Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1961

In the year 1961, Kentucky saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Lisa, and Donna were the top three baby girl names, while James, David, and Michael held the top spots for baby boys. These names were widely used by parents across the state, and it's easy to see why they remain popular even today.

Mary, a timeless classic, has been a popular name for girls for centuries. Lisa, a shortened version of Elizabeth, was a trendy choice in the 60s. Donna, meaning "lady" in Italian, was also a popular pick. James, David, and Michael, on the other hand, were strong and traditional names for boys. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1961

Based on the data from Kentucky in 1961, the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Lisa, Donna, Teresa, and Karen. Mary was the most popular name with 966 babies given that name, followed closely by Lisa with 951 babies. Donna, Teresa, and Karen were also popular choices, with 691, 577, and 575 babies given those names, respectively.

Mary

966 baby girls born in Kentucky (1961) 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.
Lisa

951 baby girls born in Kentucky (1961) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Donna

691 baby girls born in Kentucky (1961) 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.
Teresa

577 baby girls born in Kentucky (1961) 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.
Karen

575 baby girls born in Kentucky (1961) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Brenda
556 baby girls born in Kentucky (1961) 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.
Linda
555 baby girls born in Kentucky (1961) 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."
Kimberly
527 baby girls born in Kentucky (1961) named Kimberly
The name Kimberly means "from the wood of the royal forest" or "royal fortress meadow". It is of Old English origin and was first used as a given name in the 1940s.
Pamela
513 baby girls born in Kentucky (1961) 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).
Deborah
479 baby girls born in Kentucky (1961) 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.
Kathy
470 baby girls born in Kentucky (1961) 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.
Patricia
464 baby girls born in Kentucky (1961) 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.
Sandra
462 baby girls born in Kentucky (1961) 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
436 baby girls born in Kentucky (1961) 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.
Tammy
421 baby girls born in Kentucky (1961) named Tammy
The name Tammy is a diminutive form of the name Tamara, which has Hebrew origins and means "palm tree" or "date tree". The exact meaning of Tammy is unclear, but it is generally considered to be a modern English name that is derived from Tamara.
Debra
421 baby girls born in Kentucky (1961) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Susan
416 baby girls born in Kentucky (1961) 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.
Debbie
372 baby girls born in Kentucky (1961) named Debbie
The name Debbie is a diminutive form of the name Deborah. It is of Hebrew origin and means "bee".
Barbara
371 baby girls born in Kentucky (1961) 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.
Connie
339 baby girls born in Kentucky (1961) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1961

According to the data from 1961, the most popular baby boy name in Kentucky was James, followed by David, Michael, John, and William. James was the most common name with 1625 babies named that year, while David came in second with 1461 babies. Michael, John, and William rounded out the top five with 1290, 1134, and 1081 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

James

1625 baby boys born in Kentucky (1961) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David

1461 baby boys born in Kentucky (1961) 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

1290 baby boys born in Kentucky (1961) 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.
John

1134 baby boys born in Kentucky (1961) 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.
William

1081 baby boys born in Kentucky (1961) 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
1057 baby boys born in Kentucky (1961) 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.
Mark
979 baby boys born in Kentucky (1961) 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.
Timothy
792 baby boys born in Kentucky (1961) 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.
Charles
744 baby boys born in Kentucky (1961) 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.
Jeffrey
587 baby boys born in Kentucky (1961) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Richard
536 baby boys born in Kentucky (1961) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Gary
512 baby boys born in Kentucky (1961) 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.
Kenneth
480 baby boys born in Kentucky (1961) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Gregory
459 baby boys born in Kentucky (1961) named Gregory
The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".
Terry
453 baby boys born in Kentucky (1961) 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".
Donald
447 baby boys born in Kentucky (1961) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Thomas
446 baby boys born in Kentucky (1961) 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.
Ricky
445 baby boys born in Kentucky (1961) named Ricky
The name Ricky is a diminutive form of the name Richard, which means "brave ruler" or "strong ruler".
Joseph
441 baby boys born in Kentucky (1961) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Paul
429 baby boys born in Kentucky (1961) 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.