Iowa's most popular baby names in 2018

In 2018, the state of Iowa saw a surge in popular baby names, with Harper, Evelyn, and Emma taking the top spots for baby girls. These names have been steadily rising in popularity over the past few years, reflecting a trend towards classic, timeless names with a modern twist. Harper, in particular, has been a favorite among parents in Iowa, with its literary associations and strong, gender-neutral appeal.

On the baby boy front, Oliver, Liam, and Henry were the most popular names in Iowa in 2018. These names have been consistently popular across the United States in recent years, reflecting a preference for traditional, strong names with a touch of charm and sophistication. Whether you're a parent-to-be or simply a name enthusiast, these popular Iowa baby names offer a glimpse into the latest trends in baby naming and the timeless appeal of classic names.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 2018

According to the records of 2018, the most popular baby girl names in Iowa are Harper, Evelyn, Emma, Charlotte, and Olivia. Harper tops the list with 161 occurrences, followed closely by Evelyn with 158, Emma with 157, Charlotte with 153, and Olivia with 147. These names are classic and timeless, and have been popular choices for parents in Iowa for several years.

Harper

161 baby girls born in Iowa (2018) named Harper
Harper is a unisex name of English origin. Its meaning is "harp player" or "one who plays the harp". It was originally a surname but has gained popularity as a given name in recent years.
Evelyn

158 baby girls born in Iowa (2018) named Evelyn
The name Evelyn is of English origin and is derived from the French name Aveline, which means "hazelnut". It is also believed to have roots in the Germanic name Avelina, which means "wished-for child" or "longed-for child". Overall, the name Evelyn is associated with sweetness, charm, and grace.
Emma

157 baby girls born in Iowa (2018) named Emma
The name Emma is of German origin and means "universal" or "whole". It is a popular name in many countries and has been used since medieval times. The name has been associated with strength, beauty, and intelligence.
Charlotte

153 baby girls born in Iowa (2018) named Charlotte
Charlotte is a female given name, a female form of the male name Charlot, a diminutive of Charles. It is of French origin meaning "free man" or "petite".
Olivia

147 baby girls born in Iowa (2018) named Olivia
The name Olivia is of Latin origin and means "olive tree". It is a feminine name that has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 18th century. The olive tree is a symbol of peace and fertility, and the name Olivia has been associated with these qualities.
Amelia
125 baby girls born in Iowa (2018) named Amelia
The name Amelia is of Latin origin and means "work of the Lord" or "industrious".
Sophia
123 baby girls born in Iowa (2018) named Sophia
The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek.
Ava
120 baby girls born in Iowa (2018) named Ava
The name Ava is of uncertain origin and meaning. It is believed to possibly be a variation of the name Eve or a shortened form of the name Aveline. Some sources suggest that it may also have Germanic roots and mean "desired" or "life" in Hebrew. However, the true meaning of the name Ava remains unknown.
Isabella
110 baby girls born in Iowa (2018) named Isabella
The name Isabella is of Italian and Spanish origin and means "God is my oath" or "devoted to God". It is a variant of the name Elizabeth.
Nora
108 baby girls born in Iowa (2018) named Nora
The name Nora is of Irish origin and means "honor" or "light." It is a diminutive of the name Honora or Eleanor.
Grace
93 baby girls born in Iowa (2018) named Grace
The name Grace means "elegance" or "charm" and is derived from the Latin word "gratia". It is often associated with the Christian concept of divine grace, which is the unmerited favor and love of God towards humanity. The name has been popular for centuries and is still commonly used today.
Avery
92 baby girls born in Iowa (2018) named Avery
The name Avery is of English origin and has multiple meanings. It can mean "ruler of the elves" or "wise". It is a unisex name, meaning it can be given to both boys and girls.
Eleanor
90 baby girls born in Iowa (2018) named Eleanor
The name Eleanor means "bright, shining one" or "compassionate" and is of Old French and Greek origin. It was originally derived from the name Aliénor, which was the Old French form of the name Helen.
Ella
87 baby girls born in Iowa (2018) named Ella
The name Ella is of German origin and means "all, completely; fairy maiden". It is a short form of the name Eleanor or Ellen.
Hazel
85 baby girls born in Iowa (2018) named Hazel
The name Hazel means "the hazelnut tree" or "the color hazel". It is of English origin and has been used as a name since the late 19th century. It was most popular in the United States in the 1920s and 1930s. People with this name are often associated with intelligence, creativity, and curiosity.
Mila
85 baby girls born in Iowa (2018) named Mila
The name Mila is of Slavic origin and means "gracious" or "dear".
Elizabeth
85 baby girls born in Iowa (2018) 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.
Lillian
81 baby girls born in Iowa (2018) named Lillian
The name Lillian means "pure" or "innocent" and is of English origin. It is a variant of the name Lily and is often associated with the flower of the same name. Lillian has been a popular name for girls since the late 19th century.
Aria
81 baby girls born in Iowa (2018) named Aria
Aria is a name of Italian origin, meaning "air" or "song" in Italian. It has also been associated with the musical term "aria," which refers to a solo performance in an opera or other vocal piece. The name has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly in the United States.
Ellie
79 baby girls born in Iowa (2018) named Ellie
Ellie is a shortened form of the name Eleanor, which means "bright" or "shining one" in Greek.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 2018

