Iowa's most popular baby names in 1932

In the year 1932, the state of Iowa saw a surge in the popularity of classic and timeless names for newborn babies. Mary, Betty, and Donna were the top three names for baby girls, while Robert, Donald, and Richard were the most popular names for baby boys. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents even today.

Mary, a name that has been popular for centuries, was the most popular name for baby girls in Iowa in 1932. Betty, a shortened version of Elizabeth, and Donna, meaning "lady" or "woman" in Italian, were also popular choices for parents of baby girls. Meanwhile, Robert, meaning "bright fame," was the top choice for baby boys, followed closely by Donald, meaning "ruler of the world," and Richard, meaning "brave ruler." These names reflect the traditional values and strong family ties that were important to Iowan families during this era.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1932

In Iowa, 1932, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls, with 1077 babies given that name. Following Mary were Betty with 707 babies, Donna with 513 babies, Marilyn with 506 babies, and Shirley with 478 babies. These were the top 5 most popular baby girl names in Iowa during that year.

Mary

1077 baby girls born in Iowa (1932) 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

707 baby girls born in Iowa (1932) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Donna

513 baby girls born in Iowa (1932) 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.
Marilyn

506 baby girls born in Iowa (1932) 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".
Shirley

478 baby girls born in Iowa (1932) 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.
Barbara
462 baby girls born in Iowa (1932) 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.
Patricia
454 baby girls born in Iowa (1932) 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.
Beverly
432 baby girls born in Iowa (1932) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Dorothy
399 baby girls born in Iowa (1932) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Joan
355 baby girls born in Iowa (1932) 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.
Norma
292 baby girls born in Iowa (1932) 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.
Ruth
292 baby girls born in Iowa (1932) 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.
Lois
291 baby girls born in Iowa (1932) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Margaret
285 baby girls born in Iowa (1932) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Joyce
269 baby girls born in Iowa (1932) 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.
Phyllis
268 baby girls born in Iowa (1932) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Helen
249 baby girls born in Iowa (1932) 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.
Darlene
227 baby girls born in Iowa (1932) 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.
Doris
214 baby girls born in Iowa (1932) 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.
Delores
202 baby girls born in Iowa (1932) named Delores

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1932

According to data from 1932, the most popular baby boy names in Iowa were Robert, Donald, Richard, James, and John. Robert was the most popular name with 1272 babies given that name, followed by Donald with 960 babies, Richard with 901 babies, James with 820 babies, and John with 789 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Robert

1272 baby boys born in Iowa (1932) 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

960 baby boys born in Iowa (1932) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Richard

901 baby boys born in Iowa (1932) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
James

820 baby boys born in Iowa (1932) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

789 baby boys born in Iowa (1932) 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
552 baby boys born in Iowa (1932) 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
479 baby boys born in Iowa (1932) 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
319 baby boys born in Iowa (1932) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Ronald
307 baby boys born in Iowa (1932) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Harold
283 baby boys born in Iowa (1932) 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
271 baby boys born in Iowa (1932) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
George
254 baby boys born in Iowa (1932) 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
253 baby boys born in Iowa (1932) 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.
Gerald
214 baby boys born in Iowa (1932) 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
206 baby boys born in Iowa (1932) 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.
Raymond
201 baby boys born in Iowa (1932) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
David
192 baby boys born in Iowa (1932) 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.
Wayne
187 baby boys born in Iowa (1932) 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.
Marvin
180 baby boys born in Iowa (1932) named Marvin
The name Marvin is of Welsh origin and means "sea hill" or "great hill near the sea".
Dale
176 baby boys born in Iowa (1932) 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.