Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1942

In the year 1942, the state of Kentucky saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary emerged as the most favored name for baby girls, followed by Barbara and Betty. These classic names have been popular for generations and continue to be a popular choice for parents today.

On the other hand, for baby boys, James took the top spot, followed by William and Charles. These names have a timeless appeal and have been popular across the United States for decades. The state of Kentucky has a rich history, and these traditional names reflect the strong values and traditions that are held dear by the people of this region.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1942

In Kentucky in 1942, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with a total of 1747 babies given that name. Following Mary were Barbara with 965 babies, Betty with 950 babies, Patricia with 734 babies, and Linda with 709 babies. These were the top 5 baby girl names in Kentucky during that year.

Mary

1747 baby girls born in Kentucky (1942) 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.
Barbara

965 baby girls born in Kentucky (1942) 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.
Betty

950 baby girls born in Kentucky (1942) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Patricia

734 baby girls born in Kentucky (1942) 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

709 baby girls born in Kentucky (1942) 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
622 baby girls born in Kentucky (1942) 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
581 baby girls born in Kentucky (1942) 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.
Carolyn
560 baby girls born in Kentucky (1942) 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.
Nancy
511 baby girls born in Kentucky (1942) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Wanda
468 baby girls born in Kentucky (1942) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Brenda
432 baby girls born in Kentucky (1942) 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.
Phyllis
418 baby girls born in Kentucky (1942) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Carol
386 baby girls born in Kentucky (1942) 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".
Judy
386 baby girls born in Kentucky (1942) named Judy
Margaret
379 baby girls born in Kentucky (1942) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Judith
370 baby girls born in Kentucky (1942) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Anna
361 baby girls born in Kentucky (1942) 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
351 baby girls born in Kentucky (1942) 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.
Janice
335 baby girls born in Kentucky (1942) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Sandra
330 baby girls born in Kentucky (1942) named Sandra
The name Sandra is a variant of the name Alexandra, which is of Greek origin. The name Alexandra means "defender of mankind" or "protector of humanity". Therefore, it can be inferred that the name Sandra has a similar meaning.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1942

According to the data from Kentucky in 1942, the most popular baby boy names were James, William, Charles, Robert, and John. James was the most popular name with 2391 babies given that name, followed by William with 1470 babies, Charles with 1210 babies, Robert with 1151 babies, and John with 1027 babies. These names were the top choices for parents in Kentucky during that year.

James

2391 baby boys born in Kentucky (1942) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1470 baby boys born in Kentucky (1942) 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

1210 baby boys born in Kentucky (1942) 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

1151 baby boys born in Kentucky (1942) 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

1027 baby boys born in Kentucky (1942) 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
737 baby boys born in Kentucky (1942) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
David
577 baby boys born in Kentucky (1942) 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.
Jerry
570 baby boys born in Kentucky (1942) 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.
Larry
550 baby boys born in Kentucky (1942) 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.
Ronald
535 baby boys born in Kentucky (1942) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Thomas
530 baby boys born in Kentucky (1942) 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.
Billy
499 baby boys born in Kentucky (1942) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Bobby
444 baby boys born in Kentucky (1942) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Paul
442 baby boys born in Kentucky (1942) 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 (1942) 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
431 baby boys born in Kentucky (1942) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Richard
408 baby boys born in Kentucky (1942) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Joseph
403 baby boys born in Kentucky (1942) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Douglas
376 baby boys born in Kentucky (1942) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Harold
326 baby boys born in Kentucky (1942) 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.