Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1978

In the year 1978, the state of Kentucky saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Jennifer was the most popular name, followed by Melissa and Amanda. These names were a reflection of the trends of the time, with Jennifer being a popular name across the United States in the 1970s.

For baby boys, Michael was the most popular name in Kentucky in 1978, followed by James and Jason. These names were also popular across the country, with Michael being the most popular name for baby boys in the United States from 1954 to 1998. Overall, the top baby names in Kentucky in 1978 reflected the cultural trends and preferences of the time.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1978

According to data from 1978, the most popular baby girl names in Kentucky were Jennifer, Melissa, Amanda, Amy, and Angela. Jennifer was the most popular name with 1,019 babies given that name. Melissa came in second with 622 babies, followed closely by Amanda with 590 babies. Amy and Angela rounded out the top five with 567 and 565 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Jennifer

1019 baby girls born in Kentucky (1978) 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.
Melissa

622 baby girls born in Kentucky (1978) 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.
Amanda

590 baby girls born in Kentucky (1978) named Amanda
The name Amanda is of Latin origin, meaning "lovable" or "worthy of love". It was first used as a name in the 17th century and became popular in the 19th century. The name is often associated with kindness, compassion, and a friendly personality.
Amy

567 baby girls born in Kentucky (1978) 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.
Angela

565 baby girls born in Kentucky (1978) 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.
Crystal
517 baby girls born in Kentucky (1978) named Crystal
The name Crystal is of Greek origin and means "ice or clear". It is often associated with the mineral quartz crystal and is a popular name choice for girls.
Jessica
465 baby girls born in Kentucky (1978) named Jessica
The name Jessica is of Hebrew origin and means "God beholds" or "God sees". It is derived from the name Yiskah in the Old Testament, which was the name of a daughter of Haran and sister of Milcah and Iscah. The name Jessica has been in use since the 16th century and became popular in the 20th century.
Heather
423 baby girls born in Kentucky (1978) named Heather
The name Heather is of English origin and is derived from the name of a flowering plant that grows in Scotland. The name is often associated with the color purple and is said to symbolize admiration, good luck, and protection.
Stephanie
398 baby girls born in Kentucky (1978) 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.
Kimberly
373 baby girls born in Kentucky (1978) 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.
Rebecca
354 baby girls born in Kentucky (1978) 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.
Christina
325 baby girls born in Kentucky (1978) named Christina
The name Christina is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ". It is a feminine name and is commonly used in English-speaking countries.
Elizabeth
321 baby girls born in Kentucky (1978) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Sarah
319 baby girls born in Kentucky (1978) named Sarah
The name Sarah means "princess" in Hebrew. It is a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with grace, beauty, and kindness.
Kelly
312 baby girls born in Kentucky (1978) named Kelly
The name Kelly is of Irish origin and means "bright-headed" or "warrior". It is a unisex name, meaning it can be given to both boys and girls. The name has been popularized by its use as a surname and has been used as a given name since the 20th century.
Mary
304 baby girls born in Kentucky (1978) 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
279 baby girls born in Kentucky (1978) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Misty
275 baby girls born in Kentucky (1978) named Misty
The name Misty means covered in mist or fog.
April
264 baby girls born in Kentucky (1978) named April
April is a feminine given name that is derived from the name of the fourth month of the year. The name April has no specific meaning beyond being associated with the spring season in which the month of April falls.
Shannon
251 baby girls born in Kentucky (1978) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1978

In Kentucky, 1978, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, James, Jason, Christopher, and David. Michael was the most popular name with 1185 babies given that name, followed closely by James with 1183 babies. Jason was the third most popular name with 1163 babies, while Christopher came in fourth with 1126 babies. David rounded out the top five with 725 babies given that name.

Michael

1185 baby boys born in Kentucky (1978) 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.
James

1183 baby boys born in Kentucky (1978) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Jason

1163 baby boys born in Kentucky (1978) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Christopher

1126 baby boys born in Kentucky (1978) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
David

725 baby boys born in Kentucky (1978) 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
692 baby boys born in Kentucky (1978) 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
681 baby boys born in Kentucky (1978) 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
671 baby boys born in Kentucky (1978) 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.
Jeremy
584 baby boys born in Kentucky (1978) named Jeremy
The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".
Brian
548 baby boys born in Kentucky (1978) 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.
Joshua
536 baby boys born in Kentucky (1978) named Joshua
The name Joshua means "God is salvation" or "Yahweh is salvation" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name and was the name of one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan. Joshua later became the successor to Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land.
Matthew
516 baby boys born in Kentucky (1978) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Joseph
511 baby boys born in Kentucky (1978) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Charles
443 baby boys born in Kentucky (1978) 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
436 baby boys born in Kentucky (1978) 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.
Kevin
374 baby boys born in Kentucky (1978) 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".
Eric
353 baby boys born in Kentucky (1978) named Eric
The name Eric is of Scandinavian origin and means "eternal ruler" or "ruler of all". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures.
Daniel
342 baby boys born in Kentucky (1978) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Jonathan
308 baby boys born in Kentucky (1978) named Jonathan
The name Jonathan means "gift of God" or "God has given" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, appearing in the Old Testament as the name of King Saul's son and close friend of David.
Steven
308 baby boys born in Kentucky (1978) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.