Iowa's most popular baby names in 1962

In the year 1962, the state of Iowa saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Lisa, Mary, and Lori were the top picks among parents. These names exude a sense of simplicity and elegance, making them timeless classics that continue to be popular even today.

On the other hand, for baby boys, David, Michael, and Mark were the most popular names in Iowa. These names carry a strong and masculine connotation, reflecting the traditional values and beliefs of the time. Overall, these baby names showcase the enduring appeal of simplicity and tradition in Iowa's culture and society.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1962

In 1962, the top 5 most popular baby girl names in Iowa were Lisa with 800 babies given the name, followed by Mary with 729 babies, Lori with 678 babies, Julie with 660 babies, and Susan with 597 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time, and were chosen by parents across the state for their newborn daughters.

Lisa

800 baby girls born in Iowa (1962) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Mary

729 baby girls born in Iowa (1962) 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

678 baby girls born in Iowa (1962) 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

660 baby girls born in Iowa (1962) 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

597 baby girls born in Iowa (1962) 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.
Brenda
457 baby girls born in Iowa (1962) 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
457 baby girls born in Iowa (1962) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Karen
440 baby girls born in Iowa (1962) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Kimberly
414 baby girls born in Iowa (1962) 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.
Linda
401 baby girls born in Iowa (1962) 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."
Teresa
344 baby girls born in Iowa (1962) 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
321 baby girls born in Iowa (1962) 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.
Nancy
314 baby girls born in Iowa (1962) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Diane
309 baby girls born in Iowa (1962) 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".
Laura
305 baby girls born in Iowa (1962) named Laura
The name Laura is of Latin origin and means "bay laurel". It was a symbol of victory and honor in ancient Rome. The name has been popular in many countries and cultures throughout history.
Michelle
305 baby girls born in Iowa (1962) named Michelle
Michelle is a feminine given name of French origin. The name means "who is like God" or "gift from God." It is a variation of the name Michael, which comes from Hebrew and means "who is like God." The name Michelle has been used in English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century and has gained popularity over time.
Tammy
298 baby girls born in Iowa (1962) named Tammy
The name Tammy is a diminutive form of the name Tamara, which has Hebrew origins and means "palm tree" or "date tree". The exact meaning of Tammy is unclear, but it is generally considered to be a modern English name that is derived from Tamara.
Cynthia
296 baby girls born in Iowa (1962) 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.
Pamela
292 baby girls born in Iowa (1962) 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).
Sandra
266 baby girls born in Iowa (1962) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1962

In 1962, the most popular baby boy names in Iowa were David, Michael, Mark, John, and Scott. David was the most popular name with 1292 babies being given that name, followed closely by Michael with 1231 babies. Mark was the third most popular name with 1014 babies named Mark, followed by John with 933 babies and Scott with 900 babies. These names were likely chosen for their popularity and traditional sound.

David

1292 baby boys born in Iowa (1962) 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

1231 baby boys born in Iowa (1962) 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

1014 baby boys born in Iowa (1962) 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

933 baby boys born in Iowa (1962) 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.
Scott

900 baby boys born in Iowa (1962) 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.
James
853 baby boys born in Iowa (1962) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Jeffrey
816 baby boys born in Iowa (1962) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Robert
734 baby boys born in Iowa (1962) 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
651 baby boys born in Iowa (1962) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Kevin
637 baby boys born in Iowa (1962) 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".
Brian
580 baby boys born in Iowa (1962) 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
535 baby boys born in Iowa (1962) 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.
Douglas
486 baby boys born in Iowa (1962) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Daniel
485 baby boys born in Iowa (1962) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Timothy
479 baby boys born in Iowa (1962) 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
466 baby boys born in Iowa (1962) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Todd
465 baby boys born in Iowa (1962) named Todd
The name Todd is of English origin and means "fox". It was originally a surname before becoming a first name.
William
422 baby boys born in Iowa (1962) 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.
Gary
345 baby boys born in Iowa (1962) 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.
Randy
325 baby boys born in Iowa (1962) 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.