Iowa's most popular baby names in 1926

In the year 1926, Iowa saw a surge in popularity for certain baby names. For baby girls, Betty, Mary, and Dorothy took the lead as the most popular names. These classic names were favored by many parents who were looking for traditional and timeless options for their little ones.

On the other hand, for baby boys, Robert, Donald, and John were the top choices. These names were also classic and traditional, and were likely chosen by parents who wanted to give their sons strong and respectable names. Overall, these popular baby names of 1926 in Iowa reflect a desire for names that are both traditional and enduring.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1926

In Iowa, 1926, Betty was the most popular baby girl name with 1054 occurrences, followed closely by Mary with 1051 occurrences. The third most popular name was Dorothy with 762 occurrences, followed by Helen with 535 occurrences. The fifth most popular name was Ruth with 432 occurrences. These were the top 5 baby girl names in Iowa in 1926.

Betty

1054 baby girls born in Iowa (1926) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Mary

1051 baby girls born in Iowa (1926) 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

762 baby girls born in Iowa (1926) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Helen

535 baby girls born in Iowa (1926) 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

432 baby girls born in Iowa (1926) 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
423 baby girls born in Iowa (1926) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Lois
403 baby girls born in Iowa (1926) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Shirley
392 baby girls born in Iowa (1926) named Shirley
The name Shirley is of English origin and its meaning is "bright meadow" or "bright clearing". It was originally a surname that became a popular given name in the 19th century.
Doris
377 baby girls born in Iowa (1926) 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.
Phyllis
323 baby girls born in Iowa (1926) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Virginia
305 baby girls born in Iowa (1926) 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
299 baby girls born in Iowa (1926) named Marjorie
The name Marjorie is derived from the herb called marjoram. Its meaning is "pearl" or "bitter".
Barbara
268 baby girls born in Iowa (1926) named Barbara
The name Barbara is of Greek origin, derived from the word "barbaros" which means foreign or strange. It was a popular name in the Middle Ages and was often given to girls born on St. Barbara's feast day. The name has been used in various cultures and languages around the world.
Norma
258 baby girls born in Iowa (1926) named Norma
The name Norma is of Latin origin and means "rule" or "standard". It was popularized by the Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini's opera "Norma" in the 19th century. The name has been in use since the Middle Ages and continues to be used today.
Patricia
250 baby girls born in Iowa (1926) named Patricia
The name Patricia is derived from the Latin word "patricius," meaning "noble" or "aristocratic." It was a popular name in the Roman Empire and later spread throughout Europe. The name is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, kindness, and leadership.
Evelyn
246 baby girls born in Iowa (1926) 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.
Jean
241 baby girls born in Iowa (1926) 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.
Mildred
213 baby girls born in Iowa (1926) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Frances
208 baby girls born in Iowa (1926) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Darlene
206 baby girls born in Iowa (1926) named Darlene
The name Darlene means "darling" or "beloved" and is of English origin. It was first used as a given name in the early 20th century in the United States.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1926

According to data from 1926, the most popular baby boy names in Iowa were Robert, Donald, John, William, and Richard. Robert was the most popular name with 1575 babies named Robert that year. Donald came in second with 922 babies, followed by John with 882 babies, William with 786 babies, and Richard with 745 babies. These five names were the most commonly given names for baby boys in Iowa in 1926.

Robert

1575 baby boys born in Iowa (1926) 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.
Donald

922 baby boys born in Iowa (1926) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
John

882 baby boys born in Iowa (1926) 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

786 baby boys born in Iowa (1926) 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.
Richard

745 baby boys born in Iowa (1926) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
James
672 baby boys born in Iowa (1926) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Charles
442 baby boys born in Iowa (1926) 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
396 baby boys born in Iowa (1926) 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.
Kenneth
387 baby boys born in Iowa (1926) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
George
352 baby boys born in Iowa (1926) 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.
Paul
310 baby boys born in Iowa (1926) 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
280 baby boys born in Iowa (1926) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Jack
278 baby boys born in Iowa (1926) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Dale
221 baby boys born in Iowa (1926) named Dale
The name Dale means valley or dale, which is a piece of land between hills or mountains. It is of Old English origin and is often used as a masculine given name.
Edward
215 baby boys born in Iowa (1926) 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".
Eugene
214 baby boys born in Iowa (1926) named Eugene
The name Eugene means "well-born" or "noble" and has Greek origins. It was a popular name in the early 20th century but has since declined in popularity.
Wayne
202 baby boys born in Iowa (1926) named Wayne
The name Wayne means "wagon maker" or "wagon driver". It has Old English origins and was originally a surname before becoming a first name.
Gerald
197 baby boys born in Iowa (1926) named Gerald
The name Gerald means "ruler with a spear" or "rule of the spear". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobles.
Ralph
195 baby boys born in Iowa (1926) named Ralph
The name Ralph means "wolf counsel" or "counselor wolf".
Thomas
195 baby boys born in Iowa (1926) named Thomas
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.