Arkansas's most popular baby names in 1937

In the year 1937, the state of Arkansas saw a surge in the popularity of traditional baby names. Mary, Betty, and Shirley topped the list of most popular names for baby girls. These classic names were favored by parents who valued simplicity and timelessness in their choices.

For baby boys, James, Charles, and John were the most popular names in Arkansas. These strong and confident names have remained popular choices for parents over the years. It is clear that in 1937, Arkansas parents were drawn to traditional names that conveyed strength, resilience, and a sense of history.

Most popular baby girl names in Arkansas in 1937

According to the data from 1937, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Arkansas with 1148 babies being named Mary. Betty was the second most popular name with 821 babies being named Betty, followed by Shirley with 589 babies. Barbara and Dorothy were also popular names with 452 and 374 babies being named respectively. These names were the top 5 most popular baby girl names in Arkansas in 1937.

  1. Mary

    1148 baby girls born in Arkansas (1937) 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.

  2. Betty

    821 baby girls born in Arkansas (1937) named Betty

    The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

  3. Shirley

    589 baby girls born in Arkansas (1937) named Shirley

    The name Shirley is of English origin and its meaning is "bright meadow" or "bright clearing". It was originally a surname that became a popular given name in the 19th century.

  4. Barbara

    452 baby girls born in Arkansas (1937) 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.

  5. Dorothy

    374 baby girls born in Arkansas (1937) named Dorothy

    The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".

  6. Patsy

    308 baby girls born in Arkansas (1937) 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.

  7. Martha

    281 baby girls born in Arkansas (1937) 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.

  8. Helen

    250 baby girls born in Arkansas (1937) 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.

  9. Joyce

    228 baby girls born in Arkansas (1937) 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.

  10. Patricia

    227 baby girls born in Arkansas (1937) named Patricia

    The name Patricia is derived from the Latin word "patricius," meaning "noble" or "aristocratic." It was a popular name in the Roman Empire and later spread throughout Europe. The name is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, kindness, and leadership.

  11. Virginia

    223 baby girls born in Arkansas (1937) 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.

  12. Wanda

    211 baby girls born in Arkansas (1937) named Wanda

    The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".

  13. Carolyn

    211 baby girls born in Arkansas (1937) named Carolyn

    The name Carolyn is a feminine given name of English origin. It is a variant of Caroline, which is derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or "strong". The name Carolyn has been in use since the 19th century and has been a popular name for girls in the United States.

  14. Ruby

    201 baby girls born in Arkansas (1937) 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.

  15. Doris

    197 baby girls born in Arkansas (1937) 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.

  16. Frances

    182 baby girls born in Arkansas (1937) named Frances

    Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".

  17. Margaret

    181 baby girls born in Arkansas (1937) named Margaret

    The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

  18. Peggy

    178 baby girls born in Arkansas (1937) named Peggy

    The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".

  19. Norma

    143 baby girls born in Arkansas (1937) 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.

  20. Nancy

    142 baby girls born in Arkansas (1937) named Nancy

    The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".

Most popular baby boy names in Arkansas in 1937

Based on the data from 1937, the most popular baby boy names in Arkansas were James, Charles, John, Robert, and William. James was the most popular name with 1304 babies given that name, followed by Charles with 784 babies, John with 639 babies, Robert with 620 babies, and William with 573 babies.

  1. James

    1304 baby boys born in Arkansas (1937) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  2. Charles

    784 baby boys born in Arkansas (1937) 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.

  3. John

    639 baby boys born in Arkansas (1937) 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.

  4. Robert

    620 baby boys born in Arkansas (1937) 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.

  5. William

    573 baby boys born in Arkansas (1937) 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.

  6. Billy

    566 baby boys born in Arkansas (1937) named Billy

    The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".

  7. Bobby

    508 baby boys born in Arkansas (1937) named Bobby

    The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".

  8. Donald

    320 baby boys born in Arkansas (1937) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  9. Joe

    316 baby boys born in Arkansas (1937) named Joe

    The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".

  10. Jerry

    301 baby boys born in Arkansas (1937) named Jerry

    The name Jerry is a diminutive form of the name Gerald or Gerard, which means "ruler with a spear" or "brave with a spear" respectively. It is of Old German origin.

  11. Jimmy

    295 baby boys born in Arkansas (1937) named Jimmy

    The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  12. George

    281 baby boys born in Arkansas (1937) 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.

  13. Willie

    266 baby boys born in Arkansas (1937) named Willie

    The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".

  14. Thomas

    240 baby boys born in Arkansas (1937) 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.

  15. Kenneth

    219 baby boys born in Arkansas (1937) named Kenneth

    The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".

  16. Harold

    199 baby boys born in Arkansas (1937) 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.

  17. Carl

    188 baby boys born in Arkansas (1937) 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.

  18. David

    181 baby boys born in Arkansas (1937) 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.

  19. Richard

    172 baby boys born in Arkansas (1937) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  20. Jimmie

    160 baby boys born in Arkansas (1937) named Jimmie