Kentucky's most popular baby names in 2008

Kentucky, the Bluegrass State, is known for its rolling hills, horse racing, and bourbon. However, when it comes to baby names, the state has some interesting trends. In 2008, the top baby girl names were Madison, Emma, and Olivia, while the top baby boy names were William, Jacob, and James.

Madison, a unisex name, has been a popular choice for baby girls in Kentucky for several years. Emma, a classic name with a modern feel, is also a favorite among parents. Olivia, a name with Latin roots meaning "olive tree," has gained popularity in recent years. On the boy's side, William, a traditional name with royal connotations, remains a top choice. Jacob, a biblical name meaning "supplanter," and James, a classic name with a timeless feel, round out the top three. These names reflect the state's love for tradition and classic names with a modern twist.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 2008

In 2008, the most popular baby girl names in Kentucky were Madison, Emma, Olivia, Abigail, and Addison. Madison was the most popular name with 359 babies given that name, followed closely by Emma with 352 babies. Olivia, Abigail, and Addison rounded out the top five with 288, 285, and 269 babies given those names, respectively.

Madison

359 baby girls born in Kentucky (2008) 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."
Emma

352 baby girls born in Kentucky (2008) named Emma
The name Emma is of German origin and means "universal" or "whole". It is a popular name in many countries and has been used since medieval times. The name has been associated with strength, beauty, and intelligence.
Olivia

288 baby girls born in Kentucky (2008) named Olivia
The name Olivia is of Latin origin and means "olive tree". It is a feminine name that has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 18th century. The olive tree is a symbol of peace and fertility, and the name Olivia has been associated with these qualities.
Abigail

285 baby girls born in Kentucky (2008) named Abigail
The name Abigail means "my father's joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew.
Addison

269 baby girls born in Kentucky (2008) named Addison
The name Addison is of English origin and means "son of Adam". It is a unisex name that has become more popular as a girl's name in recent years.
Emily
264 baby girls born in Kentucky (2008) 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.
Isabella
264 baby girls born in Kentucky (2008) named Isabella
The name Isabella is of Italian and Spanish origin and means "God is my oath" or "devoted to God". It is a variant of the name Elizabeth.
Ava
256 baby girls born in Kentucky (2008) named Ava
The name Ava is of uncertain origin and meaning. It is believed to possibly be a variation of the name Eve or a shortened form of the name Aveline. Some sources suggest that it may also have Germanic roots and mean "desired" or "life" in Hebrew. However, the true meaning of the name Ava remains unknown.
Chloe
230 baby girls born in Kentucky (2008) named Chloe
The name Chloe means "young green shoot" or "blooming" in Greek. It is a popular name for girls and has been used in various cultures throughout history.
Elizabeth
227 baby girls born in Kentucky (2008) 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.
Alexis
215 baby girls born in Kentucky (2008) 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.
Hannah
207 baby girls born in Kentucky (2008) 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.
Alyssa
197 baby girls born in Kentucky (2008) named Alyssa
The name Alyssa is derived from the name Alicia, which means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a feminine name commonly used in English-speaking countries.
Kaylee
192 baby girls born in Kentucky (2008) named Kaylee
The name Kaylee is a modern American name that is a combination of the names Kay and Lee. It is often interpreted as meaning "slim and fair" or "pure and clear."
Taylor
190 baby girls born in Kentucky (2008) 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.
Ella
166 baby girls born in Kentucky (2008) named Ella
The name Ella is of German origin and means "all, completely; fairy maiden". It is a short form of the name Eleanor or Ellen.
Brooklyn
166 baby girls born in Kentucky (2008) named Brooklyn
Brooklyn is a unisex name of American origin. It is derived from the name of the borough in New York City, which was named after the Dutch village Breukelen. The meaning of the name is unknown, but it is believed to have originated from the Dutch words "breuk" meaning "broken" and "land" meaning "land". The name Brooklyn has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially in the United States.
Lillian
158 baby girls born in Kentucky (2008) named Lillian
The name Lillian means "pure" or "innocent" and is of English origin. It is a variant of the name Lily and is often associated with the flower of the same name. Lillian has been a popular name for girls since the late 19th century.
Sarah
150 baby girls born in Kentucky (2008) 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.
Sophia
142 baby girls born in Kentucky (2008) named Sophia
The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 2008

In Kentucky in 2008, the most popular baby boy names were William, Jacob, James, Ethan, and Landon. William was the most popular name with 429 babies given this name. Jacob was a close second with 392 babies given this name, followed by James with 332 babies. Ethan and Landon rounded out the top five with 324 and 298 babies given these names, respectively.

William

429 baby boys born in Kentucky (2008) 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.
Jacob

392 baby boys born in Kentucky (2008) 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

332 baby boys born in Kentucky (2008) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Ethan

324 baby boys born in Kentucky (2008) named Ethan
The name Ethan means "firm, strong, enduring" and is of Hebrew origin.
Landon

298 baby boys born in Kentucky (2008) named Landon
The name Landon is of English origin and means "from the long hill".
Brayden
296 baby boys born in Kentucky (2008) named Brayden
The name Brayden is of Irish origin and means "broad valley".
Logan
267 baby boys born in Kentucky (2008) named Logan
The name Logan is of Scottish origin and means "small hollow" or "little hollow". It is derived from the Gaelic word "lagan", which refers to a small valley or hollow.
Aiden
266 baby boys born in Kentucky (2008) named Aiden
The name Aiden means "fiery one" or "little fire" in Gaelic. It is a popular name for boys in the United States and has been consistently ranked in the top 100 names for several years.
Michael
259 baby boys born in Kentucky (2008) 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.
Noah
258 baby boys born in Kentucky (2008) named Noah
The name Noah is of Hebrew origin and means "rest" or "comfort". It is famously associated with the biblical character who built an ark to save his family and animals from a great flood.
Elijah
255 baby boys born in Kentucky (2008) named Elijah
The name Elijah is of Hebrew origin and means "my God is Yahweh". It is a biblical name and is associated with the prophet Elijah in the Old Testament.
Jackson
244 baby boys born in Kentucky (2008) named Jackson
The name Jackson is of English origin and means "son of Jack". It is a common surname that has been used as a first name since the 19th century.
Andrew
242 baby boys born in Kentucky (2008) 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.
Hunter
241 baby boys born in Kentucky (2008) named Hunter
The name Hunter is of English origin and it means "one who hunts". It is typically used as a masculine name and is associated with qualities such as strength, courage, and resourcefulness.
Matthew
241 baby boys born in Kentucky (2008) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Jayden
240 baby boys born in Kentucky (2008) named Jayden
The name Jayden is of modern origin and its meaning is uncertain. It is believed to be a combination of the names Jay and Aidan, or a variation of the name Jadon which means "thankful" or "God has heard".
Christopher
235 baby boys born in Kentucky (2008) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Caleb
234 baby boys born in Kentucky (2008) named Caleb
The name Caleb is of Hebrew origin and means "faithful, devoted, whole-hearted". It is a biblical name, borne by a figure in the Old Testament who was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. Caleb was known for his courage and faith in God, and his name has come to symbolize loyalty and steadfastness.
Gavin
227 baby boys born in Kentucky (2008) named Gavin
The name Gavin is of Welsh origin and means "white hawk" or "little hawk". It is a masculine name that has been used in Scotland and other English-speaking countries.
Joshua
226 baby boys born in Kentucky (2008) 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.