Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1996

The state of Kentucky in the year 1996 saw an influx of new parents welcoming their bundles of joy into the world. As with any birth, the first and most important decision new parents must make is choosing the perfect name for their child. In Kentucky, the most popular baby girl names of 1996 were Hannah, Ashley, and Emily, while the top baby boy names were Austin, Jacob, and James.

Hannah, meaning "grace" or "favor," was the most popular baby girl name in Kentucky in 1996. Ashley, meaning "ash tree meadow," and Emily, meaning "rival," were close behind in popularity. For baby boys, Austin, meaning "great" or "magnificent," was the most popular name, followed by Jacob, meaning "supplanter," and James, meaning "supplanter" or "holder of the heel." These timeless and classic names continue to be popular choices for parents in Kentucky and across the country.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1996

In Kentucky, 1996, the most popular baby girl names were Hannah, Ashley, Emily, Sarah, and Kayla. Hannah was the most popular with 437 babies given that name, followed closely by Ashley with 388 babies. Emily was the third most popular name with 384 babies, followed by Sarah with 362 babies, and Kayla with 357 babies. These names were the top choices for parents in Kentucky during that year.

Hannah

437 baby girls born in Kentucky (1996) named Hannah
The name Hannah means "grace" or "favor" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by the mother of the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament. The name has been popular among Christians for centuries and is still commonly used today.
Ashley

388 baby girls born in Kentucky (1996) 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.
Emily

384 baby girls born in Kentucky (1996) 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.
Sarah

362 baby girls born in Kentucky (1996) 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.
Kayla

357 baby girls born in Kentucky (1996) named Kayla
The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.
Taylor
351 baby girls born in Kentucky (1996) named Taylor
The name Taylor is of English origin and is derived from the occupation of a tailor, who was responsible for making and altering clothing. It is a unisex name, meaning it can be used for both boys and girls. The name Taylor is often associated with qualities such as creativity, independence, and determination.
Brittany
331 baby girls born in Kentucky (1996) 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.
Jessica
326 baby girls born in Kentucky (1996) 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.
Courtney
305 baby girls born in Kentucky (1996) named Courtney
The name Courtney is of English origin and means "from the court". It is a unisex name, but more commonly given to girls.
Megan
273 baby girls born in Kentucky (1996) 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".
Madison
262 baby girls born in Kentucky (1996) named Madison
The name Madison is of English origin and has two possible meanings. One interpretation is that it means "son of Matthew," while another suggests it means "gift of God." It became a popular name for girls in the 1980s and 1990s, likely due to its association with the character Madison in the movie "Splash."
Samantha
261 baby girls born in Kentucky (1996) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Haley
261 baby girls born in Kentucky (1996) named Haley
The name Haley is of English origin and means "hay clearing". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for females.
Morgan
254 baby girls born in Kentucky (1996) named Morgan
The name Morgan is of Welsh origin and is derived from the Old Welsh name Morcant, which means "sea circle" or "sea chief". It was originally a masculine name but has become more commonly used as a feminine name in recent years. The name is associated with strength, leadership, and intelligence.
Amber
249 baby girls born in Kentucky (1996) 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.
Shelby
243 baby girls born in Kentucky (1996) named Shelby
The name Shelby is of English origin and its meaning is "willow farm".
Alexis
235 baby girls born in Kentucky (1996) named Alexis
The name Alexis is derived from the Greek name Alexios, which means "defender" or "helper". It is a unisex name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Kelsey
233 baby girls born in Kentucky (1996) named Kelsey
The name Kelsey is of English origin and means "from the ship's island". It is a unisex name and was traditionally used for boys, but has become more popular for girls in recent years.
Rachel
224 baby girls born in Kentucky (1996) 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.
Elizabeth
208 baby girls born in Kentucky (1996) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1996

According to the records of baby boy names in Kentucky in 1996, the most popular names were Austin, Jacob, James, William, and Zachary. Austin was the most popular name with 727 babies given that name, followed closely by Jacob with 644 babies. James, William, and Zachary also made the top five with 542, 524, and 496 babies given those names, respectively.

Austin

727 baby boys born in Kentucky (1996) named Austin
The name Austin is of English origin and means "great, magnificent". It is derived from the Latin name Augustus, which was a title given to Roman emperors. The name became popular in the Middle Ages and has remained a popular name choice for boys to this day.
Jacob

644 baby boys born in Kentucky (1996) named Jacob
The name Jacob means "supplanter" or "holder of the heel" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by one of the patriarchs of the Old Testament.
James

542 baby boys born in Kentucky (1996) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

524 baby boys born in Kentucky (1996) 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.
Zachary

496 baby boys born in Kentucky (1996) named Zachary
The name Zachary means "remembered by God" or "God has remembered" in Hebrew.
Christopher
493 baby boys born in Kentucky (1996) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Matthew
493 baby boys born in Kentucky (1996) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Joshua
461 baby boys born in Kentucky (1996) 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.
Tyler
459 baby boys born in Kentucky (1996) named Tyler
The name Tyler is of English origin, and its meaning is "maker of tiles". It is derived from an occupational surname for a person who made or laid tiles. The name Tyler gained popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, and it has remained a popular name for boys.
Michael
450 baby boys born in Kentucky (1996) 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
401 baby boys born in Kentucky (1996) 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".
Joseph
376 baby boys born in Kentucky (1996) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
John
354 baby boys born in Kentucky (1996) 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.
Andrew
348 baby boys born in Kentucky (1996) 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.
Cody
344 baby boys born in Kentucky (1996) named Cody
The name Cody is of Irish origin and means "helper" or "cushion".
Nicholas
328 baby boys born in Kentucky (1996) named Nicholas
The name Nicholas is derived from the Greek name Νικόλαος (Nikolaos), which means "victory of the people". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures, and is often associated with Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, sailors, and merchants.
Justin
310 baby boys born in Kentucky (1996) 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
310 baby boys born in Kentucky (1996) 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.
Jordan
303 baby boys born in Kentucky (1996) named Jordan
The name Jordan is of Hebrew origin and means "to flow down" or "descend." It is also the name of a river in the Middle East.
David
264 baby boys born in Kentucky (1996) 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.