Most popular boy names in the 60s in Iowa

Written by:
Stacker
March 7, 2022
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Most popular boy names in the 60s in Iowa

Every new parent faces the difficult decision of choosing the perfect name for a newborn. First names rarely get changed after being assigned and carry with them a wide range of meanings and associations. This creates a lot of pressure on expectant parents to pick the perfect moniker for their little ones.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, many parents end up choosing the same names over and over. Research suggests that we pick specific names implying desired characteristics about our children, selecting names for boys and girls intended to shape them. Male monikers are commonly inspired by political, cultural, and personal influences that suggest good, masculine, and well-rounded people.

The 1960s are commonly associated with tie-dye-clad hippies, psychedelic experimentation, and rock 'n' roll icons like the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. But underneath the flower power, free love exterior, the '60s were a period of radical social and political change—not only in the United States but around the world. The decade was one characterized by a host of juxtapositions; anger and fear over injustice and uneasy political conditions lived alongside notions of musical awakening and pacifist harmony.

Stacker compiled a list of the most popular baby names for boys in the '60s in Iowa using data from the Social Security Administration. Names are ranked by number of babies born. The names in this list represent the distinct intersection of Baby Boomer and Gen X and a reflection of some of the most well-known celebrities, musicians, and trends of the time. Keep reading to see if your name was among the most popular in the '60s in your home state.

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#50. Stephen

Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 1,248
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 66 (#441 (tie) most common name, -94.7% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 152,285
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Vasiuk Iryna // Shutterstock

#49. Keith

Keith is a name of Celtic origin meaning "wood, forest".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 1,322
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 37 (#576 most common name, -97.2% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 112,619
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#48. Randall

Randall is a name of Norse origin meaning "shield-wolf".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 1,330
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 37 (#576 most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #65
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 52,050
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#47. Alan

Alan is a name of German origin meaning "precious".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 1,339
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 140 (#274 (tie) most common name, -89.5% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #55
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 61,416
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#46. Jeffery

Jeffery is a name of German origin meaning "pledge of peace".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 1,355
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 17 (#714 (tie) most common name, -98.7% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 79,520
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#45. Jon

Jon is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 1,388
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 15 (#744 most common name, -98.9% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #83
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 44,865
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#44. Anthony

Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 1,403
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 620 (#66 most common name, -55.8% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 203,192
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#43. Bruce

Bruce is a name of Scottish origin meaning "from the brushwood thicket".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 1,450
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 42 (#554 (tie) most common name, -97.1% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 74,679
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#42. Jerry

Jerry is a name of English origin meaning "exalted of the Lord".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 1,498
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35 (#590 most common name, -97.7% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 93,566
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#41. Roger

Roger is a name of German origin meaning "famous spearman".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 1,519
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35 (#590 most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #49
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 71,449
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#40. Mike

Mike is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "gift from God".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 1,677
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35 (#590 most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #50
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 71,409
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#39. Troy

Troy is a name of Irish origin meaning "foot soldier".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 1,687
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 70 (#430 most common name, -95.9% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #56
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 61,396
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#38. Rodney

Rodney is a name of English origin meaning "island near the clearing".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 1,791
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 70 (#430 most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 72,173
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#37. Jeff

Jeff is a name of English origin meaning "peaceful pledge".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 1,846
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 70 (#430 most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 62,062
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#36. Eric

Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,000
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 189 (#221 most common name, -90.5% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 152,262
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#35. Bradley

Bradley is a name of English origin meaning "woodland clearing".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,032
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 150 (#262 most common name, -92.6% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #72
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 48,715
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#34. Larry

Larry is a name of Latin origin meaning "from the place of the laurel leaves".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,036
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 29 (#625 most common name, -98.6% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 108,594
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#33. Kenneth

Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,081
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 154 (#256 most common name, -92.6% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 227,552
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#32. Charles

Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,126
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 715 (#48 most common name, -66.4% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 249,488
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#31. Matthew

Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,138
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 680 (#53 most common name, -68.2% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 106,041
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#30. Craig

Craig is a name of Scottish origin meaning "rocky".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,164
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1019 (tie) most common name, -99.8% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 84,739
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#29. Patrick

Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,182
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 206 (#197 (tie) most common name, -90.6% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 122,772
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#28. Dennis

Dennis is a name of Greek origin meaning "follower of Dionysius".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,256
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35 (#590 most common name, -98.4% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 94,992
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#27. Donald

Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,259
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 38 (#568 (tie) most common name, -98.3% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 172,669
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#26. Terry

Terry is a name of German origin meaning "power of the tribe".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,270
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 23 (#669 most common name, -99.0% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 101,440
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#25. Gregory

Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,323
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35 (#590 most common name, -98.5% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 187,574
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#24. Ronald

Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,520
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 44 (#542 (tie) most common name, -98.3% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 182,192
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#23. Randy

Randy is a name of Norse origin meaning "shield-wolf".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,532
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35 (#590 most common name, -98.6% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 93,889
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#22. Gary

Gary is a name of English origin meaning "spearman".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,604
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10 (#844 (tie) most common name, -99.6% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 166,046
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#21. Joseph

Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,610
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 864 (#32 most common name, -66.9% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 283,162
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#20. Christopher

Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,692
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 502 (#80 most common name, -81.4% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 237,285
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#19. Paul

Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 3,178
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 162 (#246 most common name, -94.9% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 242,587
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#18. Douglas

Douglas is a name of Scottish origin meaning "black water".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 3,901
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#932 (tie) most common name, -99.8% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 135,047
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Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock

#17. William

William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 3,942
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,650 (#2 most common name, -58.1% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 421,610
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#16. Richard

Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,249
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 151 (#260 most common name, -96.4% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 374,010
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#15. Daniel

Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,594
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 793 (#41 most common name, -82.7% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 242,161
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#14. Thomas

Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,614
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 651 (#59 most common name, -85.9% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 327,231
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#13. Todd

Todd is a name of English origin meaning "fox".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,779
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1019 (tie) most common name, -99.9% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 128,766
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#12. Timothy

Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,846
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 190 (#220 most common name, -96.1% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 276,888
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#11. Kevin

Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 5,592
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 236 (#178 most common name, -95.8% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 271,514
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#10. Brian

Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 5,888
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 122 (#301 most common name, -97.9% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 258,277
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DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock

#9. Steven

Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 6,055
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 154 (#256 most common name, -97.5% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 290,739
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#8. Jeffrey

Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 6,958
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 80 (#395 most common name, -98.9% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 302,105
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#7. Robert

Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 7,009
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 419 (#101 most common name, -94.0% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 650,975
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#6. Scott

Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 7,069
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 62 (#452 most common name, -99.1% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 266,936
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#5. James

James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 7,789
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,161 (#14 most common name, -85.1% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 684,986
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Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock

#4. John

John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 8,314
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 697 (#50 most common name, -91.6% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 713,653
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#3. Mark

Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 8,354
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 138 (#276 (tie) most common name, -98.3% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 441,513
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#2. David

David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 11,390
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 717 (#47 most common name, -93.7% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 734,169
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#1. Michael

Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 11,613
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 869 (#30 most common name, -92.5% compared to the 60s)

National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 833,402
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