Origin of the name Kimberley:

Of debated origin, Kimberely seems to be a borrowing of the name of the South African city and diamond-mining center. This Kimberley is though to be derived from kimberlite, a kind of peridotite rock which contains diamonds. Others think it to be derived from Lord Kimberley, whose name is believed to be a compound name composed of an Old English personal name of unknown meaning and lēah (wood, clearing, meadow, enclosure). Kimberely originated as a male name but is now more common as a female name. Var: Kimberlee, Kimberly. Short: Kim. Pet: Kimmi, Kimmie, Kimmy.

From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman.Buy the book