Iowa's most popular baby names in 1961

In the year 1961, the state of Iowa saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Lori, Mary, and Julie were the most popular names, while for baby boys, David, Michael, and Mark were the top choices. These names were chosen by parents from all walks of life, reflecting the trends and preferences of the time.

Lori, Mary, and Julie were all classic names that had been popular for decades, while David, Michael, and Mark were strong and timeless choices for baby boys. These names continue to be popular to this day, and serve as a testament to the enduring appeal of traditional baby names.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1961

In Iowa, 1961, the most popular baby girl names were Lori with 786 occurrences, followed closely by Mary with 780 occurrences. Julie came in third place with 713 occurrences, while Lisa and Susan rounded out the top five with 680 and 595 occurrences respectively. These names were likely chosen by parents who appreciated their simplicity and classic appeal.

Lori

786 baby girls born in Iowa (1961) 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.
Mary

780 baby girls born in Iowa (1961) 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

713 baby girls born in Iowa (1961) 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".
Lisa

680 baby girls born in Iowa (1961) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Susan

595 baby girls born in Iowa (1961) 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
510 baby girls born in Iowa (1961) 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."
Brenda
467 baby girls born in Iowa (1961) 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.
Debra
451 baby girls born in Iowa (1961) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Karen
394 baby girls born in Iowa (1961) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Kimberly
384 baby girls born in Iowa (1961) 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.
Pamela
355 baby girls born in Iowa (1961) 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).
Teresa
349 baby girls born in Iowa (1961) 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.
Barbara
346 baby girls born in Iowa (1961) 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.
Sandra
333 baby girls born in Iowa (1961) 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.
Nancy
329 baby girls born in Iowa (1961) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Cindy
329 baby girls born in Iowa (1961) 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.
Diane
323 baby girls born in Iowa (1961) 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".
Cynthia
303 baby girls born in Iowa (1961) 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.
Denise
297 baby girls born in Iowa (1961) named Denise
The name Denise is of French origin and is derived from the name Denis, which means "follower of Dionysius." Dionysius was the Greek god of wine, fertility, and theater. The name Denise was popularized in the 20th century, particularly in the United States.
Patricia
291 baby girls born in Iowa (1961) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1961

In Iowa, 1961, the top 5 most popular baby boy names were David, Michael, Mark, John, and James. David was the most popular name with 1426 babies given that name, followed by Michael with 1228 babies, Mark with 1124 babies, John with 1027 babies, and James with 887 babies. These names were likely chosen for their traditional and timeless qualities.

David

1426 baby boys born in Iowa (1961) 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

1228 baby boys born in Iowa (1961) 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

1124 baby boys born in Iowa (1961) 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

1027 baby boys born in Iowa (1961) 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

887 baby boys born in Iowa (1961) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Jeffrey
812 baby boys born in Iowa (1961) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Steven
782 baby boys born in Iowa (1961) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Robert
780 baby boys born in Iowa (1961) 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.
Kevin
722 baby boys born in Iowa (1961) 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
693 baby boys born in Iowa (1961) 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.
Brian
582 baby boys born in Iowa (1961) 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.
Thomas
531 baby boys born in Iowa (1961) 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
505 baby boys born in Iowa (1961) 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.
Daniel
478 baby boys born in Iowa (1961) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
William
475 baby boys born in Iowa (1961) 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.
Richard
466 baby boys born in Iowa (1961) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Douglas
462 baby boys born in Iowa (1961) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Randy
405 baby boys born in Iowa (1961) 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.
Todd
388 baby boys born in Iowa (1961) named Todd
The name Todd is of English origin and means "fox". It was originally a surname before becoming a first name.
Gary
371 baby boys born in Iowa (1961) 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.