Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of Kentucky saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborns. Topping the charts for baby girls were the classic names Mary, Betty, and Barbara, while for baby boys, James, William, and Robert were the most favored names.

Mary, a name with biblical roots, held the top spot for baby girls in Kentucky in 1940. Betty, a diminutive of Elizabeth, and Barbara, meaning "stranger" or "foreigner," followed closely behind. For baby boys, the timeless names James, William, and Robert, all with strong historical significance, were the most popular choices among parents. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be beloved choices for newborns in Kentucky and beyond.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1940

In Kentucky in 1940, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with a total of 1788 newborns given this name. Betty came in second with 1137 babies named Betty, followed by Barbara with 957, Shirley with 682, and Patricia with 615. These were the top 5 baby girl names in Kentucky in 1940.

Mary

1788 baby girls born in Kentucky (1940) 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

1137 baby girls born in Kentucky (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

957 baby girls born in Kentucky (1940) 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

682 baby girls born in Kentucky (1940) 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.
Patricia

615 baby girls born in Kentucky (1940) 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
590 baby girls born in Kentucky (1940) 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.
Linda
521 baby girls born in Kentucky (1940) 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."
Wanda
517 baby girls born in Kentucky (1940) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Anna
435 baby girls born in Kentucky (1940) 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
425 baby girls born in Kentucky (1940) 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
419 baby girls born in Kentucky (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Phyllis
378 baby girls born in Kentucky (1940) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Margaret
356 baby girls born in Kentucky (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Janice
343 baby girls born in Kentucky (1940) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Dorothy
341 baby girls born in Kentucky (1940) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Helen
337 baby girls born in Kentucky (1940) 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.
Ruth
320 baby girls born in Kentucky (1940) 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.
Carolyn
318 baby girls born in Kentucky (1940) 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.
Doris
294 baby girls born in Kentucky (1940) 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.
Judith
290 baby girls born in Kentucky (1940) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1940

In Kentucky in the year 1940, the most popular baby boy names were James, William, Robert, Charles, and John. James was the most popular name, given to 2237 baby boys, followed by William with 1358, Robert with 1162, Charles with 1128, and John with 954. These classic and traditional names have remained popular over the years and continue to be common choices for baby boys.

James

2237 baby boys born in Kentucky (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1358 baby boys born in Kentucky (1940) 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.
Robert

1162 baby boys born in Kentucky (1940) 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.
Charles

1128 baby boys born in Kentucky (1940) 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.
John

954 baby boys born in Kentucky (1940) 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
775 baby boys born in Kentucky (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
David
542 baby boys born in Kentucky (1940) 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
531 baby boys born in Kentucky (1940) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Bobby
500 baby boys born in Kentucky (1940) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Jerry
478 baby boys born in Kentucky (1940) 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.
Thomas
461 baby boys born in Kentucky (1940) 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.
Kenneth
446 baby boys born in Kentucky (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
445 baby boys born in Kentucky (1940) 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.
Ronald
436 baby boys born in Kentucky (1940) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
George
421 baby boys born in Kentucky (1940) 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.
Larry
417 baby boys born in Kentucky (1940) 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.
Richard
404 baby boys born in Kentucky (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Harold
352 baby boys born in Kentucky (1940) 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
338 baby boys born in Kentucky (1940) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Joe
277 baby boys born in Kentucky (1940) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".