Arkansas's most popular baby names in 1986

In the year 1986, the state of Arkansas witnessed a boom in baby names. The most popular baby girl names were Ashley, Jessica, and Amanda. These names were not only trendy but also had a timeless charm that made them stand out. Ashley, with its origins in English, means "ash tree meadow," while Jessica, a Hebrew name, means "God beholds." Amanda, a Latin name, means "lovable" or "worthy of love." It's no surprise that these names were a hit with parents as they carried a sense of positivity and warmth.

On the other hand, the top baby boy names in Arkansas in 1986 were Christopher, Joshua, and Michael. These names were classic and had been popular for decades. Christopher, a Greek name, means "bearer of Christ," while Joshua, a Hebrew name, means "God is salvation." Michael, a Hebrew name, means "who is like God." These names were not only strong and masculine but also had a spiritual significance that resonated with parents. Overall, the baby names in Arkansas in 1986 were a perfect blend of trendy and classic, making them a hit with parents across the state.

Most popular baby girl names in Arkansas in 1986

In Arkansas in 1986, the most popular baby girl names were Ashley, Jessica, Amanda, Jennifer, and Sarah. Ashley was the most popular name with 553 babies given that name, followed closely by Jessica with 506 babies. Amanda was the third most popular name with 413 babies, while Jennifer was fourth with 311 babies. Sarah rounded out the top five with 292 babies given that name.

  1. Ashley

    553 baby girls born in Arkansas (1986) named Ashley

    The name Ashley is of English origin and means "ash tree meadow". It is a unisex name that was originally more commonly given to boys, but has become more popular for girls in recent years.

  2. Jessica

    506 baby girls born in Arkansas (1986) named Jessica

    The name Jessica is of Hebrew origin and means "God beholds" or "God sees". It is derived from the name Yiskah in the Old Testament, which was the name of a daughter of Haran and sister of Milcah and Iscah. The name Jessica has been in use since the 16th century and became popular in the 20th century.

  3. Amanda

    413 baby girls born in Arkansas (1986) named Amanda

    The name Amanda is of Latin origin, meaning "lovable" or "worthy of love". It was first used as a name in the 17th century and became popular in the 19th century. The name is often associated with kindness, compassion, and a friendly personality.

  4. Jennifer

    311 baby girls born in Arkansas (1986) 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.

  5. Sarah

    292 baby girls born in Arkansas (1986) named Sarah

    The name Sarah means "princess" in Hebrew. It is a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with grace, beauty, and kindness.

  6. Brittany

    269 baby girls born in Arkansas (1986) named Brittany

    The name Brittany is derived from the region of Brittany in France. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to come from the Latin word "Britannia," which means "Britain" or "of the Britons." It is also thought to be related to the Celtic word "breton," which means "from Brittany." The name is commonly given to girls in English-speaking countries.

  7. Amber

    253 baby girls born in Arkansas (1986) named Amber

    The name Amber is derived from the fossilized tree resin of the same name. It is believed to originate from the Arabic word "anbar," which means ambergris or amber. The name is often associated with the color of the gemstone, which ranges from a pale yellow to a deep orange-brown. The name Amber has been used for both boys and girls, but it is more commonly given to girls. The name is often associated with warmth, light, and energy.

  8. Heather

    229 baby girls born in Arkansas (1986) named Heather

    The name Heather is of English origin and is derived from the name of a flowering plant that grows in Scotland. The name is often associated with the color purple and is said to symbolize admiration, good luck, and protection.

  9. Whitney

    210 baby girls born in Arkansas (1986) named Whitney

    Whitney is a unisex name of English origin. Its meaning is "white island" or "white meadow".

  10. Stephanie

    190 baby girls born in Arkansas (1986) 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.

  11. Tiffany

    179 baby girls born in Arkansas (1986) named Tiffany

    The name Tiffany is of Greek origin and means "God's appearance" or "manifestation of God".

  12. Kimberly

    161 baby girls born in Arkansas (1986) 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.

