Kim

Kim is a given name with multiple distinct origins. In English-speaking countries it began as a short form of Kimberly, itself derived from the South African place name Kimberley, which commemorates Lord Kimberley and derives from an Old English place name meaning royal fortress meadow. Independently, Kim is a traditional Korean given name, also romanized as Gim, originating from the Sino-Korean character meaning gold, and it is one of the most common surnames in Korea that also sees use as a given name. Related forms and variants include Kimberley, Kimberly, and the Vietnamese given name Kim, likewise meaning gold.