Iowa's most popular baby names in 1957

In the year 1957, the state of Iowa witnessed a trend towards classic and timeless baby names. Mary, a name that has been popular for centuries, topped the list of most popular baby girl names. Debra and Cynthia were also popular choices, reflecting a preference for traditional and feminine names.

For baby boys, David emerged as the most popular name in Iowa in 1957. Michael and James were close contenders, reflecting a preference for strong and classic names for baby boys. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents looking for names with a timeless appeal.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1957

Based on the data from Iowa in 1957, the top five most popular baby girl names were Mary, Debra, Cynthia, Susan, and Linda. Mary was the most popular name with 966 babies given that name, followed closely by Debra with 956 babies. Cynthia and Susan were also popular choices, with 766 and 758 babies named respectively. Linda rounded out the top five with 614 babies given that name.

Mary

966 baby girls born in Iowa (1957) 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

956 baby girls born in Iowa (1957) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Cynthia

766 baby girls born in Iowa (1957) 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.
Susan

758 baby girls born in Iowa (1957) 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

614 baby girls born in Iowa (1957) 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."
Julie
580 baby girls born in Iowa (1957) 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".
Karen
521 baby girls born in Iowa (1957) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Cindy
512 baby girls born in Iowa (1957) named Cindy
The name Cindy is a diminutive form of the name Cynthia, which means "moon goddess" in Greek. It is also sometimes considered a nickname for the name Lucinda, which means "light" in Spanish.
Nancy
454 baby girls born in Iowa (1957) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Diane
451 baby girls born in Iowa (1957) 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".
Patricia
443 baby girls born in Iowa (1957) 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
443 baby girls born in Iowa (1957) 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.
Pamela
427 baby girls born in Iowa (1957) 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
386 baby girls born in Iowa (1957) 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".
Deborah
364 baby girls born in Iowa (1957) 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.
Lori
340 baby girls born in Iowa (1957) named Lori
The name Lori is a short form of the name Lorraine or Laurence. Its origin and meaning are uncertain, but it is believed to have French or Latin roots. Some sources suggest that it may mean "crowned with laurel" or "victorious." However, the exact meaning of the name Lori remains unknown.
Brenda
329 baby girls born in Iowa (1957) named Brenda
The name Brenda is of Old Norse origin and means "sword" or "torch". It was popularized in the 20th century as a given name, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom.
Sandra
324 baby girls born in Iowa (1957) 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.
Kathy
314 baby girls born in Iowa (1957) 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.
Cheryl
309 baby girls born in Iowa (1957) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1957

In 1957, the most popular baby boy names in Iowa were David, Michael, James, Mark, and Steven. David was the most popular name with 1466 babies given that name, followed closely by Michael with 1450 babies. James, Mark, and Steven were also popular choices, with 1108, 1092, and 972 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and traditional family names, as well as religious and cultural traditions.

David

1466 baby boys born in Iowa (1957) 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

1450 baby boys born in Iowa (1957) 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

1108 baby boys born in Iowa (1957) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Mark

1092 baby boys born in Iowa (1957) 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

972 baby boys born in Iowa (1957) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Robert
955 baby boys born in Iowa (1957) 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
944 baby boys born in Iowa (1957) 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.
Thomas
733 baby boys born in Iowa (1957) 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.
Richard
719 baby boys born in Iowa (1957) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Kevin
706 baby boys born in Iowa (1957) 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".
William
641 baby boys born in Iowa (1957) 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.
Jeffrey
625 baby boys born in Iowa (1957) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Randy
589 baby boys born in Iowa (1957) 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.
Daniel
539 baby boys born in Iowa (1957) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Dennis
538 baby boys born in Iowa (1957) 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.
Douglas
536 baby boys born in Iowa (1957) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Gary
531 baby boys born in Iowa (1957) 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.
Timothy
504 baby boys born in Iowa (1957) 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.
Scott
457 baby boys born in Iowa (1957) named Scott
The name Scott is of Scottish origin and means "from Scotland" or "wanderer". It is a common surname that has been used as a first name since the 19th century.
Ronald
429 baby boys born in Iowa (1957) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.