Ximena
GirlSpanish · Spanish: /xiˈmena/; stress on me. The initial sound is Spanish j, sometimes a softer [h].
A Spanish feminine name with a lilting rhythm and an old spelling still full of character. Its deeper meaning remains uncertain.
Origin
Spanish
Pronunciation
Spanish: /xiˈmena/; stress on me. The initial sound is Spanish j, sometimes a softer [h].
Uncertain; hearing-related meanings come from a proposed link to Simon.
Ximena is a Spanish feminine name with an uncertain deeper meaning. It comes from Ximeno, a name used in medieval Spain; Jimena is another spelling of the feminine form. The familiar interpretation “she who hears” depends on a proposed link to Simon. A Basque derivation has also been suggested, so that hearing-related meaning is a possibility rather than a settled translation. The X gives Ximena a striking outline on the page, while the spoken name flows through a clear, lilting rhythm. In Spanish, that X sounds like j, with the emphasis on me; some accents soften the opening to an h sound. The firm opening and gentler -mena ending make an appealing contrast.
Etymology: Feminine form of the medieval name Ximeno. Its deeper origin is disputed: proposals include Simon and Basque seme, meaning “son”.
Spelling table
Code
-..- .. -- . -. .-
Listen to the dots and dashes, or choose Slow to follow each letter.
Braille
⠠⠭⠊⠍⠑⠝⠁
Name popularity
United States
Latest year: 2025
Girls
Rank183
Boys
RankNot reported
Source
SSA records cover Social Security card applications, not every US birth. Names with fewer than 5 occurrences are omitted; gaps do not mean zero. Spellings are kept separate, except that SSA removes spaces and hyphens. Equal counts are ranked alphabetically. Ranks are calculated separately for boys and girls.
Origin
Spanish
Variants & spellings
Appears in