Popular in Iowa Baby Names

Iowa baby names blend national trends with some surprising finds specific to the Hawkeye State.

Whether you’re reading this near Des Moines or have never been farther west than Cleveland, this list of popular baby names from the 29th state admitted to the Union is worth a read. 

First, let’s talk about the state’s history. For millennia, the land was inhabited by indigenous peoples. European explorers arrived in 1673: Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet. Iowa was claimed for France; later transferred to Spain. Trade flourished, especially fur pelts. 

In 1803, Iowa became part of the United States via the Louisiana Purchase. 

Zebulon Pike mapped much of the modern-day state in 1805, but official American settlers didn’t arrive until 1833. Not long after, in 1846, Iowa joined the United States. 

The population is overwhelmingly white – roughly 85% of the population. Less than 7% of Iowans identify as Hispanic or Latino, followed by roughly 5% black or African-American; 3% Asian; and less than 1% Native American. 

Despite this relatively homogeneous population, the state’s name are delightfully diverse. The Top 100 lists mix traditional finds and national favorites with names inspired the natural world and some flat-out creative choices.

Also worth noting: the state ranks 32nd out of 50 in terms of population. A small population and a diverse pool of names means that the state couldn’t create Top Ten name lists by county – too few names, and sometimes zero names repeat.

Mercyone Hospitals also shares their popularity data. Again, it’s remarkably diverse, with names like Everleigh, Jasper, Elena, and Beau in the top spots, depending on the area.

We’ll dive into the most popular Iowa names in a minute, but first … is anyone naming their baby Iowa?

IOWA AS A BABY NAME

The state of Iowa started out as the Iowa Territory, which took its name from the Iowa River.

Iowa comes from the Ioway people. They called themselves the Báxoje. Several theories compete for the precise meaning and origin of Ioway, including “sleepy ones” or “bright cities.” Or maybe something else entirely; it’s been debated for years.

What we can say with certainty: unlike Georgia or even Indiana, Iowa is not used as a given name in the 21st century.

But, but, but … it debuted in the US data way back in 1890, when six girls received the name. It last appeared in the year 1921, with five girls named Iowa.

So while this name has faded into obscurity, that wasn’t always the case. 

TOP TEN BOY NAMES IN IOWA 

10. OWEN (#26 in the US)

The state’s demographics mean that fewer Latino-influenced names make the Top Ten. With Mateo and other favorites sidelined, names like Owen rise.

9. HUDSON (#22 in the US)

While the Hudson River is many miles away, as is Hudson Bay, there is a small town in Iowa by this name. 

8. COOPER (#50 in the US)

Another name outperforming national trends.

7. JACK (#15 in the US)

Jack makes it into the Iowa Top Ten.

6. ELIJAH (#8 in the US)

A national favorite.

5. NOAH (#2 in the US)

Noah slips slightly in Iowa.

4. THEODORE (#4 in the US)

A traditional favorite having a moment across the US.

3. LIAM (#1 in the US)

Without a significant Spanish-speaking community, Liam slips slightly in the rankings.

2. HENRY (#6 in the US)

Iowa leans a little more traditional, at least at the top of the boys’ list.

1. OLIVER (#3 in the US)

Oliver makes it to the very top spot here. 

TOP 100 IOWAN BOY NAMES

1. Oliver
2. Henry
3. Liam
4. Theodore
5. Noah
6. Elijah
7. Jack
8. Cooper
9. Hudson
10. Owen
11. Asher
12. Maverick
13. William
14. Wyatt
15. Brooks
16. Leo
17. James
18. Bennett
19. Beau
20. Benjamin
21. Mateo
22. Levi
23. Miles
24. Wesley
25. Ezra
26. Jackson
27. Lincoln
28. Walker
29. Weston
30. Myles
31. Samuel
32. Lucas
33. Sawyer*
34. Waylon
35. Rowan
36. Grayson
37. Everett
38. Tate*
39. Carter
40. Daniel
41. Roman
42. Archer*
43. Beckett*
44. Luke
45. Emmett*
46. Silas
47. Michael
48. August
49. Sebastian
50. Theo
51. Nolan
52. Elias
53. Isaac
54. Joseph
55. Calvin*
56. Colter*
57. Easton*
58. Micah
59. Thomas
60. Luca
61. Charles
62. Graham*
63. Matthew
64. Alexander
65. David
66. Jett*
67. Julian
68. Ethan
69. Hayes*
70. Atlas*
71. Arlo*
72. River*
73. Barrett*
74. Cameron
75. Hayden*
76. John
77. Logan
78. Parker
79. Ryker*
80. Andrew
81. Axel
82. Bowen*
83. Briggs*
84. Jacob
85. Knox*
86. Mason
87. Milo
88. Angel
89. Enzo
90. Aiden
91. Beckham*
92. Caleb
93. Dylan
94. Anthony
95. Arthur*
96. Charlie*
97. Dawson*
98. Gabriel
99. Jameson*
100. Jaxon

* indicates the name does not appear in the current US Top 100

TOP TEN GIRL NAMES IN IOWA

10. ELLIE (#21 in the US)

This name just sounds right for Iowa, doesn’t it?

