Kimberley is a feminine given name of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English word "cymbel", which means "bells". The name Kimberley is also associated with the South African diamond mining town of Kimberley, founded in 1871 and named after the original diamond mine owner's daughter, Evelyn de Beer, whose nickname was "Kimberley".
The name Kimberley gained popularity in the late 19th century after the discovery of diamonds in the region. It was initially used for girls born into families involved in the mining industry but eventually became a popular choice among parents across England and beyond.
Today, Kimberley is still widely recognized as a feminine given name and can be found in various spellings such as Kimberly, Kimball, and Kimble. Despite its association with diamonds and wealth, the meaning of Kimberley remains deeply rooted in its original linguistic significance: "bells".
The name Kimberely experienced a significant peak in popularity during the late 1960s to early 1970s, with a high of 126 births recorded in 1970. However, its usage has declined dramatically since then, with fewer than 25 births per year occurring from 1983 onwards and reaching as low as 5 births in certain years between 1995 and 2006.