Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1985

In the year 1985, the state of Kentucky saw a surge in popular baby names for both boys and girls. For baby girls, the top names were Ashley, Jessica, and Amanda, while for baby boys, the most popular names were Joshua, Christopher, and James.

Ashley, meaning "ash tree meadow," was a favorite among parents for its simple and elegant sound. Jessica, meaning "God beholds," was also a popular choice, with its biblical roots and timeless appeal. Meanwhile, Amanda, meaning "worthy of love," was a name that exuded warmth and affection. On the boys' side, Joshua, meaning "the Lord is my salvation," was a strong and powerful name that parents gravitated towards. Christopher, meaning "bearer of Christ," was another popular choice, with its religious undertones and classic feel. James, meaning "supplanter," rounded out the top three, offering a traditional and timeless option for parents.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1985

In Kentucky, 1985, Ashley was the most popular baby girl name with 1004 babies being named Ashley. Jessica was the second most popular name with 861 babies, followed by Amanda with 811 babies. Jennifer and Brittany were the fourth and fifth most popular names with 588 and 485 babies respectively.

Ashley

1004 baby girls born in Kentucky (1985) named Ashley
The name Ashley is of English origin and means "ash tree meadow". It is a unisex name that was originally more commonly given to boys, but has become more popular for girls in recent years.
Jessica

861 baby girls born in Kentucky (1985) 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.
Amanda

811 baby girls born in Kentucky (1985) 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.
Jennifer

588 baby girls born in Kentucky (1985) 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.
Brittany

485 baby girls born in Kentucky (1985) named Brittany
The name Brittany is derived from the region of Brittany in France. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to come from the Latin word "Britannia," which means "Britain" or "of the Britons." It is also thought to be related to the Celtic word "breton," which means "from Brittany." The name is commonly given to girls in English-speaking countries.
Sarah
480 baby girls born in Kentucky (1985) 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.
Heather
450 baby girls born in Kentucky (1985) 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.
Megan
343 baby girls born in Kentucky (1985) named Megan
The name Megan is of Welsh origin and means "pearl". It is a shortened version of the name Margaret, which also means "pearl".
Amber
316 baby girls born in Kentucky (1985) named Amber
The name Amber is derived from the fossilized tree resin of the same name. It is believed to originate from the Arabic word "anbar," which means ambergris or amber. The name is often associated with the color of the gemstone, which ranges from a pale yellow to a deep orange-brown. The name Amber has been used for both boys and girls, but it is more commonly given to girls. The name is often associated with warmth, light, and energy.
Stephanie
309 baby girls born in Kentucky (1985) 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.
Elizabeth
305 baby girls born in Kentucky (1985) 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.
Amy
290 baby girls born in Kentucky (1985) 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.
Kimberly
280 baby girls born in Kentucky (1985) 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.
Tiffany
268 baby girls born in Kentucky (1985) named Tiffany
The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".
Emily
255 baby girls born in Kentucky (1985) named Emily
The name Emily means "rival" or "industrious" and is of Latin origin. It became popular in the 19th century and is still a commonly used name today.
Melissa
245 baby girls born in Kentucky (1985) 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.
Rachel
242 baby girls born in Kentucky (1985) named Rachel
The name Rachel is of Hebrew origin and means "ewe" or "female sheep". It is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and has been used since biblical times. The name is often associated with qualities such as beauty, grace, and kindness.
Laura
239 baby girls born in Kentucky (1985) 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.
Crystal
235 baby girls born in Kentucky (1985) 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.
Lauren
230 baby girls born in Kentucky (1985) named Lauren
The name Lauren is of English origin and means "bay laurel" or "crowned with laurel". It is a feminine name that has been popular since the 1940s.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1985

According to the records, the most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1985 were Joshua, Christopher, James, Michael, and Brandon. Joshua topped the list with 1035 babies given that name, followed closely by Christopher with 996. James, Michael, and Brandon also made the top five, with 843, 760, and 755 babies named respectively.

Joshua

1035 baby boys born in Kentucky (1985) 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.
Christopher

996 baby boys born in Kentucky (1985) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
James

843 baby boys born in Kentucky (1985) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Michael

760 baby boys born in Kentucky (1985) 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.
Brandon

755 baby boys born in Kentucky (1985) named Brandon
The name Brandon is of English origin and is derived from the Old English words "brom" meaning "broom" or "gorse" and "dun" meaning "hill". Therefore, the name Brandon means "hill covered in broom or gorse".
Matthew
727 baby boys born in Kentucky (1985) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
William
591 baby boys born in Kentucky (1985) 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.
David
579 baby boys born in Kentucky (1985) 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.
John
539 baby boys born in Kentucky (1985) 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.
Justin
514 baby boys born in Kentucky (1985) named Justin
The name Justin is of Latin origin and means "just, upright, righteous." It was a popular name among early Christians and has been used throughout history by various notable figures.
Robert
475 baby boys born in Kentucky (1985) 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.
Joseph
453 baby boys born in Kentucky (1985) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Jonathan
452 baby boys born in Kentucky (1985) 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.
Daniel
442 baby boys born in Kentucky (1985) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Jason
401 baby boys born in Kentucky (1985) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Andrew
383 baby boys born in Kentucky (1985) named Andrew
The name Andrew means "manly" or "warrior" and is of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek name Andreas, which comes from the word "andrós" meaning "man". Andrew is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and is often used in Christian traditions due to the apostle Andrew being one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ.
Adam
372 baby boys born in Kentucky (1985) named Adam
The name Adam is of Hebrew origin and means "man" or "earth". It is also the name of the first man created by God in the Bible.
Charles
337 baby boys born in Kentucky (1985) 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.
Jeremy
333 baby boys born in Kentucky (1985) named Jeremy
The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".
Brian
326 baby boys born in Kentucky (1985) 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.