Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1930

In the year 1930, the state of Kentucky saw a surge in the popularity of traditional and timeless baby names. Mary, Betty, and Dorothy were the most favored names for baby girls, while James, William, and Robert were the top choices for baby boys.

Mary, a name of biblical origin meaning "bitter," held the top spot for baby girls for the 22nd consecutive year. Betty and Dorothy, both diminutives of Elizabeth, were also popular choices among parents. For baby boys, James, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter," maintained its position as the most popular name for the 14th year in a row, followed closely by William and Robert. These classic names reflect the enduring appeal of traditional names and their timeless charm.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1930

In Kentucky, 1930, Mary was the most popular baby girl name with 2001 occurrences. Betty came in second with 1258 occurrences, followed by Dorothy with 781 occurrences. Helen and Anna completed the top five with 518 and 500 occurrences respectively.

Mary

2001 baby girls born in Kentucky (1930) 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.
Betty

1258 baby girls born in Kentucky (1930) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Dorothy

781 baby girls born in Kentucky (1930) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Helen

518 baby girls born in Kentucky (1930) 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.
Anna

500 baby girls born in Kentucky (1930) 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.
Margaret
422 baby girls born in Kentucky (1930) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Doris
412 baby girls born in Kentucky (1930) named Doris
The name Doris means "gift of the ocean" or "from the sea" in Greek. It was also the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology.
Martha
400 baby girls born in Kentucky (1930) 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.
Virginia
387 baby girls born in Kentucky (1930) 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
385 baby girls born in Kentucky (1930) 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.
Ruby
345 baby girls born in Kentucky (1930) 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.
Mildred
310 baby girls born in Kentucky (1930) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Elizabeth
284 baby girls born in Kentucky (1930) 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.
Juanita
284 baby girls born in Kentucky (1930) named Juanita
The name Juanita is a diminutive form of the name Juan, which is the Spanish version of John. It means "God is gracious" or "gift from God".
Thelma
280 baby girls born in Kentucky (1930) named Thelma
The name Thelma is of Greek origin and means "will, volition".
Wanda
268 baby girls born in Kentucky (1930) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Norma
266 baby girls born in Kentucky (1930) named Norma
The name Norma is of Latin origin and means "rule" or "standard". It was popularized by the Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini's opera "Norma" in the 19th century. The name has been in use since the Middle Ages and continues to be used today.
Frances
262 baby girls born in Kentucky (1930) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Wilma
244 baby girls born in Kentucky (1930) named Wilma
Jean
232 baby girls born in Kentucky (1930) named Jean
The name Jean is a variant of the name John, which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew. It is a gender-neutral name that has been used for both boys and girls.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1930

According to data from 1930, the most popular baby boy names in Kentucky were James, William, Robert, Charles, and John. James was the most popular name with 2028 babies being given that name, followed by William with 1417 babies, Robert with 1166 babies, Charles with 1145 babies, and John with 1000 babies. These names have remained popular over the years and are still commonly used today.

James

2028 baby boys born in Kentucky (1930) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1417 baby boys born in Kentucky (1930) 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.
Robert

1166 baby boys born in Kentucky (1930) 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.
Charles

1145 baby boys born in Kentucky (1930) 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.
John

1000 baby boys born in Kentucky (1930) 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.
George
478 baby boys born in Kentucky (1930) 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.
Billy
452 baby boys born in Kentucky (1930) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Donald
426 baby boys born in Kentucky (1930) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Paul
395 baby boys born in Kentucky (1930) 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.
Thomas
390 baby boys born in Kentucky (1930) 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.
Joseph
356 baby boys born in Kentucky (1930) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Kenneth
344 baby boys born in Kentucky (1930) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Harold
335 baby boys born in Kentucky (1930) 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.
Edward
312 baby boys born in Kentucky (1930) 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".
Jack
302 baby boys born in Kentucky (1930) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Eugene
300 baby boys born in Kentucky (1930) named Eugene
The name Eugene means "well-born" or "noble" and has Greek origins. It was a popular name in the early 20th century but has since declined in popularity.
Bobby
292 baby boys born in Kentucky (1930) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Richard
288 baby boys born in Kentucky (1930) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Roy
272 baby boys born in Kentucky (1930) named Roy
The name Roy is of Scottish origin and means "red-haired" or "ruddy complexion".
Raymond
267 baby boys born in Kentucky (1930) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".