According to data gathered in 2018, the top 5 most popular baby boy names in Iowa were Oliver, Liam, Henry, William, and Owen. Oliver was the most popular name with 185 babies being given the name, followed closely by Liam with 175 babies. Henry, William, and Owen rounded out the top 5 with 168, 163, and 157 babies being given those names, respectively.

Oliver

185 baby boys born in Iowa (2018) named Oliver
Oliver is a name of English origin, derived from the Old French name Olivier. The name is believed to mean "olive tree" or "olive branch". It has been a popular name in England since the Middle Ages and has gained popularity in other English-speaking countries over time.
Liam

175 baby boys born in Iowa (2018) named Liam
The name Liam is of Irish origin and is a shortened form of the name Uilliam, which is the Irish version of the name William. The name Liam means "strong-willed warrior" or "protector".
Henry

168 baby boys born in Iowa (2018) named Henry
The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.
William

163 baby boys born in Iowa (2018) named William
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
Owen

157 baby boys born in Iowa (2018) named Owen
The name Owen is of Welsh origin and means "young warrior" or "well-born". It is a popular name in Wales and has become increasingly popular in other English-speaking countries.
Wyatt
146 baby boys born in Iowa (2018) named Wyatt
The name Wyatt is of English origin and means "brave in war".
Lincoln
135 baby boys born in Iowa (2018) named Lincoln
The name Lincoln is derived from the Old English words "lindo" meaning "lake" and "colne" meaning "colony, settlement". Therefore, the name Lincoln can be interpreted to mean "settlement by the lake".
Noah
134 baby boys born in Iowa (2018) named Noah
The name Noah is of Hebrew origin and means "rest" or "comfort". It is famously associated with the biblical character who built an ark to save his family and animals from a great flood.
Jackson
124 baby boys born in Iowa (2018) named Jackson
The name Jackson is of English origin and means "son of Jack". It is a common surname that has been used as a first name since the 19th century.
Hudson
119 baby boys born in Iowa (2018) named Hudson
Hudson is a name of English origin. Its meaning is "son of Hudd", where Hudd is a medieval nickname for Hugh.
Mason
116 baby boys born in Iowa (2018) named Mason
The name Mason is of English origin and means "worker in stone". It is often associated with the occupation of stonemasonry and is a popular surname that has been used as a first name since the 19th century. The name has a strong and masculine sound to it and is often chosen for boys.
Carter
112 baby boys born in Iowa (2018) named Carter
The name Carter is of English origin and means "one who transports goods by cart". It is a surname that has been used as a given name since the 19th century. It is a popular name for boys in the United States.
James
112 baby boys born in Iowa (2018) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Theodore
111 baby boys born in Iowa (2018) named Theodore
The name Theodore means "gift of God" or "God's gift" in Greek.
Elijah
105 baby boys born in Iowa (2018) named Elijah
The name Elijah is of Hebrew origin and means "my God is Yahweh". It is a biblical name and is associated with the prophet Elijah in the Old Testament.
Jack
104 baby boys born in Iowa (2018) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Lucas
103 baby boys born in Iowa (2018) named Lucas
The name Lucas is a Latin name meaning "from Lucania," a region in southern Italy. It is derived from the Latin name Lucius, which means "light" or "illumination."
Leo
101 baby boys born in Iowa (2018) named Leo
The name Leo is of Latin origin and means "lion". It is a strong and powerful name often associated with courage, leadership, and bravery.
Grayson
96 baby boys born in Iowa (2018) named Grayson
Grayson is a name of English origin and means "son of the steward" or "son of the grey-haired one".
Asher
96 baby boys born in Iowa (2018) named Asher
The name Asher is of Hebrew origin and means "happy" or "blessed". It is also associated with the idea of good fortune and prosperity.