Arkansas's most popular baby names in 1972

The year 1972 was a special year for many parents in Arkansas who welcomed their newborns into the world. According to the official records, the most popular baby girl names were Jennifer, Angela, and Kimberly. These names were not only popular in Arkansas but also across the United States. Jennifer, which means "white wave," held the top spot for the third year in a row, while Angela, which means "messenger of God," and Kimberly, which means "from the wood of the royal forest," followed closely behind.

For baby boys, Michael, James, and Christopher were the top choices for parents in Arkansas. Michael, which means "who is like God," held the top spot for the eighth year in a row, while James, which means "supplanter," and Christopher, which means "bearer of Christ," were also popular choices. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular even to this day.

Most popular baby girl names in Arkansas in 1972

In 1972, the most popular baby girl names in Arkansas were Jennifer, Angela, Kimberly, Melissa, and Stephanie. Jennifer was the most popular name with 454 babies given that name. Angela and Kimberly followed closely behind with 401 and 381 babies respectively. Melissa was the fourth most popular name with 293 babies and Stephanie rounded out the top five with 247 babies given that name.

Jennifer

454 baby girls born in Arkansas (1972) named Jennifer
The name Jennifer is of Welsh origin and means "fair and smooth". It was first used as a given name in the United States in the 20th century and became very popular in the 1970s and 1980s.
Angela

401 baby girls born in Arkansas (1972) 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

381 baby girls born in Arkansas (1972) 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.
Melissa

293 baby girls born in Arkansas (1972) 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.
Stephanie

247 baby girls born in Arkansas (1972) named Stephanie
The name Stephanie is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a feminine name that has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 20th century.
Michelle
217 baby girls born in Arkansas (1972) named Michelle
Michelle is a feminine given name of French origin. The name means "who is like God" or "gift from God." It is a variation of the name Michael, which comes from Hebrew and means "who is like God." The name Michelle has been used in English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century and has gained popularity over time.
Tammy
214 baby girls born in Arkansas (1972) 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.
Lisa
205 baby girls born in Arkansas (1972) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Amy
199 baby girls born in Arkansas (1972) named Amy
The name Amy means "beloved" or "dearly loved" in French and Latin. It is a popular name for girls and has been used since the Middle Ages.
Mary
183 baby girls born in Arkansas (1972) 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.
Shannon
164 baby girls born in Arkansas (1972) named Shannon
The name Shannon is of Irish origin and is derived from the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland. The name means "wise river" or "old river". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.
Rebecca
159 baby girls born in Arkansas (1972) 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.
Tonya
150 baby girls born in Arkansas (1972) named Tonya
The name Tonya is a feminine given name of uncertain origin and meaning. It is believed to be a variant of the name Tanya or Tania, which may have Slavic or Latin roots. The name Tonya has been popularized in the United States since the mid-20th century.
Tina
147 baby girls born in Arkansas (1972) 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."
Laura
135 baby girls born in Arkansas (1972) named Laura
The name Laura is of Latin origin and means "bay laurel". It was a symbol of victory and honor in ancient Rome. The name has been popular in many countries and cultures throughout history.
Cynthia
135 baby girls born in Arkansas (1972) 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.
Tracy
134 baby girls born in Arkansas (1972) 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.
Stacy
127 baby girls born in Arkansas (1972) named Stacy
The name Stacy is of English origin and means "resurrection" or "to rise again". It is often used as a unisex name and has been popular in the United States since the mid-20th century.
Karen
117 baby girls born in Arkansas (1972) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Christy
116 baby girls born in Arkansas (1972) named Christy
The name Christy is a variant of the name Christina or Christine, which means "follower of Christ" or "anointed one".

Most popular baby boy names in Arkansas in 1972

In Arkansas, 1972, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, James, Christopher, David, and John. Michael was the most popular name with 708 babies given that name, followed by James with 624 babies. Christopher was the third most popular name with 506 babies, followed by David with 433 babies and John with 412 babies. These names were the top choices for parents in Arkansas during that year.

Michael

708 baby boys born in Arkansas (1972) 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.
James

624 baby boys born in Arkansas (1972) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Christopher

506 baby boys born in Arkansas (1972) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
David

433 baby boys born in Arkansas (1972) 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.
John

412 baby boys born in Arkansas (1972) 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
363 baby boys born in Arkansas (1972) 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.
Brian
355 baby boys born in Arkansas (1972) named Brian
The name Brian is of Irish origin and means "strong, virtuous, and honorable". It is a popular name for boys in Ireland and has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages.
Robert
353 baby boys born in Arkansas (1972) 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.
Jason
320 baby boys born in Arkansas (1972) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Kevin
256 baby boys born in Arkansas (1972) 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".
Charles
248 baby boys born in Arkansas (1972) 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.
Steven
220 baby boys born in Arkansas (1972) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Mark
208 baby boys born in Arkansas (1972) 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.
Timothy
205 baby boys born in Arkansas (1972) 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.
Eric
175 baby boys born in Arkansas (1972) named Eric
The name Eric is of Scandinavian origin and means "eternal ruler" or "ruler of all". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures.
Richard
171 baby boys born in Arkansas (1972) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Jeffrey
162 baby boys born in Arkansas (1972) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Gregory
161 baby boys born in Arkansas (1972) named Gregory
The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".
Thomas
155 baby boys born in Arkansas (1972) 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.
Kenneth
154 baby boys born in Arkansas (1972) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".