Iowa's most popular baby names in 1982

In the year 1982, Iowa witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Jennifer, Jessica, and Amanda were the top three baby girl names, while Matthew, Michael, and Joshua topped the list for baby boys. These names were a reflection of the trends in the United States during that time, with parents opting for traditional and biblical names.

Jennifer remained the most popular name for baby girls for over a decade, while Matthew and Michael continued to be popular choices for baby boys. The names Jessica and Amanda also remained in the top 10 for several years. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents even today.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1982

In Iowa, 1982, the most popular baby girl names were Jennifer, Jessica, Amanda, Sarah, and Melissa. Jennifer was the most popular name with 776 baby girls given that name. Jessica followed with 645 babies, Amanda with 578, Sarah with 516, and Melissa with 386.

Jennifer

776 baby girls born in Iowa (1982) 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

645 baby girls born in Iowa (1982) 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

578 baby girls born in Iowa (1982) 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

516 baby girls born in Iowa (1982) 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

386 baby girls born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Nicole
376 baby girls born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Amy
354 baby girls born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Amber
300 baby girls born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Sara
300 baby girls born in Iowa (1982) named Sara
The name Sara means "princess" or "noblewoman" in Hebrew.
Elizabeth
289 baby girls born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Angela
287 baby girls born in Iowa (1982) 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
282 baby girls born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Stephanie
270 baby girls born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Heather
259 baby girls born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Michelle
246 baby girls born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Erin
231 baby girls born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Rebecca
220 baby girls born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Megan
217 baby girls born in Iowa (1982) 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
214 baby girls born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Ashley
211 baby girls born in Iowa (1982) named Ashley
The name Ashley is of English origin and means "ash tree meadow". It is a unisex name that was originally more commonly given to boys, but has become more popular for girls in recent years.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1982

In Iowa in 1982, the most popular baby boy names were Matthew, Michael, Joshua, Christopher, and Ryan. Matthew was the most popular name with 858 babies given the name, followed by Michael with 776 babies, Joshua with 710 babies, Christopher with 649 babies, and Ryan with 524 babies.

Matthew

858 baby boys born in Iowa (1982) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Michael

776 baby boys born in Iowa (1982) 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

710 baby boys born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Christopher

649 baby boys born in Iowa (1982) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Ryan

524 baby boys born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Adam
520 baby boys born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Jason
504 baby boys born in Iowa (1982) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Andrew
503 baby boys born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Justin
499 baby boys born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Nicholas
469 baby boys born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Joseph
427 baby boys born in Iowa (1982) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Daniel
403 baby boys born in Iowa (1982) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
James
361 baby boys born in Iowa (1982) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David
358 baby boys born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Benjamin
356 baby boys born in Iowa (1982) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.
Brian
351 baby boys born in Iowa (1982) 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.
John
345 baby boys born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Nathan
338 baby boys born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Eric
337 baby boys born in Iowa (1982) 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.
Aaron
312 baby boys born in Iowa (1982) 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.