Iowa's most popular baby names in 1934

In the year 1934, Iowa witnessed the arrival of many adorable babies who were given some of the most popular names of the time. For baby girls, Mary was the most popular name, followed by Shirley and Marilyn. These classic names have stood the test of time and are still popular choices for parents today. Mary, in particular, has been a popular name for centuries and is still considered a timeless choice for baby girls.

For baby boys, Robert was the most popular name in Iowa in 1934, followed by Richard and Donald. These names are strong and traditional, and have remained popular choices for parents over the years. Robert, in particular, has been a popular name for centuries and is still a top choice for baby boys today. Overall, the names chosen for Iowa babies in 1934 reflect a love for classic and timeless names that have stood the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1934

According to the records of baby girl names in Iowa in 1934, the most popular names were Mary with 1092 occurrences, followed by Shirley with 661 occurrences, Marilyn with 532 occurrences, Donna with 526 occurrences, and Betty with 523 occurrences. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Mary

1092 baby girls born in Iowa (1934) 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.
Shirley

661 baby girls born in Iowa (1934) 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

532 baby girls born in Iowa (1934) 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".
Donna

526 baby girls born in Iowa (1934) 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.
Betty

523 baby girls born in Iowa (1934) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Patricia
501 baby girls born in Iowa (1934) 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
501 baby girls born in Iowa (1934) 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
405 baby girls born in Iowa (1934) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Dorothy
361 baby girls born in Iowa (1934) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Joan
352 baby girls born in Iowa (1934) 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.
Joyce
273 baby girls born in Iowa (1934) 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.
Lois
270 baby girls born in Iowa (1934) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Phyllis
266 baby girls born in Iowa (1934) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Janet
264 baby girls born in Iowa (1934) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Carol
262 baby girls born in Iowa (1934) named Carol
The name Carol is derived from the Old Germanic word "karl", which means "man" or "free man". It is often associated with the Christmas season due to the popular Christmas carol "Carol of the Bells".
Margaret
261 baby girls born in Iowa (1934) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Norma
258 baby girls born in Iowa (1934) 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.
Darlene
234 baby girls born in Iowa (1934) 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.
Ruth
232 baby girls born in Iowa (1934) 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
231 baby girls born in Iowa (1934) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1934

In Iowa, 1934, Robert was the most popular name for baby boys with 1082 babies given that name. The second most popular name was Richard with 1010 babies named that. Donald came in third place with 892 babies, followed by James with 851 babies and John with 784 babies. These were the top 5 most popular names for baby boys in Iowa during that year.

Robert

1082 baby boys born in Iowa (1934) 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.
Richard

1010 baby boys born in Iowa (1934) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Donald

892 baby boys born in Iowa (1934) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
James

851 baby boys born in Iowa (1934) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

784 baby boys born in Iowa (1934) 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
525 baby boys born in Iowa (1934) 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
427 baby boys born in Iowa (1934) 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.
Ronald
410 baby boys born in Iowa (1934) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Kenneth
368 baby boys born in Iowa (1934) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jerry
314 baby boys born in Iowa (1934) named Jerry
The name Jerry is a diminutive form of the name Gerald or Gerard, which means "ruler with a spear" or "brave with a spear" respectively. It is of Old German origin.
Jack
305 baby boys born in Iowa (1934) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
David
293 baby boys born in Iowa (1934) 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.
Thomas
260 baby boys born in Iowa (1934) 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.
Harold
256 baby boys born in Iowa (1934) 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.
Larry
252 baby boys born in Iowa (1934) named Larry
The name Larry is a shortened form of the name Lawrence, which comes from the Latin name Laurentius meaning "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel". The name was popularized in the Middle Ages due to the fame of St. Lawrence, a Christian martyr who was roasted alive on a gridiron. The name Larry has been used as a given name since the 19th century and has been a popular name in the United States.
Paul
250 baby boys born in Iowa (1934) 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
237 baby boys born in Iowa (1934) 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.
Roger
236 baby boys born in Iowa (1934) 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".
George
222 baby boys born in Iowa (1934) 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.
Wayne
205 baby boys born in Iowa (1934) 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.