Arkansas's most popular baby names in 1939

In the year 1939, the state of Arkansas saw a surge in the popularity of traditional baby names. Mary, Betty, and Shirley emerged as the top three baby girl names, while James, Charles, and John were the most favored baby boy names.

Mary, a timeless classic, held the top spot for baby girl names in Arkansas. Betty, a diminutive form of Elizabeth, was a popular choice as well. Shirley, a name that had gained popularity in the 1930s, rounded out the top three. For baby boys, James, a name with biblical origins, was the most popular choice. Charles, a name that had been in use for centuries, held the second spot, while John, another biblical name, came in third. These names reflect a time when traditional names were favored over more unique or unconventional choices.

Most popular baby girl names in Arkansas in 1939

In Arkansas, 1939, Mary was the most popular baby girl name with 1111 babies named Mary. Betty followed closely in second place with 821 babies named Betty. The third most popular name was Shirley with 554 babies named Shirley. Barbara came in fourth place with 499 babies named Barbara, and Dorothy rounded out the top five with 361 babies named Dorothy.

Mary

1111 baby girls born in Arkansas (1939) 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

821 baby girls born in Arkansas (1939) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Shirley

554 baby girls born in Arkansas (1939) 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

499 baby girls born in Arkansas (1939) 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

361 baby girls born in Arkansas (1939) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Wanda
277 baby girls born in Arkansas (1939) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Carolyn
265 baby girls born in Arkansas (1939) 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.
Patsy
263 baby girls born in Arkansas (1939) 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.
Linda
259 baby girls born in Arkansas (1939) 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."
Martha
256 baby girls born in Arkansas (1939) 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.
Joyce
253 baby girls born in Arkansas (1939) 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.
Helen
237 baby girls born in Arkansas (1939) 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.
Patricia
218 baby girls born in Arkansas (1939) 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.
Margaret
211 baby girls born in Arkansas (1939) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Virginia
211 baby girls born in Arkansas (1939) 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.
Peggy
196 baby girls born in Arkansas (1939) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Nancy
192 baby girls born in Arkansas (1939) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Doris
188 baby girls born in Arkansas (1939) 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.
Ruby
177 baby girls born in Arkansas (1939) 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.
Frances
175 baby girls born in Arkansas (1939) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".

Most popular baby boy names in Arkansas in 1939

In 1939, the most popular baby boy names in Arkansas were James, Charles, John, Robert, and William. James was the most popular name with 1401 babies given that name. Charles came in second with 796 babies named that, followed closely by John with 644 babies. Robert and William rounded out the top five with 625 and 585 babies given those names, respectively.

James

1401 baby boys born in Arkansas (1939) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Charles

796 baby boys born in Arkansas (1939) 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

644 baby boys born in Arkansas (1939) 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

625 baby boys born in Arkansas (1939) 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

585 baby boys born in Arkansas (1939) 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
511 baby boys born in Arkansas (1939) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Bobby
472 baby boys born in Arkansas (1939) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Jerry
436 baby boys born in Arkansas (1939) 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.
Donald
349 baby boys born in Arkansas (1939) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Jimmy
347 baby boys born in Arkansas (1939) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Willie
285 baby boys born in Arkansas (1939) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Thomas
278 baby boys born in Arkansas (1939) 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.
Joe
261 baby boys born in Arkansas (1939) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Kenneth
252 baby boys born in Arkansas (1939) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
David
251 baby boys born in Arkansas (1939) 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.
George
250 baby boys born in Arkansas (1939) 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.
Richard
209 baby boys born in Arkansas (1939) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Harold
195 baby boys born in Arkansas (1939) 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.
Roy
168 baby boys born in Arkansas (1939) named Roy
The name Roy is of Scottish origin and means "red-haired" or "ruddy complexion".
Edward
164 baby boys born in Arkansas (1939) 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".