Iowa's most popular baby names in 1931

In the year 1931, the state of Iowa saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Betty, and Shirley 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, and were seen as timeless and classic choices for their newborn children.

Mary, a name with biblical roots, has been a popular choice for baby girls for centuries. Betty and Shirley, on the other hand, were more modern names that gained popularity in the early 20th century. For baby boys, Robert, Donald, and Richard were strong and traditional names that were often passed down through families. These names continue to be popular choices for parents today, reflecting a timeless appeal that has endured for generations.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1931

In Iowa, 1931, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls, with 1118 babies given this name. The second most popular name was Betty, with 759 babies given this name. Shirley came in third place, with 509 babies named this. Marilyn was the fourth most popular name, with 476 babies given this name. Finally, Dorothy was the fifth most popular name, with 456 babies named this.

Mary

1118 baby girls born in Iowa (1931) 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

759 baby girls born in Iowa (1931) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Shirley

509 baby girls born in Iowa (1931) 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.
Marilyn

476 baby girls born in Iowa (1931) 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".
Dorothy

456 baby girls born in Iowa (1931) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Donna
450 baby girls born in Iowa (1931) 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
429 baby girls born in Iowa (1931) 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.
Barbara
399 baby girls born in Iowa (1931) 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.
Beverly
366 baby girls born in Iowa (1931) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Joan
322 baby girls born in Iowa (1931) 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.
Margaret
316 baby girls born in Iowa (1931) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Norma
312 baby girls born in Iowa (1931) 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.
Helen
306 baby girls born in Iowa (1931) 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.
Phyllis
304 baby girls born in Iowa (1931) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Lois
296 baby girls born in Iowa (1931) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Doris
262 baby girls born in Iowa (1931) 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.
Darlene
247 baby girls born in Iowa (1931) 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.
Joyce
232 baby girls born in Iowa (1931) named Joyce
The name Joyce is of Old French origin, derived from the name Josse, which means "lord" or "master". It was originally a masculine name but became popular as a feminine name in the 20th century. The name Joyce is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, creativity, and independence.
Virginia
225 baby girls born in Iowa (1931) 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.
Ruth
219 baby girls born in Iowa (1931) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1931

In Iowa, 1931, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, Donald, Richard, James, and John. Robert was the most popular name with 1351 babies given that name, followed by Donald with 1029 babies, Richard with 910 babies, James with 775 babies, and John with 760 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and traditional family names.

Robert

1351 baby boys born in Iowa (1931) 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

1029 baby boys born in Iowa (1931) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Richard

910 baby boys born in Iowa (1931) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
James

775 baby boys born in Iowa (1931) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

760 baby boys born in Iowa (1931) 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
601 baby boys born in Iowa (1931) 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
458 baby boys born in Iowa (1931) 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
376 baby boys born in Iowa (1931) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Harold
308 baby boys born in Iowa (1931) 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.
Jack
305 baby boys born in Iowa (1931) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Paul
267 baby boys born in Iowa (1931) 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.
George
262 baby boys born in Iowa (1931) 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.
Gerald
255 baby boys born in Iowa (1931) 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.
Thomas
229 baby boys born in Iowa (1931) 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.
Dale
222 baby boys born in Iowa (1931) 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.
Ronald
217 baby boys born in Iowa (1931) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Marvin
205 baby boys born in Iowa (1931) named Marvin
The name Marvin is of Welsh origin and means "sea hill" or "great hill near the sea".
Raymond
204 baby boys born in Iowa (1931) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
David
203 baby boys born in Iowa (1931) named David
The name David is of Hebrew origin and means "beloved" or "friend". It is a popular name in many cultures and religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Bible, David was the second king of Israel and is known for his bravery, leadership, and devotion to God. People with the name David are often described as confident, charismatic, and loyal.
Roger
195 baby boys born in Iowa (1931) named Roger
The name Roger means "famous spearman" or "renowned warrior". It is of Old German origin, derived from the words "hrod" meaning "fame" and "ger" meaning "spear".