Arkansas's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of Arkansas saw a surge of babies being named after popular figures and timeless classics. Mary, a name that has been a favorite for centuries, topped the list for baby girls. Betty and Barbara, two names that were popular in the mid-twentieth century, followed closely behind.

For baby boys, the names James, Charles, and John were the most popular choices. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular even today. It is clear that parents in Arkansas in 1940 valued traditional and classic names for their newborns.

Most popular baby girl names in Arkansas in 1940

According to the records of Arkansas in 1940, the most popular baby girl name was Mary with 1192 occurrences. Following Mary, Betty was the second most popular name with 850 occurrences, followed by Barbara with 581 occurrences. Shirley was the fourth most popular name with 541 occurrences, and Linda was the fifth most popular name with 360 occurrences. These were the top five baby girl names in Arkansas in 1940.

Mary

1192 baby girls born in Arkansas (1940) 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

850 baby girls born in Arkansas (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

581 baby girls born in Arkansas (1940) 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.
Shirley

541 baby girls born in Arkansas (1940) 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.
Linda

360 baby girls born in Arkansas (1940) 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."
Dorothy
352 baby girls born in Arkansas (1940) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Carolyn
332 baby girls born in Arkansas (1940) 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.
Patricia
313 baby girls born in Arkansas (1940) 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.
Martha
279 baby girls born in Arkansas (1940) 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
272 baby girls born in Arkansas (1940) 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
265 baby girls born in Arkansas (1940) 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.
Helen
245 baby girls born in Arkansas (1940) 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.
Wanda
227 baby girls born in Arkansas (1940) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Margaret
218 baby girls born in Arkansas (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Peggy
211 baby girls born in Arkansas (1940) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Ruby
207 baby girls born in Arkansas (1940) 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.
Nancy
192 baby girls born in Arkansas (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Alice
184 baby girls born in Arkansas (1940) named Alice
The name Alice is of German origin and means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a popular name that has been used for centuries and has been the name of many notable fictional characters in literature and film.
Virginia
180 baby girls born in Arkansas (1940) 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.
Doris
176 baby girls born in Arkansas (1940) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Arkansas in 1940

Based on the data from Arkansas in 1940, the most popular baby boy names were James, Charles, John, Robert, and William. James was the most popular name with 1474 babies named James, followed by Charles with 768 babies, John with 706 babies, Robert with 691 babies, and William with 646 babies. These names were likely chosen by parents for their traditional and timeless appeal.

James

1474 baby boys born in Arkansas (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Charles

768 baby boys born in Arkansas (1940) 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

706 baby boys born in Arkansas (1940) 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

691 baby boys born in Arkansas (1940) 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

646 baby boys born in Arkansas (1940) 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
546 baby boys born in Arkansas (1940) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Jerry
531 baby boys born in Arkansas (1940) 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.
Bobby
472 baby boys born in Arkansas (1940) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Donald
370 baby boys born in Arkansas (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Jimmy
362 baby boys born in Arkansas (1940) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Thomas
289 baby boys born in Arkansas (1940) 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
282 baby boys born in Arkansas (1940) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
George
276 baby boys born in Arkansas (1940) 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.
David
265 baby boys born in Arkansas (1940) 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.
Willie
257 baby boys born in Arkansas (1940) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Harold
222 baby boys born in Arkansas (1940) 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
222 baby boys born in Arkansas (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Kenneth
220 baby boys born in Arkansas (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Larry
219 baby boys born in Arkansas (1940) named Larry
The name Larry is a shortened form of the name Lawrence, which comes from the Latin name Laurentius meaning "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel". The name was popularized in the Middle Ages due to the fame of St. Lawrence, a Christian martyr who was roasted alive on a gridiron. The name Larry has been used as a given name since the 19th century and has been a popular name in the United States.
Paul
198 baby boys born in Arkansas (1940) 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.