Arkansas's most popular baby names in 1960

In the year 1960, the beautiful state of Arkansas witnessed a significant rise in the number of newborns, and with that came a surge in popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Linda, and Donna topped the list of most popular baby girl names, while James, David, and Michael were the most sought-after baby boy names.

Mary, a classic name with biblical roots, has been a popular choice for parents for centuries. Linda, a name derived from the Spanish word "linda" meaning beautiful, also gained immense popularity in the 1960s. Donna, a name of Italian origin meaning "lady," was another favorite among parents in Arkansas. On the other hand, James, David, and Michael, all strong and timeless names, were the top picks for baby boys in the state. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular even today.

Most popular baby girl names in Arkansas in 1960

In 1960, the most popular baby girl names in Arkansas were Mary, Linda, Donna, Brenda, and Lisa. Mary was the most popular name with 478 babies being given that name, followed closely by Linda with 415 babies. Donna, Brenda, and Lisa were also popular names with 403, 378, and 359 babies being given those names, respectively. These names reflect the traditional and common names of the time period.

  1. Mary

    478 baby girls born in Arkansas (1960) 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

    415 baby girls born in Arkansas (1960) 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. Donna

    403 baby girls born in Arkansas (1960) 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.

  4. Brenda

    378 baby girls born in Arkansas (1960) 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. Lisa

    359 baby girls born in Arkansas (1960) named Lisa

    The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".

  6. Karen

    343 baby girls born in Arkansas (1960) named Karen

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

  7. Patricia

    312 baby girls born in Arkansas (1960) 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.

  8. Sandra

    297 baby girls born in Arkansas (1960) 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. Debra

    294 baby girls born in Arkansas (1960) named Debra

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

  10. Cynthia

    278 baby girls born in Arkansas (1960) 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.

  11. Pamela

    255 baby girls born in Arkansas (1960) 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).

  12. Teresa

    255 baby girls born in Arkansas (1960) named Teresa

    The name Teresa is derived from the Greek name Therasia, which means "harvester" or "reaper". It has also been associated with the Spanish word "teresa", meaning "to harvest". The name has been popularized by Saint Teresa of Avila, a Spanish mystic and writer who lived in the 16th century. The name is commonly given to girls and is of Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian origin.

  13. Barbara

    254 baby girls born in Arkansas (1960) 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.

  14. Deborah

    242 baby girls born in Arkansas (1960) 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.

  15. Sharon

    226 baby girls born in Arkansas (1960) 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.

  16. Debbie

    220 baby girls born in Arkansas (1960) named Debbie

    The name Debbie is a diminutive form of the name Deborah. It is of Hebrew origin and means "bee".

  17. Kathy

    216 baby girls born in Arkansas (1960) 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.

  18. Susan

    214 baby girls born in Arkansas (1960) 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. Tammy

    197 baby girls born in Arkansas (1960) named Tammy

    The name Tammy is a diminutive form of the name Tamara, which has Hebrew origins and means "palm tree" or "date tree". The exact meaning of Tammy is unclear, but it is generally considered to be a modern English name that is derived from Tamara.

  20. Carolyn

    185 baby girls born in Arkansas (1960) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Arkansas in 1960

In Arkansas, 1960, the most popular baby boy names were James, David, Michael, John, and Robert. James topped the list with 863 babies given that name, followed by David with 704, Michael with 658, John with 548, and Robert with 540. These classic and traditional names were favored by parents during that time.

  1. James

    863 baby boys born in Arkansas (1960) named James

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

  2. David

    704 baby boys born in Arkansas (1960) 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.

  3. Michael

    658 baby boys born in Arkansas (1960) 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.

  4. John

    548 baby boys born in Arkansas (1960) 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. Robert

    540 baby boys born in Arkansas (1960) 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.

  6. Charles

    475 baby boys born in Arkansas (1960) 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.

  7. William

    438 baby boys born in Arkansas (1960) 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.

  8. Mark

    374 baby boys born in Arkansas (1960) 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.

  9. Terry

    311 baby boys born in Arkansas (1960) 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".

  10. Kenneth

    301 baby boys born in Arkansas (1960) named Kenneth

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

  11. Larry

    279 baby boys born in Arkansas (1960) 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.

  12. Jerry

    269 baby boys born in Arkansas (1960) 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.

  13. Richard

    264 baby boys born in Arkansas (1960) named Richard

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

  14. Gary

    259 baby boys born in Arkansas (1960) 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.

  15. Ricky

    255 baby boys born in Arkansas (1960) named Ricky

    The name Ricky is a diminutive form of the name Richard, which means "brave ruler" or "strong ruler".

  16. Jimmy

    251 baby boys born in Arkansas (1960) named Jimmy

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

  17. Billy

    237 baby boys born in Arkansas (1960) named Billy

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

  18. Timothy

    223 baby boys born in Arkansas (1960) named Timothy

    The name Timothy is of Greek origin and means "honoring God" or "one who honors God". It is derived from the Greek name Timotheos, which is a combination of the words "timao" meaning to honor and "theos" meaning God.

  19. Donald

    217 baby boys born in Arkansas (1960) named Donald

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

  20. Bobby

    211 baby boys born in Arkansas (1960) named Bobby

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