Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1916

In the year 1916, the state of Kentucky witnessed a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborns. The top baby girl names of the year were Mary, Dorothy, and Margaret, while the top baby boy names were James, William, and John.

These names were not only popular in Kentucky but also across the United States. Mary, in particular, was a favorite among parents and remained the most popular name for baby girls for several decades. The names James, William, and John were also timeless classics that have stood the test of time and are still popular today. Overall, the baby names of 1916 in Kentucky reflect a preference for traditional and timeless names that have continued to endure over the years.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1916

Based on the data from Kentucky in 1916, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls, with 1834 babies given that name. Dorothy came in second with 585 babies, followed by Margaret with 492 babies. Anna was the fourth most popular name, given to 448 babies, and Elizabeth rounded out the top five with 411 babies.

  1. Mary

    1834 baby girls born in Kentucky (1916) named Mary

    Mary is a feminine given name that has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history. The meaning and origin of the name are uncertain, but it is believed to derive from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "bitter" or "rebellious". The name Mary is popular in Christian cultures due to its association with the mother of Jesus Christ.

  2. Dorothy

    585 baby girls born in Kentucky (1916) named Dorothy

    The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".

  3. Margaret

    492 baby girls born in Kentucky (1916) named Margaret

    The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

  4. Anna

    448 baby girls born in Kentucky (1916) named Anna

    The name Anna is of Hebrew origin and means "grace" or "favor". It is a simple and classic name that has been popular for centuries.

  5. Elizabeth

    411 baby girls born in Kentucky (1916) named Elizabeth

    Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.

  6. Ruth

    401 baby girls born in Kentucky (1916) named Ruth

    The name Ruth means "friend" or "companion" in Hebrew. It is also associated with the character Ruth in the Bible, who was known for her loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi.

  7. Helen

    398 baby girls born in Kentucky (1916) named Helen

    Helen is a name of Greek origin and means "bright, shining one" or "torchbearer". It is also sometimes associated with the meaning "sunray" or "ray of light". The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.

  8. Ruby

    395 baby girls born in Kentucky (1916) named Ruby

    The name Ruby is derived from the Latin word "ruber," which means "red." It is a gemstone name and is associated with love, passion, and energy. Ruby is also believed to bring good fortune and success to those who wear it.

  9. Virginia

    385 baby girls born in Kentucky (1916) named Virginia

    The name Virginia is derived from the Latin word "Virgo" which means "maiden" or "virgin". It was a popular name in ancient Rome and was often given to girls who were born in the month of August. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century and is associated with purity, innocence, and virtue.

  10. Edna

    369 baby girls born in Kentucky (1916) named Edna

    The name Edna means "pleasure" or "delight" in Hebrew.

  11. Mildred

    315 baby girls born in Kentucky (1916) named Mildred

    The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".

  12. Martha

    304 baby girls born in Kentucky (1916) named Martha

    The name Martha means "lady" or "mistress" and is of Aramaic origin. It is a biblical name, borne by the sister of Lazarus in the New Testament.

  13. Thelma

    287 baby girls born in Kentucky (1916) named Thelma

    The name Thelma is of Greek origin and means "will, volition".

  14. Hazel

    284 baby girls born in Kentucky (1916) named Hazel

    The name Hazel means "the hazelnut tree" or "the color hazel". It is of English origin and has been used as a name since the late 19th century. It was most popular in the United States in the 1920s and 1930s. People with this name are often associated with intelligence, creativity, and curiosity.

  15. Edith

    283 baby girls born in Kentucky (1916) named Edith

    The name Edith means "prosperous in war" or "rich battle" and is of English and Old German origin. It was a popular name during the Anglo-Saxon period and has been used throughout history.

  16. Lucille

    269 baby girls born in Kentucky (1916) named Lucille

    The name Lucille means "light" or "illumination" and is of French origin. It is a feminine name that has been in use since the 19th century.

  17. Gladys

    267 baby girls born in Kentucky (1916) named Gladys

    The name Gladys means "land of the bards" or "princess" and is of Welsh origin.

  18. Frances

    253 baby girls born in Kentucky (1916) named Frances

    Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".

  19. Marie

    232 baby girls born in Kentucky (1916) named Marie

    The name Marie is the French variant of Mary, which means "bitter" in Hebrew. It is a popular name among Christians and has been used for centuries. The name is often associated with purity, grace, and elegance.

  20. Louise

    229 baby girls born in Kentucky (1916) named Louise

    The name Louise is derived from the Old German name Ludwig, which means "renowned warrior" or "famous in battle". It is a feminine form of the name Louis.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1916

Based on data from Kentucky in 1916, the most popular baby boy names were James, William, John, Charles, and Robert. James was the most popular name with 1414 babies given that name, followed closely by William with 1315 babies. John was the third most popular name with 1016 babies, while Charles and Robert rounded out the top five with 738 and 691 babies respectively.

  1. James

    1414 baby boys born in Kentucky (1916) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  2. William

    1315 baby boys born in Kentucky (1916) named William

    The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.

  3. John

    1016 baby boys born in Kentucky (1916) named John

    The name John is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a very common name and has been used for centuries. People with this name are often known for their kindness and generosity.

  4. Charles

    738 baby boys born in Kentucky (1916) named Charles

    The name Charles means "free man" or "strong man" and is of Germanic origin. It was a popular name among European royalty and has been commonly used throughout history.

  5. Robert

    691 baby boys born in Kentucky (1916) named Robert

    The name Robert means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobility.

  6. George

    484 baby boys born in Kentucky (1916) named George

    The name George means "farmer" or "earthworker" and is of Greek origin. It was a popular name among early Christians, as Saint George is the patron saint of England and a martyr in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches. The name has been used by many notable figures throughout history, including several kings of England.

  7. Thomas

    319 baby boys born in Kentucky (1916) named Thomas

    The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.

  8. Joseph

    312 baby boys born in Kentucky (1916) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  9. Edward

    280 baby boys born in Kentucky (1916) named Edward

    The name Edward means "wealthy guardian" or "rich guard" and is of Old English origin. It is derived from the words "ead" meaning "wealth, fortune" and "weard" meaning "guardian, protector".

  10. Raymond

    277 baby boys born in Kentucky (1916) named Raymond

    The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".

  11. Henry

    259 baby boys born in Kentucky (1916) named Henry

    The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.

  12. Paul

    244 baby boys born in Kentucky (1916) named Paul

    The name Paul is of Latin origin and means "small" or "humble". It was originally derived from the Roman family name Paulus, which was a common name in ancient Rome. The name has been popularized by various saints and biblical figures, including the apostle Paul, who was a significant figure in the early Christian church.

  13. Roy

    224 baby boys born in Kentucky (1916) named Roy

    The name Roy is of Scottish origin and means "red-haired" or "ruddy complexion".

  14. Walter

    218 baby boys born in Kentucky (1916) named Walter

    Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".

  15. Earl

    217 baby boys born in Kentucky (1916) named Earl

    The name Earl means "nobleman" or "warrior" and has English origins.

  16. Carl

    201 baby boys born in Kentucky (1916) named Carl

    The name Carl is of Germanic origin and means "man" or "free man". It is a variant of the name Charles and has been a popular name throughout history.

  17. Frank

    193 baby boys born in Kentucky (1916) named Frank

    The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".

  18. Clarence

    193 baby boys born in Kentucky (1916) named Clarence

    The name Clarence means "bright" or "clear" and is of Latin origin. It was originally a surname before becoming a given name.

  19. Woodrow

    175 baby boys born in Kentucky (1916) named Woodrow

  20. Richard

    168 baby boys born in Kentucky (1916) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".