Iowa's most popular baby names in 1981

In the year 1981, Iowa welcomed a new generation of babies with some of the most popular names of the time. For baby girls, Jennifer was the top pick, followed closely by Jessica and Amanda. These names were popular across the United States during this time period, and Iowa was no exception.

For baby boys, the names Matthew, Michael, and Joshua were the most commonly chosen. These names have remained popular choices for baby boys over the years, and continue to be popular today. Whether you're a parent-to-be or simply curious about the names of the past, the most popular baby names of 1981 in Iowa offer a glimpse into the trends of the time.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1981

In 1981, the most popular baby girl names in Iowa were Jennifer, Jessica, Amanda, Sarah, and Melissa. Jennifer was the most popular name with 812 babies given that name, followed by Jessica with 676 babies. Amanda came in third place with 609 babies, Sarah was fourth with 550 babies, and Melissa rounded out the top five with 436 babies. These names were all very popular during that time and continue to be popular choices for baby girls today.

Jennifer

812 baby girls born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Jessica

676 baby girls born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Amanda

609 baby girls born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Sarah

550 baby girls born in Iowa (1981) 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

436 baby girls born in Iowa (1981) 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
419 baby girls born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Sara
338 baby girls born in Iowa (1981) named Sara
The name Sara means "princess" or "noblewoman" in Hebrew.
Nicole
322 baby girls born in Iowa (1981) 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
298 baby girls born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Emily
296 baby girls born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Heather
292 baby girls born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Amber
292 baby girls born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Stephanie
290 baby girls born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Elizabeth
285 baby girls born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Michelle
275 baby girls born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Megan
239 baby girls born in Iowa (1981) 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".
Rebecca
225 baby girls born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Erin
223 baby girls born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Lisa
217 baby girls born in Iowa (1981) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Andrea
211 baby girls born in Iowa (1981) named Andrea
The name Andrea is derived from the Greek name Andreas, meaning "manly" or "warrior". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for females in English-speaking countries.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1981

In Iowa, 1981, the most popular baby boy names were Matthew, Michael, Joshua, Ryan, and Jason. Matthew was the most popular name with 823 babies given this name, followed closely by Michael with 793 babies given this name. Joshua was the third most popular name with 763 babies, followed by Ryan with 617 babies and Jason with 594 babies. These names were the top choices for parents in Iowa in 1981.

Matthew

823 baby boys born in Iowa (1981) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Michael

793 baby boys born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Joshua

763 baby boys born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Ryan

617 baby boys born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Jason

594 baby boys born in Iowa (1981) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Justin
576 baby boys born in Iowa (1981) 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
519 baby boys born in Iowa (1981) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Adam
497 baby boys born in Iowa (1981) 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
468 baby boys born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Andrew
454 baby boys born in Iowa (1981) 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.
David
431 baby boys born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Joseph
415 baby boys born in Iowa (1981) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Daniel
386 baby boys born in Iowa (1981) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
John
371 baby boys born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Brian
369 baby boys born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Eric
364 baby boys born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Nathan
355 baby boys born in Iowa (1981) 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.
Brandon
341 baby boys born in Iowa (1981) named Brandon
The name Brandon is of English origin and is derived from the Old English words "brom" meaning "broom" or "gorse" and "dun" meaning "hill". Therefore, the name Brandon means "hill covered in broom or gorse".
Benjamin
325 baby boys born in Iowa (1981) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.
Aaron
322 baby boys born in Iowa (1981) 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.