Iowa's most popular baby names in 1984

In the year 1984, the state of Iowa witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Ashley, Jennifer, and Jessica emerged as the top three most popular names for baby girls, while Matthew, Michael, and Joshua were the most favored names for baby boys.

The name Ashley, which means "ash tree meadow," held the top spot for baby girls, followed closely by Jennifer, meaning "white wave," and Jessica, meaning "God beholds." For baby boys, Matthew, which means "gift of God," was the most popular name, followed by Michael, meaning "who is like God," and Joshua, meaning "the Lord is my salvation." These names were not only popular in Iowa, but also across the United States, reflecting the trends and preferences of the time.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1984

In Iowa, 1984, Ashley was the most popular name for baby girls, with a total of 708 newborns given that name. Jennifer came in second with 618 babies named that, followed closely by Jessica with 595. Amanda was the fourth most popular name with 565 babies and Megan rounded out the top five with 434 newborns given that name. These five names were the most popular choices for parents of baby girls in Iowa during that year.

Ashley

708 baby girls born in Iowa (1984) 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.
Jennifer

618 baby girls born in Iowa (1984) 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

595 baby girls born in Iowa (1984) 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

565 baby girls born in Iowa (1984) 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.
Megan

434 baby girls born in Iowa (1984) 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".
Sarah
421 baby girls born in Iowa (1984) 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.
Nicole
326 baby girls born in Iowa (1984) 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.
Heather
315 baby girls born in Iowa (1984) 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
295 baby girls born in Iowa (1984) 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.
Melissa
293 baby girls born in Iowa (1984) 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.
Emily
292 baby girls born in Iowa (1984) 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
285 baby girls born in Iowa (1984) 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
277 baby girls born in Iowa (1984) 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.
Amy
265 baby girls born in Iowa (1984) 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.
Rachel
241 baby girls born in Iowa (1984) named Rachel
The name Rachel is of Hebrew origin and means "ewe" or "female sheep". It is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and has been used since biblical times. The name is often associated with qualities such as beauty, grace, and kindness.
Katie
231 baby girls born in Iowa (1984) named Katie
The name Katie is a diminutive form of Katherine, which is derived from the Greek name Aikaterine. The meaning of the name is unclear, but it is thought to possibly mean "pure" or "clear". It has been a popular name in English-speaking countries since the 19th century.
Erin
212 baby girls born in Iowa (1984) 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.
Lindsey
206 baby girls born in Iowa (1984) named Lindsey
The name Lindsey means "linden tree island" or "island of linden trees". It is of English origin and is typically used as a feminine name.
Laura
193 baby girls born in Iowa (1984) 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.
Sara
183 baby girls born in Iowa (1984) named Sara
The name Sara means "princess" or "noblewoman" in Hebrew.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1984

In 1984, the most popular baby boy names in Iowa were Matthew with 738 babies given this name, followed by Michael with 668 babies, Joshua with 645 babies, Christopher with 585 babies, and Ryan with 556 babies. These names were the top choices for parents in Iowa that year.

Matthew

738 baby boys born in Iowa (1984) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Michael

668 baby boys born in Iowa (1984) 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

645 baby boys born in Iowa (1984) 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

585 baby boys born in Iowa (1984) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Ryan

556 baby boys born in Iowa (1984) 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
546 baby boys born in Iowa (1984) 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.
Andrew
530 baby boys born in Iowa (1984) 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
451 baby boys born in Iowa (1984) 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.
Daniel
413 baby boys born in Iowa (1984) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Nicholas
403 baby boys born in Iowa (1984) 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.
David
402 baby boys born in Iowa (1984) 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.
Jason
361 baby boys born in Iowa (1984) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Joseph
355 baby boys born in Iowa (1984) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Brandon
346 baby boys born in Iowa (1984) 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".
Jacob
337 baby boys born in Iowa (1984) named Jacob
The name Jacob means "supplanter" or "holder of the heel" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by one of the patriarchs of the Old Testament.
Tyler
336 baby boys born in Iowa (1984) named Tyler
The name Tyler is of English origin, and its meaning is "maker of tiles". It is derived from an occupational surname for a person who made or laid tiles. The name Tyler gained popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, and it has remained a popular name for boys.
Nathan
319 baby boys born in Iowa (1984) 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
307 baby boys born in Iowa (1984) 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.
John
298 baby boys born in Iowa (1984) 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.
Benjamin
295 baby boys born in Iowa (1984) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.