[Opinions] Kimberly on a boy?
What do you gals and guys think? I really like Kimberly for a boy, while I don't like it so much on a girl (it happens to be my sister's name). Give opinions! Thanks.
Replies
I would say absolutely not. Weather or not it *was* a boys not will not effect the fact it is now strictly feminine. Would guys not snicker about Kimberly in the hallways? Would your 11 year old not say "ewww, but that's a girls name!" Would you really respect your new boss if his name was Kimberly? It's too girly now, regardless of how it started out. There's my two cents on that.
First off...I hate the name Kimberly. I have met so many Kim's and none of which I can stand.
However, Kimberly on a boy is warming up to me. It is an orginal boys name (I believe) and it would be nice if it made a come back. Its almost on my list of names I want back to usage for boys only such as Ashley, Madison, Adison, Blair, and others. There are some names that work for both, but Kimberly on a boy would be nice.
However, Kimberly on a boy is warming up to me. It is an orginal boys name (I believe) and it would be nice if it made a come back. Its almost on my list of names I want back to usage for boys only such as Ashley, Madison, Adison, Blair, and others. There are some names that work for both, but Kimberly on a boy would be nice.
I think there's something silly sounding about the name, although I can't put my finger on it. It's also seen as a very neddy name here, which puts me off it further. Better on a boy than on a girl, though.
Also - I'd definitely spell it Kimberley, especially if on a boy.
I hate the name no matter what gender but at least I wouldn't pity a girl for having the name. If it were on a boy I would feel sorry for him because it's a female name. He would get teased...
Kimberly's not a female name
Kimberly's usage as a fn came from a South African city that was named after Lord Kimberley. The surname does come from from a female name, Cyneburga, but boys were the first to be given the name Kimberly in honour of the city after it became prominent during the Boer War, in the 19th century. It was only later in the 20th century (1940s, to be exact) that girls were given the name Kimberly.
In short, Kimberly's unisex, not female.
Miranda
EDIT: Added Boer War stuff and more precise dates
Kimberly's usage as a fn came from a South African city that was named after Lord Kimberley. The surname does come from from a female name, Cyneburga, but boys were the first to be given the name Kimberly in honour of the city after it became prominent during the Boer War, in the 19th century. It was only later in the 20th century (1940s, to be exact) that girls were given the name Kimberly.
In short, Kimberly's unisex, not female.
Miranda
EDIT: Added Boer War stuff and more precise dates
This message was edited 11/3/2004, 6:20 PM
Another (Australian) source . . .
Is the Kimberley (also the Kimberleys), a region in Western Australia. I know of at least one boy (historically) named after this region. This may have contributed to its modern popularity in Australia. The spelling also might explain why Kimberley is more popular than Kimberly in Australia
(. . . although that's doubtful as 'ey' is always more popular than straight 'y' in Australia.)
:-)
Is the Kimberley (also the Kimberleys), a region in Western Australia. I know of at least one boy (historically) named after this region. This may have contributed to its modern popularity in Australia. The spelling also might explain why Kimberley is more popular than Kimberly in Australia
(. . . although that's doubtful as 'ey' is always more popular than straight 'y' in Australia.)
:-)
This message was edited 11/3/2004, 7:13 PM
I don't like it either way. It's a bit better on a boy, though, because it comes from a surname and Kimberly is so tired on girls.