Arkansas's most popular baby names in 1953

In the year 1953, the state of Arkansas saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Linda was the most popular name, closely followed by Mary and Deborah. These names were a testament to the traditional and religious values of the state, with Mary being a popular biblical name and Deborah being the name of a prophetess in the Old Testament.

For baby boys, James was the most popular name, followed by Robert and David. These names were also steeped in tradition and reflected the strong Christian roots of Arkansas. James, in particular, was a popular name in the state, with many parents choosing it for its biblical significance and its association with strong leadership qualities. Overall, the top baby names in Arkansas in 1953 were a reflection of the state's cultural and religious values, and remain popular choices for parents to this day.

Most popular baby girl names in Arkansas in 1953

In 1953, the most popular baby girl names in Arkansas were Linda, Mary, Deborah, Brenda, and Patricia. Linda was the most popular name with 780 babies given that name, followed closely by Mary with 764 babies. Deborah, Brenda, and Patricia were also popular names with 581, 495, and 447 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

  1. Linda

    780 baby girls born in Arkansas (1953) 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."

  2. Mary

    764 baby girls born in Arkansas (1953) 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.

  3. Deborah

    581 baby girls born in Arkansas (1953) named Deborah

    Deborah is a Hebrew name that means "bee". It is derived from the Hebrew word "d'vorah" which also means "word" or "thing". The name Deborah is often associated with strength, wisdom, and leadership, as the biblical Deborah was a judge and prophetess who led the Israelites to victory over their enemies.

  4. Brenda

    495 baby girls born in Arkansas (1953) 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.

  5. Patricia

    447 baby girls born in Arkansas (1953) 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.

  6. Barbara

    403 baby girls born in Arkansas (1953) 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.

  7. Carolyn

    350 baby girls born in Arkansas (1953) 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.

  8. Sharon

    327 baby girls born in Arkansas (1953) 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.

  9. Shirley

    323 baby girls born in Arkansas (1953) 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.

  10. Debra

    320 baby girls born in Arkansas (1953) named Debra

    The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.

  11. Betty

    312 baby girls born in Arkansas (1953) named Betty

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

  12. Sandra

    300 baby girls born in Arkansas (1953) 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.

  13. Judy

    290 baby girls born in Arkansas (1953) named Judy

  14. Donna

    255 baby girls born in Arkansas (1953) 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.

  15. Pamela

    240 baby girls born in Arkansas (1953) named Pamela

    The name Pamela is of Greek origin and means "all sweetness" or "honeyed". It was first popularized by Sir Philip Sidney in his pastoral romance "Arcadia" (1590) and later by Samuel Richardson in his novel "Pamela" (1740).

  16. Karen

    238 baby girls born in Arkansas (1953) named Karen

    Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".

  17. Joyce

    236 baby girls born in Arkansas (1953) 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.

  18. Susan

    229 baby girls born in Arkansas (1953) named Susan

    The name Susan means "lily" or "graceful lily" in Hebrew. It was a popular name in the 1940s and 1950s, but has since declined in popularity.

  19. Rebecca

    212 baby girls born in Arkansas (1953) named Rebecca

    Rebecca means "captivating" or "knotted cord" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau in the Old Testament.

  20. Nancy

    207 baby girls born in Arkansas (1953) named Nancy

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

Most popular baby boy names in Arkansas in 1953

According to the records from Arkansas in 1953, the most popular baby boy names were James, Robert, David, Michael, and Larry. James was the most popular name with 1198 baby boys being given that name, followed by Robert with 719, David with 656, Michael with 652, and Larry with 649. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

  1. James

    1198 baby boys born in Arkansas (1953) named James

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

  2. Robert

    719 baby boys born in Arkansas (1953) 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.

  3. David

    656 baby boys born in Arkansas (1953) 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.

  4. Michael

    652 baby boys born in Arkansas (1953) 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.

  5. Larry

    649 baby boys born in Arkansas (1953) 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.

  6. John

    640 baby boys born in Arkansas (1953) 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.

  7. Charles

    622 baby boys born in Arkansas (1953) 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.

  8. William

    552 baby boys born in Arkansas (1953) 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.

  9. Gary

    430 baby boys born in Arkansas (1953) 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.

  10. Jerry

    405 baby boys born in Arkansas (1953) 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.

  11. Richard

    364 baby boys born in Arkansas (1953) named Richard

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

  12. Thomas

    311 baby boys born in Arkansas (1953) 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.

  13. Billy

    310 baby boys born in Arkansas (1953) named Billy

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

  14. Donald

    304 baby boys born in Arkansas (1953) named Donald

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

  15. Danny

    292 baby boys born in Arkansas (1953) 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.

  16. Kenneth

    274 baby boys born in Arkansas (1953) named Kenneth

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

  17. Jimmy

    266 baby boys born in Arkansas (1953) named Jimmy

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

  18. Ronald

    263 baby boys born in Arkansas (1953) named Ronald

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

  19. Bobby

    256 baby boys born in Arkansas (1953) named Bobby

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

  20. Johnny

    255 baby boys born in Arkansas (1953) named Johnny

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