Iowa's most popular baby names in 1956

In the year 1956, Debra, Mary, and Susan were among the most popular baby girl names in the state of Iowa. These classic names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today. Debra, which means "bee," was the top pick for baby girls in Iowa that year, followed closely by Mary, which means "bitter" or "beloved," and Susan, which means "lily."

For baby boys, the top names in Iowa in 1956 were David, Michael, and Mark. David, which means "beloved," was the most popular choice for baby boys that year, followed by Michael, which means "who is like God," and Mark, which means "warlike." These strong and timeless names have remained popular choices for parents throughout the years.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1956

In Iowa, 1956, the most popular baby girl names were Debra, Mary, Susan, Linda, and Cynthia. Debra was the top choice with 1171 babies given this name, followed by Mary with 1083 babies. Susan came in third place with 815 babies named, while Linda and Cynthia rounded out the top five with 660 and 579 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time, and have since become classic names that continue to be used today.

Debra

1171 baby girls born in Iowa (1956) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Mary

1083 baby girls born in Iowa (1956) 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

815 baby girls born in Iowa (1956) 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

660 baby girls born in Iowa (1956) 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."
Cynthia

579 baby girls born in Iowa (1956) 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.
Nancy
538 baby girls born in Iowa (1956) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Karen
534 baby girls born in Iowa (1956) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Patricia
532 baby girls born in Iowa (1956) 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
487 baby girls born in Iowa (1956) 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.
Diane
466 baby girls born in Iowa (1956) 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".
Pamela
462 baby girls born in Iowa (1956) 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).
Deborah
449 baby girls born in Iowa (1956) 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.
Julie
435 baby girls born in Iowa (1956) 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".
Carol
414 baby girls born in Iowa (1956) 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".
Sandra
377 baby girls born in Iowa (1956) 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.
Cheryl
349 baby girls born in Iowa (1956) 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.
Rebecca
332 baby girls born in Iowa (1956) 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
313 baby girls born in Iowa (1956) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Kathy
307 baby girls born in Iowa (1956) named Kathy
The name Kathy is a diminutive form of the name Katherine, which means "pure" or "clear". It is of Greek origin and has been a popular name in English-speaking countries since the 19th century.
Janet
291 baby girls born in Iowa (1956) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1956

In Iowa, 1956, David was the most popular name for baby boys with a total of 1490 babies given that name. Michael came in second place with 1345 babies, followed by Mark with 1092 babies. Steven and John were the fourth and fifth most popular names with 1072 and 1052 babies respectively.

David

1490 baby boys born in Iowa (1956) 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

1345 baby boys born in Iowa (1956) 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.
Mark

1092 baby boys born in Iowa (1956) 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.
Steven

1072 baby boys born in Iowa (1956) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
John

1052 baby boys born in Iowa (1956) 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.
James
1031 baby boys born in Iowa (1956) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert
1002 baby boys born in Iowa (1956) 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
791 baby boys born in Iowa (1956) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
751 baby boys born in Iowa (1956) 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
648 baby boys born in Iowa (1956) 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.
Kevin
646 baby boys born in Iowa (1956) 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".
Randy
599 baby boys born in Iowa (1956) 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.
Jeffrey
550 baby boys born in Iowa (1956) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Dennis
548 baby boys born in Iowa (1956) 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.
Timothy
542 baby boys born in Iowa (1956) 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.
Gary
540 baby boys born in Iowa (1956) 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.
Douglas
534 baby boys born in Iowa (1956) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Daniel
519 baby boys born in Iowa (1956) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Ronald
462 baby boys born in Iowa (1956) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
431 baby boys born in Iowa (1956) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".