Kentucky's most popular baby names in 1997

The year 1997 was a special year for Kentucky as it saw the arrival of some adorable little ones with unique names. The state witnessed a surge in popularity of certain names, and the top baby names for that year were Hannah, Emily, Taylor for girls, and Austin, Jacob, and James for boys.

Hannah, meaning "gracious" or "favor", was the most popular name for baby girls in Kentucky that year. Emily, meaning "industrious" or "rival", came in at a close second, followed by Taylor, meaning "tailor" or "to cut". For baby boys, Austin, meaning "great" or "magnificent", took the top spot, followed by Jacob, meaning "to follow" or "supplanter", and James, meaning "supplanter" or "replacer". These names have continued to be popular choices for parents throughout the years, and it's always interesting to see how certain names come in and out of fashion.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 1997

In Kentucky in 1997, the top 5 most popular baby girl names were Hannah with 502 occurrences, followed by Emily with 393 occurrences, Taylor with 366 occurrences, Sarah with 347 occurrences, and Ashley with 345 occurrences. These names were the most commonly given to baby girls in Kentucky that year.

Hannah

502 baby girls born in Kentucky (1997) 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.
Emily

393 baby girls born in Kentucky (1997) 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.
Taylor

366 baby girls born in Kentucky (1997) 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.
Sarah

347 baby girls born in Kentucky (1997) 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.
Ashley

345 baby girls born in Kentucky (1997) 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.
Madison
331 baby girls born in Kentucky (1997) 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."
Brittany
297 baby girls born in Kentucky (1997) 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.
Kayla
279 baby girls born in Kentucky (1997) named Kayla
The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.
Samantha
265 baby girls born in Kentucky (1997) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Alexis
258 baby girls born in Kentucky (1997) 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.
Morgan
252 baby girls born in Kentucky (1997) 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.
Megan
246 baby girls born in Kentucky (1997) 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".
Jessica
246 baby girls born in Kentucky (1997) 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.
Haley
243 baby girls born in Kentucky (1997) named Haley
The name Haley is of English origin and means "hay clearing". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for females.
Courtney
241 baby girls born in Kentucky (1997) 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.
Elizabeth
237 baby girls born in Kentucky (1997) 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.
Lauren
233 baby girls born in Kentucky (1997) 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.
Shelby
228 baby girls born in Kentucky (1997) named Shelby
The name Shelby is of English origin and its meaning is "willow farm".
Amber
225 baby girls born in Kentucky (1997) 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.
Rachel
206 baby girls born in Kentucky (1997) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 1997

According to data from 1997, the top five most popular baby boy names in Kentucky were Austin, Jacob, James, William, and Matthew. Austin was the most popular name with 729 babies given that name, followed closely by Jacob with 720 babies. James, William, and Matthew rounded out the top five with 539, 515, and 485 babies given those names, respectively.

Austin

729 baby boys born in Kentucky (1997) 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

720 baby boys born in Kentucky (1997) 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

539 baby boys born in Kentucky (1997) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

515 baby boys born in Kentucky (1997) 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.
Matthew

485 baby boys born in Kentucky (1997) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Michael
461 baby boys born in Kentucky (1997) 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.
Joshua
455 baby boys born in Kentucky (1997) 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.
Brandon
447 baby boys born in Kentucky (1997) 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".
Zachary
429 baby boys born in Kentucky (1997) named Zachary
The name Zachary means "remembered by God" or "God has remembered" in Hebrew.
Christopher
422 baby boys born in Kentucky (1997) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Tyler
393 baby boys born in Kentucky (1997) 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.
John
384 baby boys born in Kentucky (1997) 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
360 baby boys born in Kentucky (1997) 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.
Nicholas
334 baby boys born in Kentucky (1997) 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.
Joseph
310 baby boys born in Kentucky (1997) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Dylan
295 baby boys born in Kentucky (1997) named Dylan
The name Dylan is of Welsh origin and its meaning is "son of the sea". It is derived from the Welsh word "dy" which means "great" and "llanw" which means "tide" or "flow". The name has been used as a given name for centuries and has been popularized in modern times by various famous individuals.
Jordan
293 baby boys born in Kentucky (1997) 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.
Justin
287 baby boys born in Kentucky (1997) 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.
David
287 baby boys born in Kentucky (1997) 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
285 baby boys born in Kentucky (1997) 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.