Iowa's most popular baby names in 1985

In the year 1985, the state of Iowa witnessed a surge in the popularity of some of the most classic and evergreen baby names. The top baby girl names of the year were Ashley, Amanda, and Jessica, while the top baby boy names were Matthew, Michael, and Joshua.

Ashley, with its English origin, meaning "ash tree meadow," was the most popular name for baby girls in Iowa in 1985. Amanda, a Latin name meaning "worthy of love," and Jessica, a Hebrew name meaning "God beholds," were also widely popular choices. On the other hand, Matthew, a Hebrew name meaning "gift of God," was the most popular name for baby boys in the state. Michael, a Hebrew name meaning "who is like God," and Joshua, a Hebrew name meaning "the Lord is my salvation," were also among the top choices for baby boys in Iowa in 1985.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1985

In Iowa, 1985, the most popular baby girl names were Ashley, Amanda, Jessica, Jennifer, and Megan. Ashley ranked first with 692 babies given this name, followed by Amanda with 583, Jessica with 531, Jennifer with 478, and Megan with 473. These names were all very popular among parents in Iowa at the time.

Ashley

692 baby girls born in Iowa (1985) 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.
Amanda

583 baby girls born in Iowa (1985) 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

531 baby girls born in Iowa (1985) 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.
Jennifer

478 baby girls born in Iowa (1985) 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.
Megan

473 baby girls born in Iowa (1985) 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
390 baby girls born in Iowa (1985) 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.
Emily
309 baby girls born in Iowa (1985) 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.
Nicole
306 baby girls born in Iowa (1985) 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.
Stephanie
301 baby girls born in Iowa (1985) 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
291 baby girls born in Iowa (1985) 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.
Amber
291 baby girls born in Iowa (1985) 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.
Heather
267 baby girls born in Iowa (1985) 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.
Melissa
243 baby girls born in Iowa (1985) 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
238 baby girls born in Iowa (1985) 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
237 baby girls born in Iowa (1985) 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.
Laura
236 baby girls born in Iowa (1985) 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
230 baby girls born in Iowa (1985) named Sara
The name Sara means "princess" or "noblewoman" in Hebrew.
Katie
222 baby girls born in Iowa (1985) 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.
Danielle
200 baby girls born in Iowa (1985) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Erin
198 baby girls born in Iowa (1985) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1985

In 1985, the top 5 most popular baby boy names in Iowa were Matthew, Michael, Joshua, Ryan, and Christopher. Matthew was the most popular name with 690 babies given that name, followed closely by Michael with 619 babies. Joshua, Ryan, and Christopher rounded out the top 5 with 586, 539, and 524 babies given those names, respectively.

Matthew

690 baby boys born in Iowa (1985) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Michael

619 baby boys born in Iowa (1985) 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

586 baby boys born in Iowa (1985) 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

539 baby boys born in Iowa (1985) 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.
Christopher

524 baby boys born in Iowa (1985) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Andrew
507 baby boys born in Iowa (1985) 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.
Nicholas
441 baby boys born in Iowa (1985) 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.
Adam
435 baby boys born in Iowa (1985) 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.
Justin
404 baby boys born in Iowa (1985) 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
403 baby boys born in Iowa (1985) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Brandon
359 baby boys born in Iowa (1985) 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".
Joseph
347 baby boys born in Iowa (1985) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
David
343 baby boys born in Iowa (1985) 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.
Kyle
334 baby boys born in Iowa (1985) named Kyle
The name Kyle is of Scottish origin and means "narrow strait". It is a unisex name, but more commonly given to boys. People with this name are often described as confident, charismatic, and adventurous.
Tyler
317 baby boys born in Iowa (1985) 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.
Jason
305 baby boys born in Iowa (1985) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Eric
292 baby boys born in Iowa (1985) 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
290 baby boys born in Iowa (1985) 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.
Brian
286 baby boys born in Iowa (1985) 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.
Benjamin
278 baby boys born in Iowa (1985) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.