Iowa's most popular baby names in 1947

In the year 1947, the state of Iowa saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the name Linda was the most popular, followed closely by Mary and Barbara. These names, with their classic and timeless appeal, were a testament to the traditional values and customs of the time.

For baby boys, the names James, John, and David were the top choices among parents. These names, with their strong and masculine connotations, were reflective of the post-World War II era, where strength and resilience were highly valued. Overall, the baby names of 1947 in Iowa were a reflection of the cultural and societal norms of the time, and continue to be popular choices for parents even today.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1947

Based on the data from 1947, Linda was the most popular baby girl name in Iowa with 2365 babies given that name. Mary was the second most popular name with 1397 babies, followed by Barbara with 753 babies, Patricia with 719 babies, and Susan with 704 babies. These names were the top five most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1947.

Linda

2365 baby girls born in Iowa (1947) 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."
Mary

1397 baby girls born in Iowa (1947) 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.
Barbara

753 baby girls born in Iowa (1947) 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.
Patricia

719 baby girls born in Iowa (1947) 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.
Susan

704 baby girls born in Iowa (1947) 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.
Nancy
688 baby girls born in Iowa (1947) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Carol
644 baby girls born in Iowa (1947) 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".
Sandra
614 baby girls born in Iowa (1947) 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.
Sharon
567 baby girls born in Iowa (1947) 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.
Judy
556 baby girls born in Iowa (1947) named Judy
Karen
553 baby girls born in Iowa (1947) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Donna
468 baby girls born in Iowa (1947) 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.
Connie
465 baby girls born in Iowa (1947) named Connie
The name Connie is a diminutive form of the name Constance, which is derived from the Latin word "constantia" meaning "steadfastness" or "constancy". The name Connie is often used as a standalone name and can also be a nickname for other names such as Constance, Constanza, or Conrad.
Judith
396 baby girls born in Iowa (1947) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Janice
382 baby girls born in Iowa (1947) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Diane
374 baby girls born in Iowa (1947) named Diane
Diane is a feminine given name of French origin. The name is derived from the Roman goddess Diana, who was the goddess of hunting, the moon, and childbirth. The name Diane means "divine" or "heavenly".
Kathleen
364 baby girls born in Iowa (1947) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Cheryl
357 baby girls born in Iowa (1947) named Cheryl
The name Cheryl is of English origin and its meaning is uncertain. It is believed to have been derived from the French name Cherie, which means "darling" or "beloved". However, some sources suggest that it may have originated from the Welsh name Ceinlys, which means "beautiful". The name Cheryl was most popular in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s.
Janet
355 baby girls born in Iowa (1947) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Pamela
334 baby girls born in Iowa (1947) named Pamela
The name Pamela is of Greek origin and means "all sweetness" or "honeyed". It was first popularized by Sir Philip Sidney in his pastoral romance "Arcadia" (1590) and later by Samuel Richardson in his novel "Pamela" (1740).

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1947

In Iowa, 1947, the most popular baby boy names were James, John, David, Robert, and Richard. James was the most popular name with 1429 baby boys given that name, followed closely by John with 1377. David was the third most popular name with 1311 babies named David, while Robert and Richard rounded out the top five with 1297 and 1164 babies given those names, respectively.

James

1429 baby boys born in Iowa (1947) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

1377 baby boys born in Iowa (1947) 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

1311 baby boys born in Iowa (1947) 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.
Robert

1297 baby boys born in Iowa (1947) 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

1164 baby boys born in Iowa (1947) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Dennis
1036 baby boys born in Iowa (1947) 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.
Michael
1024 baby boys born in Iowa (1947) 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.
Larry
860 baby boys born in Iowa (1947) 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
851 baby boys born in Iowa (1947) 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
794 baby boys born in Iowa (1947) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Thomas
769 baby boys born in Iowa (1947) 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.
William
767 baby boys born in Iowa (1947) 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.
Steven
586 baby boys born in Iowa (1947) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Donald
547 baby boys born in Iowa (1947) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Charles
465 baby boys born in Iowa (1947) 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.
Terry
419 baby boys born in Iowa (1947) 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".
Kenneth
414 baby boys born in Iowa (1947) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jerry
409 baby boys born in Iowa (1947) 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
405 baby boys born in Iowa (1947) 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".
Stephen
363 baby boys born in Iowa (1947) named Stephen
The name Stephen means "crown" or "garland" in Greek. It is derived from the Greek name Stephanos, which was a common name among early Christians due to its association with Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr.