Arkansas's most popular baby names in 1945

In the year 1945, the state of Arkansas saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborns. The most popular baby girl names were Mary, Linda, and Betty, while the top baby boy names were James, Charles, and Robert.

Mary, a classic name that has been popular for centuries, was the most common name for baby girls in Arkansas in 1945. Linda and Betty, both diminutive forms of longer names, were also popular choices for parents of baby girls. Meanwhile, James, Charles, and Robert, all strong and traditional names, were the top choices for baby boys in the state. These names reflect the cultural values and naming trends of the time, and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Arkansas in 1945

In 1945, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Arkansas with a total of 971 babies being named Mary. Linda was the second most popular name with 815 babies receiving the name. Betty was the third most popular name with 632 babies named Betty. Barbara came in fourth with 507 babies receiving the name, and Carolyn was the fifth most popular name with 477 babies named Carolyn. These five names were the most popular baby girl names in Arkansas in 1945.

  1. Mary

    971 baby girls born in Arkansas (1945) 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

    815 baby girls born in Arkansas (1945) 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

    632 baby girls born in Arkansas (1945) named Betty

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

  4. Barbara

    507 baby girls born in Arkansas (1945) 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.

  5. Carolyn

    477 baby girls born in Arkansas (1945) 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.

  6. Shirley

    452 baby girls born in Arkansas (1945) 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

    394 baby girls born in Arkansas (1945) 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. Judy

    307 baby girls born in Arkansas (1945) named Judy

  9. Dorothy

    291 baby girls born in Arkansas (1945) named Dorothy

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

  10. Brenda

    280 baby girls born in Arkansas (1945) 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.

  11. Sharon

    276 baby girls born in Arkansas (1945) 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.

  12. Joyce

    262 baby girls born in Arkansas (1945) 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.

  13. Sandra

    247 baby girls born in Arkansas (1945) 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.

  14. Martha

    223 baby girls born in Arkansas (1945) 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.

  15. Carol

    206 baby girls born in Arkansas (1945) named Carol

    The name Carol is derived from the Old Germanic word "karl", which means "man" or "free man". It is often associated with the Christmas season due to the popular Christmas carol "Carol of the Bells".

  16. Nancy

    204 baby girls born in Arkansas (1945) named Nancy

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

  17. Margaret

    198 baby girls born in Arkansas (1945) named Margaret

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

  18. Helen

    182 baby girls born in Arkansas (1945) 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.

  19. Wanda

    181 baby girls born in Arkansas (1945) named Wanda

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

  20. Donna

    178 baby girls born in Arkansas (1945) named Donna

    The name Donna is of Italian origin and means "lady" or "woman". It was initially used as a title of respect for women of high social status in Italy, but later became a popular given name in English-speaking countries.

Most popular baby boy names in Arkansas in 1945

In Arkansas in 1945, the most popular baby boy name was James, with 1429 babies given that name. The next four most popular names were Charles (704), Robert (653), John (640), and William (610). These names were likely influenced by traditional and religious naming practices, as well as popular culture and historical figures at the time.

  1. James

    1429 baby boys born in Arkansas (1945) named James

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

  2. Charles

    704 baby boys born in Arkansas (1945) 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. Robert

    653 baby boys born in Arkansas (1945) 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.

  4. John

    640 baby boys born in Arkansas (1945) 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.

  5. William

    610 baby boys born in Arkansas (1945) 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. Larry

    577 baby boys born in Arkansas (1945) 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.

  7. Jerry

    545 baby boys born in Arkansas (1945) 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.

  8. Billy

    384 baby boys born in Arkansas (1945) named Billy

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

  9. Jimmy

    377 baby boys born in Arkansas (1945) named Jimmy

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

  10. David

    329 baby boys born in Arkansas (1945) 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.

  11. Donald

    323 baby boys born in Arkansas (1945) named Donald

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

  12. Gary

    315 baby boys born in Arkansas (1945) 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.

  13. Bobby

    286 baby boys born in Arkansas (1945) named Bobby

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

  14. Richard

    286 baby boys born in Arkansas (1945) named Richard

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

  15. Thomas

    282 baby boys born in Arkansas (1945) 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.

  16. Willie

    277 baby boys born in Arkansas (1945) named Willie

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

  17. Johnny

    262 baby boys born in Arkansas (1945) named Johnny

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

  18. George

    251 baby boys born in Arkansas (1945) 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.

  19. Ronald

    215 baby boys born in Arkansas (1945) named Ronald

    The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.

  20. Joe

    212 baby boys born in Arkansas (1945) named Joe

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