Time to look at Arkansas baby names!
The state ranks 29th in size and 33rd in population. That means it’s not exactly generating headlines in the way that California or Texas might. But it’s a geographically diverse state, from the Ozark Mountains to the Mississippi River, and with a multifaceted history. The indigenous peoples who called the area home left their mark. Arkansas was part of New France, then traded to Spain. Eventually, in 1803, the Louisiana Purchase brought it into the United States.
In 1836, Arkansas became a state.
Today it’s an interesting mix. Southern, yes. Possibly best-known as the world headquarters of Walmart. During the 1990s, former Arkansas governor Bill Clinton became the 42nd president of the United States. Made famous in the early 21st century by the Duggar family of reality television fame.
In terms of demographics, Arkansas’ population is about 2/3 white and around 15% black. Less than 10% of the population identifies as Latino.
The state’s top baby names tend to be a little more traditional. That’s not unusual in Southern states – particularly for boys.
But reviewing the US Social Security Administration’s Arkansas data, that’s not the only trend. Nature names, like River and Willow, over-perform. So do creative choices, from Wrenlee in the girls’ Top 100 to Braxton and Jaxon on the boys’ side.
Let’s read on for all of the most intriguing choices among Arkansas baby names.
ARKANSAS AS A GIVEN NAME
But first … is anyone named Arkansas?
The answer is a pretty definite no.
The Arkansas River had the name first. French settlers borrowed it from Arcansas, their name for the indigenous peoples who lived in the region. While they consider themselves the Quapaw people, other tribes knew them as the akansa, meaning “south wind.”
If you’re wondering why Arkansas isn’t pronounced like Ar-plus-Kansas? It turns out that’s a matter of debate. Or it was, until the Arkansas state legislature weighed in, back in 1881. They decreed that the final ‘s’ is silent.
TOP TEN BOY NAMES IN ARKANSAS
10. SAMUEL (#17 in the US)
Classic names are slightly over-represented in the Arkansas top boy names, starting with Samuel. One note: Sam Walton was the founder of Walmart, which might raise this name’s profile in the state where Sam’s Club is headquartered.
9. WILLIAM (#10 in the US)
About the same as in the national rankings.
8. HENRY (#6 in the US)
Henry is slightly below the national average, but Arkansas still love a classic boy’s name.
7. JAMES (#5 in the US)
Another traditional favorite, big nearly everywhere.
6. HUDSON (#22 in the US)
The Hudson River runs through New York, so it’s not clearly precisely why Hudson is so big in Arkansas. But surname-style names are generally over-represented in the state’s most popular boy names: Kingston, Sawyer, Ryder, Remington, and Maddox all make the state’s Top 100.
5. ASHER (#20 in the US)
Could Asher’s popularity be about the state’s natural beauty? While ash trees aren’t the most common in the state, there are five native species found in Arkansas. WIth Rowan, Oakley, and Oaklynn popular Arkansas baby names, that could make sense.
4. ELIJAH (#8 in the US)
An Old Testament favorite in the national Top Ten, and even more favored in the state.
3. NOAH (#2 in the US)
The top three names switch places only slightly.
2. OLIVER (#3 in the US)
Oliver nudging out Noah for the #2 spot seems fitting, given a Top Ten including traditional Samuel.
1. LIAM (#1 in the US)
Consistent with national rankings.
