Iowa's most popular baby names in 1948

In the year 1948, Iowa saw a surge in the popularity of some classic baby names. For baby girls, Linda took the lead as the most popular name, followed closely by Mary and Susan. These names were all timeless and traditional, reflecting the values and culture of the time.

On the other hand, for baby boys, James, Robert and John were the top three names that parents chose. These names were also classic and enduring, with a strong sense of tradition and history. Overall, the most popular baby names of 1948 in Iowa were a reflection of the values and preferences of the time, and continue to be beloved names to this day.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1948

In Iowa, 1948, Linda was the most popular name for baby girls with 2145 occurrences. Mary followed closely with 1354 occurrences, and then Susan with 757 occurrences. Barbara and Patricia rounded out the top five with 705 and 647 occurrences respectively.

Linda

2145 baby girls born in Iowa (1948) 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

1354 baby girls born in Iowa (1948) 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.
Susan

757 baby girls born in Iowa (1948) 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.
Barbara

705 baby girls born in Iowa (1948) 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

647 baby girls born in Iowa (1948) 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.
Nancy
593 baby girls born in Iowa (1948) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Carol
552 baby girls born in Iowa (1948) 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
543 baby girls born in Iowa (1948) 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
537 baby girls born in Iowa (1948) 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
492 baby girls born in Iowa (1948) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Judy
406 baby girls born in Iowa (1948) named Judy
Kathleen
402 baby girls born in Iowa (1948) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Pamela
390 baby girls born in Iowa (1948) 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).
Donna
386 baby girls born in Iowa (1948) 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
384 baby girls born in Iowa (1948) 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.
Janet
368 baby girls born in Iowa (1948) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Diane
338 baby girls born in Iowa (1948) 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".
Cheryl
310 baby girls born in Iowa (1948) 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.
Janice
310 baby girls born in Iowa (1948) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Joyce
281 baby girls born in Iowa (1948) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1948

Based on the data from Iowa in 1948, the most popular baby boy names were James, Robert, John, David, and Michael. James was the most popular name with 1297 baby boys given that name, followed closely by Robert with 1281. John was the third most popular name with 1212 babies given that name, followed by David with 1187. Michael rounded out the top five with 1009 baby boys given that name in Iowa in 1948.

James

1297 baby boys born in Iowa (1948) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1281 baby boys born in Iowa (1948) 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.
John

1212 baby boys born in Iowa (1948) 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

1187 baby boys born in Iowa (1948) 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.
Michael

1009 baby boys born in Iowa (1948) 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.
Dennis
929 baby boys born in Iowa (1948) 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.
Richard
928 baby boys born in Iowa (1948) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Larry
864 baby boys born in Iowa (1948) 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.
Steven
808 baby boys born in Iowa (1948) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Gary
775 baby boys born in Iowa (1948) 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
768 baby boys born in Iowa (1948) 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.
Thomas
737 baby boys born in Iowa (1948) 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.
Ronald
735 baby boys born in Iowa (1948) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
532 baby boys born in Iowa (1948) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Charles
463 baby boys born in Iowa (1948) 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
430 baby boys born in Iowa (1948) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Terry
409 baby boys born in Iowa (1948) 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".
Roger
398 baby boys born in Iowa (1948) 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
397 baby boys born in Iowa (1948) 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.
Jerry
365 baby boys born in Iowa (1948) 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.