go by the full name. Kimmie/Kimmy is icky, and for some reason has a transvestite vibe to it; the Drag Race type.
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???So - just to be certain "Kimmie/Kimmy is icky, and for some reason has a transvestite vibe to it; the Drag Race type."So does this mean that transvestites - the drag race type (is this racial?) - are icky? Two weeks ago, I "messed up" on a response; I immediately apologized to the person unto whom I miscommunicated; the person forgave me, and all is well. I hope I do not "mess up" any more, but any time I do - I feel horribly - but apologize immediately, learn from my mistake, then move on. Thanks

This message was edited 2/12/2018, 7:51 PM

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RuPaul's Drag Race is a reality TV show featuring drag queens. It's a contest and the contestants have various tasks to do. It's wonderfully campy and fun but it also talks a good bit about social issues.It's a look into the world of drag queens and their community. Lots of fun, I recommend watching it.

This message was edited 2/12/2018, 8:15 PM

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since you asked politely ..Drag Race refers to Ru-Paul's Drag Race, which is kind of a beauty/talent competition for drag queens/transvestites. American TV show. Nothing racial about it. The show is pretty popular; I think Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi was recently a judge on the show.I only ever watched a couple episodes when it first started, quite a few years ago, so I don't know if it's changed much, but as I recall the performers were very over the top and glam in their clothing and makeup and mannerisms, many being outright stereotypical. I have no idea how many, if any, hwere called Kimmie but Kimmie just feels like a stereotypical drag queen stage name. Maybe there's a famous one in the past using that name and somehow it has seeped into my perception of the name, I don't know.
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Hey not that you asked but I just want to clarify that it is a competition for drag queens, most of whom are gay men when they aren’t in drag. Some of them are transgender in their daily lives, but transvestite is not the term that’s really used anymore by people in either community.I’m still having trouble finding a connection with Kimmy (and I’ve watched every season with the show) but we all have our associations I guess!
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Because I truly don't know: Is there a term used for someone who dresses up as the opposite gender as part of a schtick or as a character but does not actually identify as transgender? I thought transvestite was the term for this and had no idea it was considered offensive prior to reading this post. Cross-dresser?
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There isn’t a universal term as far as I know. I’d say the safest bet is drag artist/queen/king/performer. I use the term “cross-dressing” in my dissertation title but I wouldn’t use this generally, though I’m sure some drag artists do. I feel like there was at one time someone on the boards who performed as a drag king, so maybe they’ll pop up and answer your question better than I have.
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Akua TopazHere is a good article:https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sexual-orientation-gender/trans-and-gender-nonconforming-identities/transgender-identity-terms-and-labels
It's confusing and it seems new but it really isn't. There are lots of historical examples (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_cross-dressing), the big difference is that society is being far more openminded and discussing it. Gender eoles are also going through a significant change, similar to what happened in the '60s and '70s.

This message was edited 2/13/2018, 6:06 PM

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Thanks for posting that article. The more you know!
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She is the person who used to perform as a drag king.

This message was edited 2/13/2018, 8:54 PM

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Oh, I forgot about that.
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What about a man who is not gay, not transgender, but likes to dress as a woman for a sexual thrill? Is the word "transvestite" still offensive in that context?
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I think so? I found an article that talked about that.Honestly, I don't know. Eddie Izzard used to refer to himself as an executive transvestite, but now he uses transgender.I just avoid the word altogether because if the baggage it carries.
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Kim Chi?
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Probably, but I’m still surprised that a strong association between drag queens and the fairly common first name Kimmy would be drawn from one queen!
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This isn't a dig but a question:
Wasn't transvestite used in the past to identify a straight man who liked to dress up as a woman?
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Stop. Using. The. Word. Transvestite.
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This subthread is so ... uncivil, that I considered just reporting you to Mike to be warned, instead of responding here. But having my say seems more likely to have a good effect. I could be wrong about that. When we speak like we are entitled to simply censor how another person may speak for herself - based on "who" we think she is or what we assume her intentions are, or based on a presumption that everyone is responsible for agreeing with us ideologically ... we forfeit respect for our own free expression. If this board is going to keep on being an open forum, it's crucial that we communicate respectfully. With all characters, on all topics, even when we think we're being trolled, or that someone else is disrespecting us. There is no excuse for being hostile.If you were to explain clearly and without arrogance why you find a term offensive, you could possibly educate someone, and possibly contribute to establishing conventions of what's respectful. If that's even your purpose here. It's a possible good purpose for objecting to the term, anyway. Why has no one bothered?

For whatever it's worth ... being voluntarily somewhat out of touch with political correctness, I was not aware that transvestite was considered offensive by anyone. I thought it is just a neutral, if slightly quaint, synonym for a person in superficially cross-gender dress, that doesn't assume anything about anyone's identity or whatever. I haven't seen the spectacle in question but the word "drag" in the name does suggest cross-dressing, and nothing more specific, to me. I'm telling you this in the hope that you will understand why I can't assume Roxstar intended to be offensive.

This message was edited 2/13/2018, 12:23 PM

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I just want to apologise if I came across as uncivil at all, as that was not my intention and I wasn’t aware of a possibility that I might come across as such. I guess I didn’t think before posting.

