Arkansas's most popular baby names in 1956

In 1956, the state of Arkansas saw a surge in popularity for certain baby names. For baby girls, Mary topped the charts as the most popular name, followed closely by Linda and Deborah. These timeless names have remained popular choices throughout the years, and continue to be beloved by parents today.

For baby boys, James took the lead as the most popular name in Arkansas in 1956, followed by David and Michael. These classic names have stood the test of time and remain popular choices among parents today. Whether you're looking for a traditional or modern name for your baby, taking a look back at the most popular names of the past can provide inspiration and insight.

Most popular baby girl names in Arkansas in 1956

Based on the data from 1956, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Arkansas with 641 babies being given that name. Linda came in second with 588 babies being named Linda. Deborah was the third most popular name with 522 babies being named Deborah. Debra followed closely behind with 489 babies being given that name. Patricia rounded out the top five with 453 babies being named Patricia in Arkansas in 1956.

Mary

641 baby girls born in Arkansas (1956) 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

588 baby girls born in Arkansas (1956) 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."
Deborah

522 baby girls born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
Debra

489 baby girls born in Arkansas (1956) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Patricia

453 baby girls born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
Brenda
448 baby girls born in Arkansas (1956) 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
357 baby girls born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
Barbara
354 baby girls born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
Donna
307 baby girls born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
Carolyn
305 baby girls born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
Sandra
303 baby girls born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
Karen
303 baby girls born in Arkansas (1956) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Pamela
287 baby girls born in Arkansas (1956) 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).
Cynthia
254 baby girls born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
Betty
224 baby girls born in Arkansas (1956) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Shirley
223 baby girls born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
Susan
222 baby girls born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
Joyce
220 baby girls born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
Kathy
210 baby girls born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
Rebecca
207 baby girls born in Arkansas (1956) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Arkansas in 1956

According to the data on baby boy names in Arkansas in 1956, James was the most popular name with 1033 babies given that name. David came in second with 679 babies, followed closely by Michael with 643 babies. Robert and John rounded out the top five with 629 and 583 babies respectively. These names were the most popular choices for Arkansas parents when naming their baby boys in 1956.

James

1033 baby boys born in Arkansas (1956) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David

679 baby boys born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
Michael

643 baby boys born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
Robert

629 baby boys born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
John

583 baby boys born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
William
537 baby boys born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
Charles
499 baby boys born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
Larry
485 baby boys born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
Gary
335 baby boys born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
Jerry
334 baby boys born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
Richard
317 baby boys born in Arkansas (1956) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Kenneth
301 baby boys born in Arkansas (1956) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Billy
292 baby boys born in Arkansas (1956) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Donald
289 baby boys born in Arkansas (1956) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Terry
287 baby boys born in Arkansas (1956) 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".
Randy
260 baby boys born in Arkansas (1956) named Randy
The name Randy is a shortened form of the name Randall, which means "shield wolf" in Old English. It is also sometimes used as a nickname for the name Randolph.
Thomas
257 baby boys born in Arkansas (1956) 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.
Mark
255 baby boys born in Arkansas (1956) named Mark
The name Mark is derived from the Latin name "Marcus" which means "dedicated to Mars", the Roman god of war. It is a popular name among Christians as it is the name of one of the four Gospel writers in the New Testament. The name Mark is also associated with qualities such as courage, strength, and leadership.
Steven
253 baby boys born in Arkansas (1956) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Danny
245 baby boys born in Arkansas (1956) 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.