Jimena is a Spanish name of uncertain origin, usually explained as a medieval feminine form of Simon, "he has heard"; Ximena is the older spelling. Doña Jimena, the wife of El Cid, is its most famous bearer, and the name has been a top choice in Spain and Mexico in recent decades. In the United States Jimena entered the top 1000 in 2001, peaked at number 387 in 2005 and stands at number 578 among girls' names in 2025.