Arkansas's most popular baby names in 1949

In 1949, the state of Arkansas saw a surge in baby names that are still popular today. For baby girls, Linda took the top spot, followed closely by Mary and Brenda. These names have remained popular over the years, with many parents still choosing them for their little ones.

For baby boys, James was the most popular name in Arkansas in 1949, followed by Larry and John. These classic names have also stood the test of time, remaining among the most popular names for boys in the state and beyond. Whether you are a new parent looking for inspiration or simply curious about the most popular names of the past, the names of 1949 in Arkansas are sure to provide plenty of ideas.

Most popular baby girl names in Arkansas in 1949

In 1949, the most popular baby girl name in Arkansas was Linda, with 1313 babies given that name. Mary followed closely behind with 1017 babies named Mary. Brenda was the third most popular name with 640 babies, followed by Barbara with 553 babies and Shirley with 548 babies. These were the top five baby girl names in Arkansas in 1949.

Linda

1313 baby girls born in Arkansas (1949) 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."
Mary

1017 baby girls born in Arkansas (1949) 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.
Brenda

640 baby girls born in Arkansas (1949) 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.
Barbara

553 baby girls born in Arkansas (1949) 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

548 baby girls born in Arkansas (1949) 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
540 baby girls born in Arkansas (1949) 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
485 baby girls born in Arkansas (1949) 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.
Betty
461 baby girls born in Arkansas (1949) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Judy
424 baby girls born in Arkansas (1949) named Judy
Sandra
394 baby girls born in Arkansas (1949) 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.
Sharon
347 baby girls born in Arkansas (1949) 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.
Donna
281 baby girls born in Arkansas (1949) 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.
Joyce
277 baby girls born in Arkansas (1949) 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.
Dorothy
273 baby girls born in Arkansas (1949) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Martha
237 baby girls born in Arkansas (1949) 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.
Nancy
228 baby girls born in Arkansas (1949) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Margaret
219 baby girls born in Arkansas (1949) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Peggy
207 baby girls born in Arkansas (1949) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Gloria
200 baby girls born in Arkansas (1949) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.
Glenda
191 baby girls born in Arkansas (1949) named Glenda
The name Glenda is of Welsh origin and means "clean and good". It is a feminine name and was popularized in the 20th century.

Most popular baby boy names in Arkansas in 1949

According to data from 1949, the most popular baby boy names in Arkansas were James, Larry, John, Robert, and Charles. James was the most popular name, with 1495 babies given that name. Larry came in second with 871 babies, followed closely by John with 794 babies. Robert and Charles rounded out the top five with 759 and 740 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

James

1495 baby boys born in Arkansas (1949) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Larry

871 baby boys born in Arkansas (1949) 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

794 baby boys born in Arkansas (1949) 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

759 baby boys born in Arkansas (1949) 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.
Charles

740 baby boys born in Arkansas (1949) 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
690 baby boys born in Arkansas (1949) 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
591 baby boys born in Arkansas (1949) 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.
Jerry
564 baby boys born in Arkansas (1949) 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.
Gary
521 baby boys born in Arkansas (1949) 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.
Michael
460 baby boys born in Arkansas (1949) named Michael
The name Michael means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that is often associated with the archangel Michael, who is considered to be a protector and warrior in many religious traditions. The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Jimmy
432 baby boys born in Arkansas (1949) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Billy
374 baby boys born in Arkansas (1949) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Donald
355 baby boys born in Arkansas (1949) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Richard
345 baby boys born in Arkansas (1949) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
328 baby boys born in Arkansas (1949) 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.
Kenneth
319 baby boys born in Arkansas (1949) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Johnny
303 baby boys born in Arkansas (1949) named Johnny
Johnny is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious" or "gift of God".
Danny
296 baby boys born in Arkansas (1949) 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.
Ronald
283 baby boys born in Arkansas (1949) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
George
272 baby boys born in Arkansas (1949) 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.