Iowa's most popular baby names in 1988

In the year 1988, the state of Iowa saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Ashley, Amanda, and Jessica were the top three most popular names. These names were not only widely popular in Iowa, but also across the United States. Ashley, which means "ash tree meadow," was the most popular name for baby girls in Iowa that year.

For baby boys born in Iowa in 1988, Matthew, Andrew, and Michael were the top three most popular names. Matthew, which means "gift of God," was the most popular name for baby boys in Iowa that year. These classic names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents in Iowa and beyond.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 1988

In Iowa, 1988, the most popular baby girl names were Ashley, Amanda, Jessica, Sarah, and Megan. Ashley was the most popular name with 603 babies given that name, followed by Amanda with 528, Jessica with 510, Sarah with 357, and Megan with 351. These names were very popular among parents in Iowa during that year.

Ashley

603 baby girls born in Iowa (1988) 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

528 baby girls born in Iowa (1988) 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

510 baby girls born in Iowa (1988) 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.
Sarah

357 baby girls born in Iowa (1988) 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.
Megan

351 baby girls born in Iowa (1988) 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
307 baby girls born in Iowa (1988) 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.
Jennifer
306 baby girls born in Iowa (1988) 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.
Samantha
290 baby girls born in Iowa (1988) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Kayla
261 baby girls born in Iowa (1988) named Kayla
The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.
Nicole
261 baby girls born in Iowa (1988) 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.
Elizabeth
244 baby girls born in Iowa (1988) 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
235 baby girls born in Iowa (1988) 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
225 baby girls born in Iowa (1988) 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.
Rachel
209 baby girls born in Iowa (1988) 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.
Stephanie
206 baby girls born in Iowa (1988) 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.
Kelsey
198 baby girls born in Iowa (1988) named Kelsey
The name Kelsey is of English origin and means "from the ship's island". It is a unisex name and was traditionally used for boys, but has become more popular for girls in recent years.
Katie
198 baby girls born in Iowa (1988) 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.
Brittany
194 baby girls born in Iowa (1988) named Brittany
The name Brittany is derived from the region of Brittany in France. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to come from the Latin word "Britannia," which means "Britain" or "of the Britons." It is also thought to be related to the Celtic word "breton," which means "from Brittany." The name is commonly given to girls in English-speaking countries.
Danielle
193 baby girls born in Iowa (1988) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Melissa
172 baby girls born in Iowa (1988) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 1988

In Iowa, 1988, the most popular baby boy names were Matthew, Andrew, Michael, Joshua, and Nicholas. Matthew was the most popular name with 574 babies given this name, followed closely by Andrew with 538 babies. Michael came in third with 524 babies given this name, while Joshua and Nicholas rounded out the top five with 459 and 444 babies respectively. These names were popular choices for parents in Iowa during this time period.

Matthew

574 baby boys born in Iowa (1988) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Andrew

538 baby boys born in Iowa (1988) 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.
Michael

524 baby boys born in Iowa (1988) 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

459 baby boys born in Iowa (1988) 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.
Nicholas

444 baby boys born in Iowa (1988) 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
408 baby boys born in Iowa (1988) 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
399 baby boys born in Iowa (1988) 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.
Ryan
394 baby boys born in Iowa (1988) 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
387 baby boys born in Iowa (1988) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Tyler
382 baby boys born in Iowa (1988) 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.
Kyle
316 baby boys born in Iowa (1988) 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.
Adam
315 baby boys born in Iowa (1988) 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.
Daniel
309 baby boys born in Iowa (1988) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Zachary
297 baby boys born in Iowa (1988) named Zachary
The name Zachary means "remembered by God" or "God has remembered" in Hebrew.
Benjamin
297 baby boys born in Iowa (1988) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.
Cody
280 baby boys born in Iowa (1988) named Cody
The name Cody is of Irish origin and means "helper" or "cushion".
David
262 baby boys born in Iowa (1988) 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.
Brandon
261 baby boys born in Iowa (1988) 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
256 baby boys born in Iowa (1988) 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.
Joseph
236 baby boys born in Iowa (1988) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".