Iowa's most popular baby names in 2021

When it comes to naming a baby, parents in the state of Iowa have a variety of options to choose from. In 2021, the most popular baby names for girls were Charlotte, Olivia, and Amelia. These classic names have been in the top rankings for several years, and continue to be popular choices for parents who want a timeless name for their little girl.

For boys, the top names in Iowa for 2021 were Oliver, Liam, and Henry. These names have a strong and masculine feel to them, and have risen in popularity in recent years. Whether parents are looking for a traditional name or something more modern, these top baby names in Iowa offer plenty of inspiration for parents-to-be.

Most popular baby girl names in Iowa in 2021

According to the latest data, the most popular baby girl names in Iowa for the year 2021 are Charlotte, Olivia, Amelia, Ava, and Emma. Charlotte tops the list with 172 babies given this name, followed closely by Olivia with 155 babies. Amelia, Ava, and Emma round out the top five with 133, 126, and 119 babies respectively. These names are classic and timeless, and have been popular for several years.

Charlotte

172 baby girls born in Iowa (2021) 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

155 baby girls born in Iowa (2021) 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

133 baby girls born in Iowa (2021) named Amelia
The name Amelia is of Latin origin and means "work of the Lord" or "industrious".
Ava

126 baby girls born in Iowa (2021) 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.
Emma

119 baby girls born in Iowa (2021) 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.
Sophia
113 baby girls born in Iowa (2021) named Sophia
The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek.
Nora
111 baby girls born in Iowa (2021) named Nora
The name Nora is of Irish origin and means "honor" or "light." It is a diminutive of the name Honora or Eleanor.
Evelyn
109 baby girls born in Iowa (2021) 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.
Harper
99 baby girls born in Iowa (2021) 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.
Willow
98 baby girls born in Iowa (2021) named Willow
Willow is a name derived from the name of the tree, which symbolizes flexibility, resilience, and grace.
Eleanor
95 baby girls born in Iowa (2021) 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.
Hazel
94 baby girls born in Iowa (2021) 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.
Avery
87 baby girls born in Iowa (2021) 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.
Paisley
78 baby girls born in Iowa (2021) named Paisley
The name Paisley is of Scottish origin and is derived from the name of a town in Scotland. The meaning of the name is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated from the Old British word "baslec," which means "basilica" or "church." It is also thought to be related to the word "pais," which means "servant" or "child." Overall, the exact meaning of the name Paisley is unknown.
Scarlett
77 baby girls born in Iowa (2021) named Scarlett
Scarlett is a name of English origin, derived from the Old French word "escarlate" meaning "scarlet, red". It is often associated with the color red and can symbolize passion, courage, and strength.
Mia
77 baby girls born in Iowa (2021) named Mia
The name Mia is of Scandinavian and Italian origin. It is derived from the Scandinavian name Maja, which means "bitter" or "sea of bitterness". In Italian, Mia means "mine" or "my".
Isla
72 baby girls born in Iowa (2021) named Isla
Isla is a Scottish name that means "island" or "island dweller".
Grace
72 baby girls born in Iowa (2021) 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.
Ellie
71 baby girls born in Iowa (2021) named Ellie
Ellie is a shortened form of the name Eleanor, which means "bright" or "shining one" in Greek.
Aurora
71 baby girls born in Iowa (2021) named Aurora
Aurora is a name of Latin origin, meaning "dawn" or "sunrise". It is also the name of the Roman goddess of dawn. The name is associated with new beginnings, hope, and renewal.

Most popular baby boy names in Iowa in 2021

According to the latest data, the most popular baby boy names in Iowa for 2021 are Oliver, Liam, Henry, Noah, and Asher. Oliver tops the list with 202 babies being named with this moniker, followed by Liam with 171 babies. Henry, Noah, and Asher complete the top five with 167, 137, and 134 babies named after them, respectively. These names continue to be popular choices for parents in Iowa, reflecting current trends in baby naming across the United States.

Oliver

202 baby boys born in Iowa (2021) 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

171 baby boys born in Iowa (2021) 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

167 baby boys born in Iowa (2021) 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.
Noah

137 baby boys born in Iowa (2021) 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.
Asher

134 baby boys born in Iowa (2021) 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.
Theodore
129 baby boys born in Iowa (2021) named Theodore
The name Theodore means "gift of God" or "God's gift" in Greek.
Hudson
123 baby boys born in Iowa (2021) named Hudson
Hudson is a name of English origin. Its meaning is "son of Hudd", where Hudd is a medieval nickname for Hugh.
Owen
120 baby boys born in Iowa (2021) 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.
Elijah
117 baby boys born in Iowa (2021) 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.
Brooks
113 baby boys born in Iowa (2021) named Brooks
The name Brooks is of English origin and means "son of Brooke" or "near the brook or stream". It is a surname that has been used as a first name in recent years.
Jack
113 baby boys born in Iowa (2021) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
William
108 baby boys born in Iowa (2021) 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.
Benjamin
104 baby boys born in Iowa (2021) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.
Maverick
100 baby boys born in Iowa (2021) named Maverick
The name Maverick means an independent, non-conformist person who is unorthodox in their ideas and actions.
Lucas
99 baby boys born in Iowa (2021) 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."
James
96 baby boys born in Iowa (2021) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Lincoln
93 baby boys born in Iowa (2021) 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".
Grayson
92 baby boys born in Iowa (2021) named Grayson
Grayson is a name of English origin and means "son of the steward" or "son of the grey-haired one".
Jackson
92 baby boys born in Iowa (2021) 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.
Wyatt
91 baby boys born in Iowa (2021) named Wyatt
The name Wyatt is of English origin and means "brave in war".