Iowa's most popular baby names in 1944

In the year 1944, the state of Iowa witnessed a surge in the popularity of baby names that have since become timeless classics. Topping the list of baby girl names were Mary, Linda, and Sharon, while the top baby boy names were Robert, James, and Richard.

Mary, a name that has been popular for centuries, remained a firm favorite among parents in Iowa. Linda, which had gained popularity in the 1930s, continued to be a popular choice for baby girls. Sharon, a name that had gained popularity in the 1940s, was also a popular choice for parents in Iowa. For baby boys, Robert, James, and Richard were the most popular names, reflecting the influence of traditional and biblical names. These names have stood the test of time and remain popular choices for parents even today.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1944

In 1944, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Iowa with 1173 babies being named so. Linda came in second with 876 babies, followed by Sharon with 622 babies, Sandra with 598 babies, and Judy with 587 babies. These were the top five most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1944.

Mary

1173 baby girls born in Iowa (1944) 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.
Linda

876 baby girls born in Iowa (1944) 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."
Sharon

622 baby girls born in Iowa (1944) 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.
Sandra

598 baby girls born in Iowa (1944) 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.
Judy

587 baby girls born in Iowa (1944) named Judy
Barbara
575 baby girls born in Iowa (1944) 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.
Karen
567 baby girls born in Iowa (1944) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Carol
555 baby girls born in Iowa (1944) 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
536 baby girls born in Iowa (1944) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Nancy
475 baby girls born in Iowa (1944) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Patricia
471 baby girls born in Iowa (1944) 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.
Donna
369 baby girls born in Iowa (1944) 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.
Janet
358 baby girls born in Iowa (1944) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Susan
314 baby girls born in Iowa (1944) named Susan
The name Susan means "lily" or "graceful lily" in Hebrew. It was a popular name in the 1940s and 1950s, but has since declined in popularity.
Janice
302 baby girls born in Iowa (1944) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Marilyn
294 baby girls born in Iowa (1944) 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".
Carolyn
271 baby girls born in Iowa (1944) 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.
Joyce
258 baby girls born in Iowa (1944) 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.
Shirley
248 baby girls born in Iowa (1944) 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
245 baby girls born in Iowa (1944) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1944

In 1944, the most popular baby boy names in Iowa were Robert, James, Richard, John, and David. Robert was the most popular name with 1104 babies given that name, followed closely by James with 1100 babies named that. Richard, John, and David were also popular choices with 900, 875, and 831 babies respectively given those names.

Robert

1104 baby boys born in Iowa (1944) 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.
James

1100 baby boys born in Iowa (1944) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard

900 baby boys born in Iowa (1944) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

875 baby boys born in Iowa (1944) 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.
David

831 baby boys born in Iowa (1944) 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.
Larry
789 baby boys born in Iowa (1944) 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.
Gary
734 baby boys born in Iowa (1944) 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.
Ronald
617 baby boys born in Iowa (1944) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Dennis
595 baby boys born in Iowa (1944) 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.
William
556 baby boys born in Iowa (1944) 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
528 baby boys born in Iowa (1944) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Michael
516 baby boys born in Iowa (1944) 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.
Thomas
440 baby boys born in Iowa (1944) 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.
Charles
413 baby boys born in Iowa (1944) 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.
Kenneth
411 baby boys born in Iowa (1944) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jerry
392 baby boys born in Iowa (1944) 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.
Roger
379 baby boys born in Iowa (1944) 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".
Paul
269 baby boys born in Iowa (1944) 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.
Terry
213 baby boys born in Iowa (1944) named Terry
The name Terry is a unisex name of English origin, derived from the name Terence. The meaning of the name Terry is "smooth, tender".
Dale
196 baby boys born in Iowa (1944) named Dale
The name Dale means valley or dale, which is a piece of land between hills or mountains. It is of Old English origin and is often used as a masculine given name.