Iowa's most popular baby names in 1916

In the year 1916, the state of Iowa saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Mary, Dorothy, and Helen topped the charts, while for baby boys, Robert, John, and William were the most popular choices.

Mary, a timeless classic, was a popular name for baby girls in Iowa in 1916. It was followed closely by Dorothy, a name that had been gaining popularity since the turn of the century. Helen, a name that had been popular for several years, continued to remain a favorite among parents in the state. For baby boys, Robert was the most popular name, followed by John and William, both of which had been popular for several years. These names continue to be popular choices for parents even today, a testament to their timeless appeal.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1916

In Iowa, 1916, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with 982 babies being given that name. Dorothy came in second with 874 babies, followed by Helen with 824 babies. Ruth was the fourth most popular name with 628 babies, and Margaret rounded out the top five with 601 babies.

Mary

982 baby girls born in Iowa (1916) 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.
Dorothy

874 baby girls born in Iowa (1916) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Helen

824 baby girls born in Iowa (1916) 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.
Ruth

628 baby girls born in Iowa (1916) 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.
Margaret

601 baby girls born in Iowa (1916) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Mildred
448 baby girls born in Iowa (1916) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Evelyn
384 baby girls born in Iowa (1916) 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.
Frances
318 baby girls born in Iowa (1916) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Alice
285 baby girls born in Iowa (1916) 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.
Marjorie
278 baby girls born in Iowa (1916) named Marjorie
The name Marjorie is derived from the herb called marjoram. Its meaning is "pearl" or "bitter".
Virginia
264 baby girls born in Iowa (1916) named Virginia
The name Virginia is derived from the Latin word "Virgo" which means "maiden" or "virgin". It was a popular name in ancient Rome and was often given to girls who were born in the month of August. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century and is associated with purity, innocence, and virtue.
Marie
261 baby girls born in Iowa (1916) 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.
Lucille
248 baby girls born in Iowa (1916) 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.
Florence
247 baby girls born in Iowa (1916) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Esther
244 baby girls born in Iowa (1916) 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.
Lois
236 baby girls born in Iowa (1916) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Gladys
231 baby girls born in Iowa (1916) named Gladys
The name Gladys means "land of the bards" or "princess" and is of Welsh origin.
Elizabeth
230 baby girls born in Iowa (1916) 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.
Irene
228 baby girls born in Iowa (1916) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
Maxine
226 baby girls born in Iowa (1916) named Maxine

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1916

In Iowa, 1916, Robert was the most popular name for baby boys, with 861 babies receiving that name. John came in second place with 827 babies, followed by William with 673 babies. Donald was the fourth most popular name with 494 babies, and Harold came in fifth place with 471 babies.

Robert

861 baby boys born in Iowa (1916) 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.
John

827 baby boys born in Iowa (1916) 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

673 baby boys born in Iowa (1916) 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.
Donald

494 baby boys born in Iowa (1916) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Harold

471 baby boys born in Iowa (1916) 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.
George
464 baby boys born in Iowa (1916) 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.
Charles
454 baby boys born in Iowa (1916) 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.
James
451 baby boys born in Iowa (1916) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Paul
377 baby boys born in Iowa (1916) 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.
Richard
318 baby boys born in Iowa (1916) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Kenneth
306 baby boys born in Iowa (1916) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Edward
270 baby boys born in Iowa (1916) 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".
Raymond
262 baby boys born in Iowa (1916) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Joseph
254 baby boys born in Iowa (1916) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Ralph
213 baby boys born in Iowa (1916) named Ralph
The name Ralph means "wolf counsel" or "counselor wolf".
Arthur
211 baby boys born in Iowa (1916) 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.
Carl
205 baby boys born in Iowa (1916) 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.
Walter
200 baby boys born in Iowa (1916) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Clarence
189 baby boys born in Iowa (1916) named Clarence
The name Clarence means "bright" or "clear" and is of Latin origin. It was originally a surname before becoming a given name.
Frank
188 baby boys born in Iowa (1916) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".