Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1955

In the year 1955, the state of Kentucky witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. The top baby girl names of the year were Mary, Deborah, and Linda. Mary, a timeless classic, held onto its position as the most popular name for baby girls. Deborah, a name with Hebrew origins meaning "bee," saw a rise in popularity in the mid-1950s. Linda, a name with Spanish roots meaning "pretty," also gained popularity during this time.

For baby boys, James held onto its position as the most popular name in Kentucky. David, a name with Hebrew origins meaning "beloved," and Michael, a name with Hebrew roots meaning "who is like God," followed closely behind. These names, with their strong meanings and traditional roots, were favored by many parents in Kentucky in 1955.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1955

In Kentucky in 1955, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with 1310 babies given that name. The second most popular name was Deborah, with 1217 babies given that name. Linda was the third most popular name, with 1014 babies given that name. Patricia was the fourth most popular name, with 886 babies given that name, and Debra was the fifth most popular name, with 811 babies given that name.

Mary

1310 baby girls born in Kentucky (1955) 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.
Deborah

1217 baby girls born in Kentucky (1955) 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.
Linda

1014 baby girls born in Kentucky (1955) 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."
Patricia

886 baby girls born in Kentucky (1955) 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.
Debra

811 baby girls born in Kentucky (1955) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Brenda
718 baby girls born in Kentucky (1955) 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.
Donna
683 baby girls born in Kentucky (1955) 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
608 baby girls born in Kentucky (1955) 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.
Barbara
603 baby girls born in Kentucky (1955) 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.
Pamela
587 baby girls born in Kentucky (1955) 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).
Kathy
565 baby girls born in Kentucky (1955) named Kathy
The name Kathy is a diminutive form of the name Katherine, which means "pure" or "clear". It is of Greek origin and has been a popular name in English-speaking countries since the 19th century.
Karen
555 baby girls born in Kentucky (1955) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Sandra
525 baby girls born in Kentucky (1955) 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.
Susan
464 baby girls born in Kentucky (1955) 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.
Teresa
444 baby girls born in Kentucky (1955) named Teresa
The name Teresa is derived from the Greek name Therasia, which means "harvester" or "reaper". It has also been associated with the Spanish word "teresa", meaning "to harvest". The name has been popularized by Saint Teresa of Avila, a Spanish mystic and writer who lived in the 16th century. The name is commonly given to girls and is of Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian origin.
Judy
423 baby girls born in Kentucky (1955) named Judy
Connie
405 baby girls born in Kentucky (1955) named Connie
The name Connie is a diminutive form of the name Constance, which is derived from the Latin word "constantia" meaning "steadfastness" or "constancy". The name Connie is often used as a standalone name and can also be a nickname for other names such as Constance, Constanza, or Conrad.
Nancy
400 baby girls born in Kentucky (1955) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Carolyn
351 baby girls born in Kentucky (1955) 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.
Betty
349 baby girls born in Kentucky (1955) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1955

In Kentucky in 1955, the most popular baby boy names were James, David, Michael, William, and Robert. James was the most popular name with 1909 babies given that name, followed by David with 1501 babies, Michael with 1354 babies, William with 1338 babies, and Robert with 1232 babies. These names were likely influenced by traditional and biblical names that were popular at the time.

James

1909 baby boys born in Kentucky (1955) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David

1501 baby boys born in Kentucky (1955) 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

1354 baby boys born in Kentucky (1955) 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.
William

1338 baby boys born in Kentucky (1955) 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

1232 baby boys born in Kentucky (1955) 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
1230 baby boys born in Kentucky (1955) 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
962 baby boys born in Kentucky (1955) 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
900 baby boys born in Kentucky (1955) 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.
Larry
756 baby boys born in Kentucky (1955) 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.
Richard
695 baby boys born in Kentucky (1955) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
646 baby boys born in Kentucky (1955) 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
607 baby boys born in Kentucky (1955) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Donald
572 baby boys born in Kentucky (1955) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Joseph
551 baby boys born in Kentucky (1955) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Mark
550 baby boys born in Kentucky (1955) named Mark
The name Mark is derived from the Latin name "Marcus" which means "dedicated to Mars", the Roman god of war. It is a popular name among Christians as it is the name of one of the four Gospel writers in the New Testament. The name Mark is also associated with qualities such as courage, strength, and leadership.
Terry
515 baby boys born in Kentucky (1955) named Terry
The name Terry is a unisex name of English origin, derived from the name Terence. The meaning of the name Terry is "smooth, tender".
Danny
487 baby boys born in Kentucky (1955) 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.
Steven
482 baby boys born in Kentucky (1955) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Paul
481 baby boys born in Kentucky (1955) 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.
Stephen
478 baby boys born in Kentucky (1955) 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.