Most popular girl 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 girls in the '60s in Iowa using data from the Social Security Administration. Names are ranked by number of babies born from 1960 to 1969. 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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#30. Deborah

Deborah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "bee".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 1,882
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 15 (#849 most common name, -99.2% compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 183,432 (#12 most common name)

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#29. Ann

Ann is a name of Latin origin meaning "grace".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 1,913
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 15 (#849 most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 72,079 (#60 most common name)

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#28. Denise

Denise is a name of Greek origin meaning "to be devoted to Bacchus".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,099
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 15 (#849 most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 128,823 (#29 most common name)

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#27. Cynthia

Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning "moon goddess".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,101
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 23 (#745 (tie) most common name, -98.9% compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 196,596 (#10 most common name)

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#26. Diane

Diane is a name of Latin origin meaning "divine".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,106
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 23 (#745 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 114,452 (#36 most common name)

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#25. Sandra

Sandra is a name of Greek origin meaning "defender of man".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,122
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 23 (#745 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 183,844 (#11 most common name)

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#24. Patricia

Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,162
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 23 (#745 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 231,169 (#6 most common name)

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#23. Christine

Christine is a name of English origin meaning "follower of Christ".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,205
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 6 (#1063 (tie) most common name, -99.7% compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 139,339 (#27 most common name)

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#22. Dawn

Dawn is a name of English origin meaning "daybreak".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,260
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 6 (#1063 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 114,292 (#37 most common name)

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#21. Barbara

Barbara is a name of Greek origin meaning "foreign".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,267
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 5 (#1179 most common name, -99.8% compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 159,774 (#21 most common name)

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#20. Nancy

Nancy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "grace".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,280
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 22 (#756 (tie) most common name, -99.0% compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 142,723 (#26 most common name)

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#19. Jennifer

Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,333
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 63 (#451 most common name, -97.3% compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 164,414 (#20 most common name)

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#18. Pamela

Pamela is a name of Greek origin meaning "all sweetness".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,435
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 63 (#451 most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 181,938 (#14 most common name)

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#17. Kelly

Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,470
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 11 (#921 most common name, -99.6% compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 128,052 (#30 most common name)

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#16. Angela

Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,487
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 87 (#357 (tie) most common name, -96.5% compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 159,289 (#22 most common name)

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#15. Amy

Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,515
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 86 (#363 most common name, -96.6% compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 116,771 (#35 most common name)

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#14. Laura

Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,674
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 77 (#395 most common name, -97.1% compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 174,181 (#16 most common name)

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#13. Tammy

Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "palm tree".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,683
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 77 (#395 most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 182,224 (#13 most common name)

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#12. Debra

Debra is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "bee".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,912
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 77 (#395 most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 153,771 (#24 most common name)

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#11. Teresa

Teresa is a name of Greek origin meaning "huntress".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,918
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 12 (#895 most common name, -99.6% compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 151,790 (#25 most common name)

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#10. Linda

Linda is a name of Italian origin meaning "beautiful".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 3,011
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 25 (#725 most common name, -99.2% compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 225,445 (#7 most common name)

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#9. Karen

Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 3,279
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 28 (#689 most common name, -99.1% compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 286,054 (#4 most common name)

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#8. Brenda

Brenda is a name of Norse origin meaning "sword".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 3,768
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 28 (#689 most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 164,496 (#19 most common name)

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#7. Michelle

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

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 3,827
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 32 (#651 most common name, -99.2% compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 208,296 (#9 most common name)

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#6. Kimberly

Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,202
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 96 (#328 most common name, -97.7% compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 259,072 (#5 most common name)

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#5. Susan

Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,631
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 5 (#1179 most common name, -99.9% compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 287,661 (#3 most common name)

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#4. Lori

Lori is a name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 5,217
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 6 (#1063 (tie) most common name, -99.9% compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 176,561 (#15 most common name)

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#3. Mary

Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 5,465
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 226 (#139 (tie) most common name, -95.9% compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 355,238 (#2 most common name)

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#2. Julie

Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 5,854
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 21 (#771 most common name, -99.6% compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 166,149 (#18 most common name)

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#1. Lisa

Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".

Iowa
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 7,465
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 11 (#921 most common name, -99.9% compared to the 60s)

National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 496,983 (#1 most common name)