Iowa's most popular baby names in 1976

The year 1976 was an exciting time for parents in Iowa as they welcomed their newborns into the world. The most popular baby names for girls were Jennifer, Amy, and Angela. Jennifer held the top spot for the third year in a row, while Amy and Angela followed closely behind. These names were popular due to their simplicity, elegance, and timeless appeal.

For baby boys, the top names were Jason, Michael, and Matthew. These names were also popular across the country during this time period. Jason was the most popular name for boys in Iowa, followed by Michael and Matthew. These names were chosen for their strong and classic sound, making them a popular choice for parents looking for a traditional name for their baby boy. Overall, the top baby names of 1976 in Iowa reflect a mix of classic and modern names that continue to be popular today.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1976

In Iowa, 1976, the most popular baby girl name was Jennifer, with a total of 995 babies given that name. Following Jennifer were Amy with 646 babies, Angela with 525 babies, Heather with 449 babies, and Sarah with 377 babies. These names were the top 5 most popular baby girl names in Iowa during that year.

Jennifer

995 baby girls born in Iowa (1976) 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

646 baby girls born in Iowa (1976) 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.
Angela

525 baby girls born in Iowa (1976) 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.
Heather

449 baby girls born in Iowa (1976) 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.
Sarah

377 baby girls born in Iowa (1976) named Sarah
The name Sarah means "princess" in Hebrew. It is a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with grace, beauty, and kindness.
Melissa
370 baby girls born in Iowa (1976) 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.
Jessica
354 baby girls born in Iowa (1976) named Jessica
The name Jessica is of Hebrew origin and means "God beholds" or "God sees". It is derived from the name Yiskah in the Old Testament, which was the name of a daughter of Haran and sister of Milcah and Iscah. The name Jessica has been in use since the 16th century and became popular in the 20th century.
Michelle
325 baby girls born in Iowa (1976) 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.
Sara
282 baby girls born in Iowa (1976) named Sara
The name Sara means "princess" or "noblewoman" in Hebrew.
Lisa
250 baby girls born in Iowa (1976) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Jamie
246 baby girls born in Iowa (1976) named Jamie
The name Jamie is a unisex name of English origin. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to be a diminutive form of James or Jacob, which means "supplanter" or "holder of the heel".
Amanda
233 baby girls born in Iowa (1976) named Amanda
The name Amanda is of Latin origin, meaning "lovable" or "worthy of love". It was first used as a name in the 17th century and became popular in the 19th century. The name is often associated with kindness, compassion, and a friendly personality.
Stephanie
230 baby girls born in Iowa (1976) 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.
Nicole
228 baby girls born in Iowa (1976) 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.
Kimberly
227 baby girls born in Iowa (1976) 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.
Shannon
221 baby girls born in Iowa (1976) named Shannon
The name Shannon is of Irish origin and is derived from the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland. The name means "wise river" or "old river". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.
Carrie
215 baby girls born in Iowa (1976) named Carrie
The name Carrie is a diminutive form of the name Caroline or Carol, which are derived from the Old Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or "manly". The name Carrie has been in use since the 19th century and has been popular in the United States.
Rebecca
212 baby girls born in Iowa (1976) named Rebecca
Rebecca means "captivating" or "knotted cord" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau in the Old Testament.
Julie
197 baby girls born in Iowa (1976) 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".
Kelly
194 baby girls born in Iowa (1976) named Kelly
The name Kelly is of Irish origin and means "bright-headed" or "warrior". It is a unisex name, meaning it can be given to both boys and girls. The name has been popularized by its use as a surname and has been used as a given name since the 20th century.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1976

In 1976, the most popular baby boy names in Iowa were Jason, Michael, Matthew, Christopher, and Ryan. Jason was the most popular name with 920 babies given that name, followed by Michael with 778 babies, Matthew with 708 babies, Christopher with 528 babies, and Ryan with 524 babies. These names were likely chosen for their popularity and traditional sound.

Jason

920 baby boys born in Iowa (1976) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Michael

778 baby boys born in Iowa (1976) 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.
Matthew

708 baby boys born in Iowa (1976) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Christopher

528 baby boys born in Iowa (1976) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Ryan

524 baby boys born in Iowa (1976) 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.
Brian
521 baby boys born in Iowa (1976) 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.
Chad
512 baby boys born in Iowa (1976) named Chad
The name Chad means "warrior" or "battle" and has Old English origins.
Jeremy
479 baby boys born in Iowa (1976) named Jeremy
The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".
David
409 baby boys born in Iowa (1976) 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.
James
391 baby boys born in Iowa (1976) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Eric
368 baby boys born in Iowa (1976) 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.
Scott
366 baby boys born in Iowa (1976) 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.
Daniel
351 baby boys born in Iowa (1976) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
John
345 baby boys born in Iowa (1976) 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.
Joshua
334 baby boys born in Iowa (1976) named Joshua
The name Joshua means "God is salvation" or "Yahweh is salvation" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name and was the name of one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan. Joshua later became the successor to Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land.
Robert
329 baby boys born in Iowa (1976) 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.
Aaron
291 baby boys born in Iowa (1976) named Aaron
The name Aaron means "mountain of strength" or "enlightened" and is of Hebrew origin. It is a biblical name, borne by the brother of Moses in the Old Testament. Aaron is a popular name for boys in many cultures.
Jeffrey
285 baby boys born in Iowa (1976) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Justin
281 baby boys born in Iowa (1976) named Justin
The name Justin is of Latin origin and means "just, upright, righteous." It was a popular name among early Christians and has been used throughout history by various notable figures.
Andrew
274 baby boys born in Iowa (1976) named Andrew
The name Andrew means "manly" or "warrior" and is of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek name Andreas, which comes from the word "andrós" meaning "man". Andrew is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and is often used in Christian traditions due to the apostle Andrew being one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ.