Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1937

In the state of Kentucky, the year 1937 saw a surge in popularity of traditional baby names. Mary, Betty, and Shirley emerged as the top choices for baby girls, while James, William, and Charles remained the most popular names for baby boys.

The name Mary, which has been a favorite for centuries, held the top spot for baby girls for the fifth consecutive year. Betty, a diminutive of Elizabeth, and Shirley, a name that gained popularity in the 1930s due to the famous child actress Shirley Temple, followed closely behind. For baby boys, James continued to reign supreme, with William and Charles not far behind. These classic names reflect a time when parents valued tradition and timeless elegance in their naming choices.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1937

In Kentucky in 1937, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with 1725 babies given this name. The second most popular name was Betty with 1304 babies named that. Shirley was the third most popular name with 908 babies named that, followed by Barbara with 747 babies and Patricia with 475 babies.

Mary

1725 baby girls born in Kentucky (1937) 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

1304 baby girls born in Kentucky (1937) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Shirley

908 baby girls born in Kentucky (1937) 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

747 baby girls born in Kentucky (1937) 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.
Patricia

475 baby girls born in Kentucky (1937) 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.
Joyce
434 baby girls born in Kentucky (1937) 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
403 baby girls born in Kentucky (1937) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Anna
400 baby girls born in Kentucky (1937) 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
397 baby girls born in Kentucky (1937) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Margaret
380 baby girls born in Kentucky (1937) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Martha
349 baby girls born in Kentucky (1937) 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
345 baby girls born in Kentucky (1937) 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.
Nancy
337 baby girls born in Kentucky (1937) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Doris
335 baby girls born in Kentucky (1937) 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.
Norma
290 baby girls born in Kentucky (1937) 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.
Phyllis
287 baby girls born in Kentucky (1937) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Virginia
273 baby girls born in Kentucky (1937) 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
265 baby girls born in Kentucky (1937) 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.
Peggy
259 baby girls born in Kentucky (1937) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Wilma
256 baby girls born in Kentucky (1937) named Wilma

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1937

In Kentucky in 1937, the most popular baby boy names were James, William, Charles, Robert, and John. James was the most popular name with 2050 babies given that name, followed by William with 1245 babies, Charles with 1111 babies, Robert with 1084 babies, and John with 938 babies. These names were likely influenced by traditional and biblical names that were popular during that time period.

James

2050 baby boys born in Kentucky (1937) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1245 baby boys born in Kentucky (1937) 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

1111 baby boys born in Kentucky (1937) 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

1084 baby boys born in Kentucky (1937) 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

938 baby boys born in Kentucky (1937) 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
827 baby boys born in Kentucky (1937) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Bobby
581 baby boys born in Kentucky (1937) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Billy
567 baby boys born in Kentucky (1937) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
George
427 baby boys born in Kentucky (1937) 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.
Thomas
406 baby boys born in Kentucky (1937) 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
403 baby boys born in Kentucky (1937) 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.
Kenneth
399 baby boys born in Kentucky (1937) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
David
360 baby boys born in Kentucky (1937) 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.
Harold
302 baby boys born in Kentucky (1937) 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
297 baby boys born in Kentucky (1937) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Ronald
297 baby boys born in Kentucky (1937) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Carl
272 baby boys born in Kentucky (1937) 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.
Edward
269 baby boys born in Kentucky (1937) 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".
Joseph
263 baby boys born in Kentucky (1937) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Jerry
243 baby boys born in Kentucky (1937) named Jerry
The name Jerry is a diminutive form of the name Gerald or Gerard, which means "ruler with a spear" or "brave with a spear" respectively. It is of Old German origin.