Zimmerman

Zimmerman is a German-origin surname meaning "carpenter," from the word for timber.

It appears across American life: Bob Dylan was born Robert Zimmerman, George Zimmerman's 2012 shooting of Trayvon Martin sparked national debate on race and self-defense, and countless ordinary Zimmermans populate phone books.

The spelling Zimmermann, with double n, is also common.

etymology

carpenter

Timber construction tradesperson

woodworkerTimber craftsperson
craftsmanSkilled manual worker
tradesmanSkilled manual worker

occupational · German · Ashkenazi · Jewish · Yiddish · room · timber · builder · joiner · cabinetmaker

notable

Bob Dylan

Ethel Merman

Categories

Nairobi AreaCBD, Karen, Mountain View, Nairobi
Jewish SurnamesCohen, Levi, Levy, Levin, Levine
Amish SurnamesYoder, Smucker, Beachy

Opposites

symbol of racial injustice vs. symbol of racial justice advocacy

ZimmermanBlack Lives Matter

Civil rights movement against racist violence

civil rights activist · Colin Kaepernick · Al Sharpton

folk/protest music vs. establishment culture

ZimmermanPat Boone

establishment · mainstream pop

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G