Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1987

In the year 1987, the state of Kentucky saw a surge of babies being named after popular cultural figures and traditional names. The top baby girl names of the year were Ashley, Jessica, and Amanda, while the top baby boy names were Joshua, Christopher, and Michael.

Ashley, which means "ash tree meadow," was a popular choice for baby girls in Kentucky in 1987. The name was made popular by the character Ashley Wilkes in the classic novel and film, Gone with the Wind. Jessica, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds," was also a popular choice for baby girls. Amanda, which means "worthy of love," was another top name for baby girls in Kentucky that year. For baby boys, Joshua, which means "God is salvation," was the most popular name, followed by Christopher, which means "bearer of Christ," and Michael, which means "who is like God." These names continue to be popular choices for parents in Kentucky and across the United States.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1987

In Kentucky, 1987, Ashley was the most popular baby girl name with 1037 babies given that name. Jessica followed closely behind with 940 babies named Jessica. Amanda was the third most popular name with 737 babies named Amanda. Brittany was the fourth most popular name with 562 babies named Brittany. Sarah rounded out the top five with 492 babies given that name.

  1. Ashley

    1037 baby girls born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  2. Jessica

    940 baby girls born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  3. Amanda

    737 baby girls born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  4. Brittany

    562 baby girls born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  5. Sarah

    492 baby girls born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  6. Jennifer

    427 baby girls born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  7. Amber

    402 baby girls born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  8. Heather

    387 baby girls born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  9. Kayla

    322 baby girls born in Kentucky (1987) named Kayla

    The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.

  10. Megan

    315 baby girls born in Kentucky (1987) 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".

  11. Samantha

    306 baby girls born in Kentucky (1987) named Samantha

    The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.

  12. Elizabeth

    304 baby girls born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  13. Tiffany

    301 baby girls born in Kentucky (1987) named Tiffany

    The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".

  14. Emily

    296 baby girls born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  15. Whitney

    296 baby girls born in Kentucky (1987) named Whitney

    Whitney is a unisex name of English origin. Its meaning is "white island" or "white meadow".

  16. Stephanie

    260 baby girls born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  17. Rachel

    240 baby girls born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  18. Kimberly

    222 baby girls born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  19. Lauren

    209 baby girls born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  20. Laura

    206 baby girls born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1987

According to data from 1987, the most popular baby boy names in Kentucky were Joshua, Christopher, Michael, James, and Justin. Joshua was the most popular with 947 babies given that name, followed closely by Christopher with 923 babies. Michael came in third with 777 babies, followed by James with 771 babies, and Justin with 688 babies. These names were likely popular due to their classic and timeless feel, as well as their association with strong and respected figures in history and popular culture.

  1. Joshua

    947 baby boys born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  2. Christopher

    923 baby boys born in Kentucky (1987) named Christopher

    The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."

  3. Michael

    777 baby boys born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  4. James

    771 baby boys born in Kentucky (1987) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  5. Justin

    688 baby boys born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  6. Matthew

    680 baby boys born in Kentucky (1987) named Matthew

    Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".

  7. Brandon

    577 baby boys born in Kentucky (1987) 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".

  8. William

    539 baby boys born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  9. David

    480 baby boys born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  10. Robert

    462 baby boys born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  11. Andrew

    461 baby boys born in Kentucky (1987) 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 "andrĂ³s" 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.

  12. John

    450 baby boys born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  13. Joseph

    425 baby boys born in Kentucky (1987) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  14. Jonathan

    380 baby boys born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  15. Daniel

    360 baby boys born in Kentucky (1987) named Daniel

    The name Daniel means "God is my judge".

  16. Timothy

    306 baby boys born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  17. Jeremy

    301 baby boys born in Kentucky (1987) named Jeremy

    The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".

  18. Ryan

    295 baby boys born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  19. Adam

    295 baby boys born in Kentucky (1987) 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.

  20. Eric

    290 baby boys born in Kentucky (1987) 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.