Arkansas's most popular baby names in 1962

In the year 1962, the state of Arkansas saw a surge in popular baby names. For baby girls, Mary, Lisa, and Brenda topped the charts, while James, Michael, and David were the most popular names for baby boys. These names were chosen by parents from different backgrounds and cultures, reflecting the diverse population of the state.

Mary, a timeless name with biblical roots, was a clear favorite among parents. Lisa, a short and sweet name, was also a popular choice. Brenda, a name with Celtic origins, added a touch of uniqueness to the list. For baby boys, James, a classic name with royal connections, was the most popular choice. Michael, a name with Hebrew origins meaning "who is like God," and David, a name with biblical roots meaning "beloved," were also highly favored by parents. Overall, these names continue to be popular choices for parents in Arkansas and across the country.

Most popular baby girl names in Arkansas in 1962

According to data from 1962, the most popular baby girl names in Arkansas were Mary with 437 occurrences, followed by Lisa with 417, Brenda with 367, Karen with 350, and Donna with 331. These were the top 5 names chosen by parents for their baby girls that year.

Mary

437 baby girls born in Arkansas (1962) 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.
Lisa

417 baby girls born in Arkansas (1962) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Brenda

367 baby girls born in Arkansas (1962) 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.
Karen

350 baby girls born in Arkansas (1962) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Donna

331 baby girls born in Arkansas (1962) 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.
Linda
306 baby girls born in Arkansas (1962) 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."
Teresa
294 baby girls born in Arkansas (1962) 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.
Sandra
285 baby girls born in Arkansas (1962) 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.
Tammy
282 baby girls born in Arkansas (1962) 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.
Cynthia
272 baby girls born in Arkansas (1962) 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.
Patricia
262 baby girls born in Arkansas (1962) 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.
Sharon
258 baby girls born in Arkansas (1962) 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
241 baby girls born in Arkansas (1962) 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.
Pamela
240 baby girls born in Arkansas (1962) 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).
Debra
237 baby girls born in Arkansas (1962) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Deborah
202 baby girls born in Arkansas (1962) 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.
Sherry
199 baby girls born in Arkansas (1962) named Sherry
The name Sherry is derived from the French word "chérie" which means "beloved" or "darling". It is often used as a nickname for the name Sharon or a variation of it. The name Sherry became popular in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s.
Susan
193 baby girls born in Arkansas (1962) 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.
Debbie
190 baby girls born in Arkansas (1962) named Debbie
The name Debbie is a diminutive form of the name Deborah. It is of Hebrew origin and means "bee".
Sheila
185 baby girls born in Arkansas (1962) named Sheila
The name Sheila is of Irish origin, and it means "blind". It was originally a diminutive form of the name Cecilia, but it has since become a popular name in its own right.

Most popular baby boy names in Arkansas in 1962

In Arkansas, 1962, the most popular baby boy names were James, Michael, David, Robert, and John. James was the most popular name with 838 babies given that name, followed closely by Michael with 676 babies. David and Robert were neck and neck with 675 and 562 babies respectively, and John rounded out the top five with 550 babies given that name. These names were likely popular due to their classic and traditional feel.

James

838 baby boys born in Arkansas (1962) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Michael

676 baby boys born in Arkansas (1962) 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.
David

675 baby boys born in Arkansas (1962) 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.
Robert

562 baby boys born in Arkansas (1962) 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

550 baby boys born in Arkansas (1962) 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.
Charles
440 baby boys born in Arkansas (1962) 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.
Mark
403 baby boys born in Arkansas (1962) 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.
William
395 baby boys born in Arkansas (1962) 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.
Kenneth
324 baby boys born in Arkansas (1962) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Terry
289 baby boys born in Arkansas (1962) 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".
Gary
272 baby boys born in Arkansas (1962) 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
237 baby boys born in Arkansas (1962) 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.
Billy
237 baby boys born in Arkansas (1962) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Jimmy
236 baby boys born in Arkansas (1962) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Larry
235 baby boys born in Arkansas (1962) 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.
Ricky
235 baby boys born in Arkansas (1962) named Ricky
The name Ricky is a diminutive form of the name Richard, which means "brave ruler" or "strong ruler".
Richard
235 baby boys born in Arkansas (1962) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Gregory
229 baby boys born in Arkansas (1962) named Gregory
The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".
Steven
223 baby boys born in Arkansas (1962) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Timothy
216 baby boys born in Arkansas (1962) 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.