Iowa's most popular baby names in 1954

In the year 1954, the state of Iowa witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Debra, and Linda emerged as the most popular names for baby girls, while David, Michael, and Steven topped the charts for baby boys. These names were chosen by parents across the state for their newborns, and they continue to remain popular even today.

Mary, a classic name with biblical roots, has been a popular choice for baby girls for centuries. Debra and Linda, both names with English origins, were also highly favored by parents in Iowa during 1954. Meanwhile, David, a name with Hebrew origins, was the most popular choice for baby boys, followed closely by Michael and Steven. These names continue to be popular choices for parents in Iowa and across the United States, reflecting their timeless appeal and enduring popularity.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1954

In Iowa in 1954, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with 1275 babies given the name. Following closely behind were Debra with 1070 babies, Linda with 808 babies, Susan with 786 babies, and Patricia with 635 babies. These names were the top choices for parents in Iowa during that year.

Mary

1275 baby girls born in Iowa (1954) 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.
Debra

1070 baby girls born in Iowa (1954) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Linda

808 baby girls born in Iowa (1954) 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."
Susan

786 baby girls born in Iowa (1954) 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

635 baby girls born in Iowa (1954) 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
608 baby girls born in Iowa (1954) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Barbara
602 baby girls born in Iowa (1954) 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
586 baby girls born in Iowa (1954) 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.
Cynthia
579 baby girls born in Iowa (1954) 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.
Pamela
543 baby girls born in Iowa (1954) 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).
Karen
474 baby girls born in Iowa (1954) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Diane
452 baby girls born in Iowa (1954) 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
428 baby girls born in Iowa (1954) 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.
Carol
382 baby girls born in Iowa (1954) 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
344 baby girls born in Iowa (1954) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Donna
344 baby girls born in Iowa (1954) 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.
Rebecca
330 baby girls born in Iowa (1954) 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.
Kathleen
329 baby girls born in Iowa (1954) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Connie
324 baby girls born in Iowa (1954) 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.
Julie
308 baby girls born in Iowa (1954) named Julie
The name Julie is a French name that means "youthful" or "full of energy". It is derived from the Latin name Julia, which means "soft-haired" or "youthful".

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1954

In the year 1954, David was the most popular baby boy name in Iowa with a total of 1528 babies being named David. Michael was the second most popular name with 1479 babies named Michael. Steven was the third most popular name with 1240 babies named Steven. James and Robert were the fourth and fifth most popular names respectively, with 1157 and 1147 babies being named James and Robert. These were the top 5 most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1954.

David

1528 baby boys born in Iowa (1954) 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

1479 baby boys born in Iowa (1954) 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.
Steven

1240 baby boys born in Iowa (1954) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
James

1157 baby boys born in Iowa (1954) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1147 baby boys born in Iowa (1954) 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
1103 baby boys born in Iowa (1954) 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
916 baby boys born in Iowa (1954) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Mark
895 baby boys born in Iowa (1954) 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.
Thomas
802 baby boys born in Iowa (1954) 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
731 baby boys born in Iowa (1954) 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
687 baby boys born in Iowa (1954) 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.
Dennis
687 baby boys born in Iowa (1954) 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.
Daniel
559 baby boys born in Iowa (1954) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Randy
504 baby boys born in Iowa (1954) 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.
Douglas
479 baby boys born in Iowa (1954) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Ronald
474 baby boys born in Iowa (1954) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Kevin
461 baby boys born in Iowa (1954) named Kevin
The name Kevin is of Irish origin and means "handsome" or "gentle birth". It is derived from the Irish name Caoimhín, which is composed of the Gaelic words "caomh" meaning "kind" or "gentle" and "gin" meaning "birth".
Donald
458 baby boys born in Iowa (1954) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Jeffrey
450 baby boys born in Iowa (1954) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Charles
449 baby boys born in Iowa (1954) 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.