TOP 100 ARKANSAN BOY NAMES
- Liam
- Oliver
- Noah
- Elijah
- Asher
- Hudson
- James
- Henry
- William
- Samuel
- Waylon
- Maverick
- John
- Mateo
- Ezra
- Benjamin
- Stetson
- Grayson
- Jack
- Lucas
- Cooper
- Theodore
- Jackson
- Carter
- Wyatt
- Levi
- Luke
- Sebastian
- Weston
- Miles
- Walker
- Elias
- River*
- Beau
- Rowan
- David
- Matthew
- Michael
- Santiago
- Silas
- Thomas
- Sawyer*
- Nolan
- Brooks
- Gabriel
- Isaac
- Josiah
- Leo
- Dawson*
- Luca
- Mason
- Owen
- Joseph
- Kingston*
- Lincoln
- Jacob
- Daniel
- Myles
- Archer*
- Beckett
- Dylan
- Jasper*
- Caleb
- Colton
- Ethan
- Ezekiel
- Parker
- Atlas*
- Braxton*
- Everett
- Roman
- Wesley
- Barrett*
- Easton*
- Logan
- Ryder*
- Tucker*
- Aiden
- Alexander
- Bennett
- Julian
- Amir
- Andrew
- Hayes*
- Isaiah
- Rhett*
- Charles
- Hunter
- Jaxon
- Joshua
- Kai
- Anthony
- Christopher
- Greyson*
- Jayden
- Knox*
- Jace*
- Luka
- Maddox*
- Remington*
* indicates the name does not appear in the current US Top 100
TOP TEN GIRL NAMES IN ARKANSAS
10. IVY (#36 in the US)
9. SOPHIA (#6 in the US)
8. WILLOW (#41 in the US)
7. EVELYN (#8 in the US)
6. AVA (#9 in the US)
5. HARPER (#12 in the US)
4. CHARLOTTE (#4 in the US)
3. EMMA (#2 in the US)
2. AMELIA (#3 in the US)
1. OLIVIA (#1 in the US)
TOP 100 ARKANSAN GIRL NAMES
- Olivia
- Amelia
- Emma
- Charlotte
- Harper
- Ava
- Evelyn
- Willow
- Sophia
- Ivy
- Hazel
- Eleanor
- Violet
- Ellie
- Mia
- Lily
- Isabella
- Elizabeth
- Eden
- Scarlett
- Avery
- Luna
- Millie
- Lainey
- Aurora
- Blakely*
- Nova
- Ella
- Abigail
- Emery
- Oaklynn*
- Stella
- Layla
- Nora
- Magnolia*
- Penelope
- Josie
- Ruby
- Delilah
- Lillian
- Parker*
- Paisley
- Riley
- Lucy
- Caroline
- Grace
- Sadie
- Sophie
- Addison
- Hallie*
- Naomi
- Chloe
- Everleigh*
- Lyla
- Adeline
- Mila
- Sofia
- Madison
- Eliana
- Ember
- Lydia
- Claire
- Kinsley
- Wrenley*
- Camila
- Iris
- Mary*
- Oakley*
- Autumn
- Emily
- Gianna
- Isla
- Alice
- Zoey
- Emilia
- Raelynn*
- Sutton*
- Aspen*
- Brooklyn*
- Clara
- Everly
- Genesis
- Hattie*
- Presley*
- Rylee*
- Ayla
- Eloise
- Melody
- Haven*
- Juniper*
- Kennedy
- Leah
- Nevaeh*
- Serenity*
- Wrenlee*
- Aaliyah
- Aubrey*
- Charlie*
- Hadley*
- Vivian
* indicates name does not appear in the current US Top 100
DISTINCTIVE ARKANSAS PLACE NAMES
BENTON
As in Benton County and Bentonville. They’re named after American politican Thomas Hart Benton. It would be among the most logical of Arkansas baby names, but the strong connection to Walmart maybe makes this a little too tied to the retail giant.
CONWAY
Country music’s Conway Twitty was born Harold Jenkins. He spent part of his childhood in Arkansas and took his stage name from the county seat of Faulkner County. Conway was named for a famous political family in the state, sometimes just referred to as “the Family.”
DREW
Another county name, Drew County was named for Thomas Drew, the state’s third governor.
FAYE
Fayetteville, Arkansas was namedf or Fayetteville, Tennessee – because so many early residents came from the neighboring state. Because it’s home to the University of Arkansas, it’s possible to imagine any variation on the name Faye as a nod to the school.
FRANCIS
The St. Francis River gave its name to a number of other places in the state. But it’s not entirely clear how the river got its name. Odds are it came from a French Jesuit explorer, Jaques Marquette, who traveled in the area surrounding the river’s mouth circa 1673.
