Iowa's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of Iowa saw a surge in the popularity of classic and timeless names for newborns. The top baby girl names were led by the evergreen and elegant name Mary, followed by the sweet and simple name Karen and the charming name Sharon. These names were a reflection of the traditional values and cultural norms of the time, and they continue to hold a special place in the hearts of many Iowans.

For baby boys, the most popular names were Robert, James, and Larry. These names were strong and masculine, reflecting the ideals of toughness and resilience that were held in high regard during that era. Whether you're a fan of classic names or simply curious about the naming trends of the past, these popular baby names from Iowa in 1940 are sure to pique your interest.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1940

According to records from 1940, the most popular baby girl names in Iowa were Mary with 1099 occurrences, followed by Karen with 718 occurrences, Sharon with 673 occurrences, Judith with 579 occurrences, and Patricia with 572 occurrences. These names were likely chosen due to their popularity and cultural significance at the time.

Mary

1099 baby girls born in Iowa (1940) 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

718 baby girls born in Iowa (1940) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Sharon

673 baby girls born in Iowa (1940) 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.
Judith

579 baby girls born in Iowa (1940) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Patricia

572 baby girls born in Iowa (1940) 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.
Sandra
547 baby girls born in Iowa (1940) 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.
Carol
523 baby girls born in Iowa (1940) 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".
Barbara
508 baby girls born in Iowa (1940) 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.
Judy
473 baby girls born in Iowa (1940) named Judy
Janice
423 baby girls born in Iowa (1940) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Nancy
407 baby girls born in Iowa (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Linda
389 baby girls born in Iowa (1940) named Linda
The name Linda means "beautiful" or "pretty" in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and other Romance languages. It is also derived from the Germanic word "lind," which means "gentle" or "soft."
Donna
384 baby girls born in Iowa (1940) 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
355 baby girls born in Iowa (1940) 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
335 baby girls born in Iowa (1940) 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.
Janet
330 baby girls born in Iowa (1940) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Joyce
320 baby girls born in Iowa (1940) 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.
Betty
290 baby girls born in Iowa (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Carolyn
263 baby girls born in Iowa (1940) 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.
Beverly
258 baby girls born in Iowa (1940) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1940

In Iowa, 1940, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, James, Larry, Richard, and John. Robert was the most popular name with 1095 babies given that name, followed closely by James and Larry with 1077 each. Richard and John rounded out the top five with 932 and 879 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical events of the time.

Robert

1095 baby boys born in Iowa (1940) 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

1077 baby boys born in Iowa (1940) 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

1077 baby boys born in Iowa (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard

932 baby boys born in Iowa (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

879 baby boys born in Iowa (1940) 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.
Gary
719 baby boys born in Iowa (1940) 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.
David
682 baby boys born in Iowa (1940) 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.
Ronald
671 baby boys born in Iowa (1940) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
585 baby boys born in Iowa (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
William
537 baby boys born in Iowa (1940) 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.
Jerry
513 baby boys born in Iowa (1940) 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
427 baby boys born in Iowa (1940) 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.
Dennis
391 baby boys born in Iowa (1940) 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.
Kenneth
372 baby boys born in Iowa (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Thomas
359 baby boys born in Iowa (1940) 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.
Roger
358 baby boys born in Iowa (1940) 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".
Michael
267 baby boys born in Iowa (1940) 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.
Gerald
264 baby boys born in Iowa (1940) 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
258 baby boys born in Iowa (1940) 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
183 baby boys born in Iowa (1940) 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.