Iowa's most popular baby names in 1987

The year 1987 was a special year for the state of Iowa as it witnessed the birth of some of the most popular baby names of the time. The list of top baby girl names was dominated by Ashley, Jessica, and Amanda, while the top baby boy names were Michael, Matthew, and Andrew.

Ashley, a name of English origin meaning "ash tree meadow," was the most popular name for baby girls in Iowa in 1987. It was followed closely by Jessica, a name of Hebrew origin that means "God beholds," and Amanda, a name of Latin origin that means "lovable." For baby boys, Michael, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God," was the most popular name, followed by Matthew, which means "gift of God," and Andrew, which means "manly" in Greek. These names continue to remain popular even today, reflecting the timeless appeal of classic names.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1987

In Iowa, 1987, the most popular baby girl name was Ashley with 732 babies given that name. Following closely behind were Jessica with 588 babies, Amanda with 534 babies, Sarah with 352 babies, and Jennifer with 348 babies. These five names were the most common baby girl names in Iowa that year.

Ashley

732 baby girls born in Iowa (1987) 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

588 baby girls born in Iowa (1987) 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

534 baby girls born in Iowa (1987) 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

352 baby girls born in Iowa (1987) 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

348 baby girls born in Iowa (1987) 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
344 baby girls born in Iowa (1987) 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 (1987) 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
278 baby girls born in Iowa (1987) 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
248 baby girls born in Iowa (1987) 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.
Samantha
247 baby girls born in Iowa (1987) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Amy
232 baby girls born in Iowa (1987) 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.
Stephanie
221 baby girls born in Iowa (1987) 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
216 baby girls born in Iowa (1987) 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
216 baby girls born in Iowa (1987) 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.
Danielle
207 baby girls born in Iowa (1987) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Kayla
200 baby girls born in Iowa (1987) named Kayla
The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.
Katie
196 baby girls born in Iowa (1987) 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
189 baby girls born in Iowa (1987) 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
177 baby girls born in Iowa (1987) 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
174 baby girls born in Iowa (1987) named Sara
The name Sara means "princess" or "noblewoman" in Hebrew.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1987

In Iowa, 1987, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, Matthew, Andrew, Joshua, and Christopher. Michael was the most popular with 588 babies given that name, followed closely by Matthew with 568 babies. Andrew was the third most popular with 547 babies, and Joshua and Christopher rounded out the top five with 478 and 432 babies respectively. These names were likely chosen for their traditional and timeless qualities, as they have remained popular choices for baby boys for many years.

Michael

588 baby boys born in Iowa (1987) 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.
Matthew

568 baby boys born in Iowa (1987) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Andrew

547 baby boys born in Iowa (1987) 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.
Joshua

478 baby boys born in Iowa (1987) 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

432 baby boys born in Iowa (1987) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Ryan
399 baby boys born in Iowa (1987) 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.
Justin
388 baby boys born in Iowa (1987) 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
380 baby boys born in Iowa (1987) 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.
Jacob
366 baby boys born in Iowa (1987) 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.
Kyle
334 baby boys born in Iowa (1987) 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
333 baby boys born in Iowa (1987) 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.
Daniel
324 baby boys born in Iowa (1987) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Adam
319 baby boys born in Iowa (1987) 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.
David
314 baby boys born in Iowa (1987) 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
292 baby boys born in Iowa (1987) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.
Joseph
271 baby boys born in Iowa (1987) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Brandon
261 baby boys born in Iowa (1987) 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".
Nathan
237 baby boys born in Iowa (1987) 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.
John
236 baby boys born in Iowa (1987) 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.
James
235 baby boys born in Iowa (1987) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".