Iowa's most popular baby names in 1929

In the year 1929, the state of Iowa witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Betty, and Dorothy were the most popular names for baby girls, while Robert, Donald, and Richard were the most popular names for baby boys. These names were chosen by parents across the state, who were looking for names that were both traditional and timeless.

Mary, a classic name that has been popular for centuries, continued to be a top choice for baby girls in Iowa. Betty and Dorothy, two names that were gaining popularity at the time, also made it to the top of the list. On the other hand, Robert, Donald, and Richard were the most popular names for baby boys, with parents opting for strong, masculine names that conveyed a sense of power and authority. Overall, these names reflect the values and preferences of parents in Iowa during the late 1920s, and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1929

In Iowa, 1929, Mary was the most popular baby girl name with 1025 babies being named Mary. Betty followed closely behind with 940 babies named Betty. Dorothy was the third most popular name with 617 babies being named Dorothy. Shirley ranked fourth with 492 babies named Shirley, and Ruth was the fifth most popular name with 405 babies being named Ruth. Overall, these five names dominated the baby girl names in Iowa in 1929.

Mary

1025 baby girls born in Iowa (1929) 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.
Betty

940 baby girls born in Iowa (1929) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Dorothy

617 baby girls born in Iowa (1929) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Shirley

492 baby girls born in Iowa (1929) 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.
Ruth

405 baby girls born in Iowa (1929) 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.
Helen
369 baby girls born in Iowa (1929) 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.
Lois
356 baby girls born in Iowa (1929) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Margaret
350 baby girls born in Iowa (1929) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Phyllis
346 baby girls born in Iowa (1929) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Donna
343 baby girls born in Iowa (1929) named Donna
The name Donna is of Italian origin and means "lady" or "woman". It was initially used as a title of respect for women of high social status in Italy, but later became a popular given name in English-speaking countries.
Patricia
328 baby girls born in Iowa (1929) 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.
Doris
311 baby girls born in Iowa (1929) 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.
Barbara
307 baby girls born in Iowa (1929) 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
300 baby girls born in Iowa (1929) 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.
Beverly
299 baby girls born in Iowa (1929) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Marilyn
296 baby girls born in Iowa (1929) named Marilyn
The name Marilyn is a combination of the names Mary and Lynn. The name Mary means "bitter" or "rebellious" in Hebrew, while Lynn means "lake" or "waterfall" in English. Therefore, the name Marilyn could be interpreted as "bitter lake" or "rebellious waterfall".
Marjorie
254 baby girls born in Iowa (1929) named Marjorie
The name Marjorie is derived from the herb called marjoram. Its meaning is "pearl" or "bitter".
Joan
246 baby girls born in Iowa (1929) named Joan
The name Joan is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a feminine name that was popularized in the Middle Ages and has been in use ever since. The name is often associated with strong and independent women, such as Joan of Arc.
Darlene
246 baby girls born in Iowa (1929) 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.
Virginia
219 baby girls born in Iowa (1929) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1929

In Iowa, 1929, the top five most popular baby boy names were Robert with 1409 occurrences, followed by Donald with 1018 occurrences, Richard with 872 occurrences, John with 776 occurrences, and James with 740 occurrences. These names were likely influenced by popular figures of the time, such as President Herbert Hoover and famous actors like James Cagney and Robert Montgomery.

Robert

1409 baby boys born in Iowa (1929) 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

1018 baby boys born in Iowa (1929) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Richard

872 baby boys born in Iowa (1929) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

776 baby boys born in Iowa (1929) 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.
James

740 baby boys born in Iowa (1929) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William
681 baby boys born in Iowa (1929) 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.
Charles
478 baby boys born in Iowa (1929) 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.
Kenneth
392 baby boys born in Iowa (1929) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Harold
340 baby boys born in Iowa (1929) 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.
Paul
290 baby boys born in Iowa (1929) 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.
Jack
289 baby boys born in Iowa (1929) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
George
289 baby boys born in Iowa (1929) 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.
Raymond
248 baby boys born in Iowa (1929) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Gerald
230 baby boys born in Iowa (1929) 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.
Marvin
212 baby boys born in Iowa (1929) named Marvin
The name Marvin is of Welsh origin and means "sea hill" or "great hill near the sea".
Dale
196 baby boys born in Iowa (1929) 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
193 baby boys born in Iowa (1929) 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
192 baby boys born in Iowa (1929) 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
185 baby boys born in Iowa (1929) 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.
Thomas
175 baby boys born in Iowa (1929) 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.