9. HAZEL (#19 in the US)

A nature name with vintage vibes, outperforming the national data here.

8. NORA (#22 in the US)

A popular, traditional choice even more well-liked in Iowa.

7. EMMA (#2 in the US)

Emma falls slightly in the Iowa rankings.

6. ELEANOR (#14 in the US)

Possibly lifted by the same forces putting Ellie in the Top Ten.

5. OLIVIA (#1 in the US)

Olivia falls slightly against national averages.

4. HARPER (#12 in the US)

Tailored, literary Harper has left the US Top Ten elsewhere in the US, but remains a favorite here.

3. EVELYN (#8 in the US)

With names like Sophia, Isabella, and Mia failing to rank, Evelyn moves up strongly. 

2. AMELIA (#3 in the US)

If Henry and Oliver are the top baby names for boys, then it only stands to reason that Amelia would move up for the girls, too. 

1. CHARLOTTE (#4 in the US)

As with the boys’ list, more traditional, Anglophone names outperform the US averages, putting Charlotte at the top. 

TOP 100 IOWAN GIRL NAMES

1. Charlotte
2. Amelia
3. Evelyn
4. Harper
5. Olivia
6. Eleanor
7. Emma
8. Nora
9. Hazel
10. Ellie
11. Ava
12. Lainey
13. Ivy
14. Willow
15. Mia
16. Sophia
17. Violet
18. Layla
19. Lucy
20. Aurora
21. Scarlett
22. Lily
23. Paisley
24. Elizabeth
25. Lillian
26. Nova
27. Isla
28. Ella
29. Luna
30. Gianna
31. Grace
32. Wrenley*
33. Isabella
34. Eloise
35. Avery
36. Clara
37. Vivian
38. Stella
39. Delilah
40. Ruby
41. Elsie
42. Josephine
43. Chloe
44. Quinn
45. Maeve
46. Maya
47. Millie
48. Aria
49. Hadley*
50. Josie
51. Cora*
52. Penelope
53. Lydia
54. Adeline
55. Daisy
56. Eliana
57. Emery
58. Camila
59. Audrey
60. Emersyn*
61. Everly
62. Iris
63. Kinsley
64. Mila
65. Sutton*
66. Lyla
67. Riley
68. Zoey
69. Ada*
70. Blakely*
71. Charlie*
72. Claire
73. Georgia*
74. Autumn
75. Oaklynn*
76. Abigail
77. Athena
78. Eliza*
79. Eden
80. Emily
81. June*
82. Juniper*
83. Brynlee*
84. Ember*
85. Freya*
86. Kennedy
87. Natalie
88. Raelynn*
89. Brooklyn*
90. Margaret*
91. Maria
92. Naomi
93. Parker*
94. Sophie
95. Jade
96. Rylee*
97. Sadie
98. Sofia
99. Amara*
100. Anna

* indicates the name does not appear in the current US Top 100

DISTINCTIVE IOWA PLACE NAMES

ADAIR

Borrowed from a county.

AMES

Home to Iowa State University.

BENTON

Another county name.

BOONE

A common place name across the US, it almost always refers to American frontiersman Daniel Boone. This time, though? It’s a nod to his son, Captain Nathan Boone, who also helped establish the American West as we know it today.

CARROLL

A county named for Charles Carroll, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

CASS

Michigan senator Lewis Cass was nominated for the presidency in 1848, but lost to Zachary Taylor. A significant number of counties are named for him. 

CEDAR

As in both Cedar Rapids and Cedar Falls.

CLAIRE

LeClaire, Iowa is home to American Archeology, the home of long-running History Channel series American Pickers. While the show is typically filmed on the road, after 27 seasons, we’ve seen plenty of Mike Wolfe’s store, too. 

CLARKE

A county named for a former governor of the Iowa Territory.

CLAYTON

A county named for a former US secretary of state.

DAVIS

Another county name.

EMERSON

Borrowed from Emerson Bay State Recreation Area.

EMMET

Named for a leader of the Irish Rebellion, whose story inspired a number of American place names.

FRANKLIN

Among the most popular place names in the US, thanks to Founding Father Benjamin Franklin. 

GENEVA

A tiny city, mentioned mostly because of famous Iowan Mamie Eisenhower. Her middle name? Geneva, though probably not for this particular place.

