Iowa's most popular baby names in 1960

In the state of Iowa, 1960 was a year of classic and timeless baby names. Mary, Lori, and Julie were the most popular names for baby girls, reflecting a preference for traditional and feminine names. Mary, a name with biblical roots, held the top spot for the third year in a row, while Lori and Julie were new additions to the top three.

For baby boys, David, Michael, and Mark were the most popular names in Iowa in 1960. These names exude strength and masculinity, with David being a biblical name meaning "beloved," Michael meaning "who is like God," and Mark meaning "warlike." These names have remained popular over the years, proving that classic names never go out of style.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1960

In Iowa, 1960, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls, with a total of 789 babies receiving the name. Following Mary were Lori (739), Julie (685), Susan (657), and Lisa (574). These five names were the most common choices for parents of baby girls in Iowa during that year.

Mary

789 baby girls born in Iowa (1960) 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.
Lori

739 baby girls born in Iowa (1960) 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.
Julie

685 baby girls born in Iowa (1960) 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

657 baby girls born in Iowa (1960) 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.
Lisa

574 baby girls born in Iowa (1960) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Linda
566 baby girls born in Iowa (1960) 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
506 baby girls born in Iowa (1960) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Brenda
494 baby girls born in Iowa (1960) 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.
Karen
488 baby girls born in Iowa (1960) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Kimberly
440 baby girls born in Iowa (1960) 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.
Nancy
369 baby girls born in Iowa (1960) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Barbara
368 baby girls born in Iowa (1960) 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.
Teresa
351 baby girls born in Iowa (1960) 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.
Kathy
339 baby girls born in Iowa (1960) 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.
Cynthia
334 baby girls born in Iowa (1960) 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.
Sandra
334 baby girls born in Iowa (1960) 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.
Pamela
329 baby girls born in Iowa (1960) 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).
Diane
323 baby girls born in Iowa (1960) 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".
Cindy
321 baby girls born in Iowa (1960) 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.
Carol
318 baby girls born in Iowa (1960) 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 1960

In Iowa, 1960, the most popular baby boy names were David, Michael, Mark, John, and James. David was the most popular name with 1441 babies being named so, followed by Michael with 1196, Mark with 1140, John with 951, and James with 931. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and trends of the time, but they continue to be timeless classic names that are still popular today.

David

1441 baby boys born in Iowa (1960) 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

1196 baby boys born in Iowa (1960) 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

1140 baby boys born in Iowa (1960) 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.
John

951 baby boys born in Iowa (1960) 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

931 baby boys born in Iowa (1960) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert
831 baby boys born in Iowa (1960) 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.
Steven
787 baby boys born in Iowa (1960) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Jeffrey
787 baby boys born in Iowa (1960) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Kevin
737 baby boys born in Iowa (1960) 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".
Scott
620 baby boys born in Iowa (1960) 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.
Thomas
595 baby boys born in Iowa (1960) 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.
Timothy
580 baby boys born in Iowa (1960) 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.
William
555 baby boys born in Iowa (1960) 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.
Daniel
549 baby boys born in Iowa (1960) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Richard
543 baby boys born in Iowa (1960) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Brian
522 baby boys born in Iowa (1960) 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.
Douglas
503 baby boys born in Iowa (1960) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Randy
472 baby boys born in Iowa (1960) 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.
Dennis
385 baby boys born in Iowa (1960) 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
379 baby boys born in Iowa (1960) 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.