Iowa's most popular baby names in 1917

In the year 1917, the state of Iowa saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborns. Mary, Dorothy, and Helen were the top picks for baby girls, while Robert, John, and William were the most favored names for baby boys. These names have stood the test of time and are still popular choices for parents today.

The popularity of these names can be attributed to their timeless appeal and strong cultural significance. Mary, for instance, has been a beloved name for centuries and is associated with purity and grace. Robert and John are classic names with biblical origins, while William is a name that has been used by royalty for generations. Overall, these names reflect a desire for strong, traditional names that convey a sense of stability and strength.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1917

In Iowa, 1917, the most popular baby girl name was Mary with 1077 babies given that name. Following Mary, the next four most popular names were Dorothy (854), Helen (801), Ruth (585), and Margaret (569).

Mary

1077 baby girls born in Iowa (1917) 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

854 baby girls born in Iowa (1917) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Helen

801 baby girls born in Iowa (1917) 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

585 baby girls born in Iowa (1917) 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

569 baby girls born in Iowa (1917) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Mildred
447 baby girls born in Iowa (1917) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Evelyn
380 baby girls born in Iowa (1917) 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.
Virginia
311 baby girls born in Iowa (1917) 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.
Marjorie
306 baby girls born in Iowa (1917) named Marjorie
The name Marjorie is derived from the herb called marjoram. Its meaning is "pearl" or "bitter".
Frances
296 baby girls born in Iowa (1917) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Doris
265 baby girls born in Iowa (1917) named Doris
The name Doris means "gift of the ocean" or "from the sea" in Greek. It was also the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology.
Marie
264 baby girls born in Iowa (1917) 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.
Maxine
263 baby girls born in Iowa (1917) named Maxine
Lucille
248 baby girls born in Iowa (1917) 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.
Irene
246 baby girls born in Iowa (1917) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
Alice
245 baby girls born in Iowa (1917) 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.
Florence
232 baby girls born in Iowa (1917) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Lois
226 baby girls born in Iowa (1917) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Esther
217 baby girls born in Iowa (1917) 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.
Gladys
209 baby girls born in Iowa (1917) named Gladys
The name Gladys means "land of the bards" or "princess" and is of Welsh origin.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1917

According to the data from Iowa in 1917, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, William, Donald, and James. Robert was the most popular name with 961 babies given that name, followed by John with 872 babies, William with 600 babies, Donald with 527 babies, and James with 504 babies. These names were the top choices for parents in Iowa during that year.

Robert

961 baby boys born in Iowa (1917) 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

872 baby boys born in Iowa (1917) 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

600 baby boys born in Iowa (1917) 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

527 baby boys born in Iowa (1917) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
James

504 baby boys born in Iowa (1917) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Charles
444 baby boys born in Iowa (1917) 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.
Harold
443 baby boys born in Iowa (1917) 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
394 baby boys born in Iowa (1917) 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.
Richard
340 baby boys born in Iowa (1917) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Raymond
318 baby boys born in Iowa (1917) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Paul
301 baby boys born in Iowa (1917) 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
284 baby boys born in Iowa (1917) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Edward
249 baby boys born in Iowa (1917) 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".
Ralph
222 baby boys born in Iowa (1917) named Ralph
The name Ralph means "wolf counsel" or "counselor wolf".
Howard
214 baby boys born in Iowa (1917) named Howard
The name Howard means "brave heart" or "high guardian" and is of English origin.
Joseph
208 baby boys born in Iowa (1917) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Harry
201 baby boys born in Iowa (1917) named Harry
The name Harry is of English origin and is a variation of the name Henry. Its meaning is "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler".
Frank
197 baby boys born in Iowa (1917) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Carl
197 baby boys born in Iowa (1917) 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.
Clarence
196 baby boys born in Iowa (1917) named Clarence
The name Clarence means "bright" or "clear" and is of Latin origin. It was originally a surname before becoming a given name.