Iowa's most popular baby names in 1936

In the year 1936, the most popular baby names in the state of Iowa were a reflection of the times. For baby girls, Mary was the top choice, followed by Shirley and Patricia. These names were classic and traditional, reflecting the values and preferences of the era.

On the other hand, for baby boys, Robert, Richard, and James were the most popular names in Iowa. These names were strong and timeless, reflecting the desire for boys to grow up to be successful and respected men. Overall, the top baby names of 1936 in Iowa were a mix of tradition and aspiration, reflecting the hopes and dreams of parents for their children.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1936

In Iowa, 1936, the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Shirley, Patricia, Marilyn, and Barbara. Mary was the top name with 1072 babies named Mary, followed by Shirley with 890, Patricia with 568, Marilyn with 523, and Barbara with 519. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Mary

1072 baby girls born in Iowa (1936) 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

890 baby girls born in Iowa (1936) 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.
Patricia

568 baby girls born in Iowa (1936) 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.
Marilyn

523 baby girls born in Iowa (1936) 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".
Barbara

519 baby girls born in Iowa (1936) 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.
Betty
427 baby girls born in Iowa (1936) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Donna
400 baby girls born in Iowa (1936) 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.
Beverly
366 baby girls born in Iowa (1936) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Carol
341 baby girls born in Iowa (1936) 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".
Joyce
326 baby girls born in Iowa (1936) 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.
Nancy
324 baby girls born in Iowa (1936) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Janice
310 baby girls born in Iowa (1936) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Janet
294 baby girls born in Iowa (1936) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Joan
285 baby girls born in Iowa (1936) 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
265 baby girls born in Iowa (1936) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Dorothy
255 baby girls born in Iowa (1936) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Ruth
253 baby girls born in Iowa (1936) 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
249 baby girls born in Iowa (1936) named Lois
The name Lois is of Greek origin and means "better, more desirable".
Phyllis
248 baby girls born in Iowa (1936) named Phyllis
The name Phyllis means "foliage" or "greenery" and is of Greek origin.
Sharon
246 baby girls born in Iowa (1936) named Sharon
The name Sharon means "a plain or flat area" in Hebrew. It is also a biblical name, referring to a fertile plain near the coast of Israel.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1936

In Iowa, 1936, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, Richard, James, John, and Donald. Robert was the most popular name with 1185 babies given that name, followed closely by Richard with 952 babies. James, John, and Donald were also popular names with 890, 810, and 786 babies respectively being given those names. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

Robert

1185 baby boys born in Iowa (1936) 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

952 baby boys born in Iowa (1936) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
James

890 baby boys born in Iowa (1936) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

810 baby boys born in Iowa (1936) 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.
Donald

786 baby boys born in Iowa (1936) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
William
566 baby boys born in Iowa (1936) 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.
Larry
518 baby boys born in Iowa (1936) 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.
Ronald
510 baby boys born in Iowa (1936) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
David
388 baby boys born in Iowa (1936) 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.
Jerry
375 baby boys born in Iowa (1936) 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.
Charles
365 baby boys born in Iowa (1936) 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.
Gary
348 baby boys born in Iowa (1936) named Gary
The name Gary is of English origin and means "spear rule" or "spear carrier". It was originally a surname but became popular as a given name in the 20th century. People with this name are believed to be independent, practical, and analytical.
Kenneth
337 baby boys born in Iowa (1936) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Roger
269 baby boys born in Iowa (1936) 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".
Jack
265 baby boys born in Iowa (1936) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Thomas
248 baby boys born in Iowa (1936) 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.
Gerald
248 baby boys born in Iowa (1936) 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.
Paul
231 baby boys born in Iowa (1936) 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.
Harold
223 baby boys born in Iowa (1936) 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.
George
212 baby boys born in Iowa (1936) 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.