Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1936

In the year 1936, the state of Kentucky saw a surge in popularity for classic and timeless baby names. Mary, Betty, and Shirley emerged as the top baby girl names, reflecting the influence of Hollywood and the popularity of actresses such as Shirley Temple. These names also reflected the enduring appeal of traditional and biblical names, with Mary being a perennial favorite.

On the boys' side, James, William, and Charles were the most popular names, echoing the prominence of English and Scottish names in Kentucky's history. These names also reflected the popularity of strong and classic names that have stood the test of time. Overall, the baby names of 1936 in Kentucky were a testament to the enduring appeal of classic and timeless names that have been passed down through generations.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1936

In Kentucky, 1936, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with a total of 1692 babies being named Mary. Betty came in second place with 1212 babies being named Betty. Shirley was the third most popular name with 1064 babies being named Shirley. Barbara was the fourth most popular name with 701 babies being named Barbara, and Anna rounded out the top five with 453 babies being named Anna.

Mary

1692 baby girls born in Kentucky (1936) 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

1212 baby girls born in Kentucky (1936) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Shirley

1064 baby girls born in Kentucky (1936) 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

701 baby girls born in Kentucky (1936) 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

453 baby girls born in Kentucky (1936) 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
409 baby girls born in Kentucky (1936) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Joyce
398 baby girls born in Kentucky (1936) 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.
Wanda
354 baby girls born in Kentucky (1936) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Martha
345 baby girls born in Kentucky (1936) 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.
Helen
343 baby girls born in Kentucky (1936) 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.
Patricia
341 baby girls born in Kentucky (1936) 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.
Doris
338 baby girls born in Kentucky (1936) 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.
Nancy
315 baby girls born in Kentucky (1936) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Margaret
314 baby girls born in Kentucky (1936) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Norma
299 baby girls born in Kentucky (1936) 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.
Virginia
299 baby girls born in Kentucky (1936) 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.
Phyllis
277 baby girls born in Kentucky (1936) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Wilma
260 baby girls born in Kentucky (1936) named Wilma
Ruth
258 baby girls born in Kentucky (1936) 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
253 baby girls born in Kentucky (1936) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1936

Based on data from 1936, the most popular baby boy names in Kentucky were James, William, Charles, Robert, and John. James was the most popular name with 1945 occurrences, followed by William with 1242 occurrences, Charles with 1164 occurrences, Robert with 1088 occurrences, and John with 856 occurrences.

James

1945 baby boys born in Kentucky (1936) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1242 baby boys born in Kentucky (1936) 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

1164 baby boys born in Kentucky (1936) 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

1088 baby boys born in Kentucky (1936) 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

856 baby boys born in Kentucky (1936) 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
765 baby boys born in Kentucky (1936) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Billy
593 baby boys born in Kentucky (1936) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Bobby
501 baby boys born in Kentucky (1936) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Paul
418 baby boys born in Kentucky (1936) 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
410 baby boys born in Kentucky (1936) 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
407 baby boys born in Kentucky (1936) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Thomas
379 baby boys born in Kentucky (1936) 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
355 baby boys born in Kentucky (1936) 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.
David
321 baby boys born in Kentucky (1936) 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.
Joseph
318 baby boys born in Kentucky (1936) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Richard
305 baby boys born in Kentucky (1936) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Edward
276 baby boys born in Kentucky (1936) 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".
Joe
274 baby boys born in Kentucky (1936) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Ronald
257 baby boys born in Kentucky (1936) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Carl
255 baby boys born in Kentucky (1936) 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.