Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1946

In the year 1946, the state of Kentucky saw an influx of newborns with some of the most popular names of the time. For baby girls, Mary was the top pick, followed closely by Linda and Barbara. These classic names exude a sense of elegance and grace, and have been popular for generations.

On the other hand, for baby boys, James took the top spot, followed by William and Robert. These names are strong and timeless, and have been popular choices for parents for decades. It is no surprise that these names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular even today.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1946

In Kentucky in 1946, the most popular baby girl name was Mary with 1735 babies being given that name. Linda was the second most popular name with 1354 babies, followed by Barbara with 931 babies. Patricia and Betty were also popular names with 927 and 903 babies being given those names, respectively.

Mary

1735 baby girls born in Kentucky (1946) 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.
Linda

1354 baby girls born in Kentucky (1946) 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."
Barbara

931 baby girls born in Kentucky (1946) 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

927 baby girls born in Kentucky (1946) 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.
Betty

903 baby girls born in Kentucky (1946) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Brenda
897 baby girls born in Kentucky (1946) 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.
Carolyn
708 baby girls born in Kentucky (1946) 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.
Sandra
659 baby girls born in Kentucky (1946) 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.
Judy
648 baby girls born in Kentucky (1946) named Judy
Shirley
618 baby girls born in Kentucky (1946) 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.
Sharon
579 baby girls born in Kentucky (1946) named Sharon
The name Sharon means "a plain or flat area" in Hebrew. It is also a biblical name, referring to a fertile plain near the coast of Israel.
Donna
524 baby girls born in Kentucky (1946) 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.
Joyce
514 baby girls born in Kentucky (1946) 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.
Nancy
491 baby girls born in Kentucky (1946) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Carol
470 baby girls born in Kentucky (1946) 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".
Wanda
457 baby girls born in Kentucky (1946) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Phyllis
443 baby girls born in Kentucky (1946) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Judith
404 baby girls born in Kentucky (1946) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Janice
380 baby girls born in Kentucky (1946) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Margaret
371 baby girls born in Kentucky (1946) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1946

In Kentucky, 1946, the most popular baby boy names were James, William, Robert, John, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 2457 babies given that name, followed by William with 1516, Robert with 1253, John with 1189, and Charles with 1147.

James

2457 baby boys born in Kentucky (1946) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1516 baby boys born in Kentucky (1946) 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

1253 baby boys born in Kentucky (1946) 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

1189 baby boys born in Kentucky (1946) 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.
Charles

1147 baby boys born in Kentucky (1946) 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.
Larry
1078 baby boys born in Kentucky (1946) 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.
David
938 baby boys born in Kentucky (1946) 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
695 baby boys born in Kentucky (1946) 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.
Donald
673 baby boys born in Kentucky (1946) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
651 baby boys born in Kentucky (1946) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Michael
628 baby boys born in Kentucky (1946) 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.
Gary
620 baby boys born in Kentucky (1946) named Gary
The name Gary is of English origin and means "spear rule" or "spear carrier". It was originally a surname but became popular as a given name in the 20th century. People with this name are believed to be independent, practical, and analytical.
Richard
554 baby boys born in Kentucky (1946) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
549 baby boys born in Kentucky (1946) 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
503 baby boys born in Kentucky (1946) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
George
467 baby boys born in Kentucky (1946) 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.
Billy
462 baby boys born in Kentucky (1946) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Paul
462 baby boys born in Kentucky (1946) 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.
Joseph
428 baby boys born in Kentucky (1946) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Danny
427 baby boys born in Kentucky (1946) named Danny
The name Danny is a diminutive form of the name Daniel, which means "God is my judge" in Hebrew. It is often used as a standalone name and has been a popular name for boys in the United States since the mid-20th century.