Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1949

In the year 1949, Kentucky saw a rise in popularity of some classic names for baby boys and girls. Topping the list of most popular baby girl names were Linda, Mary, and Brenda. Linda, meaning "pretty" or "soft" in Spanish, held the top spot for the third year in a row. Mary, a timeless name with biblical roots, came in at a close second. Brenda, a name of Scottish origin meaning "blade of a sword," also made the top three.

For baby boys, James, William, and Larry were the most popular names in Kentucky in 1949. James, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter," has remained a popular choice for parents for generations. William, a name of Germanic origin meaning "resolute protector," was also a popular choice for baby boys in Kentucky. Larry, a name of English origin meaning "laurel-crowned," rounded out the top three. These classic names continue to stand the test of time and remain popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1949

Based on the data from Kentucky in 1949, the most popular baby girl names were Linda with 2101 occurrences, followed by Mary with 1593 occurrences, Brenda with 1186 occurrences, Patricia with 984 occurrences, and Barbara with 807 occurrences. These names were the top picks for parents in Kentucky during that year.

Linda

2101 baby girls born in Kentucky (1949) 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

1593 baby girls born in Kentucky (1949) 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

1186 baby girls born in Kentucky (1949) 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

984 baby girls born in Kentucky (1949) 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

807 baby girls born in Kentucky (1949) 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.
Sharon
651 baby girls born in Kentucky (1949) 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.
Judy
646 baby girls born in Kentucky (1949) named Judy
Carolyn
644 baby girls born in Kentucky (1949) 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.
Donna
641 baby girls born in Kentucky (1949) 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.
Sandra
634 baby girls born in Kentucky (1949) 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.
Betty
587 baby girls born in Kentucky (1949) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Shirley
524 baby girls born in Kentucky (1949) 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
462 baby girls born in Kentucky (1949) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Nancy
457 baby girls born in Kentucky (1949) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Joyce
433 baby girls born in Kentucky (1949) 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.
Carol
384 baby girls born in Kentucky (1949) 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
376 baby girls born in Kentucky (1949) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Janice
375 baby girls born in Kentucky (1949) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Martha
365 baby girls born in Kentucky (1949) 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.
Susan
355 baby girls born in Kentucky (1949) named Susan
The name Susan means "lily" or "graceful lily" in Hebrew. It was a popular name in the 1940s and 1950s, but has since declined in popularity.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1949

According to records from 1949, the most popular baby boy names in Kentucky were James, William, Larry, Robert, and John. James was the most popular name with 2297 babies given the name, followed by William with 1534 babies. Larry, Robert, and John followed closely behind with 1354, 1297, and 1273 babies given those names respectively.

James

2297 baby boys born in Kentucky (1949) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1534 baby boys born in Kentucky (1949) 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.
Larry

1354 baby boys born in Kentucky (1949) 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

1297 baby boys born in Kentucky (1949) 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

1273 baby boys born in Kentucky (1949) 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.
Michael
1135 baby boys born in Kentucky (1949) 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.
David
1126 baby boys born in Kentucky (1949) 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.
Charles
1103 baby boys born in Kentucky (1949) 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.
Gary
808 baby boys born in Kentucky (1949) 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.
Thomas
744 baby boys born in Kentucky (1949) 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.
Jerry
743 baby boys born in Kentucky (1949) 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
686 baby boys born in Kentucky (1949) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
651 baby boys born in Kentucky (1949) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Richard
571 baby boys born in Kentucky (1949) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Kenneth
529 baby boys born in Kentucky (1949) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Roger
506 baby boys born in Kentucky (1949) 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".
Joseph
504 baby boys born in Kentucky (1949) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Danny
487 baby boys born in Kentucky (1949) 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.
George
473 baby boys born in Kentucky (1949) 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.
Paul
462 baby boys born in Kentucky (1949) 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.