Iowa's most popular baby names in 1951

In the year 1951, the state of Iowa witnessed a surge in baby names that were popular among parents. The top baby girl names of the year were Mary, Linda, and Patricia, while Michael, David, and James were the most popular names for baby boys.

Mary, a classic name that has been popular for generations, topped the list of baby girl names in Iowa in 1951. Linda, another timeless name, held the second spot, while Patricia, a name that has been popular since the 1920s, was the third most popular choice for baby girls. On the other hand, Michael, a name with Hebrew origins meaning "who is like God," was the most popular name for baby boys in Iowa in 1951, followed by David, which means "beloved," and James, a name that has been popular for centuries. These names continue to be popular even today, showcasing their timeless appeal.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1951

In Iowa, 1951, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls, with 1361 babies given that name. Linda was a close second with 1354 babies named Linda. Patricia was the third most popular name with 896 babies, followed by Susan with 887 babies and Barbara with 751 babies. These were the top 5 baby girl names in Iowa in 1951.

Mary

1361 baby girls born in Iowa (1951) 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

1354 baby girls born in Iowa (1951) 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."
Patricia

896 baby girls born in Iowa (1951) 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

887 baby girls born in Iowa (1951) 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

751 baby girls born in Iowa (1951) 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
682 baby girls born in Iowa (1951) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Deborah
623 baby girls born in Iowa (1951) 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.
Karen
543 baby girls born in Iowa (1951) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Sandra
499 baby girls born in Iowa (1951) 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.
Kathleen
480 baby girls born in Iowa (1951) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Diane
472 baby girls born in Iowa (1951) 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".
Debra
465 baby girls born in Iowa (1951) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Pamela
461 baby girls born in Iowa (1951) 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).
Carol
458 baby girls born in Iowa (1951) 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".
Cynthia
433 baby girls born in Iowa (1951) 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.
Connie
414 baby girls born in Iowa (1951) 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
402 baby girls born in Iowa (1951) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Rebecca
371 baby girls born in Iowa (1951) 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.
Donna
362 baby girls born in Iowa (1951) 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.
Sharon
357 baby girls born in Iowa (1951) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1951

In 1951, the most popular baby boy names in Iowa were Michael, David, James, John, and Robert. Michael was the most popular name with 1516 babies given that name, followed closely by David with 1483 babies. James, John, and Robert were also popular choices with 1330, 1258, and 1214 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by biblical and traditional naming practices.

Michael

1516 baby boys born in Iowa (1951) 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.
David

1483 baby boys born in Iowa (1951) 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

1330 baby boys born in Iowa (1951) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

1258 baby boys born in Iowa (1951) 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

1214 baby boys born in Iowa (1951) 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.
Steven
1157 baby boys born in Iowa (1951) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Richard
1031 baby boys born in Iowa (1951) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Dennis
953 baby boys born in Iowa (1951) 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
905 baby boys born in Iowa (1951) 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
864 baby boys born in Iowa (1951) 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
814 baby boys born in Iowa (1951) 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
633 baby boys born in Iowa (1951) 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.
Mark
618 baby boys born in Iowa (1951) 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.
Ronald
599 baby boys born in Iowa (1951) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Charles
516 baby boys born in Iowa (1951) 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.
Donald
506 baby boys born in Iowa (1951) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Daniel
467 baby boys born in Iowa (1951) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Douglas
450 baby boys born in Iowa (1951) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Kenneth
430 baby boys born in Iowa (1951) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Stephen
420 baby boys born in Iowa (1951) 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.