Iowa's most popular baby names in 1955

In the year 1955, the state of Iowa saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the most popular names were Debra, Mary, and Susan, while for baby boys, the top names were David, Michael, and James. These names were chosen by parents across the state for their newborns, reflecting the trends and preferences of the time.

While some of these names have remained popular over the years, others have fallen out of favor. Nonetheless, the names chosen by parents in Iowa in 1955 continue to hold a special place in the hearts of those who bear them, serving as a reminder of the year and the state in which they were born.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1955

In Iowa in 1955, the most popular baby girl name was Debra, with 1239 babies given that name. Mary was the second most popular name with 1153 babies, followed by Susan with 846 babies. Linda was the fourth most popular name with 787 babies, and Barbara was the fifth most popular name with 588 babies.

Debra

1239 baby girls born in Iowa (1955) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Mary

1153 baby girls born in Iowa (1955) 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

846 baby girls born in Iowa (1955) 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.
Linda

787 baby girls born in Iowa (1955) 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."
Barbara

588 baby girls born in Iowa (1955) 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.
Patricia
584 baby girls born in Iowa (1955) 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
547 baby girls born in Iowa (1955) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Deborah
535 baby girls born in Iowa (1955) 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
519 baby girls born in Iowa (1955) 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
512 baby girls born in Iowa (1955) 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
490 baby girls born in Iowa (1955) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Diane
461 baby girls born in Iowa (1955) 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
429 baby girls born in Iowa (1955) 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
384 baby girls born in Iowa (1955) 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".
Julie
380 baby girls born in Iowa (1955) 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".
Kathleen
372 baby girls born in Iowa (1955) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Rebecca
365 baby girls born in Iowa (1955) 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.
Janet
343 baby girls born in Iowa (1955) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Cheryl
305 baby girls born in Iowa (1955) named Cheryl
The name Cheryl is of English origin and its meaning is uncertain. It is believed to have been derived from the French name Cherie, which means "darling" or "beloved". However, some sources suggest that it may have originated from the Welsh name Ceinlys, which means "beautiful". The name Cheryl was most popular in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s.
Donna
303 baby girls born in Iowa (1955) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1955

In Iowa in 1955, the most popular baby boy names were David, Michael, James, Steven, and Robert. David was the most popular name with 1605 babies given that name, followed closely by Michael with 1435 babies. James, Steven, and Robert rounded out the top five with 1151, 1112, and 1105 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and traditional naming conventions.

David

1605 baby boys born in Iowa (1955) 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

1435 baby boys born in Iowa (1955) 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

1151 baby boys born in Iowa (1955) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Steven

1112 baby boys born in Iowa (1955) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Robert

1105 baby boys born in Iowa (1955) 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
1024 baby boys born in Iowa (1955) 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.
Mark
1010 baby boys born in Iowa (1955) 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.
Richard
763 baby boys born in Iowa (1955) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
753 baby boys born in Iowa (1955) 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
723 baby boys born in Iowa (1955) 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.
Dennis
695 baby boys born in Iowa (1955) 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.
Gary
596 baby boys born in Iowa (1955) 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.
Jeffrey
583 baby boys born in Iowa (1955) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Daniel
558 baby boys born in Iowa (1955) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Randy
531 baby boys born in Iowa (1955) 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.
Timothy
522 baby boys born in Iowa (1955) named Timothy
The name Timothy is of Greek origin and means "honoring God" or "one who honors God". It is derived from the Greek name Timotheos, which is a combination of the words "timao" meaning to honor and "theos" meaning God.
Kevin
509 baby boys born in Iowa (1955) 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".
Douglas
501 baby boys born in Iowa (1955) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Ronald
435 baby boys born in Iowa (1955) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Terry
398 baby boys born in Iowa (1955) 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".