Arkansas's most popular baby names in 1941

In 1941, the state of Arkansas saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborns. Mary, Betty, and Barbara topped the list of most popular baby girl names, while James, John, and Charles were the most commonly chosen names for baby boys.

Mary, a timeless name with biblical roots, maintained its position as the most popular name for baby girls in Arkansas. Betty, a diminutive of Elizabeth, and Barbara, a name of Greek origin meaning "stranger," followed closely behind. For baby boys, James, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter," was the most popular choice, followed by John, a classic name meaning "God is gracious," and Charles, a name of German origin meaning "free man." These traditional names continue to be popular choices for parents in Arkansas and across the United States.

Most popular baby girl names in Arkansas in 1941

According to the records of Arkansas in 1941, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with a total of 1223 babies being named Mary that year. Following Mary, the next most popular names were Betty with 766 babies, Barbara with 557 babies, Linda with 520 babies, and Shirley with 513 babies. These names were the top 5 most commonly given names to baby girls in Arkansas during that year.

Mary

1223 baby girls born in Arkansas (1941) 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

766 baby girls born in Arkansas (1941) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

557 baby girls born in Arkansas (1941) 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.
Linda

520 baby girls born in Arkansas (1941) 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."
Shirley

513 baby girls born in Arkansas (1941) 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.
Carolyn
427 baby girls born in Arkansas (1941) 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
352 baby girls born in Arkansas (1941) 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.
Dorothy
350 baby girls born in Arkansas (1941) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Patricia
346 baby girls born in Arkansas (1941) 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.
Wanda
290 baby girls born in Arkansas (1941) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Joyce
275 baby girls born in Arkansas (1941) 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.
Martha
256 baby girls born in Arkansas (1941) 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.
Margaret
243 baby girls born in Arkansas (1941) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Helen
235 baby girls born in Arkansas (1941) 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.
Peggy
217 baby girls born in Arkansas (1941) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Doris
200 baby girls born in Arkansas (1941) 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.
Nancy
191 baby girls born in Arkansas (1941) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Virginia
191 baby girls born in Arkansas (1941) 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.
Ruby
187 baby girls born in Arkansas (1941) 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.
Alice
150 baby girls born in Arkansas (1941) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Arkansas in 1941

Based on the records of baby boy names in Arkansas in 1941, James was the most popular name with 1460 occurrences. John came in second with 776 instances, followed by Charles with 741 occurrences. William and Robert also made it to the top five with 698 and 671 instances, respectively. These names were the most favored by parents during that year in Arkansas.

James

1460 baby boys born in Arkansas (1941) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

776 baby boys born in Arkansas (1941) 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.
Charles

741 baby boys born in Arkansas (1941) 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.
William

698 baby boys born in Arkansas (1941) 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.
Robert

671 baby boys born in Arkansas (1941) 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.
Jerry
626 baby boys born in Arkansas (1941) 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.
Billy
524 baby boys born in Arkansas (1941) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Bobby
462 baby boys born in Arkansas (1941) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Jimmy
377 baby boys born in Arkansas (1941) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Donald
333 baby boys born in Arkansas (1941) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Thomas
325 baby boys born in Arkansas (1941) 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.
Larry
324 baby boys born in Arkansas (1941) 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.
Joe
301 baby boys born in Arkansas (1941) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
David
300 baby boys born in Arkansas (1941) 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
285 baby boys born in Arkansas (1941) 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
257 baby boys born in Arkansas (1941) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Richard
248 baby boys born in Arkansas (1941) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Kenneth
225 baby boys born in Arkansas (1941) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Carl
197 baby boys born in Arkansas (1941) 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.
Roy
192 baby boys born in Arkansas (1941) named Roy
The name Roy is of Scottish origin and means "red-haired" or "ruddy complexion".