Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1938

In the year 1938, the state of Kentucky witnessed a surge in popular baby names for both boys and girls. Mary, Betty, and Barbara were the top three names that parents favored for their little girls. Mary, a classic name with biblical origins, held the top spot for the fourth consecutive year. Betty, a diminutive of Elizabeth, was a popular choice for parents who wanted a name that was both traditional and modern. Barbara, a name that means "stranger" or "foreigner," was also a favorite among parents in Kentucky.

For baby boys, James, William, and Charles were the most popular names in Kentucky in 1938. James, a name that means "supplanter," held the top spot for the second consecutive year. William, a name that means "resolute protector," was a classic choice for parents who wanted a strong and timeless name for their son. Charles, a name that means "free man," was also a popular choice among parents in Kentucky. These names continue to be popular choices for parents in Kentucky and across the United States.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1938

In Kentucky, 1938, Mary was the most popular baby girl name with 1783 babies being named Mary. Betty came in second with 1370 babies named Betty, followed by Barbara with 940 babies. Shirley and Joyce were also popular names with 930 and 498 babies being named Shirley and Joyce, respectively.

Mary

1783 baby girls born in Kentucky (1938) 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

1370 baby girls born in Kentucky (1938) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

940 baby girls born in Kentucky (1938) 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.
Shirley

930 baby girls born in Kentucky (1938) 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.
Joyce

498 baby girls born in Kentucky (1938) 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.
Patricia
496 baby girls born in Kentucky (1938) 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.
Nancy
453 baby girls born in Kentucky (1938) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Wanda
440 baby girls born in Kentucky (1938) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Dorothy
409 baby girls born in Kentucky (1938) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Anna
407 baby girls born in Kentucky (1938) 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.
Martha
404 baby girls born in Kentucky (1938) 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.
Doris
354 baby girls born in Kentucky (1938) 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.
Helen
353 baby girls born in Kentucky (1938) 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.
Margaret
338 baby girls born in Kentucky (1938) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Norma
331 baby girls born in Kentucky (1938) 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
327 baby girls born in Kentucky (1938) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Elizabeth
301 baby girls born in Kentucky (1938) 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.
Carolyn
288 baby girls born in Kentucky (1938) named Carolyn
The name Carolyn is a feminine given name of English origin. It is a variant of Caroline, which is derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or "strong". The name Carolyn has been in use since the 19th century and has been a popular name for girls in the United States.
Ruth
288 baby girls born in Kentucky (1938) 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.
Virginia
284 baby girls born in Kentucky (1938) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1938

According to records from 1938, the most popular baby boy names in Kentucky were James, William, Charles, Robert, and John. James was the most popular name with 2171 boys given that name, followed by William with 1421, Charles with 1206, Robert with 1186, and John with 978. These classic and traditional names were widely used and continue to remain popular choices for parents today.

James

2171 baby boys born in Kentucky (1938) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1421 baby boys born in Kentucky (1938) 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

1206 baby boys born in Kentucky (1938) 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

1186 baby boys born in Kentucky (1938) 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

978 baby boys born in Kentucky (1938) 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
877 baby boys born in Kentucky (1938) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Bobby
573 baby boys born in Kentucky (1938) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Billy
573 baby boys born in Kentucky (1938) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Kenneth
485 baby boys born in Kentucky (1938) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
David
443 baby boys born in Kentucky (1938) 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.
Paul
441 baby boys born in Kentucky (1938) 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
434 baby boys born in Kentucky (1938) 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
400 baby boys born in Kentucky (1938) 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.
Ronald
382 baby boys born in Kentucky (1938) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Harold
360 baby boys born in Kentucky (1938) 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.
Joseph
359 baby boys born in Kentucky (1938) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Jerry
337 baby boys born in Kentucky (1938) 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.
Richard
309 baby boys born in Kentucky (1938) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Edward
283 baby boys born in Kentucky (1938) 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".
Larry
261 baby boys born in Kentucky (1938) named Larry
The name Larry is a shortened form of the name Lawrence, which comes from the Latin name Laurentius meaning "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel". The name was popularized in the Middle Ages due to the fame of St. Lawrence, a Christian martyr who was roasted alive on a gridiron. The name Larry has been used as a given name since the 19th century and has been a popular name in the United States.