Arkansas's most popular baby names in 1944

In the year 1944, the state of Arkansas witnessed the arrival of many newborns, each with a unique name. However, there were a few names that stood out as the most popular choices for parents of baby girls and boys. For baby girls, the top names were Mary, Linda, and Betty, while for baby boys, the most popular names were James, Charles, and John.

Mary, a classic name with biblical roots, has been a popular choice for baby girls for centuries. Linda, on the other hand, was a name that gained popularity in the early 20th century and remained a favorite throughout the 1940s. Betty, a diminutive of Elizabeth, was also a common name for baby girls during this time. For baby boys, James, Charles, and John were the most popular names, all of which have strong historical and religious significance. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Arkansas in 1944

Based on the data from 1944, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Arkansas with a total of 1114 babies given the name. Linda came in second with 744 babies, followed by Betty with 669 babies. Carolyn and Barbara rounded up the top 5 with 559 and 550 babies respectively.

  1. Mary

    1114 baby girls born in Arkansas (1944) 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. Linda

    744 baby girls born in Arkansas (1944) 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."

  3. Betty

    669 baby girls born in Arkansas (1944) named Betty

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

  4. Carolyn

    559 baby girls born in Arkansas (1944) 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.

  5. Barbara

    550 baby girls born in Arkansas (1944) 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.

  6. Shirley

    449 baby girls born in Arkansas (1944) 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.

  7. Patricia

    357 baby girls born in Arkansas (1944) 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.

  8. Dorothy

    316 baby girls born in Arkansas (1944) named Dorothy

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

  9. Sharon

    284 baby girls born in Arkansas (1944) named Sharon

    The name Sharon means "a plain or flat area" in Hebrew. It is also a biblical name, referring to a fertile plain near the coast of Israel.

  10. Sandra

    258 baby girls born in Arkansas (1944) named Sandra

    The name Sandra is a variant of the name Alexandra, which is of Greek origin. The name Alexandra means "defender of mankind" or "protector of humanity". Therefore, it can be inferred that the name Sandra has a similar meaning.

  11. Joyce

    256 baby girls born in Arkansas (1944) 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.

  12. Patsy

    244 baby girls born in Arkansas (1944) 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.

  13. Martha

    244 baby girls born in Arkansas (1944) 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.

  14. Judy

    239 baby girls born in Arkansas (1944) named Judy

  15. Margaret

    224 baby girls born in Arkansas (1944) named Margaret

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

  16. Nancy

    215 baby girls born in Arkansas (1944) named Nancy

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

  17. Brenda

    210 baby girls born in Arkansas (1944) named Brenda

    The name Brenda is of Old Norse origin and means "sword" or "torch". It was popularized in the 20th century as a given name, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom.

  18. Wanda

    206 baby girls born in Arkansas (1944) named Wanda

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

  19. Helen

    186 baby girls born in Arkansas (1944) 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.

  20. Peggy

    175 baby girls born in Arkansas (1944) named Peggy

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

Most popular baby boy names in Arkansas in 1944

In Arkansas in 1944, the most popular baby boy name was James, with 1472 babies given that name. Following closely were Charles with 733, John with 690, Robert with 673, and William with 664. These names were the top 5 choices for parents in Arkansas during that year.

  1. James

    1472 baby boys born in Arkansas (1944) named James

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

  2. Charles

    733 baby boys born in Arkansas (1944) 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

    690 baby boys born in Arkansas (1944) 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

    673 baby boys born in Arkansas (1944) 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

    664 baby boys born in Arkansas (1944) 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. Jerry

    624 baby boys born in Arkansas (1944) 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.

  7. Larry

    562 baby boys born in Arkansas (1944) 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.

  8. Billy

    434 baby boys born in Arkansas (1944) named Billy

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

  9. David

    378 baby boys born in Arkansas (1944) 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.

  10. Jimmy

    375 baby boys born in Arkansas (1944) named Jimmy

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

  11. Thomas

    321 baby boys born in Arkansas (1944) 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.

  12. Donald

    316 baby boys born in Arkansas (1944) named Donald

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

  13. Bobby

    315 baby boys born in Arkansas (1944) named Bobby

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

  14. Richard

    301 baby boys born in Arkansas (1944) named Richard

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

  15. George

    290 baby boys born in Arkansas (1944) 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.

  16. Willie

    270 baby boys born in Arkansas (1944) named Willie

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

  17. Johnny

    261 baby boys born in Arkansas (1944) named Johnny

    Johnny is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious" or "gift of God".

  18. Gary

    250 baby boys born in Arkansas (1944) named Gary

    The name Gary is of English origin and means "spear rule" or "spear carrier". It was originally a surname but became popular as a given name in the 20th century. People with this name are believed to be independent, practical, and analytical.

  19. Joe

    243 baby boys born in Arkansas (1944) named Joe

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

  20. Kenneth

    235 baby boys born in Arkansas (1944) named Kenneth

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