Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1939

In the year 1939, the state of Kentucky saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Betty, and Barbara were the top baby girl names, while James, William, and Charles dominated the top baby boy names list. These names were a reflection of the cultural and societal norms of the time, with many parents choosing traditional and classic names for their newborns.

Mary, a name with biblical roots, has been a popular name for centuries and was a top choice for baby girls in Kentucky in 1939. Betty, a diminutive of Elizabeth, and Barbara, meaning "stranger" or "foreigner," were also popular choices for baby girls. Meanwhile, James, William, and Charles were classic and timeless names that were favored by parents for their baby boys. These names continue to be popular choices for parents today, showcasing their enduring appeal and timeless charm.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1939

According to records from 1939, the most popular baby girl names in Kentucky were Mary, Betty, Barbara, Shirley, and Joyce. Mary was the most popular name with 1732 babies given that name, followed by Betty with 1367, Barbara with 907, Shirley with 753, and Joyce with 524. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

Mary

1732 baby girls born in Kentucky (1939) 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

1367 baby girls born in Kentucky (1939) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

907 baby girls born in Kentucky (1939) 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

753 baby girls born in Kentucky (1939) 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

524 baby girls born in Kentucky (1939) 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
490 baby girls born in Kentucky (1939) 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
474 baby girls born in Kentucky (1939) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Wanda
470 baby girls born in Kentucky (1939) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Anna
449 baby girls born in Kentucky (1939) 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
395 baby girls born in Kentucky (1939) 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.
Phyllis
395 baby girls born in Kentucky (1939) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Margaret
372 baby girls born in Kentucky (1939) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Dorothy
359 baby girls born in Kentucky (1939) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Carolyn
327 baby girls born in Kentucky (1939) 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.
Helen
314 baby girls born in Kentucky (1939) 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.
Doris
311 baby girls born in Kentucky (1939) 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.
Janice
307 baby girls born in Kentucky (1939) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Linda
296 baby girls born in Kentucky (1939) named Linda
The name Linda means "beautiful" or "pretty" in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and other Romance languages. It is also derived from the Germanic word "lind," which means "gentle" or "soft."
Peggy
294 baby girls born in Kentucky (1939) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Norma
291 baby girls born in Kentucky (1939) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1939

In Kentucky, 1939, the most popular baby boy name was James with 2109 babies given this name. The second most popular name was William with 1275 babies, followed by Charles with 1164 babies. Robert and John were the fourth and fifth most popular names with 1144 and 969 babies respectively.

James

2109 baby boys born in Kentucky (1939) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1275 baby boys born in Kentucky (1939) 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 (1939) 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

1144 baby boys born in Kentucky (1939) 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

969 baby boys born in Kentucky (1939) 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
818 baby boys born in Kentucky (1939) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Bobby
568 baby boys born in Kentucky (1939) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
David
545 baby boys born in Kentucky (1939) 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.
Billy
498 baby boys born in Kentucky (1939) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
George
442 baby boys born in Kentucky (1939) 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
440 baby boys born in Kentucky (1939) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
437 baby boys born in Kentucky (1939) 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
427 baby boys born in Kentucky (1939) 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
404 baby boys born in Kentucky (1939) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Jerry
377 baby boys born in Kentucky (1939) 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.
Harold
366 baby boys born in Kentucky (1939) 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
341 baby boys born in Kentucky (1939) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Richard
339 baby boys born in Kentucky (1939) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Larry
299 baby boys born in Kentucky (1939) 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.
Carl
277 baby boys born in Kentucky (1939) 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.