Jimena vs. Ximena

lks18

Hello, we are naming one of our girls Jimena or Ximena (pronounced hee-men-ah).  It is a latin name.  I'm torn about the spelling.  Ximena is more common and more classic (the wife of El Cid, the Spanish hero, is Ximena).  But I think it's also more perplexing to someone not familiar with it.  Also, I am a gringa woman married to a South American and Ximena seems more "trying to be fancy" to me than Jimena.  I know another couple who named their son Xe (pronounced Shay, means "root" in a Mayan language), and people rolled their eyes. Is Ximena eye roll inducing?  Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

tealowl

I really like it spelled Ximena, I knew how to pronounce it, I've heard it before around my area.

I vote yes!

erinms

Ximena! It is the correct/traditional spelling and is beautiful. Not eye-rolling at all. And Jimena can be confusing too. Unless you spell it Heemenuh, some people will not know how to pronounce the name either way (Ximena or Jimena) so I'd stick with the prettier and more traditional spelling.

EXL311

Jimena looks bad.  I would definitely go with Ximena.  DD goes to school with a Ximena and it hasn't been a problem.  Granted we do live in the Phoenix area where names like that are more common.  I think it's a great name but only if spelled Ximena.

macchiatto

I would go with Ximena. I think people's responses to it will vary depending on your area. I've only come across it on a baby name board. At first it reminded me of Xena Warrior Princess or something like that, but only b/c I'd never seen it before. 

CiderWench

Another vote for Ximena. I don't care for how Jimena looks. I think it's the /jim/ part that throws me.

lks18

Thanks for all the feedback, ladies.  I didn't expect it to be so unanimous.  Looks like Ximena it is!

C12H22O11

I like Ximena, but I'm from AZ where it was fairly common and I know how it's supposed to be pronounced...

Coconuthead

I wouldn't have trouble pronouncing either spelling but I prefer Ximena.

EricaCat1

It's BEAUTIFUL with the X!!!!  I know someone who spells it that way.  And she interchangeably pronounces it "Himena" and "Simena".  Very gorgeous!  The "J" spelling isn't bad but it's just that "Jim" sticks out a lot.