Ximena is the name of Spain's most famous wife — Doña Jimena, who married El Cid, the legendary warrior who helped drive the Moors from medieval Spain. The X-spelling is the original Basque form, and it gives the name a visual boldness that the Jimena spelling can't match. It's one of the most popular names in Mexico and has entered the US top 100, carried by Latino families who want heritage and beauty in one.
Basque Ximeno (possibly from Basque seme, son)→medieval Spanish Jimena/Ximena
1
Spanish / Basque roots
Ximena (also spelled Jimena) traces to medieval Spain. Doña Jimena Díaz was the wife of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar — El Cid, the legendary Castilian nobleman and military leader who became Spain's most celebrated hero. The name likely derives from the Basque name Ximeno. The X-spelling preserves the original Basque orthography. Ximena has been the number-one girl's name in Mexico for several years and has entered the US top 100, reflecting the growing influence of Latino culture on American naming. The name is pronounced hee-MEH-nah in Spanish.
2
First recorded
Earliest known use: Medieval Spain — Doña Jimena Díaz was the wife of El Cid (11th century).
3
Today
Ximena remains a beloved choice, ranking #136 in the US. 37,976 babies have been named Ximena since 1966.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names, SSA data
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How popular is Ximena?
2016peak year
The name Ximena reached its peak in 2016, with 2,680 registrations (ranked #120). It first surfaced in U.S. records in 1966, roughly 50 years before its peak. Since the peak, the name has eased to around #136 today, averaging about 2,219 new babies per year. Ximena has been declining in recent years. Across all years on record, approximately 37,976 American babies have carried this name.
Year-by-year registrations1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
2,680 Babies named in peak year (ranked #120)
2,219Avg. per year (last decade)
22,190Total registrations last 10 years
37,976All-time total (since 1880)
Popularity in the US today (rank #136)Very popular
Ximena's Life Path 6 is the nurturer's number — fitting for the wife who sustained El Cid's legacy. People named Ximena tend to be devoted, strong, and deeply connected to their heritage. Their warmth is fierce.
♡
Fiercely devoted
✦
Strong heritage connection
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Warm and powerful
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Sustains what matters
♡
Bold and nurturing
X6
I9
M4
E5
N5
A1
Sum: 30 → Life path 3
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Personality of Ximena
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Bright & creative
Imaginative, expressive, endlessly inventive.
😊
Magnetic warmth
Their laugh is contagious. People love being near them.
🌈
Eternal optimist
Even in dark moments they find the light.
🗣️
Storyteller
They can describe anything and make it fascinating.
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