Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1941

In the year 1941, Kentucky welcomed a new generation of babies with some of the most popular names of the time. For baby girls, Mary remained at the top of the list as it had for many years, followed closely by Betty and Barbara. These classic names were popular choices for parents who wanted to give their daughters timeless and traditional names that would stand the test of time.

For baby boys, James was the most popular name in Kentucky in 1941, followed by William and Charles. These strong and sturdy names were favored by parents who wanted to give their sons names that conveyed a sense of strength and reliability. Whether you were a Mary or a James, a Betty or a William, these names were sure to serve you well throughout your life in Kentucky and beyond.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1941

In Kentucky, 1941, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with a total of 1699 babies being named Mary. The second most popular name was Betty with 977 babies being named Betty. Barbara came in third place with 923 babies being named Barbara. Patricia was the fourth most popular name with 735 babies being named Patricia, and Linda rounded out the top five with 658 babies being named Linda.

Mary

1699 baby girls born in Kentucky (1941) 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

977 baby girls born in Kentucky (1941) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

923 baby girls born in Kentucky (1941) 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

735 baby girls born in Kentucky (1941) 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.
Linda

658 baby girls born in Kentucky (1941) 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."
Shirley
657 baby girls born in Kentucky (1941) 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
531 baby girls born in Kentucky (1941) 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
518 baby girls born in Kentucky (1941) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Carolyn
477 baby girls born in Kentucky (1941) 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.
Martha
423 baby girls born in Kentucky (1941) 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
414 baby girls born in Kentucky (1941) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Phyllis
387 baby girls born in Kentucky (1941) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Anna
379 baby girls born in Kentucky (1941) 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.
Janice
376 baby girls born in Kentucky (1941) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Brenda
374 baby girls born in Kentucky (1941) named Brenda
The name Brenda is of Old Norse origin and means "sword" or "torch". It was popularized in the 20th century as a given name, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom.
Judith
363 baby girls born in Kentucky (1941) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Margaret
357 baby girls born in Kentucky (1941) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Dorothy
332 baby girls born in Kentucky (1941) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Carol
316 baby girls born in Kentucky (1941) named Carol
The name Carol is derived from the Old Germanic word "karl", which means "man" or "free man". It is often associated with the Christmas season due to the popular Christmas carol "Carol of the Bells".
Helen
303 baby girls born in Kentucky (1941) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1941

Based on data from Kentucky in 1941, the most popular baby boy names were James with 2166 occurrences, followed by William with 1425 occurrences, Charles with 1164 occurrences, Robert with 1136 occurrences, and John with 1022 occurrences. These names were the top choices for parents in Kentucky during this time period.

James

2166 baby boys born in Kentucky (1941) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1425 baby boys born in Kentucky (1941) 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 (1941) 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

1136 baby boys born in Kentucky (1941) 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

1022 baby boys born in Kentucky (1941) 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
738 baby boys born in Kentucky (1941) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
David
576 baby boys born in Kentucky (1941) 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.
Bobby
517 baby boys born in Kentucky (1941) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Billy
512 baby boys born in Kentucky (1941) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Ronald
503 baby boys born in Kentucky (1941) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Larry
486 baby boys born in Kentucky (1941) 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.
Jerry
475 baby boys born in Kentucky (1941) 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.
Paul
463 baby boys born in Kentucky (1941) 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
449 baby boys born in Kentucky (1941) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Thomas
446 baby boys born in Kentucky (1941) 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.
George
437 baby boys born in Kentucky (1941) 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.
Richard
362 baby boys born in Kentucky (1941) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Joseph
342 baby boys born in Kentucky (1941) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Harold
329 baby boys born in Kentucky (1941) 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.
Roy
271 baby boys born in Kentucky (1941) named Roy
The name Roy is of Scottish origin and means "red-haired" or "ruddy complexion".