Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1935

In the year 1935, the state of Kentucky saw a surge of newborns being named after classic and timeless names. Mary, Betty, and Shirley were among the top baby girl names, reflecting the popularity of traditional names that had been popular for generations. These names were often chosen for their simplicity and elegance, and were seen as a way to honor family members or religious figures.

For baby boys, James, William, and Charles were the most popular names in Kentucky in 1935. These names were also classic and traditional, and were often chosen for their strong and masculine connotations. Parents in Kentucky were drawn to these names for their timeless appeal and their ability to stand the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1935

In Kentucky, 1935, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with 1809 occurrences. Betty was the second most popular name with 1339 occurrences, followed by Shirley with 896 occurrences. Barbara was the fourth most popular name with 666 occurrences, and Anna was the fifth most popular name with 503 occurrences. These names were the top choices for parents in Kentucky during that year.

Mary

1809 baby girls born in Kentucky (1935) 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

1339 baby girls born in Kentucky (1935) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Shirley

896 baby girls born in Kentucky (1935) named Shirley
The name Shirley is of English origin and its meaning is "bright meadow" or "bright clearing". It was originally a surname that became a popular given name in the 19th century.
Barbara

666 baby girls born in Kentucky (1935) named Barbara
The name Barbara is of Greek origin, derived from the word "barbaros" which means foreign or strange. It was a popular name in the Middle Ages and was often given to girls born on St. Barbara's feast day. The name has been used in various cultures and languages around the world.
Anna

503 baby girls born in Kentucky (1935) 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.
Dorothy
446 baby girls born in Kentucky (1935) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Joyce
425 baby girls born in Kentucky (1935) named Joyce
The name Joyce is of Old French origin, derived from the name Josse, which means "lord" or "master". It was originally a masculine name but became popular as a feminine name in the 20th century. The name Joyce is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, creativity, and independence.
Helen
417 baby girls born in Kentucky (1935) 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.
Wanda
372 baby girls born in Kentucky (1935) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Doris
347 baby girls born in Kentucky (1935) 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.
Margaret
345 baby girls born in Kentucky (1935) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Martha
336 baby girls born in Kentucky (1935) 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.
Nancy
314 baby girls born in Kentucky (1935) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Patricia
309 baby girls born in Kentucky (1935) named Patricia
The name Patricia is derived from the Latin word "patricius," meaning "noble" or "aristocratic." It was a popular name in the Roman Empire and later spread throughout Europe. The name is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, kindness, and leadership.
Ruth
306 baby girls born in Kentucky (1935) 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.
Norma
304 baby girls born in Kentucky (1935) 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.
Ruby
287 baby girls born in Kentucky (1935) 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.
Wilma
285 baby girls born in Kentucky (1935) named Wilma
Virginia
268 baby girls born in Kentucky (1935) 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.
Elizabeth
254 baby girls born in Kentucky (1935) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1935

In Kentucky, 1935, the most popular baby boy name was James, with a total of 2078 babies given this name. William came in second place with 1305 babies named, followed closely by Charles with 1161 babies named. Robert and John rounded out the top five with 1089 and 858 babies named, respectively. These classic, traditional names were clearly popular choices for parents in Kentucky during this time period.

James

2078 baby boys born in Kentucky (1935) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1305 baby boys born in Kentucky (1935) 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.
Charles

1161 baby boys born in Kentucky (1935) 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

1089 baby boys born in Kentucky (1935) 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.
John

858 baby boys born in Kentucky (1935) 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.
Donald
785 baby boys born in Kentucky (1935) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Billy
584 baby boys born in Kentucky (1935) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Bobby
539 baby boys born in Kentucky (1935) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Paul
454 baby boys born in Kentucky (1935) 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.
George
431 baby boys born in Kentucky (1935) 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.
Kenneth
408 baby boys born in Kentucky (1935) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Thomas
390 baby boys born in Kentucky (1935) 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.
Harold
354 baby boys born in Kentucky (1935) 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.
Richard
344 baby boys born in Kentucky (1935) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Carl
309 baby boys born in Kentucky (1935) 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.
David
279 baby boys born in Kentucky (1935) named David
The name David is of Hebrew origin and means "beloved" or "friend". It is a popular name in many cultures and religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Bible, David was the second king of Israel and is known for his bravery, leadership, and devotion to God. People with the name David are often described as confident, charismatic, and loyal.
Joe
272 baby boys born in Kentucky (1935) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Joseph
271 baby boys born in Kentucky (1935) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Edward
247 baby boys born in Kentucky (1935) 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".
Raymond
244 baby boys born in Kentucky (1935) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".