Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1920

In the year 1920, the state of Kentucky witnessed the arrival of many newborns who were given names that would go on to become timeless classics. The most popular baby girl names of the time were Mary, Dorothy, and Margaret, while the top baby boy names were James, William, and John.

Mary, which means "bitter" or "beloved," has been a popular name for centuries and was the most popular name for baby girls in Kentucky in 1920. Dorothy, meaning "gift of God," and Margaret, meaning "pearl," were close behind in popularity. For baby boys, James, meaning "supplanter," was the top choice, followed by William, meaning "resolute protector," and John, meaning "God is gracious." These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1920

According to data from 1920, the most popular baby girl names in Kentucky were Mary, Dorothy, Margaret, Helen, and Virginia. Mary was by far the most popular name, with 2339 babies given that name. Dorothy came in second with 873 babies, followed by Margaret with 591, Helen with 564, and Virginia with 541. These names were likely chosen for their popularity at the time, as well as their classic and traditional feel.

Mary

2339 baby girls born in Kentucky (1920) 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.
Dorothy

873 baby girls born in Kentucky (1920) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Margaret

591 baby girls born in Kentucky (1920) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Helen

564 baby girls born in Kentucky (1920) 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.
Virginia

541 baby girls born in Kentucky (1920) 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.
Ruth
536 baby girls born in Kentucky (1920) 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.
Mildred
509 baby girls born in Kentucky (1920) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Anna
506 baby girls born in Kentucky (1920) 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.
Ruby
464 baby girls born in Kentucky (1920) 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.
Elizabeth
404 baby girls born in Kentucky (1920) 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.
Martha
401 baby girls born in Kentucky (1920) 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.
Edna
364 baby girls born in Kentucky (1920) named Edna
The name Edna means "pleasure" or "delight" in Hebrew.
Thelma
355 baby girls born in Kentucky (1920) named Thelma
The name Thelma is of Greek origin and means "will, volition".
Hazel
337 baby girls born in Kentucky (1920) 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.
Marie
320 baby girls born in Kentucky (1920) 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.
Frances
309 baby girls born in Kentucky (1920) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Edith
309 baby girls born in Kentucky (1920) 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.
Gladys
308 baby girls born in Kentucky (1920) named Gladys
The name Gladys means "land of the bards" or "princess" and is of Welsh origin.
Evelyn
274 baby girls born in Kentucky (1920) named Evelyn
The name Evelyn is of English origin and is derived from the French name Aveline, which means "hazelnut". It is also believed to have roots in the Germanic name Avelina, which means "wished-for child" or "longed-for child". Overall, the name Evelyn is associated with sweetness, charm, and grace.
Lillian
267 baby girls born in Kentucky (1920) named Lillian
The name Lillian means "pure" or "innocent" and is of English origin. It is a variant of the name Lily and is often associated with the flower of the same name. Lillian has been a popular name for girls since the late 19th century.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1920

In Kentucky, 1920, the most popular baby boy names were James, William, John, Charles, and Robert. James was the most popular name with 2158 babies given that name, followed by William with 1662 babies. John, Charles, and Robert were also popular choices with 1138, 958, and 957 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular figures and cultural trends of the time.

James

2158 baby boys born in Kentucky (1920) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1662 baby boys born in Kentucky (1920) 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.
John

1138 baby boys born in Kentucky (1920) 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.
Charles

958 baby boys born in Kentucky (1920) 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.
Robert

957 baby boys born in Kentucky (1920) 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.
George
614 baby boys born in Kentucky (1920) 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.
Joseph
430 baby boys born in Kentucky (1920) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Edward
390 baby boys born in Kentucky (1920) 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".
Thomas
376 baby boys born in Kentucky (1920) 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.
Paul
331 baby boys born in Kentucky (1920) 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.
Raymond
316 baby boys born in Kentucky (1920) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Harold
281 baby boys born in Kentucky (1920) named Harold
The name Harold is of Old English origin and means "ruler of the army". It was a popular name among the Anglo-Saxons and was borne by several kings of England.
Roy
266 baby boys born in Kentucky (1920) named Roy
The name Roy is of Scottish origin and means "red-haired" or "ruddy complexion".
Earl
263 baby boys born in Kentucky (1920) named Earl
The name Earl means "nobleman" or "warrior" and has English origins.
Frank
257 baby boys born in Kentucky (1920) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Henry
254 baby boys born in Kentucky (1920) 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.
Walter
243 baby boys born in Kentucky (1920) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Carl
235 baby boys born in Kentucky (1920) 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.
Clarence
223 baby boys born in Kentucky (1920) named Clarence
The name Clarence means "bright" or "clear" and is of Latin origin. It was originally a surname before becoming a given name.
Richard
217 baby boys born in Kentucky (1920) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".