Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1943

In the year 1943, the state of Kentucky saw a surge in the popularity of timeless classic names for baby boys and girls. Topping the charts for baby girl names were Mary, Betty, and Barbara, while James, William, and Charles were the most popular names for baby boys.

Mary, a name that has been popular for centuries, continues to reign supreme as the most popular name for baby girls in Kentucky. Betty and Barbara, two names that were also popular during the mid-20th century, were close contenders for the top spot. Meanwhile, James, William, and Charles, three classic names that have stood the test of time, were the most popular choices for baby boys in the state. These names reflect the traditional values and timeless appeal of Kentucky's culture and heritage.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1943

According to the records of Kentucky in 1943, Mary was the most popular name given to baby girls with a total of 1679 babies being named Mary. Following Mary, the next popular names were Betty with 967 babies, Barbara with 932 babies, Linda with 887 babies, and Patricia with 703 babies. These names were the top choices for parents in Kentucky during that year.

  1. Mary

    1679 baby girls born in Kentucky (1943) 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.

  2. Betty

    967 baby girls born in Kentucky (1943) named Betty

    The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

  3. Barbara

    932 baby girls born in Kentucky (1943) 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.

  4. Linda

    887 baby girls born in Kentucky (1943) 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."

  5. Patricia

    703 baby girls born in Kentucky (1943) 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.

  6. Carolyn

    591 baby girls born in Kentucky (1943) 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.

  7. Shirley

    590 baby girls born in Kentucky (1943) 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.

  8. Joyce

    570 baby girls born in Kentucky (1943) 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.

  9. Brenda

    530 baby girls born in Kentucky (1943) 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.

  10. Wanda

    457 baby girls born in Kentucky (1943) named Wanda

    The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".

  11. Nancy

    430 baby girls born in Kentucky (1943) named Nancy

    The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".

  12. Judy

    420 baby girls born in Kentucky (1943) named Judy

  13. Phyllis

    403 baby girls born in Kentucky (1943) named Phyllis

    The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.

  14. Carol

    397 baby girls born in Kentucky (1943) 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".

  15. Judith

    390 baby girls born in Kentucky (1943) named Judith

    The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".

  16. Margaret

    372 baby girls born in Kentucky (1943) named Margaret

    The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

  17. Martha

    351 baby girls born in Kentucky (1943) 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.

  18. Janice

    344 baby girls born in Kentucky (1943) named Janice

    The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".

  19. Sandra

    330 baby girls born in Kentucky (1943) 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.

  20. Donna

    321 baby girls born in Kentucky (1943) named Donna

    The name Donna is of Italian origin and means "lady" or "woman". It was initially used as a title of respect for women of high social status in Italy, but later became a popular given name in English-speaking countries.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1943

In Kentucky in 1943, the most popular baby boy names were James, William, Charles, Robert, and John. James was the most popular name with 2428 babies given that name, followed by William with 1473, Charles with 1183, Robert with 1160, and John with 1015. These classic names have remained popular choices for parents throughout the years.

  1. James

    2428 baby boys born in Kentucky (1943) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  2. William

    1473 baby boys born in Kentucky (1943) 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.

  3. Charles

    1183 baby boys born in Kentucky (1943) 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.

  4. Robert

    1160 baby boys born in Kentucky (1943) 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.

  5. John

    1015 baby boys born in Kentucky (1943) 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.

  6. David

    701 baby boys born in Kentucky (1943) 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.

  7. Donald

    643 baby boys born in Kentucky (1943) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  8. Jerry

    601 baby boys born in Kentucky (1943) 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.

  9. Larry

    571 baby boys born in Kentucky (1943) 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.

  10. Thomas

    521 baby boys born in Kentucky (1943) 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.

  11. George

    487 baby boys born in Kentucky (1943) 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.

  12. Ronald

    485 baby boys born in Kentucky (1943) named Ronald

    The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.

  13. Paul

    450 baby boys born in Kentucky (1943) 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.

  14. Kenneth

    449 baby boys born in Kentucky (1943) named Kenneth

    The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".

  15. Richard

    443 baby boys born in Kentucky (1943) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  16. Billy

    437 baby boys born in Kentucky (1943) named Billy

    The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".

  17. Bobby

    411 baby boys born in Kentucky (1943) named Bobby

    The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".

  18. Joseph

    338 baby boys born in Kentucky (1943) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  19. Harold

    324 baby boys born in Kentucky (1943) 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.

  20. Michael

    300 baby boys born in Kentucky (1943) named Michael

    The name Michael means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that is often associated with the archangel Michael, who is considered to be a protector and warrior in many religious traditions. The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.