Arkansas's most popular baby names in 1946

In the year 1946, the state of Arkansas saw a surge in the popularity of traditional baby names. Mary, Linda, and Barbara were among the most popular names for baby girls, while James, Charles, and Robert topped the charts for baby boys. These names reflect a time when parents favored classic and timeless monikers for their newborns.

Mary, a name that has been popular for centuries, held the top spot for baby girls in Arkansas in 1946. Linda and Barbara were close contenders, both reflecting the trend of using names that were popular in the mid-twentieth century. For baby boys, James, Charles, and Robert were the most favored names, each with a strong and classic sound that has stood the test of time. Overall, the top baby names of 1946 in Arkansas were a reflection of a simpler time when traditional names were preferred over more unique or trendy options.

Most popular baby girl names in Arkansas in 1946

According to records from 1946, the most popular baby girl names in Arkansas were Mary, Linda, Barbara, Carolyn, and Betty. Mary was the most popular name with 1075 babies given that name. Linda was a close second with 940 babies named Linda. Barbara, Carolyn, and Betty were also popular names with 608, 606, and 552 babies given those names respectively.

Mary

1075 baby girls born in Arkansas (1946) 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.
Linda

940 baby girls born in Arkansas (1946) 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."
Barbara

608 baby girls born in Arkansas (1946) 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.
Carolyn

606 baby girls born in Arkansas (1946) 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.
Betty

552 baby girls born in Arkansas (1946) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Shirley
512 baby girls born in Arkansas (1946) 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.
Patricia
459 baby girls born in Arkansas (1946) 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.
Judy
406 baby girls born in Arkansas (1946) named Judy
Brenda
376 baby girls born in Arkansas (1946) 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.
Sharon
358 baby girls born in Arkansas (1946) 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.
Sandra
331 baby girls born in Arkansas (1946) 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.
Dorothy
317 baby girls born in Arkansas (1946) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Joyce
293 baby girls born in Arkansas (1946) 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.
Donna
261 baby girls born in Arkansas (1946) 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.
Martha
254 baby girls born in Arkansas (1946) 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.
Wanda
230 baby girls born in Arkansas (1946) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Margaret
228 baby girls born in Arkansas (1946) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Carol
227 baby girls born in Arkansas (1946) 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".
Patsy
217 baby girls born in Arkansas (1946) 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.
Peggy
205 baby girls born in Arkansas (1946) 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 1946

According to data from 1946, the most popular baby boy names in Arkansas were James, Charles, Robert, Larry, and John. James was the most popular name with 1583 babies given that name, followed by Charles with 807, Robert with 785, Larry with 783, and John with 774.

James

1583 baby boys born in Arkansas (1946) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Charles

807 baby boys born in Arkansas (1946) 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.
Robert

785 baby boys born in Arkansas (1946) 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.
Larry

783 baby boys born in Arkansas (1946) 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.
John

774 baby boys born in Arkansas (1946) 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.
Jerry
654 baby boys born in Arkansas (1946) 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.
William
636 baby boys born in Arkansas (1946) 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.
David
469 baby boys born in Arkansas (1946) 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.
Jimmy
451 baby boys born in Arkansas (1946) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Billy
415 baby boys born in Arkansas (1946) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Richard
408 baby boys born in Arkansas (1946) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Gary
397 baby boys born in Arkansas (1946) 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.
Bobby
345 baby boys born in Arkansas (1946) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Donald
322 baby boys born in Arkansas (1946) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Thomas
316 baby boys born in Arkansas (1946) 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.
Johnny
285 baby boys born in Arkansas (1946) named Johnny
Johnny is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious" or "gift of God".
Ronald
278 baby boys born in Arkansas (1946) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Willie
272 baby boys born in Arkansas (1946) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Danny
268 baby boys born in Arkansas (1946) named Danny
The name Danny is a diminutive form of the name Daniel, which means "God is my judge" in Hebrew. It is often used as a standalone name and has been a popular name for boys in the United States since the mid-20th century.
Kenneth
266 baby boys born in Arkansas (1946) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".