Iowa's most popular baby names in 1949

In the year 1949, the state of Iowa witnessed a surge in the popularity of some timeless and classic baby names. Topping the charts for baby girl names were Linda, Mary, and Susan, while for baby boys, the most popular names were James, David, and Robert.

Linda, with its Spanish roots, meaning "pretty" or "beautiful," was a clear favorite among parents for their baby girls. Mary, a name that has been popular for centuries, held its ground as a timeless choice. Susan, a name that originated from Hebrew, meaning "graceful lily," was also a popular choice among parents. For baby boys, James, derived from the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning "supplanter," was the most popular choice. David, a name that has been around for ages, meaning "beloved," and Robert, meaning "bright fame," were also among the top choices for parents in Iowa in 1949.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1949

In 1949, Linda was the most popular name for baby girls in Iowa, with a total of 1854 babies given that name. The next most popular names were Mary, Susan, Patricia, and Barbara, with 1290, 831, 714, and 707 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time, as well as family traditions and personal preferences.

Linda

1854 baby girls born in Iowa (1949) 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

1290 baby girls born in Iowa (1949) 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

831 baby girls born in Iowa (1949) 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.
Patricia

714 baby girls born in Iowa (1949) 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.
Barbara

707 baby girls born in Iowa (1949) 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.
Nancy
646 baby girls born in Iowa (1949) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Sandra
562 baby girls born in Iowa (1949) 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.
Karen
509 baby girls born in Iowa (1949) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Carol
481 baby girls born in Iowa (1949) 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".
Kathleen
469 baby girls born in Iowa (1949) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Sharon
445 baby girls born in Iowa (1949) 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.
Donna
411 baby girls born in Iowa (1949) 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
410 baby girls born in Iowa (1949) 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.
Pamela
404 baby girls born in Iowa (1949) 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).
Diane
383 baby girls born in Iowa (1949) 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".
Deborah
362 baby girls born in Iowa (1949) named Deborah
Deborah is a Hebrew name that means "bee". It is derived from the Hebrew word "d'vorah" which also means "word" or "thing". The name Deborah is often associated with strength, wisdom, and leadership, as the biblical Deborah was a judge and prophetess who led the Israelites to victory over their enemies.
Janet
359 baby girls born in Iowa (1949) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Judy
344 baby girls born in Iowa (1949) named Judy
Cynthia
305 baby girls born in Iowa (1949) named Cynthia
The name Cynthia means "moon goddess" or "from Mount Kynthos" in Greek. It is also associated with the Greek mythological figure Artemis, who was known as the goddess of the hunt and the moon. The name Cynthia has been in use since ancient times and has remained relatively popular throughout history.
Judith
293 baby girls born in Iowa (1949) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1949

According to the records of Iowa in 1949, the most popular baby boy names were James, David, Robert, Michael, and John. James was the most popular name with 1335 babies given that name, followed closely by David with 1286 babies. Robert, Michael, and John were also popular names with 1256, 1224, and 1220 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely chosen for their traditional and timeless appeal.

James

1335 baby boys born in Iowa (1949) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David

1286 baby boys born in Iowa (1949) 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

1256 baby boys born in Iowa (1949) 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.
Michael

1224 baby boys born in Iowa (1949) 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.
John

1220 baby boys born in Iowa (1949) 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.
Richard
991 baby boys born in Iowa (1949) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Dennis
936 baby boys born in Iowa (1949) 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.
Steven
845 baby boys born in Iowa (1949) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Thomas
820 baby boys born in Iowa (1949) 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
765 baby boys born in Iowa (1949) 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.
Gary
713 baby boys born in Iowa (1949) 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.
Larry
677 baby boys born in Iowa (1949) 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.
Ronald
675 baby boys born in Iowa (1949) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
547 baby boys born in Iowa (1949) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Charles
482 baby boys born in Iowa (1949) 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.
Stephen
467 baby boys born in Iowa (1949) 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.
Terry
413 baby boys born in Iowa (1949) 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
406 baby boys born in Iowa (1949) 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".
Douglas
395 baby boys born in Iowa (1949) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Kenneth
384 baby boys born in Iowa (1949) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".