Iowa's most popular baby names in 1912

In the year 1912, the state of Iowa saw some popular baby names for both girls and boys. Mary was the most popular name for baby girls, followed by Helen and Dorothy. These names have been popular for several years and continue to hold a special place in the hearts of parents.

For baby boys, John took the top spot, followed by Robert and William. These names have a classic and timeless appeal and have been consistently popular throughout the years. Parents in Iowa have shown a preference for traditional names that have stood the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1912

According to the records of Iowa in 1912, Mary was the most popular baby girl name with a total of 403 newborns being named Mary. Following Mary, Helen was the second most popular name with 398 newborns, and Dorothy ranked third with 323 newborns. Mildred was the fourth most popular name with 271 newborns and Margaret ranked fifth with 267 newborns.

Mary

403 baby girls born in Iowa (1912) 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.
Helen

398 baby girls born in Iowa (1912) named Helen
Helen is a name of Greek origin and means "bright, shining one" or "torchbearer". It is also sometimes associated with the meaning "sunray" or "ray of light". The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Dorothy

323 baby girls born in Iowa (1912) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Mildred

271 baby girls born in Iowa (1912) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Margaret

267 baby girls born in Iowa (1912) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Ruth
258 baby girls born in Iowa (1912) named Ruth
The name Ruth means "friend" or "companion" in Hebrew. It is also associated with the character Ruth in the Bible, who was known for her loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi.
Frances
151 baby girls born in Iowa (1912) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Marie
150 baby girls born in Iowa (1912) named Marie
The name Marie is the French variant of Mary, which means "bitter" in Hebrew. It is a popular name among Christians and has been used for centuries. The name is often associated with purity, grace, and elegance.
Alice
145 baby girls born in Iowa (1912) named Alice
The name Alice is of German origin and means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a popular name that has been used for centuries and has been the name of many notable fictional characters in literature and film.
Gladys
124 baby girls born in Iowa (1912) named Gladys
The name Gladys means "land of the bards" or "princess" and is of Welsh origin.
Esther
120 baby girls born in Iowa (1912) named Esther
Esther is a feminine given name of Persian origin. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to possibly mean "star" or "myrtle leaf". In the Bible, Esther was a queen of Persia who saved the Jewish people from genocide. The name has been popular among Jewish communities and has been used in various cultures around the world.
Irene
119 baby girls born in Iowa (1912) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
Florence
117 baby girls born in Iowa (1912) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Evelyn
115 baby girls born in Iowa (1912) named Evelyn
The name Evelyn is of English origin and is derived from the French name Aveline, which means "hazelnut". It is also believed to have roots in the Germanic name Avelina, which means "wished-for child" or "longed-for child". Overall, the name Evelyn is associated with sweetness, charm, and grace.
Hazel
112 baby girls born in Iowa (1912) named Hazel
The name Hazel means "the hazelnut tree" or "the color hazel". It is of English origin and has been used as a name since the late 19th century. It was most popular in the United States in the 1920s and 1930s. People with this name are often associated with intelligence, creativity, and curiosity.
Lucille
110 baby girls born in Iowa (1912) named Lucille
The name Lucille means "light" or "illumination" and is of French origin. It is a feminine name that has been in use since the 19th century.
Edna
110 baby girls born in Iowa (1912) named Edna
The name Edna means "pleasure" or "delight" in Hebrew.
Anna
106 baby girls born in Iowa (1912) named Anna
The name Anna is of Hebrew origin and means "grace" or "favor". It is a simple and classic name that has been popular for centuries.
Bernice
103 baby girls born in Iowa (1912) named Bernice
The name Bernice means "she who brings victory" or "bringer of victory".
Grace
101 baby girls born in Iowa (1912) named Grace
The name Grace means "elegance" or "charm" and is derived from the Latin word "gratia". It is often associated with the Christian concept of divine grace, which is the unmerited favor and love of God towards humanity. The name has been popular for centuries and is still commonly used today.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1912

According to records from 1912, the most popular baby boy names in Iowa were John, Robert, William, James, and George. John was the most popular name with 342 babies given that name, followed by Robert with 236, William with 232, James with 203, and George with 199. These names were likely popular due to their classic and traditional nature, reflecting the naming trends of the time.

John

342 baby boys born in Iowa (1912) 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.
Robert

236 baby boys born in Iowa (1912) 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

232 baby boys born in Iowa (1912) 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.
James

203 baby boys born in Iowa (1912) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
George

199 baby boys born in Iowa (1912) named George
The name George means "farmer" or "earthworker" and is of Greek origin. It was a popular name among early Christians, as Saint George is the patron saint of England and a martyr in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches. The name has been used by many notable figures throughout history, including several kings of England.
Harold
190 baby boys born in Iowa (1912) named Harold
The name Harold is of Old English origin and means "ruler of the army". It was a popular name among the Anglo-Saxons and was borne by several kings of England.
Charles
172 baby boys born in Iowa (1912) 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.
Donald
168 baby boys born in Iowa (1912) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Raymond
137 baby boys born in Iowa (1912) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Paul
129 baby boys born in Iowa (1912) 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.
Kenneth
119 baby boys born in Iowa (1912) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Joseph
115 baby boys born in Iowa (1912) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Clarence
109 baby boys born in Iowa (1912) named Clarence
The name Clarence means "bright" or "clear" and is of Latin origin. It was originally a surname before becoming a given name.
Arthur
106 baby boys born in Iowa (1912) named Arthur
The name Arthur is of Celtic origin and means "bear". It was a popular name among the kings and nobles of medieval England, and has since become a classic name that is still in use today.
Edward
105 baby boys born in Iowa (1912) named Edward
The name Edward means "wealthy guardian" or "rich guard" and is of Old English origin. It is derived from the words "ead" meaning "wealth, fortune" and "weard" meaning "guardian, protector".
Carl
102 baby boys born in Iowa (1912) named Carl
The name Carl is of Germanic origin and means "man" or "free man". It is a variant of the name Charles and has been a popular name throughout history.
Ralph
93 baby boys born in Iowa (1912) named Ralph
The name Ralph means "wolf counsel" or "counselor wolf".
Richard
92 baby boys born in Iowa (1912) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Frank
87 baby boys born in Iowa (1912) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Henry
83 baby boys born in Iowa (1912) named Henry
The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.