Kentucky's most popular baby names in 2016

The state of Kentucky is known for its rich history, southern charm and hospitality. In 2016, the most popular baby names in the state reflected this unique blend of tradition and modernity. For baby girls, Emma, Ava and Olivia topped the list, while for baby boys, William, Elijah and James were the most popular choices.

Emma, a timeless classic, has been a popular name for baby girls for decades. Ava, a name that has gained popularity in recent years, is a nod to the glamour of Hollywood's golden age. Olivia, a name that has been steadily climbing the charts, is a beautiful and elegant choice for any baby girl. For baby boys, William, a name that has been popular for centuries, continues to be a top choice. Elijah, a name with biblical roots, is a strong and powerful name, while James, a classic name that has stood the test of time, is a popular choice for parents looking for a traditional name with a modern twist.

Most popular baby girl names in Kentucky in 2016

According to the data of baby girl names in Kentucky for the year 2016, Emma was the most popular name with 312 occurrences, followed by Ava with 272 occurrences, Olivia with 246 occurrences, Harper with 222 occurrences, and Isabella with 182 occurrences. These names reflect a trend towards short, sweet names that are easy to pronounce and spell.

Emma

312 baby girls born in Kentucky (2016) 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.
Ava

272 baby girls born in Kentucky (2016) 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.
Olivia

246 baby girls born in Kentucky (2016) 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.
Harper

222 baby girls born in Kentucky (2016) named Harper
Harper is a unisex name of English origin. Its meaning is "harp player" or "one who plays the harp". It was originally a surname but has gained popularity as a given name in recent years.
Isabella

182 baby girls born in Kentucky (2016) 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.
Sophia
180 baby girls born in Kentucky (2016) named Sophia
The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek.
Amelia
178 baby girls born in Kentucky (2016) named Amelia
The name Amelia is of Latin origin and means "work of the Lord" or "industrious".
Abigail
173 baby girls born in Kentucky (2016) named Abigail
The name Abigail means "my father's joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew.
Elizabeth
152 baby girls born in Kentucky (2016) 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.
Charlotte
152 baby girls born in Kentucky (2016) named Charlotte
Charlotte is a female given name, a female form of the male name Charlot, a diminutive of Charles. It is of French origin meaning "free man" or "petite".
Mia
151 baby girls born in Kentucky (2016) named Mia
The name Mia is of Scandinavian and Italian origin. It is derived from the Scandinavian name Maja, which means "bitter" or "sea of bitterness". In Italian, Mia means "mine" or "my".
Addison
151 baby girls born in Kentucky (2016) 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.
Evelyn
148 baby girls born in Kentucky (2016) named Evelyn
The name Evelyn is of English origin and is derived from the French name Aveline, which means "hazelnut". It is also believed to have roots in the Germanic name Avelina, which means "wished-for child" or "longed-for child". Overall, the name Evelyn is associated with sweetness, charm, and grace.
Avery
142 baby girls born in Kentucky (2016) named Avery
The name Avery is of English origin and has multiple meanings. It can mean "ruler of the elves" or "wise". It is a unisex name, meaning it can be given to both boys and girls.
Ella
131 baby girls born in Kentucky (2016) 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.
Emily
129 baby girls born in Kentucky (2016) 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.
Paisley
129 baby girls born in Kentucky (2016) named Paisley
The name Paisley is of Scottish origin and is derived from the name of a town in Scotland. The meaning of the name is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated from the Old British word "baslec," which means "basilica" or "church." It is also thought to be related to the word "pais," which means "servant" or "child." Overall, the exact meaning of the name Paisley is unknown.
Lillian
128 baby girls born in Kentucky (2016) 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.
Madison
122 baby girls born in Kentucky (2016) 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."
Chloe
117 baby girls born in Kentucky (2016) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Kentucky in 2016

According to data from 2016, the most popular baby boy names in Kentucky were William, Elijah, James, Noah, and Liam. William was the most popular name with 316 babies given that name, followed closely by Elijah with 262 babies. James, Noah, and Liam rounded out the top five with 259, 258, and 256 babies given those names, respectively.

William

316 baby boys born in Kentucky (2016) 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.
Elijah

262 baby boys born in Kentucky (2016) 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.
James

259 baby boys born in Kentucky (2016) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Noah

258 baby boys born in Kentucky (2016) 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.
Liam

256 baby boys born in Kentucky (2016) named Liam
The name Liam is of Irish origin and is a shortened form of the name Uilliam, which is the Irish version of the name William. The name Liam means "strong-willed warrior" or "protector".
Grayson
219 baby boys born in Kentucky (2016) named Grayson
Grayson is a name of English origin and means "son of the steward" or "son of the grey-haired one".
Wyatt
217 baby boys born in Kentucky (2016) named Wyatt
The name Wyatt is of English origin and means "brave in war".
Mason
214 baby boys born in Kentucky (2016) named Mason
The name Mason is of English origin and means "worker in stone". It is often associated with the occupation of stonemasonry and is a popular surname that has been used as a first name since the 19th century. The name has a strong and masculine sound to it and is often chosen for boys.
Jackson
201 baby boys born in Kentucky (2016) 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.
Oliver
200 baby boys born in Kentucky (2016) named Oliver
Oliver is a name of English origin, derived from the Old French name Olivier. The name is believed to mean "olive tree" or "olive branch". It has been a popular name in England since the Middle Ages and has gained popularity in other English-speaking countries over time.
John
195 baby boys born in Kentucky (2016) 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.
Jaxon
194 baby boys born in Kentucky (2016) named Jaxon
The name Jaxon is a modern variant of the name Jackson, which means "son of Jack". It is a combination of the name Jack, which is a diminutive of John, and the suffix "-son", which means "son of". Therefore, the name Jaxon can be interpreted to mean "son of John" or "son of Jack".
Benjamin
191 baby boys born in Kentucky (2016) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.
Levi
187 baby boys born in Kentucky (2016) named Levi
The name Levi is of Hebrew origin and means "joined" or "attached". It is also associated with the biblical figure Levi, one of the 12 sons of Jacob and the patriarch of the Levites, the priestly tribe of Israel.
Lucas
186 baby boys born in Kentucky (2016) named Lucas
The name Lucas is a Latin name meaning "from Lucania," a region in southern Italy. It is derived from the Latin name Lucius, which means "light" or "illumination."
Hunter
179 baby boys born in Kentucky (2016) 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.
Carter
179 baby boys born in Kentucky (2016) named Carter
The name Carter is of English origin and means "one who transports goods by cart". It is a surname that has been used as a given name since the 19th century. It is a popular name for boys in the United States.
Jacob
169 baby boys born in Kentucky (2016) 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.
Gabriel
166 baby boys born in Kentucky (2016) named Gabriel
The name Gabriel means "God is my strength" or "hero of God". It is of Hebrew origin and is commonly associated with the archangel Gabriel in Christian and Jewish traditions.
Colton
166 baby boys born in Kentucky (2016) named Colton
The name Colton means "coal town" or "settlement of charcoal burners" and is of English origin.