HOPE
A tiny town that happens to be the birthplace of former US President Bill Clinton, who styled himself “the man from Hope” during his campaign. It’s also famous for an annual watermelon festival.
IDA
Mount Ida is famed for its quartz deposits, second only to Brazil.
MENA
As the railroad expanded, towns were created along its route. In 1896, the first train pulled into Mena’s new station. The name came from Folmina de Geoijen, the wife of an investor in the train line.
ROCK
Or Rocky or Rocco or any name meaning rock could be a nod to the state’s capital, Little Rock.
SEARCY
Likely the English version of a French place name, Searcy County was named for Richard Searcy, the first clerk and judge in the newly-established Arkansas Territory. There’s also a city in the state, named for another Searcy.
WILHELMINA
Queen Wilhelmina State Park was established in 1957, but it was named for a lodge built in the area way back in the late 19th century. The lodge was built thanks to the expansion of the railroad. Because many of the railroad’s investors were Dutch, they named it for Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands.
NAMES FROM ARKANSAS HISTORY & SYMBOLS
APPLE, BLOSSOM
Because the state’s flower is the apple blossom.
CRYSTAL
Mount Ida in the Ouachita Mountains is the “quartz crystal capital of the world.”
DIAMOND
One of the state’s symbol is the diamond, becuase yes, the gemstone has been found in the state.
DIANA
Inspired by the state butterfly, the Diana fritillary.
HONEY, BEE, BEA
The Western honeybee is found in much of the United States, but it is the official tate insect of Arkansas.
SAWYER
We tend to call residents of the state Arksansans. But another demonyn? Arkansawyer, hence why Sawyer makes this list – and possibly why it’s a Top 100 pick for boys in the state.
FAMOUS ARKANSANS
AL
Legendary soul singer Al Green – born Albert Leornes Green – scored a string of hits in the 1970s, racking up Grammy Awards and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1995. He’s a native of the state.
BILLY BOB
Hot Springs native Billy Bob Thornton was nominated for an Academy Award in 1996, a movie set and filmed in Benton, Arkansas.
BROOKS
One of many sports greats from the state, Little Rock native Brooks Robinson Jr. was one of the greatest third basemen in major league history.
CASH
The Man in Black himself, Johnny Cash, was born in Arkansas in 1932.
CORIN
Born Joseph Nemec IV, but known professionally as Corin Nemec, the actor starred in 1990s hit Parker Lewis Can’t Lose beofre graduating to Stargate SG-1 and The Stand.
GRACIE
The name Gracie dots Arkansas history – and other parts of the US, too. In this case, it’s a curious story. A cotton plantation owner in the post-Emancipation Era South dealt with the departure of former enslaved persons by encouraging Italian immigrants to take their place. Nothing about the story makes Gracie a hero name, or even one that seems like an obvious way to honor Arkansas roots. And yet, the name feels quintessentially Southern, and lots of places in the state seem to share it, for various reasons.
JINGER
Those so-many, mostly J named Duggar family members are strongly associated with the state. Jinger Duggar Vuolo is among the most famous, both for her relative independence from her roots and for that surprising spelling.
JOHN
It feels inevitable that every state has a famous John. Or two or three or ten. But Arkansas native John Grisham is among the best-selling authors of our time, so he makes the list.
LEVON
As drummer and singer Levon Helm, famous as the lead singer of The Band. Like Al Green and Johnny Cash, his music owes much to the state’s cultural history.
MARY
Actress Mary Steenburgen – yes, the mom in Elf – hails from Little Rock. Long before Will Ferrell skipped into her New York City apartment, Steenburgen won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
MAYA
The legendary Maya Angelou has roots in many places, but she spent much of her childhood in Stamps, Arkansas.
SCOTTIE
Basketball great Scottie Pippen became famous as a member of the legendary Chicago Bulls, but he is a native of the state and graduate of the University of Central Arkansas.
SIDNEY
One more basketball star: Sidney Moncrief, who played for the University of Arizona Razorbacks in the 1970s and later became a five-time NBA All-Star.
What are your favorite Arkansas baby names? What would you add to this list?
