Iowa's most popular baby names in 1921

In the year 1921, the state of Iowa witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Dorothy, and Helen emerged as the top three most popular names for baby girls, while Robert, John, and William dominated the charts for baby boys.

Mary, a timeless classic, has been a popular name for baby girls since time immemorial. Dorothy, on the other hand, gained momentum in the early 20th century and became increasingly popular in the 1920s. Helen, a name of Greek origin meaning "bright" or "shining," also gained popularity around this time. As for baby boys, Robert, John, and William were the most popular names in Iowa in 1921, reflecting a preference for traditional and timeless names.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1921

In 1921, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls in Iowa with 1215 babies given that name. Dorothy came in second with 1044 babies named Dorothy, followed by Helen with 828 babies. Betty was the fourth most popular name with 675 babies given that name, and Ruth was the fifth most popular name with 616 babies. These were the top five baby girl names in Iowa in 1921.

Mary

1215 baby girls born in Iowa (1921) 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

1044 baby girls born in Iowa (1921) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Helen

828 baby girls born in Iowa (1921) 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.
Betty

675 baby girls born in Iowa (1921) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Ruth

616 baby girls born in Iowa (1921) 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
600 baby girls born in Iowa (1921) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Marjorie
452 baby girls born in Iowa (1921) named Marjorie
The name Marjorie is derived from the herb called marjoram. Its meaning is "pearl" or "bitter".
Virginia
433 baby girls born in Iowa (1921) 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.
Evelyn
397 baby girls born in Iowa (1921) 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.
Mildred
373 baby girls born in Iowa (1921) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Doris
352 baby girls born in Iowa (1921) 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.
Frances
321 baby girls born in Iowa (1921) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Lois
293 baby girls born in Iowa (1921) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Maxine
289 baby girls born in Iowa (1921) named Maxine
Alice
288 baby girls born in Iowa (1921) 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.
Jean
263 baby girls born in Iowa (1921) named Jean
The name Jean is a variant of the name John, which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew. It is a gender-neutral name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Elizabeth
253 baby girls born in Iowa (1921) 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
237 baby girls born in Iowa (1921) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
Esther
222 baby girls born in Iowa (1921) 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.
Lucille
222 baby girls born in Iowa (1921) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1921

According to records from Iowa in 1921, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, William, Donald, and James. Robert was the most popular name with 1592 babies given that name, followed by John with 1003, William with 804, Donald with 756, and James with 627. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures at the time, and continue to be popular choices for baby boys today.

Robert

1592 baby boys born in Iowa (1921) 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

1003 baby boys born in Iowa (1921) 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

804 baby boys born in Iowa (1921) 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

756 baby boys born in Iowa (1921) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
James

627 baby boys born in Iowa (1921) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Charles
571 baby boys born in Iowa (1921) 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
509 baby boys born in Iowa (1921) 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.
Richard
506 baby boys born in Iowa (1921) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
George
423 baby boys born in Iowa (1921) 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.
Kenneth
393 baby boys born in Iowa (1921) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
372 baby boys born in Iowa (1921) 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.
Raymond
366 baby boys born in Iowa (1921) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Edward
282 baby boys born in Iowa (1921) 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".
Jack
272 baby boys born in Iowa (1921) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Clarence
235 baby boys born in Iowa (1921) named Clarence
The name Clarence means "bright" or "clear" and is of Latin origin. It was originally a surname before becoming a given name.
Warren
221 baby boys born in Iowa (1921) named Warren
The name Warren means "park keeper" or "watchman" in Old English.
Joseph
220 baby boys born in Iowa (1921) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Earl
216 baby boys born in Iowa (1921) named Earl
The name Earl means "nobleman" or "warrior" and has English origins.
Ralph
216 baby boys born in Iowa (1921) named Ralph
The name Ralph means "wolf counsel" or "counselor wolf".
Walter
212 baby boys born in Iowa (1921) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".