Jimena is a Spanish feminine given name, the variant form of Ximena that is more common in Spain itself. Like Ximena, it ultimately derives from the medieval masculine name Ximeno, of uncertain meaning, possibly from Basque seme meaning "son" or a form of Simon 1, which comes from Hebrew Shimʿon ("hearing, listening"). The French form of the name is Chimène. Historical and Cultural Significance The name Jimena is most famously associated with Jimena Díaz, the wife of the legendary Spanish military leader El Cid (Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar) in the 11th century. Jimena Díaz, also known as Ximena, was a noblewoman from the Kingdom of León, and her story has been immortalized in the medieval epic poem Cantar de mio Cid. Other historical bearers include Jimena of Cea, queen consort of Pamplona in the 10th–11th centuries; Jimena, daughter of Alfonso V of León; and Jimena Muñoz, a mistress of King Alfonso VI of León and Castile. In legend, Jimena is also the name of the mother of Bernardo del Carpio, a hero of Spanish ballads. Notable Modern Bearers In modern times, several notable women bear the name: Jimena Antelo (born 1972), Bolivian journalist and television presenterJimena Canales, Mexican-American physicist and authorJimena Elías Roca (born 1989), Miss Peru Universo 2007Jimena Fernández de la Vega (1895–1984), Spanish physician and researcherJimena Florit (born 1972), Argentine mountain biker Related Forms The masculine form of Jimena is Jimeno. The name also has parallels in other languages, such as Simona, Simen (in Scandinavian contexts), and various European feminine forms derived from Simon. Meaning: Derived from Hebrew for "son", though ultimately from Simon ("hearing") Origin: Spanish, feminine form of Ximeno Usage: Predominantly Spanish Type: Given name