Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1970

In the year 1970, the state of Kentucky saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the top names were Melissa, Kimberly, and Angela. These names were not only popular in Kentucky, but across the United States as well. Melissa, meaning "honey bee," was the most popular name for baby girls in the state. Kimberly, meaning "from the wood of the royal forest," and Angela, meaning "angelic," were also widely chosen by parents.

For baby boys, the top names were James, Michael, and David. James, meaning "supplanter," was the most popular name for baby boys in Kentucky. Michael, meaning "who is like God," and David, meaning "beloved," were also popular choices for parents. 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 1970

According to data from 1970, the most popular baby girl names in Kentucky were Melissa, Kimberly, Angela, Lisa, and Jennifer. Melissa was the most popular name with 766 babies given that name, followed closely by Kimberly with 726 and Angela with 724. Lisa and Jennifer rounded out the top five with 714 and 706 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Melissa

766 baby girls born in Kentucky (1970) named Melissa
The name Melissa is derived from the Greek word "melissa," which means "honey bee." It was a popular name in ancient Greece and is often associated with sweetness and industriousness.
Kimberly

726 baby girls born in Kentucky (1970) 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.
Angela

724 baby girls born in Kentucky (1970) named Angela
The name Angela is derived from the Greek word "angelos" which means "messenger of God". It is a feminine name that has been used in various cultures and languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, and German. Angela is often associated with qualities such as kindness, compassion, and grace.
Lisa

714 baby girls born in Kentucky (1970) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Jennifer

706 baby girls born in Kentucky (1970) named Jennifer
The name Jennifer is of Welsh origin and means "fair and smooth". It was first used as a given name in the United States in the 20th century and became very popular in the 1970s and 1980s.
Tammy
630 baby girls born in Kentucky (1970) 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.
Mary
462 baby girls born in Kentucky (1970) 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.
Amy
447 baby girls born in Kentucky (1970) named Amy
The name Amy means "beloved" or "dearly loved" in French and Latin. It is a popular name for girls and has been used since the Middle Ages.
Michelle
433 baby girls born in Kentucky (1970) named Michelle
Michelle is a feminine given name of French origin. The name means "who is like God" or "gift from God." It is a variation of the name Michael, which comes from Hebrew and means "who is like God." The name Michelle has been used in English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century and has gained popularity over time.
Stephanie
346 baby girls born in Kentucky (1970) named Stephanie
The name Stephanie is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a feminine name that has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 20th century.
Tina
336 baby girls born in Kentucky (1970) named Tina
The name Tina is a diminutive form of Christina, which is derived from the Greek name Christos, meaning "anointed one" or "follower of Christ." Therefore, the name Tina can be interpreted as "follower of Christ" or "anointed one."
Tracy
334 baby girls born in Kentucky (1970) named Tracy
The name Tracy is of Irish origin and means "warrior" or "fighter". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.
Rebecca
311 baby girls born in Kentucky (1970) 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.
Shannon
300 baby girls born in Kentucky (1970) named Shannon
The name Shannon is of Irish origin and is derived from the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland. The name means "wise river" or "old river". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.
Karen
290 baby girls born in Kentucky (1970) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Laura
289 baby girls born in Kentucky (1970) named Laura
The name Laura is of Latin origin and means "bay laurel". It was a symbol of victory and honor in ancient Rome. The name has been popular in many countries and cultures throughout history.
Pamela
281 baby girls born in Kentucky (1970) 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).
Donna
276 baby girls born in Kentucky (1970) 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.
Susan
258 baby girls born in Kentucky (1970) 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.
Julie
252 baby girls born in Kentucky (1970) named Julie
The name Julie is a French name that means "youthful" or "full of energy". It is derived from the Latin name Julia, which means "soft-haired" or "youthful".

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1970

In Kentucky, 1970, the most popular baby boy names were James, Michael, David, William, and John. James was the most popular name with 1569 babies given that name, followed by Michael with 1319 babies, David with 1151 babies, William with 984 babies, and John with 955 babies. These classic and timeless names continue to be popular choices for parents today.

James

1569 baby boys born in Kentucky (1970) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Michael

1319 baby boys born in Kentucky (1970) 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

1151 baby boys born in Kentucky (1970) 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

984 baby boys born in Kentucky (1970) 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.
John

955 baby boys born in Kentucky (1970) 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.
Robert
915 baby boys born in Kentucky (1970) 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.
Christopher
820 baby boys born in Kentucky (1970) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Charles
615 baby boys born in Kentucky (1970) 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.
Timothy
544 baby boys born in Kentucky (1970) 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.
Brian
544 baby boys born in Kentucky (1970) named Brian
The name Brian is of Irish origin and means "strong, virtuous, and honorable". It is a popular name for boys in Ireland and has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages.
Jeffrey
508 baby boys born in Kentucky (1970) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Mark
502 baby boys born in Kentucky (1970) 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.
Kevin
491 baby boys born in Kentucky (1970) named Kevin
The name Kevin is of Irish origin and means "handsome" or "gentle birth". It is derived from the Irish name Caoimhín, which is composed of the Gaelic words "caomh" meaning "kind" or "gentle" and "gin" meaning "birth".
Richard
448 baby boys born in Kentucky (1970) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Steven
444 baby boys born in Kentucky (1970) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Joseph
417 baby boys born in Kentucky (1970) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Anthony
412 baby boys born in Kentucky (1970) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Thomas
404 baby boys born in Kentucky (1970) 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.
Paul
352 baby boys born in Kentucky (1970) 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.
Jason
328 baby boys born in Kentucky (1970) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".