Iowa's most popular baby names in 1972

In the year 1972, the state of Iowa saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names for boys and girls. The top baby girl names of the year were Jennifer, Amy, and Michelle, while the top baby boy names were Jason, Michael, and Chad.

Parents in Iowa seemed to be drawn towards traditional and timeless names, with Jennifer and Michael being among the most popular names in the country at the time. However, the inclusion of newer names like Amy and Chad show that parents were also open to more contemporary options. Overall, the top baby names of 1972 in Iowa reflect a mix of classic and modern naming trends.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1972

In 1972, the most popular baby girl name in Iowa was Jennifer, with a total of 1067 girls being given this name. The second most popular name was Amy, with 564 babies receiving this name. Michelle came in third place with 492 babies being named this, followed by Angela with 441 babies and Lisa with 359 babies. These were the top 5 baby girl names in Iowa during that year.

Jennifer

1067 baby girls born in Iowa (1972) named Jennifer
The name Jennifer is of Welsh origin and means "fair and smooth". It was first used as a given name in the United States in the 20th century and became very popular in the 1970s and 1980s.
Amy

564 baby girls born in Iowa (1972) named Amy
The name Amy means "beloved" or "dearly loved" in French and Latin. It is a popular name for girls and has been used since the Middle Ages.
Michelle

492 baby girls born in Iowa (1972) 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.
Angela

441 baby girls born in Iowa (1972) named Angela
The name Angela is derived from the Greek word "angelos" which means "messenger of God". It is a feminine name that has been used in various cultures and languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, and German. Angela is often associated with qualities such as kindness, compassion, and grace.
Lisa

359 baby girls born in Iowa (1972) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Melissa
332 baby girls born in Iowa (1972) named Melissa
The name Melissa is derived from the Greek word "melissa," which means "honey bee." It was a popular name in ancient Greece and is often associated with sweetness and industriousness.
Kimberly
328 baby girls born in Iowa (1972) 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.
Julie
311 baby girls born in Iowa (1972) 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".
Heather
293 baby girls born in Iowa (1972) named Heather
The name Heather is of English origin and is derived from the name of a flowering plant that grows in Scotland. The name is often associated with the color purple and is said to symbolize admiration, good luck, and protection.
Nicole
259 baby girls born in Iowa (1972) named Nicole
Nicole is a feminine given name of Greek origin, meaning "victory of the people". It is a popular name in English-speaking countries and has been in use since the 1930s.
Stephanie
257 baby girls born in Iowa (1972) named Stephanie
The name Stephanie is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a feminine name that has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 20th century.
Dawn
231 baby girls born in Iowa (1972) named Dawn
The name Dawn means "the first appearance of light, daybreak" and is often given to girls born at or around sunrise. It is derived from the Old English word "dagian" which means "to become day".
Tammy
188 baby girls born in Iowa (1972) 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.
Lori
182 baby girls born in Iowa (1972) 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
172 baby girls born in Iowa (1972) 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.
Tracy
171 baby girls born in Iowa (1972) named Tracy
The name Tracy is of Irish origin and means "warrior" or "fighter". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.
Jill
166 baby girls born in Iowa (1972) named Jill
The name Jill is a diminutive form of the name Jillian, which is of Latin origin. The meaning of the name Jill is "youthful" or "childlike".
Wendy
157 baby girls born in Iowa (1972) named Wendy
The name Wendy is of English origin and is believed to have been created by author J.M. Barrie for his character Wendy Darling in his play "Peter Pan." The meaning of the name is unknown, as it was not derived from any existing name or word.
Mary
156 baby girls born in Iowa (1972) 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.
Laura
155 baby girls born in Iowa (1972) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1972

In Iowa, 1972, the most popular baby boy names were Jason, Michael, Chad, Brian, and Christopher. Jason was the most popular name with 850 babies being given that name, followed closely by Michael with 828 babies. Chad came in third place with 669 babies, followed by Brian with 659 babies, and Christopher with 620 babies. These five names were the most commonly chosen names for baby boys in Iowa during that year.

Jason

850 baby boys born in Iowa (1972) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Michael

828 baby boys born in Iowa (1972) 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.
Chad

669 baby boys born in Iowa (1972) named Chad
The name Chad means "warrior" or "battle" and has Old English origins.
Brian

659 baby boys born in Iowa (1972) 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.
Christopher

620 baby boys born in Iowa (1972) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
David
536 baby boys born in Iowa (1972) 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.
Matthew
510 baby boys born in Iowa (1972) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Scott
493 baby boys born in Iowa (1972) 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
471 baby boys born in Iowa (1972) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Jeffrey
427 baby boys born in Iowa (1972) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
John
419 baby boys born in Iowa (1972) 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.
Robert
415 baby boys born in Iowa (1972) 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.
Eric
316 baby boys born in Iowa (1972) named Eric
The name Eric is of Scandinavian origin and means "eternal ruler" or "ruler of all". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures.
Daniel
302 baby boys born in Iowa (1972) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Mark
300 baby boys born in Iowa (1972) 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
275 baby boys born in Iowa (1972) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Ryan
273 baby boys born in Iowa (1972) named Ryan
The name Ryan is of Irish origin and means "little king" or "illustrious". It is a popular name for boys in English-speaking countries.
Todd
266 baby boys born in Iowa (1972) named Todd
The name Todd is of English origin and means "fox". It was originally a surname before becoming a first name.
William
260 baby boys born in Iowa (1972) 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.
Timothy
257 baby boys born in Iowa (1972) 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.