Arkansas's most popular baby names in 1954

In the year 1954, the state of Arkansas saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Linda, and Deborah were among the most popular names for baby girls, while James, Robert, and David were the most common names for baby boys.

The name Mary, which has been a popular choice for centuries, remained a top choice for parents in Arkansas. Linda, a name that gained popularity in the 1940s, continued to be a favorite among parents in the state. Deborah, a biblical name meaning "bee," also made its way to the top of the list. For baby boys, James, Robert, and David were the most commonly chosen names, all of which have been popular choices for decades. These names are a reflection of the cultural and historical significance of Arkansas, and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Arkansas in 1954

In 1954, the most popular baby girl names in Arkansas were Mary, Linda, Deborah, Brenda, and Patricia. Mary was the most popular name with 719 babies given that name, followed closely by Linda with 716 babies. Deborah came in third with 585 babies named that, followed by Brenda with 487 babies and Patricia with 472 babies. These names were the top choices for parents in Arkansas during that year.

  1. Mary

    719 baby girls born in Arkansas (1954) 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

    716 baby girls born in Arkansas (1954) 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. Deborah

    585 baby girls born in Arkansas (1954) 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

    487 baby girls born in Arkansas (1954) 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

    472 baby girls born in Arkansas (1954) 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

    378 baby girls born in Arkansas (1954) 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. Debra

    377 baby girls born in Arkansas (1954) named Debra

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

  8. Sandra

    336 baby girls born in Arkansas (1954) 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.

  9. Carolyn

    317 baby girls born in Arkansas (1954) 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.

  10. Sharon

    312 baby girls born in Arkansas (1954) 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.

  11. Betty

    301 baby girls born in Arkansas (1954) named Betty

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

  12. Donna

    300 baby girls born in Arkansas (1954) 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.

  13. Shirley

    288 baby girls born in Arkansas (1954) 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.

  14. Pamela

    274 baby girls born in Arkansas (1954) 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).

  15. Judy

    267 baby girls born in Arkansas (1954) named Judy

  16. Karen

    244 baby girls born in Arkansas (1954) named Karen

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

  17. Rebecca

    241 baby girls born in Arkansas (1954) 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.

  18. Susan

    234 baby girls born in Arkansas (1954) 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. Cynthia

    215 baby girls born in Arkansas (1954) named Cynthia

    The name Cynthia means "moon goddess" or "from Mount Kynthos" in Greek. It is also associated with the Greek mythological figure Artemis, who was known as the goddess of the hunt and the moon. The name Cynthia has been in use since ancient times and has remained relatively popular throughout history.

  20. Kathy

    215 baby girls born in Arkansas (1954) named Kathy

    The name Kathy is a diminutive form of the name Katherine, which means "pure" or "clear". It is of Greek origin and has been a popular name in English-speaking countries since the 19th century.

Most popular baby boy names in Arkansas in 1954

According to records from 1954 in Arkansas, the most popular baby boy names were James, Robert, David, John, and Larry. James was the most popular name with 1128 babies given that name, followed by Robert with 726 babies, David with 714 babies, and John and Larry tied with 635 babies each.

  1. James

    1128 baby boys born in Arkansas (1954) named James

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

  2. Robert

    726 baby boys born in Arkansas (1954) 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

    714 baby boys born in Arkansas (1954) 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. John

    635 baby boys born in Arkansas (1954) 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. Larry

    635 baby boys born in Arkansas (1954) 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. Michael

    626 baby boys born in Arkansas (1954) 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.

  7. Charles

    600 baby boys born in Arkansas (1954) 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

    577 baby boys born in Arkansas (1954) 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

    477 baby boys born in Arkansas (1954) 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. Richard

    398 baby boys born in Arkansas (1954) named Richard

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

  11. Jerry

    382 baby boys born in Arkansas (1954) 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.

  12. Donald

    314 baby boys born in Arkansas (1954) named Donald

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

  13. Billy

    302 baby boys born in Arkansas (1954) named Billy

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

  14. Danny

    298 baby boys born in Arkansas (1954) 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.

  15. Thomas

    296 baby boys born in Arkansas (1954) 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. Bobby

    279 baby boys born in Arkansas (1954) named Bobby

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

  17. Terry

    277 baby boys born in Arkansas (1954) named Terry

    The name Terry is a unisex name of English origin, derived from the name Terence. The meaning of the name Terry is "smooth, tender".

  18. Kenneth

    269 baby boys born in Arkansas (1954) named Kenneth

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

  19. Jimmy

    269 baby boys born in Arkansas (1954) named Jimmy

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

  20. Ronald

    262 baby boys born in Arkansas (1954) named Ronald

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