Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1948

In the year 1948, Kentucky saw a surge in baby names that were popular across the state. The most popular baby girl names were Linda, Mary, and Brenda, while the top baby boy names were James, William, and John. These names have been a favorite among parents for decades and continue to be popular even today.

Linda, which means "pretty" in Spanish, was the most popular name for baby girls in Kentucky in 1948. Mary, a classic name that means "beloved," was a close second. Brenda, a name that has Celtic roots and means "little raven," rounded out the top three. For baby boys, James, William, and John were the most popular names. James, which means "supplanter," has been a favorite name for boys for centuries, while William, which means "resolute protector," is a name that exudes strength and power. John, a name that means "God is gracious," has also been a popular choice for parents for many years.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1948

According to the records of baby girl names in Kentucky for the year 1948, Linda was the most popular name with 2271 babies being named Linda. The second most popular name was Mary with 1673 babies being named Mary. The third most popular name was Brenda with 1250 babies being named Brenda. The fourth and fifth most popular names were Patricia and Barbara with 978 and 948 babies being named respectively.

Linda

2271 baby girls born in Kentucky (1948) 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."
Mary

1673 baby girls born in Kentucky (1948) 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.
Brenda

1250 baby girls born in Kentucky (1948) 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.
Patricia

978 baby girls born in Kentucky (1948) 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.
Barbara

948 baby girls born in Kentucky (1948) 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.
Carolyn
727 baby girls born in Kentucky (1948) 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.
Judy
705 baby girls born in Kentucky (1948) named Judy
Betty
685 baby girls born in Kentucky (1948) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Sandra
653 baby girls born in Kentucky (1948) 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.
Sharon
620 baby girls born in Kentucky (1948) 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
592 baby girls born in Kentucky (1948) 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.
Shirley
514 baby girls born in Kentucky (1948) 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.
Wanda
500 baby girls born in Kentucky (1948) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Nancy
490 baby girls born in Kentucky (1948) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Joyce
484 baby girls born in Kentucky (1948) 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.
Janice
421 baby girls born in Kentucky (1948) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Carol
415 baby girls born in Kentucky (1948) 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".
Phyllis
410 baby girls born in Kentucky (1948) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Margaret
370 baby girls born in Kentucky (1948) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Bonnie
359 baby girls born in Kentucky (1948) named Bonnie
The name Bonnie means "pretty" or "good" and is of Scottish origin. It is often used as a nickname for someone who is attractive or pleasant.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1948

In Kentucky, 1948, the most popular baby boy names were James, William, John, Larry, and Robert. James was the most popular name with 2383 babies given that name, followed by William with 1630 babies, John with 1371 babies, Larry with 1321 babies, and Robert with 1315 babies. These names were common and traditional choices for parents in Kentucky during that time.

James

2383 baby boys born in Kentucky (1948) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1630 baby boys born in Kentucky (1948) 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.
John

1371 baby boys born in Kentucky (1948) 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.
Larry

1321 baby boys born in Kentucky (1948) 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.
Robert

1315 baby boys born in Kentucky (1948) 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
1262 baby boys born in Kentucky (1948) 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.
David
1136 baby boys born in Kentucky (1948) 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.
Michael
934 baby boys born in Kentucky (1948) 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
789 baby boys born in Kentucky (1948) 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.
Ronald
718 baby boys born in Kentucky (1948) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
698 baby boys born in Kentucky (1948) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Jerry
672 baby boys born in Kentucky (1948) 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
655 baby boys born in Kentucky (1948) 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.
Richard
561 baby boys born in Kentucky (1948) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Kenneth
539 baby boys born in Kentucky (1948) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Roger
510 baby boys born in Kentucky (1948) named Roger
The name Roger means "famous spearman" or "renowned warrior". It is of Old German origin, derived from the words "hrod" meaning "fame" and "ger" meaning "spear".
Danny
489 baby boys born in Kentucky (1948) 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.
Paul
462 baby boys born in Kentucky (1948) 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
450 baby boys born in Kentucky (1948) 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.
Joseph
443 baby boys born in Kentucky (1948) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".