Arkansas's most popular baby names in 1938

In the year 1938, the state of Arkansas saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborns. Mary, Betty, and Shirley emerged as the most popular names for baby girls, while James, Charles, and John were the most favored names for baby boys.

Mary, the top baby girl name in Arkansas in 1938, has been a timeless classic for centuries. Betty, a diminutive of Elizabeth, was also a popular choice for parents who wanted a name that was both simple and elegant. Shirley, on the other hand, was a relatively new name that gained popularity in the 1930s, thanks to the famous child actress Shirley Temple. For baby boys, James, Charles, and John were the go-to names for parents who wanted to give their sons strong and timeless names that would stand the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Arkansas in 1938

In 1938, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Arkansas with 1159 babies being named Mary. Betty was the second most popular name with 818 babies being named Betty. Shirley was the third most popular name with 611 babies being named Shirley. Barbara was the fourth most popular name with 552 babies being named Barbara. Dorothy was the fifth most popular name with 411 babies being named Dorothy.

Mary

1159 baby girls born in Arkansas (1938) 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

818 baby girls born in Arkansas (1938) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Shirley

611 baby girls born in Arkansas (1938) 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.
Barbara

552 baby girls born in Arkansas (1938) 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.
Dorothy

411 baby girls born in Arkansas (1938) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Patsy
283 baby girls born in Arkansas (1938) 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.
Carolyn
283 baby girls born in Arkansas (1938) 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.
Martha
270 baby girls born in Arkansas (1938) 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.
Wanda
245 baby girls born in Arkansas (1938) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Joyce
244 baby girls born in Arkansas (1938) 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.
Patricia
232 baby girls born in Arkansas (1938) 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.
Virginia
223 baby girls born in Arkansas (1938) 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.
Helen
218 baby girls born in Arkansas (1938) 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.
Linda
200 baby girls born in Arkansas (1938) named Linda
The name Linda means "beautiful" or "pretty" in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and other Romance languages. It is also derived from the Germanic word "lind," which means "gentle" or "soft."
Margaret
197 baby girls born in Arkansas (1938) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Doris
194 baby girls born in Arkansas (1938) 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.
Norma
186 baby girls born in Arkansas (1938) 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.
Ruby
182 baby girls born in Arkansas (1938) 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.
Peggy
176 baby girls born in Arkansas (1938) 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 (1938) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".

Most popular baby boy names in Arkansas in 1938

According to records from 1938, the most popular baby boy names in Arkansas were James, Charles, John, Robert, and William. James was the most popular name with 1368 babies being given that name, followed by Charles with 771 babies, John with 674 babies, Robert with 637 babies, and William with 618 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and family traditions at the time.

James

1368 baby boys born in Arkansas (1938) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Charles

771 baby boys born in Arkansas (1938) 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.
John

674 baby boys born in Arkansas (1938) 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.
Robert

637 baby boys born in Arkansas (1938) 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.
William

618 baby boys born in Arkansas (1938) 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
606 baby boys born in Arkansas (1938) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Bobby
507 baby boys born in Arkansas (1938) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Donald
378 baby boys born in Arkansas (1938) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Jerry
330 baby boys born in Arkansas (1938) 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.
Jimmy
305 baby boys born in Arkansas (1938) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Joe
289 baby boys born in Arkansas (1938) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
George
270 baby boys born in Arkansas (1938) 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.
Thomas
252 baby boys born in Arkansas (1938) 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.
Willie
234 baby boys born in Arkansas (1938) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
David
228 baby boys born in Arkansas (1938) 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.
Kenneth
217 baby boys born in Arkansas (1938) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Harold
215 baby boys born in Arkansas (1938) 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.
Richard
185 baby boys born in Arkansas (1938) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Paul
171 baby boys born in Arkansas (1938) 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.
Carl
160 baby boys born in Arkansas (1938) 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.