Iowa's most popular baby names in 1939

In the year 1939, the state of Iowa saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls. Mary, Karen, and Patricia topped the charts as the most popular names for baby girls in the state. These classic names have been popular for generations and continue to be a popular choice for parents today.

For baby boys, the names Robert, Larry, and James were the most popular choices in Iowa in 1939. These names have also stood the test of time and remain popular choices for parents today. Whether you are looking for a classic name or something more modern, the top baby names of Iowa in 1939 provide a great starting point for inspiration.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1939

In 1939, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Iowa with 1028 babies receiving this name. Karen followed as the second most popular name with 617 babies, while Patricia was the third most popular name with 565 babies. Barbara and Sharon were tied for fourth place with 562 and 527 babies respectively. These were the top 5 baby girl names in Iowa in 1939.

Mary

1028 baby girls born in Iowa (1939) 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.
Karen

617 baby girls born in Iowa (1939) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Patricia

565 baby girls born in Iowa (1939) 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

562 baby girls born in Iowa (1939) 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.
Sharon

527 baby girls born in Iowa (1939) 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.
Carol
441 baby girls born in Iowa (1939) 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".
Judith
427 baby girls born in Iowa (1939) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Sandra
426 baby girls born in Iowa (1939) named Sandra
The name Sandra is a variant of the name Alexandra, which is of Greek origin. The name Alexandra means "defender of mankind" or "protector of humanity". Therefore, it can be inferred that the name Sandra has a similar meaning.
Shirley
419 baby girls born in Iowa (1939) 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.
Betty
386 baby girls born in Iowa (1939) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Donna
379 baby girls born in Iowa (1939) 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.
Nancy
378 baby girls born in Iowa (1939) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Marilyn
377 baby girls born in Iowa (1939) 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".
Joyce
374 baby girls born in Iowa (1939) 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.
Janice
372 baby girls born in Iowa (1939) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Judy
347 baby girls born in Iowa (1939) named Judy
Janet
329 baby girls born in Iowa (1939) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Beverly
287 baby girls born in Iowa (1939) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Joan
253 baby girls born in Iowa (1939) 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.
Carolyn
247 baby girls born in Iowa (1939) named Carolyn
The name Carolyn is a feminine given name of English origin. It is a variant of Caroline, which is derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or "strong". The name Carolyn has been in use since the 19th century and has been a popular name for girls in the United States.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1939

In Iowa, 1939, Robert was the most popular baby boy name with 1116 babies being given this name. Larry came in second with 991 babies, followed closely by James with 915 babies. Richard was the fourth most popular name with 913 babies and John rounded out the top five with 856 babies.

Robert

1116 baby boys born in Iowa (1939) 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.
Larry

991 baby boys born in Iowa (1939) 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.
James

915 baby boys born in Iowa (1939) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard

913 baby boys born in Iowa (1939) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

856 baby boys born in Iowa (1939) 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
639 baby boys born in Iowa (1939) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
639 baby boys born in Iowa (1939) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Gary
625 baby boys born in Iowa (1939) 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.
William
573 baby boys born in Iowa (1939) 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.
David
566 baby boys born in Iowa (1939) 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
461 baby boys born in Iowa (1939) 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
455 baby boys born in Iowa (1939) 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.
Roger
341 baby boys born in Iowa (1939) 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".
Kenneth
331 baby boys born in Iowa (1939) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Dennis
309 baby boys born in Iowa (1939) named Dennis
The name Dennis is of Greek origin and means "follower of Dionysius", the Greek god of wine and fertility. It was a popular name in ancient Greece and was later adopted by the Romans. The name has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history.
Thomas
309 baby boys born in Iowa (1939) 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
262 baby boys born in Iowa (1939) 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
259 baby boys born in Iowa (1939) 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.
Michael
200 baby boys born in Iowa (1939) named Michael
The name Michael means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that is often associated with the archangel Michael, who is considered to be a protector and warrior in many religious traditions. The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Jack
195 baby boys born in Iowa (1939) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".