Iowa's most popular baby names in 1986

In the year 1986, the state of Iowa witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Ashley, Jessica, and Amanda were the top picks, while for baby boys, Matthew, Michael, and Joshua were the most popular choices. These names were chosen by parents across the state to give their newborns a unique and meaningful identity.

Ashley, Jessica, and Amanda are timeless names that have stood the test of time and continue to be popular even today. Matthew, Michael, and Joshua, on the other hand, are classic names that have been popular for decades. These names not only reflect the cultural and social trends of the time but also hold a special place in the hearts of parents who chose them for their little ones.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1986

In Iowa, 1986, the most popular baby girl names were Ashley, Jessica, Amanda, Sarah, and Jennifer. Ashley topped the list with 655 babies given that name, followed closely by Jessica with 563 babies. Amanda came in third with 546 babies, while Sarah and Jennifer rounded out the top five with 410 and 399 babies respectively. These names were popular choices for parents in Iowa during that year.

Ashley

655 baby girls born in Iowa (1986) 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.
Jessica

563 baby girls born in Iowa (1986) 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

546 baby girls born in Iowa (1986) 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

410 baby girls born in Iowa (1986) 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.
Jennifer

399 baby girls born in Iowa (1986) 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
359 baby girls born in Iowa (1986) 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".
Emily
281 baby girls born in Iowa (1986) 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
260 baby girls born in Iowa (1986) 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.
Amber
258 baby girls born in Iowa (1986) 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
257 baby girls born in Iowa (1986) 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.
Amy
247 baby girls born in Iowa (1986) 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.
Elizabeth
246 baby girls born in Iowa (1986) 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.
Heather
233 baby girls born in Iowa (1986) 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.
Katie
212 baby girls born in Iowa (1986) 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.
Rachel
206 baby girls born in Iowa (1986) 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.
Melissa
205 baby girls born in Iowa (1986) 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.
Sara
191 baby girls born in Iowa (1986) named Sara
The name Sara means "princess" or "noblewoman" in Hebrew.
Laura
190 baby girls born in Iowa (1986) 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.
Samantha
183 baby girls born in Iowa (1986) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Danielle
183 baby girls born in Iowa (1986) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1986

In Iowa, 1986, Matthew was the most popular name for baby boys with 612 babies given this name. Michael and Joshua followed closely behind with 535 and 513 babies respectively. Andrew and Ryan rounded out the top five with 492 and 454 babies given these names. These were the most popular baby boy names in Iowa during that year.

Matthew

612 baby boys born in Iowa (1986) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Michael

535 baby boys born in Iowa (1986) 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

513 baby boys born in Iowa (1986) 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.
Andrew

492 baby boys born in Iowa (1986) 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.
Ryan

454 baby boys born in Iowa (1986) 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
425 baby boys born in Iowa (1986) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Nicholas
425 baby boys born in Iowa (1986) 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
390 baby boys born in Iowa (1986) 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.
Kyle
385 baby boys born in Iowa (1986) 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.
Daniel
343 baby boys born in Iowa (1986) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Tyler
340 baby boys born in Iowa (1986) 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.
Brandon
329 baby boys born in Iowa (1986) 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
323 baby boys born in Iowa (1986) 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.
Justin
321 baby boys born in Iowa (1986) 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.
David
296 baby boys born in Iowa (1986) 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
292 baby boys born in Iowa (1986) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Benjamin
281 baby boys born in Iowa (1986) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.
Eric
263 baby boys born in Iowa (1986) 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.
James
243 baby boys born in Iowa (1986) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Brian
240 baby boys born in Iowa (1986) 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.