Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1986

In 1986, Kentucky saw a surge in popularity for certain baby names. For baby girls, the top names were Ashley, Jessica, and Amanda. These names were not only popular in Kentucky but were also trending across the country. Ashley, which means "ash tree meadow," was the most popular name for baby girls in Kentucky that year. Jessica, meaning "God beholds," and Amanda, meaning "worthy of love," were also highly sought-after names for baby girls.

For baby boys born in Kentucky in 1986, the top names were Christopher, Joshua, and Michael. Christopher, which means "bearer of Christ," was the most popular name for baby boys in Kentucky that year. Joshua, meaning "God is salvation," and Michael, meaning "who is like God," were also popular choices for parents in the state. These names have remained popular over the years and continue to be top choices for parents naming their newborns in Kentucky.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1986

In Kentucky, 1986, the most popular baby girl names were Ashley, Jessica, Amanda, Brittany, and Sarah. Ashley was the most popular name with 1024 babies given that name, followed closely by Jessica with 944 babies. Amanda was the third most popular name with 752 babies, while Brittany and Sarah rounded out the top five with 580 and 528 babies respectively.

Ashley

1024 baby girls born in Kentucky (1986) 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

944 baby girls born in Kentucky (1986) 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

752 baby girls born in Kentucky (1986) 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.
Brittany

580 baby girls born in Kentucky (1986) 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

528 baby girls born in Kentucky (1986) 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.
Jennifer
462 baby girls born in Kentucky (1986) 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.
Heather
383 baby girls born in Kentucky (1986) 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.
Tiffany
351 baby girls born in Kentucky (1986) named Tiffany
The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".
Amber
347 baby girls born in Kentucky (1986) 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.
Megan
334 baby girls born in Kentucky (1986) 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".
Elizabeth
315 baby girls born in Kentucky (1986) 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.
Samantha
301 baby girls born in Kentucky (1986) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Stephanie
291 baby girls born in Kentucky (1986) 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.
Whitney
280 baby girls born in Kentucky (1986) named Whitney
Whitney is a unisex name of English origin. Its meaning is "white island" or "white meadow".
Emily
250 baby girls born in Kentucky (1986) 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.
Lauren
250 baby girls born in Kentucky (1986) 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.
Kimberly
249 baby girls born in Kentucky (1986) 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.
Rachel
245 baby girls born in Kentucky (1986) 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.
Amy
229 baby girls born in Kentucky (1986) 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.
Mary
212 baby girls born in Kentucky (1986) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1986

In Kentucky, 1986, the most popular baby boy name was Christopher, with 959 boys given that name. Joshua came in a close second with 912 boys named that, followed by Michael with 820 boys. James was the fourth most popular name with 771 boys named that, and Matthew rounded out the top five with 669 boys given that name.

Christopher

959 baby boys born in Kentucky (1986) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Joshua

912 baby boys born in Kentucky (1986) 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.
Michael

820 baby boys born in Kentucky (1986) 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

771 baby boys born in Kentucky (1986) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Matthew

669 baby boys born in Kentucky (1986) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Brandon
611 baby boys born in Kentucky (1986) 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".
William
568 baby boys born in Kentucky (1986) 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.
Justin
566 baby boys born in Kentucky (1986) 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.
John
516 baby boys born in Kentucky (1986) 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
508 baby boys born in Kentucky (1986) 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.
David
489 baby boys born in Kentucky (1986) 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.
Andrew
425 baby boys born in Kentucky (1986) 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.
Jonathan
415 baby boys born in Kentucky (1986) 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.
Joseph
407 baby boys born in Kentucky (1986) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Daniel
405 baby boys born in Kentucky (1986) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Jeremy
344 baby boys born in Kentucky (1986) named Jeremy
The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".
Jason
313 baby boys born in Kentucky (1986) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Timothy
306 baby boys born in Kentucky (1986) 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.
Ryan
298 baby boys born in Kentucky (1986) named Ryan
The name Ryan is of Irish origin and means "little king" or "illustrious". It is a popular name for boys in English-speaking countries.
Brian
297 baby boys born in Kentucky (1986) 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.