HARRISON

Another county name.

HENRY

One more borrowed from a county.

IDA

Delightfully vintage county name.

JASPER

Another county name, popular as a first.

LOUISA

One more county name with potential as a first. 

MADISON

If many Iowa county names are appealing but slightly anonymous, The Bridges of Madison County puts a different spin on this one. A 1992 best-selling novel became a successful 1995 movie starring Glenn Close and Clint Eastwood, who also directed. 1984 rom com Splash put Madison on parents’ radar, but a decade later, Bridges helped push it into the Top Ten.

MARION

Another county name with a sweetly old-fashioned energy. One more reason to mention it: Iowa native John Wayne’s real name? Marion. 

PRAIRIE ROSE

Inspired by Prairie Rose State Park.

SCOTT

One more county name.

SHELBY

A popular place name, Shelby is also on the map in Iowa.

NAMES FROM IOWA’S HISTORY & SYMBOLS

EASTON, GOLDIE

For the state bird, the Eastern goldfinch.

OAK

The state tree is abundant in Iowa, possibly explaining – in part – why Oaklynn is such a hit.

ROSE

The wild rose is the state flower, but it’s such a common choice – and a lovely, established name – that this doesn’t feel especially tied to the Hawkeye State.

FAMOUS IOWANS

BIX

Born in Davenport, Leon Bismark Beiderbecke became a noted jazz cornetist. He went by Bix from early days, and made his unusual nickname-name famous in the 1920s.

CODY

Buffalo Bill Cody was born in Le Claire. He worked as a trapper, gold miner, Pony Express rider, and Army Scout. But he became a household name thanks to his touring Buffalo Bill Wild West Show. It would be a century before Cody caught on as a given name, but it was cowboy-coded in part thanks to the 19th century impresario.

DANAI

Plenty of actors call Iowa home, but Danai Gurira’s name is particularly intersting. She’s played Michonne in The Walking Dead and Okoyein the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Danai is a Shona name meaning “to summon,” and it reflects her Zimbabwean heritage.

DUKE, JOHN, WAYNE

Born Marion Robert Morrison in 1907, the Winterset, Iowa native moved to California while still in school. As John Wayne, he became one of the biggest stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age. The Duke played leading men in mostly Westerns, from 1939’s Stagecoach to 1976’s The Shootist.

ELIJAH

Actor Elijah Wood is famous for many roles, especially Frodo Baggins in Lord of the Rings. He’s originally from Cedar Rapids.

HALSTON

American fashion designer Halston created the defining womenswear looks of the 1960s and 70s, designing Jacqueline Kennedy’s pillbox hat and dressing stars like Lauren Bacall and Bianca Jagger. He started out life as Roy Halston Frowick in Des Moines.

HAWK

It’s likely that a pair of civic leaders chose the nickname Hawkeye and worked hard to make it stick. They worried any nickname that developed naturally might be less flattering, or so the story goes. They succeeded – not only is the state’s widely-known nickname, but the University of Iowa uses the name for their sports teams, too. The name comes from two figures: the very real Chief Black Hawk, leader of a Sauk tribe in the 1830s, as well as the fictional Hawkeye from James Fenimore Cooper’s 1826 novel Last of the Mohicans. 

MAMIE, GENEVA

Former First Lady Mamie Doud Eisenhower was born Mary Geneva Doud in Boone, Iowa. Her biography reports that her middle name came from a song lyric, but exactly which lyric remains unclear.

KIRK, TIBERIUS

Fastforward to March 22, 2228 and James Tiberius Kirk will be born in Riverside, Iowa. The future captain of the Starship Enterprise isn’t real, of course, but Riverside’s devotion to all things Trekkie is. You can visit a memorial to Kirk at their History Center.

LEANDER, REEVE

From a historic structure known as the Leander Reeve House, located near Geneva, Iowa. Reeve worked as a trapper, saved up enough money to buy land, and then became a farmer and built this house. 

MILDRED

Two Iowa Mildreds put this name on the list. The first is one of several authors who penned Nancy Drew novels using the name Carolyn Keene. Mildred Wirt Benson wrote 22 of the sleuth’s 25 sleuth’s earliest adventures, including debut novel The Secret of the Old Clock. There’s also Mildred Day, an Iowa native who helped develop recipes for Kellogg’s, including the iconic Rice Krispie Treats that debuted on cereal boxes in 1941.

NAN

Iconic 1930 oil painting American Gothic was painted by Grant Wood. The so-called American Gothic house stands in Eldon, Iowa. The model for the woman in the painting? The artist’s sister, Nan Wood Graham. 

What do you think of Iowa baby names? What’s missing from this list?