Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1956

In the year 1956, the state of Kentucky witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. The top baby girl names of that year were Mary, Deborah, and Linda. Mary, a timeless classic name, held the top spot for the most popular baby girl name in Kentucky. Deborah, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "bee," and Linda, a name of Spanish origin meaning "pretty," followed closely behind.

For baby boys, James, Michael, and David were the most popular names in Kentucky in 1956. James, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter," held the top spot for the most popular baby boy name. Michael, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God," and David, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved," were also popular choices for baby boys in Kentucky. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents in Kentucky and beyond.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1956

In Kentucky in 1956, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls, with 1245 babies given that name. Deborah came in second place with 1101 babies given that name, followed by Linda with 904 babies. Debra was the fourth most popular name with 812 babies given that name, and Patricia rounded out the top five with 766 babies given that name.

Mary

1245 baby girls born in Kentucky (1956) 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

1101 baby girls born in Kentucky (1956) 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

904 baby girls born in Kentucky (1956) 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."
Debra

812 baby girls born in Kentucky (1956) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Patricia

766 baby girls born in Kentucky (1956) 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.
Donna
736 baby girls born in Kentucky (1956) 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.
Karen
731 baby girls born in Kentucky (1956) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Sharon
666 baby girls born in Kentucky (1956) 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.
Pamela
613 baby girls born in Kentucky (1956) 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
609 baby girls born in Kentucky (1956) 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.
Brenda
567 baby girls born in Kentucky (1956) 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.
Barbara
534 baby girls born in Kentucky (1956) 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.
Susan
517 baby girls born in Kentucky (1956) 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
503 baby girls born in Kentucky (1956) 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.
Sandra
450 baby girls born in Kentucky (1956) 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.
Nancy
389 baby girls born in Kentucky (1956) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Judy
361 baby girls born in Kentucky (1956) named Judy
Connie
358 baby girls born in Kentucky (1956) 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.
Cynthia
349 baby girls born in Kentucky (1956) named Cynthia
The name Cynthia means "moon goddess" or "from Mount Kynthos" in Greek. It is also associated with the Greek mythological figure Artemis, who was known as the goddess of the hunt and the moon. The name Cynthia has been in use since ancient times and has remained relatively popular throughout history.
Rebecca
347 baby girls born in Kentucky (1956) named Rebecca
Rebecca means "captivating" or "knotted cord" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau in the Old Testament.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1956

In Kentucky in the year 1956, the most popular baby boy names were James, Michael, David, William, and Robert. James was the most popular name with 1911 babies being named that, followed by Michael with 1425 babies, David with 1402 babies, William with 1279 babies, and Robert with 1178 babies.

James

1911 baby boys born in Kentucky (1956) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Michael

1425 baby boys born in Kentucky (1956) 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

1402 baby boys born in Kentucky (1956) 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.
William

1279 baby boys born in Kentucky (1956) 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

1178 baby boys born in Kentucky (1956) 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
1131 baby boys born in Kentucky (1956) 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
913 baby boys born in Kentucky (1956) 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
817 baby boys born in Kentucky (1956) 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
721 baby boys born in Kentucky (1956) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Mark
698 baby boys born in Kentucky (1956) 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.
Larry
664 baby boys born in Kentucky (1956) 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.
Thomas
602 baby boys born in Kentucky (1956) 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
594 baby boys born in Kentucky (1956) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Donald
555 baby boys born in Kentucky (1956) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Steven
541 baby boys born in Kentucky (1956) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Joseph
535 baby boys born in Kentucky (1956) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Terry
517 baby boys born in Kentucky (1956) 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".
Paul
486 baby boys born in Kentucky (1956) 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.
Ronald
463 baby boys born in Kentucky (1956) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Timothy
445 baby boys born in Kentucky (1956) named Timothy
The name Timothy is of Greek origin and means "honoring God" or "one who honors God". It is derived from the Greek name Timotheos, which is a combination of the words "timao" meaning to honor and "theos" meaning God.