Iowa's most popular baby names in 1959

In the year 1959, the state of Iowa saw a surge in popular baby names for both boys and girls. Topping the list of most popular baby girl names were Mary, Julie, and Susan, while the top baby boy names were David, Michael, and Mark.

Mary, a timeless classic, remained the most popular baby girl name in Iowa for yet another year. Julie and Susan followed closely behind, reflecting the growing trend of modern-sounding names. On the other hand, David, Michael, and Mark continued to dominate the baby boy name charts, with their strong and traditional roots. These names remain popular even today, proving that some baby names truly stand the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1959

According to the data from 1959, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Iowa with 833 occurrences, followed by Julie with 743 occurrences. Susan was the third most popular name with 665 occurrences, followed by Linda with 601 occurrences. Debra rounded out the top five with 583 occurrences. These were the most common names given to baby girls in Iowa in 1959.

Mary

833 baby girls born in Iowa (1959) 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.
Julie

743 baby girls born in Iowa (1959) 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".
Susan

665 baby girls born in Iowa (1959) 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

601 baby girls born in Iowa (1959) 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

583 baby girls born in Iowa (1959) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Lori
544 baby girls born in Iowa (1959) 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.
Karen
491 baby girls born in Iowa (1959) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Cynthia
440 baby girls born in Iowa (1959) 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.
Cindy
414 baby girls born in Iowa (1959) 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.
Kathy
411 baby girls born in Iowa (1959) 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.
Diane
411 baby girls born in Iowa (1959) 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".
Nancy
408 baby girls born in Iowa (1959) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Barbara
403 baby girls born in Iowa (1959) 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
400 baby girls born in Iowa (1959) 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).
Lisa
375 baby girls born in Iowa (1959) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Brenda
368 baby girls born in Iowa (1959) 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.
Kimberly
349 baby girls born in Iowa (1959) named Kimberly
The name Kimberly means "from the wood of the royal forest" or "royal fortress meadow". It is of Old English origin and was first used as a given name in the 1940s.
Patricia
343 baby girls born in Iowa (1959) 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.
Teresa
342 baby girls born in Iowa (1959) named Teresa
The name Teresa is derived from the Greek name Therasia, which means "harvester" or "reaper". It has also been associated with the Spanish word "teresa", meaning "to harvest". The name has been popularized by Saint Teresa of Avila, a Spanish mystic and writer who lived in the 16th century. The name is commonly given to girls and is of Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian origin.
Carol
332 baby girls born in Iowa (1959) 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".

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1959

Based on the data from Iowa in 1959, David was the most popular name for baby boys with 1426 occurrences. Michael and Mark followed closely with 1192 and 1184 occurrences respectively. James and Kevin were also popular names with 889 and 886 occurrences respectively. These were the top 5 baby boy names in Iowa in 1959.

David

1426 baby boys born in Iowa (1959) 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

1192 baby boys born in Iowa (1959) 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

1184 baby boys born in Iowa (1959) 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.
James

889 baby boys born in Iowa (1959) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Kevin

886 baby boys born in Iowa (1959) 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".
John
884 baby boys born in Iowa (1959) 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.
Steven
849 baby boys born in Iowa (1959) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Robert
752 baby boys born in Iowa (1959) 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.
Jeffrey
683 baby boys born in Iowa (1959) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Timothy
630 baby boys born in Iowa (1959) 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.
Richard
616 baby boys born in Iowa (1959) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
596 baby boys born in Iowa (1959) 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.
Scott
593 baby boys born in Iowa (1959) 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.
Randy
534 baby boys born in Iowa (1959) 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
531 baby boys born in Iowa (1959) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
William
502 baby boys born in Iowa (1959) 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.
Douglas
491 baby boys born in Iowa (1959) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Brian
484 baby boys born in Iowa (1959) named Brian
The name Brian is of Irish origin and means "strong, virtuous, and honorable". It is a popular name for boys in Ireland and has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages.
Dennis
436 baby boys born in Iowa (1959) 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
414 baby boys born in Iowa (1959) 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.