Iowa's most popular baby names in 1953

In the year 1953, the state of Iowa witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Linda, and Debra were the most popular baby girl names, while David, Michael, and James topped the list of baby boy names.

Mary, a timeless classic, held the top spot for baby girls for the second year in a row. Linda and Debra, on the other hand, were new entrants to the top three. For baby boys, David maintained its position as the most popular name, followed closely by Michael and James. These names were a reflection of the cultural and societal trends of the time and continue to be popular even today.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1953

In 1953, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls in Iowa, with a total of 1218 babies given that name. Following closely behind were Linda with 962, Debra with 868, Susan with 862, and Patricia with 699. These five names were the most commonly chosen names for baby girls in Iowa during that year.

Mary

1218 baby girls born in Iowa (1953) 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

962 baby girls born in Iowa (1953) 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."
Debra

868 baby girls born in Iowa (1953) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Susan

862 baby girls born in Iowa (1953) 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

699 baby girls born in Iowa (1953) 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
697 baby girls born in Iowa (1953) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Barbara
685 baby girls born in Iowa (1953) 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.
Deborah
600 baby girls born in Iowa (1953) 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.
Pamela
530 baby girls born in Iowa (1953) 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).
Cynthia
516 baby girls born in Iowa (1953) 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.
Karen
484 baby girls born in Iowa (1953) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Diane
467 baby girls born in Iowa (1953) 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".
Sandra
458 baby girls born in Iowa (1953) 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
417 baby girls born in Iowa (1953) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Carol
390 baby girls born in Iowa (1953) 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".
Janet
357 baby girls born in Iowa (1953) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Rebecca
342 baby girls born in Iowa (1953) 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.
Connie
339 baby girls born in Iowa (1953) 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.
Jane
300 baby girls born in Iowa (1953) named Jane
The name Jane is of English origin and means "God is gracious". It is a feminine name that has been popular for centuries and has been used by many notable figures throughout history.
Sharon
299 baby girls born in Iowa (1953) 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 1953

In Iowa, 1953, the most popular baby boy names were David, Michael, James, Robert, and Steven. David was the most popular name with 1442 babies given that name, followed closely by Michael with 1434 babies. James, Robert, and Steven also made the top 5 with 1174, 1143, and 1140 babies respectively given those names. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends at the time.

David

1442 baby boys born in Iowa (1953) 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

1434 baby boys born in Iowa (1953) 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.
James

1174 baby boys born in Iowa (1953) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1143 baby boys born in Iowa (1953) 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

1140 baby boys born in Iowa (1953) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
John
1067 baby boys born in Iowa (1953) 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
933 baby boys born in Iowa (1953) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
875 baby boys born in Iowa (1953) 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.
Mark
828 baby boys born in Iowa (1953) 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.
Dennis
809 baby boys born in Iowa (1953) 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.
William
728 baby boys born in Iowa (1953) 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
685 baby boys born in Iowa (1953) 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
524 baby boys born in Iowa (1953) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Daniel
484 baby boys born in Iowa (1953) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Douglas
471 baby boys born in Iowa (1953) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Donald
460 baby boys born in Iowa (1953) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Charles
418 baby boys born in Iowa (1953) 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.
Randy
415 baby boys born in Iowa (1953) named Randy
The name Randy is a shortened form of the name Randall, which means "shield wolf" in Old English. It is also sometimes used as a nickname for the name Randolph.
Paul
414 baby boys born in Iowa (1953) named Paul
The name Paul is of Latin origin and means "small" or "humble". It was originally derived from the Roman family name Paulus, which was a common name in ancient Rome. The name has been popularized by various saints and biblical figures, including the apostle Paul, who was a significant figure in the early Christian church.
Larry
404 baby boys born in Iowa (1953) 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.