Iowa's most popular baby names in 1950

In the year 1950, the state of Iowa saw a surge in popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Linda took the top spot, followed by Mary and Susan. These names were not only popular in Iowa, but across the United States as well.

For baby boys, David was the most popular name in Iowa in 1950, followed closely by James and Michael. These names continued to be popular throughout the decade and even into the present day. Whether it was due to their classic sound or cultural significance, these names were beloved by parents in Iowa and beyond.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1950

In 1950, Linda was the most popular baby girl name in Iowa with 1476 babies being named Linda. Mary came in second with 1313 babies being named Mary. Susan was the third most popular name with 829 babies being named Susan. Patricia came in fourth with 744 babies being named Patricia and Barbara was the fifth most popular name with 709 babies being named Barbara.

Linda

1476 baby girls born in Iowa (1950) 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

1313 baby girls born in Iowa (1950) 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

829 baby girls born in Iowa (1950) 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

744 baby girls born in Iowa (1950) 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

709 baby girls born in Iowa (1950) 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
645 baby girls born in Iowa (1950) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Sandra
554 baby girls born in Iowa (1950) 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
515 baby girls born in Iowa (1950) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Carol
511 baby girls born in Iowa (1950) 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".
Connie
454 baby girls born in Iowa (1950) 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
448 baby girls born in Iowa (1950) 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).
Kathleen
443 baby girls born in Iowa (1950) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Deborah
443 baby girls born in Iowa (1950) 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.
Diane
437 baby girls born in Iowa (1950) 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".
Sharon
384 baby girls born in Iowa (1950) 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
384 baby girls born in Iowa (1950) 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
356 baby girls born in Iowa (1950) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Cynthia
349 baby girls born in Iowa (1950) 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.
Janice
339 baby girls born in Iowa (1950) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Rebecca
299 baby girls born in Iowa (1950) named Rebecca
Rebecca means "captivating" or "knotted cord" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau in the Old Testament.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1950

In Iowa in the year 1950, the most popular baby boy names were David, James, Michael, John, and Robert. David was the most popular with 1412 babies given that name, followed closely by James with 1323 babies. Michael, John, and Robert rounded out the top five with 1317, 1236, and 1216 babies respectively given those names. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

David

1412 baby boys born in Iowa (1950) 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.
James

1323 baby boys born in Iowa (1950) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Michael

1317 baby boys born in Iowa (1950) 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

1236 baby boys born in Iowa (1950) 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.
Robert

1216 baby boys born in Iowa (1950) 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
953 baby boys born in Iowa (1950) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Steven
909 baby boys born in Iowa (1950) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Dennis
893 baby boys born in Iowa (1950) 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.
Thomas
827 baby boys born in Iowa (1950) 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.
Gary
798 baby boys born in Iowa (1950) 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
762 baby boys born in Iowa (1950) 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.
Larry
714 baby boys born in Iowa (1950) 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
646 baby boys born in Iowa (1950) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
523 baby boys born in Iowa (1950) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Mark
506 baby boys born in Iowa (1950) named Mark
The name Mark is derived from the Latin name "Marcus" which means "dedicated to Mars", the Roman god of war. It is a popular name among Christians as it is the name of one of the four Gospel writers in the New Testament. The name Mark is also associated with qualities such as courage, strength, and leadership.
Charles
472 baby boys born in Iowa (1950) 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.
Daniel
442 baby boys born in Iowa (1950) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Douglas
437 baby boys born in Iowa (1950) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Stephen
428 baby boys born in Iowa (1950) 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.
Kenneth
411 baby boys born in Iowa (1950) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".