Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1951

In the year 1951, Kentucky saw a surge in popularity for certain baby names. For baby girls, Linda emerged as the most popular name, followed closely by Mary and Brenda. These names were not only popular in Kentucky but also across the United States, with Linda remaining the top name for baby girls for several more years.

For baby boys, the top three names in Kentucky in 1951 were James, William, and Michael. These names have remained popular over the years and continue to be popular choices for parents today. Whether it was the influence of popular culture, family traditions, or simply personal preference, these names were the go-to choices for parents in Kentucky in 1951.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1951

According to records from 1951, the most popular baby girl names in Kentucky were Linda, Mary, Brenda, Patricia, and Deborah. Linda was the most popular name with 1743 babies given that name, followed by Mary with 1464 babies. Brenda, Patricia, and Deborah were also popular choices, with 1126, 1116, and 865 babies named after them, respectively. These names reflect the traditional and classic naming trends of the time.

Linda

1743 baby girls born in Kentucky (1951) 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

1464 baby girls born in Kentucky (1951) 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

1126 baby girls born in Kentucky (1951) 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

1116 baby girls born in Kentucky (1951) 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.
Deborah

865 baby girls born in Kentucky (1951) named Deborah
Deborah is a Hebrew name that means "bee". It is derived from the Hebrew word "d'vorah" which also means "word" or "thing". The name Deborah is often associated with strength, wisdom, and leadership, as the biblical Deborah was a judge and prophetess who led the Israelites to victory over their enemies.
Barbara
804 baby girls born in Kentucky (1951) 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.
Donna
677 baby girls born in Kentucky (1951) 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.
Sharon
617 baby girls born in Kentucky (1951) 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
608 baby girls born in Kentucky (1951) named Judy
Carolyn
577 baby girls born in Kentucky (1951) 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
574 baby girls born in Kentucky (1951) 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
493 baby girls born in Kentucky (1951) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Wanda
446 baby girls born in Kentucky (1951) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Nancy
443 baby girls born in Kentucky (1951) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Joyce
435 baby girls born in Kentucky (1951) 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.
Karen
420 baby girls born in Kentucky (1951) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Pamela
404 baby girls born in Kentucky (1951) named Pamela
The name Pamela is of Greek origin and means "all sweetness" or "honeyed". It was first popularized by Sir Philip Sidney in his pastoral romance "Arcadia" (1590) and later by Samuel Richardson in his novel "Pamela" (1740).
Janice
394 baby girls born in Kentucky (1951) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Susan
373 baby girls born in Kentucky (1951) 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.
Shirley
357 baby girls born in Kentucky (1951) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1951

According to the records of baby boy names in Kentucky in 1951, James was the most popular name with 2172 occurrences. William, Michael, David, and Robert were also popular, with 1452, 1351, 1340, and 1302 occurrences, respectively. These names were among the top choices for parents in Kentucky during that year.

James

2172 baby boys born in Kentucky (1951) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1452 baby boys born in Kentucky (1951) 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.
Michael

1351 baby boys born in Kentucky (1951) 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

1340 baby boys born in Kentucky (1951) 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.
Robert

1302 baby boys born in Kentucky (1951) 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
1292 baby boys born in Kentucky (1951) 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
1180 baby boys born in Kentucky (1951) 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.
Charles
1113 baby boys born in Kentucky (1951) 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
932 baby boys born in Kentucky (1951) 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
707 baby boys born in Kentucky (1951) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Jerry
688 baby boys born in Kentucky (1951) 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
686 baby boys born in Kentucky (1951) 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.
Donald
662 baby boys born in Kentucky (1951) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
561 baby boys born in Kentucky (1951) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Kenneth
554 baby boys born in Kentucky (1951) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Roger
516 baby boys born in Kentucky (1951) 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
510 baby boys born in Kentucky (1951) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Paul
467 baby boys born in Kentucky (1951) 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.
Danny
466 baby boys born in Kentucky (1951) 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.
Stephen
458 baby boys born in Kentucky (1951) named Stephen
The name Stephen means "crown" or "garland" in Greek. It is derived from the Greek name Stephanos, which was a common name among early Christians due to its association with Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr.