Iowa's most popular baby names in 1980

In the year 1980, the state of Iowa saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Jennifer topped the charts as the most popular name, followed closely by Amanda and Jessica. These names were not only favored by parents in Iowa, but also across the United States, as they were among the most commonly chosen names during that era.

For baby boys, the names Joshua, Michael, and Matthew were the most popular in Iowa in 1980. These names have remained popular choices for parents over the years, and continue to be among the top baby boy names in many parts of the country. Whether inspired by family traditions or personal preferences, these names have stood the test of time and remain beloved choices for parents welcoming new additions to their families.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1980

In Iowa, 1980, the most popular baby girl names were Jennifer, Amanda, Jessica, Sarah, and Melissa. Jennifer was the most popular name with 880 babies given that name, followed by Amanda with 688 babies, Jessica with 590 babies, Sarah with 545 babies, and Melissa with 516 babies. These names were popular choices for parents in Iowa during that year.

Jennifer

880 baby girls born in Iowa (1980) 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.
Amanda

688 baby girls born in Iowa (1980) 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.
Jessica

590 baby girls born in Iowa (1980) 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.
Sarah

545 baby girls born in Iowa (1980) 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

516 baby girls born in Iowa (1980) 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.
Amy
372 baby girls born in Iowa (1980) 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.
Nicole
358 baby girls born in Iowa (1980) 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.
Angela
358 baby girls born in Iowa (1980) 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.
Sara
330 baby girls born in Iowa (1980) named Sara
The name Sara means "princess" or "noblewoman" in Hebrew.
Heather
328 baby girls born in Iowa (1980) 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.
Stephanie
300 baby girls born in Iowa (1980) 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.
Amber
286 baby girls born in Iowa (1980) named Amber
The name Amber is derived from the fossilized tree resin of the same name. It is believed to originate from the Arabic word "anbar," which means ambergris or amber. The name is often associated with the color of the gemstone, which ranges from a pale yellow to a deep orange-brown. The name Amber has been used for both boys and girls, but it is more commonly given to girls. The name is often associated with warmth, light, and energy.
Elizabeth
272 baby girls born in Iowa (1980) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Emily
268 baby girls born in Iowa (1980) named Emily
The name Emily means "rival" or "industrious" and is of Latin origin. It became popular in the 19th century and is still a commonly used name today.
Erin
267 baby girls born in Iowa (1980) named Erin
The name Erin is of Irish origin and means "peace" or "Ireland". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.
Michelle
262 baby girls born in Iowa (1980) 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.
Lisa
256 baby girls born in Iowa (1980) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Megan
236 baby girls born in Iowa (1980) named Megan
The name Megan is of Welsh origin and means "pearl". It is a shortened version of the name Margaret, which also means "pearl".
Laura
225 baby girls born in Iowa (1980) 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.
Kelly
222 baby girls born in Iowa (1980) 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 1980

In Iowa, 1980, the most popular baby boy names were Joshua, Michael, Matthew, Jason, and Ryan. Joshua was the most popular name with 828 babies given that name, followed by Michael with 758 babies, Matthew with 753 babies, Jason with 637 babies, and Ryan with 633 babies. These names were all very popular choices for new parents in Iowa during that year.

Joshua

828 baby boys born in Iowa (1980) 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.
Michael

758 baby boys born in Iowa (1980) 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

753 baby boys born in Iowa (1980) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Jason

637 baby boys born in Iowa (1980) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Ryan

633 baby boys born in Iowa (1980) 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.
Justin
605 baby boys born in Iowa (1980) 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.
Christopher
547 baby boys born in Iowa (1980) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Adam
531 baby boys born in Iowa (1980) named Adam
The name Adam is of Hebrew origin and means "man" or "earth". It is also the name of the first man created by God in the Bible.
Nicholas
524 baby boys born in Iowa (1980) named Nicholas
The name Nicholas is derived from the Greek name Νικόλαος (Nikolaos), which means "victory of the people". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures, and is often associated with Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, sailors, and merchants.
Brian
487 baby boys born in Iowa (1980) 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.
Andrew
454 baby boys born in Iowa (1980) 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.
Joseph
434 baby boys born in Iowa (1980) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
David
428 baby boys born in Iowa (1980) 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.
Eric
418 baby boys born in Iowa (1980) 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.
Jeremy
417 baby boys born in Iowa (1980) named Jeremy
The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".
John
380 baby boys born in Iowa (1980) 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.
Daniel
358 baby boys born in Iowa (1980) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Nathan
356 baby boys born in Iowa (1980) named Nathan
The name Nathan means "gift of God" or "God has given" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by a prophet in the Old Testament.
Benjamin
355 baby boys born in Iowa (1980) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.
James
335 baby boys born in Iowa (1980) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".