This message was edited 2/13/2018, 6:01 PM

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Thank you for warning me. I will step back in the future.
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Yes, please. It’s a horrendous slur.
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I love how she's not being called on it beyond three people. It is completely and totally unacceptable. And also - really - the show is "stereotypical?" OMFG - that is the ENTIRE POINT OF THE SHOW..

This message was edited 2/13/2018, 9:36 AM

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This, exactly. It's terribly transphobic and disrespectful.
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Thank You / Sorry / & PeaceThank you - I do not know anything about TV shows for the past about ten years or so - and even prior, not much at all--even throughout the nineties.Thanks Again for responding - lets, if we may, please be able to comment amongst each other again. If ever I overreacted or responded too harshly in the past - I hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me. Life's too short for conflict. Thank You & Peace be With you
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can you shut up for once in your life and learn to respect people already? it's 2018. time to learn how to be decent. go to reddit or 4chan or whatever if you have views like that.
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?Transvestite?Really? Can you be more offensive?
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I'm neutral toward it, leaning toward dislike. I've never really cared for it. Feel the same toward Kim and Kimmy too. Could be an interesting middle, but I'd assume they were honoring.
Scarlett Kimberly
Ada Kimberly
Anne Kimberly
Maxine Kimberly
Pearl Kimberly
Lyra Kimberly
Ramona Kimberly
Tegan Kimberly
Jane Kimberly
Noa Kimberly
Eve Kimberly
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It makes me think of bubblegum for some reason...maybe because of "Bubblegum Bitch"...it sounds mean to me.I'd group it with names like: Amber, Tiffany, Beverly, Jennifer, Pamela, Heather, Courtney, Paige, Ashley, Stacy, Cassidy, Kennedy. Kim seems inoffensive and vaguely middle-aged to me...like Jim but feminine. I went to school with a Kimmie (I think she spelled it Kimi, though); not sure if that was a NN or her full name. I don't hate it, but I'd prefer Kimya or Kimbra.I think it'd work fine as a MN (for people who like it). I'd pair it with something sort of popular/current and soft sounding... Willow Kimberly
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Are you referencing that song by Marina and the Diamonds?
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Yeah. I know it's random. Kimberly makes me think of bubblegum and bullies...also barbies? lots of Bs, apparently...not sure why. But the song came to mind.

This message was edited 2/12/2018, 5:28 PM

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I've a niece named Kimberley Paige. She's around 20, I believe. I was surprised when her parents named her because I found it dated even then. I attended school with several girls named Kimberly so I strongly associate it with the 60s, 70s or 80s. The sound of it has never truly appealed to me. I dislike the 'burly' part of it. I definitely prefer it in the middle although combos escape me at the moment.
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I've never cared for it. Always seemed rather clunky to me. And I really don't like Kim.
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I'm not a fan of Kimberly at all. I'm actually surprised it's still so popular - it only exited the top 100 in 2013. I mentally lump it with names like Brenda and Angela and Carrie in my mind. 70s names. I hadn't realized it had peaked in the 60s. Or that it had been the #2 name. I guess there's nothing wrong with Kimberly, but it still makes me think of a 1970s/80s cheerleader.I don't like Kim, and I don't like the "burly" sound. Kimmy is too sickly sweet. Interestingly, the name Kimber has been rising on the popularity charts. I'm not a fan of that either.I'd pair Kimberly with a shorter middle name, since it's a longer first name:Kimberly Alice
Kimberly Hazel
Kimberly June
Kimberly Opal
Kimberly Astrid

This message was edited 2/12/2018, 3:41 PM

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Agree with all your points. Kimberly just isn't an attractive name, and I'm surprised it's hung around so long.
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Yeah, I'm surprised Kimberly is still in the top 200 today. I kind of figured it was at least out of the top 500 now! The only Kimberly I know is my aunt who is nearly 60, so I associate it with that generation (late Boomers / early Gen X). It's still a great name, though, IMO.
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Kimberly is, for some reason, used by Spanish speaking parents. You can verify this if you look at the SSA's state data-- its in the top 100 in states with more Spanish speakers (Texas, New Mexico, California) and doesn't chart in most other states.

This message was edited 2/12/2018, 4:36 PM

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See, I assumed that as well.I work at a school with a 90%+ Latino population, so I searched my school's database and we have zero Kimberlys in our 800 students - even the middle and high schools we feed into (over 5000 students between them) have only 6 Kimberlys between them. Maybe it's being used mostly by Mexican immigrants, as opposed to the Puerto Rican and Cuban population of Florida?
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It is not in Florida's top 100 and hasn't been since 2011, so yeah, it might be Mexican immigrants. I actually only know this because Cleveland Kent Evans said something about it a few years ago, so I don't have any further detail.
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Spanish usageThat is really interesting! It's not intuitively pronounceable in Spanish at all.

This message was edited 2/12/2018, 5:30 PM

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I think it could work as a first or middle name. It may be a bit dated but it doesn’t feel “old” in the same way that, say, Maud or Gertrude does. I’m also not a fan of Kimmie at all. Kim is a good, strong NN, though. I’d pair it with a strong, timeless middle:Kimberly Annette
Kimberly Louisa
Kimberly Marina
Kimberly Silvia
Kimberly Dorothea

This message was edited 2/12/2018, 3:34 PM

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I like the flow of Kimberly Annette. Very nice.
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