Iowa's most popular baby names in 1941

In the year 1941, the state of Iowa saw a rise in popularity of some classic baby names. Mary, a timeless name that has been a favorite for centuries, topped the list of most popular baby girl names. Following closely behind were Sharon and Karen, both names that were gaining popularity during that time.

For baby boys, the name Robert was the most popular choice, followed by Larry and James. These names were also classic choices that have stood the test of time. It's interesting to see how these names have continued to be popular throughout the years, showing that some names truly never go out of style.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1941

In Iowa in 1941, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with 1091 babies given that name. Following Mary were Sharon with 761, Karen with 722, Judith with 595, and Patricia with 588. These names were the top 5 most popular baby girl names in Iowa during that year.

Mary

1091 baby girls born in Iowa (1941) 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.
Sharon

761 baby girls born in Iowa (1941) 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.
Karen

722 baby girls born in Iowa (1941) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Judith

595 baby girls born in Iowa (1941) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Patricia

588 baby girls born in Iowa (1941) 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.
Judy
578 baby girls born in Iowa (1941) named Judy
Barbara
552 baby girls born in Iowa (1941) 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.
Sandra
540 baby girls born in Iowa (1941) 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.
Linda
520 baby girls born in Iowa (1941) 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."
Carol
445 baby girls born in Iowa (1941) 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".
Nancy
419 baby girls born in Iowa (1941) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Janice
417 baby girls born in Iowa (1941) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Janet
407 baby girls born in Iowa (1941) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Donna
369 baby girls born in Iowa (1941) 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.
Carolyn
352 baby girls born in Iowa (1941) 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.
Shirley
322 baby girls born in Iowa (1941) 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
320 baby girls born in Iowa (1941) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Joyce
310 baby girls born in Iowa (1941) 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.
Marilyn
290 baby girls born in Iowa (1941) 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".
Beverly
266 baby girls born in Iowa (1941) 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 1941

In the state of Iowa in 1941, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, Larry, James, Richard, and John. Robert was the most popular name, given to 1097 baby boys, followed closely by Larry with 1034. James was the third most popular name with 1017, while Richard and John rounded out the top five with 898 and 880 babies given those names, respectively.

Robert

1097 baby boys born in Iowa (1941) 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

1034 baby boys born in Iowa (1941) 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

1017 baby boys born in Iowa (1941) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard

898 baby boys born in Iowa (1941) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

880 baby boys born in Iowa (1941) 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.
Ronald
803 baby boys born in Iowa (1941) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Gary
778 baby boys born in Iowa (1941) 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
723 baby boys born in Iowa (1941) 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.
William
596 baby boys born in Iowa (1941) 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.
Donald
581 baby boys born in Iowa (1941) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Jerry
551 baby boys born in Iowa (1941) 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
453 baby boys born in Iowa (1941) 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
430 baby boys born in Iowa (1941) 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.
Roger
403 baby boys born in Iowa (1941) 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
368 baby boys born in Iowa (1941) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Thomas
358 baby boys born in Iowa (1941) 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.
Michael
333 baby boys born in Iowa (1941) 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.
Paul
246 baby boys born in Iowa (1941) 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
235 baby boys born in Iowa (1941) 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.
George
185 baby boys born in Iowa (1941) 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.