Arkansas's most popular baby names in 1932

In the year 1932, the state of Arkansas saw a surge in the popularity of classic names for newborns. Mary, Betty, and Dorothy topped the list of most popular baby girl names, while James, Charles, and Robert were the top choices for baby boys.

Mary, a timeless name with biblical roots, has consistently been a popular choice for parents throughout history. Betty, a diminutive form of Elizabeth, was also a favorite among parents in Arkansas. Dorothy, a name meaning "gift of God," was another classic choice for baby girls. On the boys' side, James, Charles, and Robert were all traditional names that have stood the test of time. These names were likely chosen for their strong and masculine qualities, as well as their historical significance.

Most popular baby girl names in Arkansas in 1932

In Arkansas in 1932, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with 1249 babies given that name. Following Mary were Betty with 960 babies, Dorothy with 490 babies, Wanda with 293 babies, and Helen with 281 babies. These were the top five baby girl names in the state during that year.

Mary

1249 baby girls born in Arkansas (1932) named Mary
Mary is a feminine given name that has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history. The meaning and origin of the name are uncertain, but it is believed to derive from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "bitter" or "rebellious". The name Mary is popular in Christian cultures due to its association with the mother of Jesus Christ.
Betty

960 baby girls born in Arkansas (1932) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Dorothy

490 baby girls born in Arkansas (1932) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Wanda

293 baby girls born in Arkansas (1932) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Helen

281 baby girls born in Arkansas (1932) named Helen
Helen is a name of Greek origin and means "bright, shining one" or "torchbearer". It is also sometimes associated with the meaning "sunray" or "ray of light". The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Barbara
253 baby girls born in Arkansas (1932) named Barbara
The name Barbara is of Greek origin, derived from the word "barbaros" which means foreign or strange. It was a popular name in the Middle Ages and was often given to girls born on St. Barbara's feast day. The name has been used in various cultures and languages around the world.
Martha
241 baby girls born in Arkansas (1932) named Martha
The name Martha means "lady" or "mistress" and is of Aramaic origin. It is a biblical name, borne by the sister of Lazarus in the New Testament.
Ruby
236 baby girls born in Arkansas (1932) named Ruby
The name Ruby is derived from the Latin word "ruber," which means "red." It is a gemstone name and is associated with love, passion, and energy. Ruby is also believed to bring good fortune and success to those who wear it.
Virginia
221 baby girls born in Arkansas (1932) named Virginia
The name Virginia is derived from the Latin word "Virgo" which means "maiden" or "virgin". It was a popular name in ancient Rome and was often given to girls who were born in the month of August. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century and is associated with purity, innocence, and virtue.
Margaret
212 baby girls born in Arkansas (1932) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Doris
204 baby girls born in Arkansas (1932) named Doris
The name Doris means "gift of the ocean" or "from the sea" in Greek. It was also the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology.
Mildred
197 baby girls born in Arkansas (1932) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Ruth
197 baby girls born in Arkansas (1932) named Ruth
The name Ruth means "friend" or "companion" in Hebrew. It is also associated with the character Ruth in the Bible, who was known for her loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi.
Joyce
188 baby girls born in Arkansas (1932) named Joyce
The name Joyce is of Old French origin, derived from the name Josse, which means "lord" or "master". It was originally a masculine name but became popular as a feminine name in the 20th century. The name Joyce is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, creativity, and independence.
Patsy
188 baby girls born in Arkansas (1932) named Patsy
The name Patsy is a diminutive form of the name Patricia or Patrick, which means "noble" or "patrician" in Latin. The name Patsy is commonly used as a nickname for someone with the full name Patricia or Patrick.
Norma
185 baby girls born in Arkansas (1932) named Norma
The name Norma is of Latin origin and means "rule" or "standard". It was popularized by the Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini's opera "Norma" in the 19th century. The name has been in use since the Middle Ages and continues to be used today.
Billie
178 baby girls born in Arkansas (1932) named Billie
The name Billie is a unisex name of English origin. Its meaning is unknown, but it is thought to be a diminutive of the name William or Wilhelmina. It became popular in the early 20th century and has been used for both boys and girls.
Peggy
175 baby girls born in Arkansas (1932) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Frances
168 baby girls born in Arkansas (1932) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Juanita
165 baby girls born in Arkansas (1932) named Juanita
The name Juanita is a diminutive form of the name Juan, which is the Spanish version of John. It means "God is gracious" or "gift from God".

Most popular baby boy names in Arkansas in 1932

According to records from 1932, the most popular baby boy names in Arkansas were James, Charles, Robert, John, and William. James was the most popular name with 1329 babies given that name. Charles came in second with 725 babies, followed by Robert with 693 babies, John with 678 babies, and William with 656 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

James

1329 baby boys born in Arkansas (1932) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Charles

725 baby boys born in Arkansas (1932) named Charles
The name Charles means "free man" or "strong man" and is of Germanic origin. It was a popular name among European royalty and has been commonly used throughout history.
Robert

693 baby boys born in Arkansas (1932) 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.
John

678 baby boys born in Arkansas (1932) 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.
William

656 baby boys born in Arkansas (1932) 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.
Billy
631 baby boys born in Arkansas (1932) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Bobby
431 baby boys born in Arkansas (1932) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
George
279 baby boys born in Arkansas (1932) named George
The name George means "farmer" or "earthworker" and is of Greek origin. It was a popular name among early Christians, as Saint George is the patron saint of England and a martyr in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches. The name has been used by many notable figures throughout history, including several kings of England.
Willie
262 baby boys born in Arkansas (1932) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Joe
249 baby boys born in Arkansas (1932) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Donald
249 baby boys born in Arkansas (1932) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Harold
240 baby boys born in Arkansas (1932) named Harold
The name Harold is of Old English origin and means "ruler of the army". It was a popular name among the Anglo-Saxons and was borne by several kings of England.
Thomas
233 baby boys born in Arkansas (1932) named Thomas
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.
Kenneth
189 baby boys born in Arkansas (1932) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
David
168 baby boys born in Arkansas (1932) 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.
Edward
165 baby boys born in Arkansas (1932) named Edward
The name Edward means "wealthy guardian" or "rich guard" and is of Old English origin. It is derived from the words "ead" meaning "wealth, fortune" and "weard" meaning "guardian, protector".
Richard
164 baby boys born in Arkansas (1932) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Paul
154 baby boys born in Arkansas (1932) named Paul
The name Paul is of Latin origin and means "small" or "humble". It was originally derived from the Roman family name Paulus, which was a common name in ancient Rome. The name has been popularized by various saints and biblical figures, including the apostle Paul, who was a significant figure in the early Christian church.
Roy
151 baby boys born in Arkansas (1932) named Roy
The name Roy is of Scottish origin and means "red-haired" or "ruddy complexion".
Carl
149 baby boys born in Arkansas (1932) named Carl
The name Carl is of Germanic origin and means "man" or "free man". It is a variant of the name Charles and has been a popular name throughout history.