  13. Rachel

    158 baby girls born in Arkansas (1986) named Rachel

    The name Rachel is of Hebrew origin and means "ewe" or "female sheep". It is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and has been used since biblical times. The name is often associated with qualities such as beauty, grace, and kindness.

  14. Megan

    154 baby girls born in Arkansas (1986) named Megan

    The name Megan is of Welsh origin and means "pearl". It is a shortened version of the name Margaret, which also means "pearl".

  15. Samantha

    148 baby girls born in Arkansas (1986) named Samantha

    The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.

  16. Crystal

    141 baby girls born in Arkansas (1986) named Crystal

    The name Crystal is of Greek origin and means "ice or clear". It is often associated with the mineral quartz crystal and is a popular name choice for girls.

  17. Lauren

    136 baby girls born in Arkansas (1986) named Lauren

    The name Lauren is of English origin and means "bay laurel" or "crowned with laurel". It is a feminine name that has been popular since the 1940s.

  18. Elizabeth

    127 baby girls born in Arkansas (1986) named Elizabeth

    Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.

  19. Amy

    126 baby girls born in Arkansas (1986) 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.

  20. Laura

    124 baby girls born in Arkansas (1986) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Arkansas in 1986

In Arkansas in 1986, the most popular baby boy names were Christopher, Joshua, Michael, Matthew, and James. Christopher was the most popular name with 530 babies given that name, followed closely by Joshua with 465 babies. Michael, Matthew, and James rounded out the top five with 453, 384, and 378 babies given those names, respectively.

  1. Christopher

    530 baby boys born in Arkansas (1986) named Christopher

    The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."

  2. Joshua

    465 baby boys born in Arkansas (1986) named Joshua

    The name Joshua means "God is salvation" or "Yahweh is salvation" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name and was the name of one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan. Joshua later became the successor to Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land.

  3. Michael

    453 baby boys born in Arkansas (1986) 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. Matthew

    384 baby boys born in Arkansas (1986) named Matthew

    Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".

  5. James

    378 baby boys born in Arkansas (1986) named James

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

  6. Brandon

    343 baby boys born in Arkansas (1986) named Brandon

    The name Brandon is of English origin and is derived from the Old English words "brom" meaning "broom" or "gorse" and "dun" meaning "hill". Therefore, the name Brandon means "hill covered in broom or gorse".

  7. Justin

    332 baby boys born in Arkansas (1986) named Justin

    The name Justin is of Latin origin and means "just, upright, righteous." It was a popular name among early Christians and has been used throughout history by various notable figures.

  8. John

    305 baby boys born in Arkansas (1986) 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.

  9. William

    295 baby boys born in Arkansas (1986) 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.

  10. Robert

    278 baby boys born in Arkansas (1986) 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.

  11. Jonathan

    265 baby boys born in Arkansas (1986) named Jonathan

    The name Jonathan means "gift of God" or "God has given" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, appearing in the Old Testament as the name of King Saul's son and close friend of David.

  12. David

    258 baby boys born in Arkansas (1986) 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.

  13. Jeremy

    245 baby boys born in Arkansas (1986) named Jeremy

    The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".

  14. Daniel

    237 baby boys born in Arkansas (1986) named Daniel

    The name Daniel means "God is my judge".

  15. Andrew

    216 baby boys born in Arkansas (1986) named Andrew

    The name Andrew means "manly" or "warrior" and is of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek name Andreas, which comes from the word "andrĂ³s" meaning "man". Andrew is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and is often used in Christian traditions due to the apostle Andrew being one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ.

  16. Joseph

    201 baby boys born in Arkansas (1986) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  17. Dustin

    190 baby boys born in Arkansas (1986) named Dustin

    The name Dustin is of Old Norse origin, meaning "valiant fighter" or "brave warrior". It was originally a surname, but has since become a popular given name for boys.

  18. Jason

    180 baby boys born in Arkansas (1986) named Jason

    The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".

  19. Steven

    173 baby boys born in Arkansas (1986) named Steven

    The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.

  20. Ryan

    170 baby boys born in Arkansas (1986) named Ryan

    The name Ryan is of Irish origin and means "little king" or "illustrious". It is a popular name for boys in English-speaking countries.