Arkansas's most popular baby names in 1966

In the year 1966, Arkansas saw a surge in the popularity of baby names, with Lisa, Angela, and Kimberly taking the lead for baby girls, and James, Michael, and John being the top picks for baby boys. These names were not only popular in Arkansas, but across the United States, as they were considered classic and timeless names that would never go out of style.

Lisa, Angela, and Kimberly were popular names for baby girls due to their soft and feminine sound, while James, Michael, and John were strong and traditional names for baby boys. These names have continued to remain popular over the years, proving that they are truly timeless and beloved by parents across generations.

Most popular baby girl names in Arkansas in 1966

In Arkansas in 1966, the most popular baby girl name was Lisa with 509 occurrences, followed by Angela with 321 occurrences, Kimberly with 310 occurrences, Mary with 295 occurrences, and Tammy with 269 occurrences. These names were the top choices for parents in Arkansas during that year.

Lisa

509 baby girls born in Arkansas (1966) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Angela

321 baby girls born in Arkansas (1966) named Angela
The name Angela is derived from the Greek word "angelos" which means "messenger of God". It is a feminine name that has been used in various cultures and languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, and German. Angela is often associated with qualities such as kindness, compassion, and grace.
Kimberly

310 baby girls born in Arkansas (1966) named Kimberly
The name Kimberly means "from the wood of the royal forest" or "royal fortress meadow". It is of Old English origin and was first used as a given name in the 1940s.
Mary

295 baby girls born in Arkansas (1966) 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.
Tammy

269 baby girls born in Arkansas (1966) 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.
Karen
260 baby girls born in Arkansas (1966) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Tina
227 baby girls born in Arkansas (1966) named Tina
The name Tina is a diminutive form of Christina, which is derived from the Greek name Christos, meaning "anointed one" or "follower of Christ." Therefore, the name Tina can be interpreted as "follower of Christ" or "anointed one."
Pamela
215 baby girls born in Arkansas (1966) 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).
Donna
212 baby girls born in Arkansas (1966) 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.
Cynthia
207 baby girls born in Arkansas (1966) 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.
Melissa
206 baby girls born in Arkansas (1966) named Melissa
The name Melissa is derived from the Greek word "melissa," which means "honey bee." It was a popular name in ancient Greece and is often associated with sweetness and industriousness.
Teresa
200 baby girls born in Arkansas (1966) 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.
Patricia
195 baby girls born in Arkansas (1966) 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.
Rhonda
190 baby girls born in Arkansas (1966) named Rhonda
The name Rhonda is of Welsh origin and means "noisy" or "rough". It was originally derived from the Welsh word "rhon" which means "spear".
Sandra
173 baby girls born in Arkansas (1966) 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.
Brenda
171 baby girls born in Arkansas (1966) 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.
Linda
156 baby girls born in Arkansas (1966) 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."
Sharon
153 baby girls born in Arkansas (1966) 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.
Susan
140 baby girls born in Arkansas (1966) 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.
Tracy
136 baby girls born in Arkansas (1966) named Tracy
The name Tracy is of Irish origin and means "warrior" or "fighter". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.

Most popular baby boy names in Arkansas in 1966

In 1966, the most popular baby boy names in Arkansas were James, Michael, John, David, and Robert. James was the most popular name with 737 babies being given that name, followed by Michael with 603 babies. John was the third most popular name with 521 babies, while David came in fourth with 493 babies. Robert rounded out the top five with 414 babies being given that name. These names were likely chosen due to their popularity and traditional nature.

James

737 baby boys born in Arkansas (1966) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Michael

603 baby boys born in Arkansas (1966) 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.
John

521 baby boys born in Arkansas (1966) 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.
David

493 baby boys born in Arkansas (1966) 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

414 baby boys born in Arkansas (1966) 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.
William
333 baby boys born in Arkansas (1966) 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
327 baby boys born in Arkansas (1966) 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
268 baby boys born in Arkansas (1966) 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
247 baby boys born in Arkansas (1966) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Kenneth
222 baby boys born in Arkansas (1966) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Kevin
217 baby boys born in Arkansas (1966) named Kevin
The name Kevin is of Irish origin and means "handsome" or "gentle birth". It is derived from the Irish name Caoimhín, which is composed of the Gaelic words "caomh" meaning "kind" or "gentle" and "gin" meaning "birth".
Gregory
210 baby boys born in Arkansas (1966) named Gregory
The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".
Jerry
210 baby boys born in Arkansas (1966) 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
207 baby boys born in Arkansas (1966) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Timothy
201 baby boys born in Arkansas (1966) 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.
Terry
197 baby boys born in Arkansas (1966) 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
187 baby boys born in Arkansas (1966) 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.
Billy
180 baby boys born in Arkansas (1966) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Paul
174 baby boys born in Arkansas (1966) named Paul
The name Paul is of Latin origin and means "small" or "humble". It was originally derived from the Roman family name Paulus, which was a common name in ancient Rome. The name has been popularized by various saints and biblical figures, including the apostle Paul, who was a significant figure in the early Christian church.
Larry
172 baby boys born in Arkansas (1966) 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.