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Most popular girl names in the 80s in Kentucky

By Stacker Stacker

Updated March 23, 2026 2:43 PM

Whether it's a long-held family name, a biblical name, or a name that holds special meaning for mom or dad, choosing the moniker that your child will carry for life isn't something to take lightly. Over the years, certain names have peaked and then faded in popularity while others stayed at the top of the rankings for multiple decades. And while traditional and biblical names always seem to be in style, we've also seen some more uncommon names become trendy.

Stacker compiled a list of the most popular baby names for girls in the 80s in Kentucky using data from the Social Security Administration. Names are ranked by number of babies born.

Many baby names are inspired by pop culture of the time, whether movies, music, or television. Others represent familial names or have other traditional significance. Keep reading to see if your name made the list.

#30. Erin

Erin is a name of Irish origin meaning "peace".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,629

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 67 (#573 most common name, -95.9% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 115,811 (#28 most common name)

#29. Andrea

Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,630

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 114 (#386 (tie) most common name, -93.0% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 98,264 (#33 most common name)

#28. Jamie

Jamie is a name of Scottish origin meaning "supplanter".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,664

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 45 (#696 (tie) most common name, -97.3% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 96,557 (#34 most common name)

#27. Sara

Sara is a derivation of the name Sarah, of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,734

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 160 (#278 (tie) most common name, -90.8% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 104,681 (#30 most common name)

#26. April

April is a name of Latin origin meaning "to open".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,916

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 12 (#1126 most common name, -99.4% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 75,948 (#40 most common name)

#25. Christina

Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,987

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 92 (#458 most common name, -95.4% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 146,011 (#18 most common name)

#24. Lauren

Lauren is a name of Latin origin meaning "the bay or laurel plant".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,029

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 170 (#264 most common name, -91.6% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 145,147 (#19 most common name)

#23. Laura

Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,117

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 158 (#284 most common name, -92.5% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 134,611 (#23 most common name)

#22. Angela

Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,217

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 107 (#405 (tie) most common name, -95.2% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 116,594 (#27 most common name)

#21. Rachel

Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,351

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 188 (#239 (tie) most common name, -92.0% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 146,678 (#16 most common name)

#20. Samantha

Samantha is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "told by God".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,406

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 216 (#210 (tie) most common name, -91.0% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 121,126 (#26 most common name)

#19. Mary

Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,438

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 530 (#68 (tie) most common name, -78.3% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 95,862 (#35 most common name)

#18. Megan

Megan is a name of Welsh origin meaning "pearl".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,484

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 44 (#701 (tie) most common name, -98.2% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 153,502 (#14 most common name)

#17. Kimberly

Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,491

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 171 (#262 (tie) most common name, -93.1% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 146,453 (#17 most common name)

#16. Emily

Emily is a name of Latin origin meaning "to strive".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,520

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 856 (#28 most common name, -66.0% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 131,770 (#25 most common name)

#15. Crystal

Crystal is a name of Latin origin meaning "Earth mineral".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,716

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 856 (#28 most common name, data not available compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 141,009 (#20 most common name)

#14. Rebecca

Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,780

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 185 (#245 most common name, -93.3% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 136,243 (#22 most common name)

#13. Melissa

Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,814

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 87 (#478 most common name, -96.9% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 217,929 (#7 most common name)

#12. Amy

Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,143

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 144 (#310 (tie) most common name, -95.4% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 150,659 (#15 most common name)

#11. Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,172

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 1,250 (#12 most common name, -60.6% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 198,977 (#9 most common name)

#10. Amber

Amber is a name of Persian origin meaning "ambergris", a fragrant material extracted from a type of whale.

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,196

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 64 (#593 (tie) most common name, -98.0% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 153,951 (#13 most common name)

#9. Stephanie

Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,294

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 79 (#510 most common name, -97.6% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 218,175 (#6 most common name)

#8. Tiffany

Tiffany is a name of Greek origin meaning "appearance of God".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,422

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 18 (#985 most common name, -99.5% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 158,625 (#11 most common name)

#7. Brittany

Brittany is a name of French origin meaning "from Briton".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,714

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 39 (#740 most common name, -98.9% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 140,812 (#21 most common name)

#6. Heather

Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,937

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 12 (#1126 most common name, -99.7% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 191,854 (#10 most common name)

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#5. Sarah

Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 4,970

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 455 (#83 most common name, -90.8% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 272,647 (#5 most common name)

#4. Jennifer

Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 6,439

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 79 (#510 most common name, -98.8% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 440,916 (#2 most common name)

#3. Ashley

Ashley is a name of English origin meaning "ash tree meadow".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 7,726

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 212 (#212 most common name, -97.3% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 352,185 (#4 most common name)

#2. Amanda

Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 8,684

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 100 (#432 (tie) most common name, -98.8% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 369,728 (#3 most common name)

#1. Jessica

Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".

Kentucky

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 8,868

- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 112 (#395 (tie) most common name, -98.7% compared to the 80s)

National:

- Babies from 1980 to 1989: 469,518 (#1 most common name)

This story was originally published March 23, 2026 at 10:21 AM.