Most popular boy names in the 80s in Iowa

Written by:
February 14, 2021
Vasiuk Iryna // Shutterstock

Most popular boy names in the 80s in Iowa

Known for the emergence of MTV, the rise of neon, and the invention of the mixtape, the 1980s were certainly a rockin' era in American history. New economic policies were introduced, the news network CNN launched, and, much less enjoyable, Wall Street crashed on the infamous Black Monday—the worst one-day decline in American stock market history. Sandra Day O'Connor was nominated by President Ronald Reagan as the first female Supreme Court justice, the Cold War saw the beginning of the end as the Berlin Wall began to fall, and millions watched in horror as the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded on live television.

Among all the big hair, Rubix cubes, and shoulder pads, however, there were still plenty of babies being born during this defining time. And with celebrities like Michael J. Fox and Robert Palmer reaching their peak fame during the ‘80s, it's no surprise that many parents chose to name their kids after them.

To see just how popular these names were, Stacker compiled a list of the most popular baby names for boys in the 80s in Iowa using data from the Social Security Administration. Names are ranked by number of babies born.

Just like scrunchies and PAC MAN, Americans can still hold onto some of the best aspects of the ‘80s, including baby names (some things never get old). So whether you're welcoming a new little one into the world this year or just curious, these are the 100 most popular baby names of the 1980s in Iowa.

1 / 50
Tetyana Kovyrina // Pexels

#50. Brett

Brett is a name of English origin meaning "Briton".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,024
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 48 (#517 (tie) most common name, -95.3% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #76
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 41,268
2 / 50
Iren_Geo // Shutterstock

#49. Jordan

Jordan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "to flow down".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,046
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 467 (#88 most common name, -55.4% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #59
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 57,125
3 / 50
Vasiuk Iryna // Shutterstock

#48. Lucas

Lucas is a name of Greek origin meaning "man from Lucania".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,056
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,049 (#21 (tie) most common name, -0.7% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #109
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 26,025
4 / 50
Unsplash

#47. Cory

Cory is a name of Irish origin meaning "from the hollow".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,078
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1019 (tie) most common name, -99.5% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #69
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 44,343
5 / 50
Ana Paula Lima // Pexels

#46. Patrick

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,079
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 206 (#197 (tie) most common name, -80.9% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 111,365
6 / 50
Samuel Borges Photography // Shutterstock

#45. Jared

Jared is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he descends".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,094
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 76 (#413 most common name, -93.1% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 60,286
7 / 50
Canva

#44. Derek

Derek is a name of German origin meaning "the people's ruler".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,331
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 121 (#303 most common name, -90.9% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 72,893
8 / 50
Min An // Pexels

#43. Jesse

Jesse is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "the Lord exists".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,487
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 173 (#233 (tie) most common name, -88.4% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 85,897
9 / 50
Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock

#42. Bradley

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,494
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 150 (#262 most common name, -90.0% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #53
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 69,334
10 / 50
Canva

#41. Kevin

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,575
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 236 (#178 most common name, -85.0% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 188,638
11 / 50
Canva

#40. Mark

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,584
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 138 (#276 (tie) most common name, -91.3% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 129,371
12 / 50
Adrie Molco // Shutterstock

#39. Chad

Chad is a name of English origin meaning "from the warrior's town".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,619
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 17 (#714 (tie) most common name, -98.9% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 69,040
13 / 50
Min An // Pexels

#38. William

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,715
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,650 (#2 most common name, -3.8% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 248,240
14 / 50
FamVeld // Shutterstock

#37. Steven

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,718
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 154 (#256 most common name, -91.0% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 177,405
15 / 50
pratan ounpitipong // Shutterstock

#36. Cody

Cody is a name of English origin meaning "helpful".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,733
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 158 (#251 (tie) most common name, -90.9% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #58
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 60,173
16 / 50
Ramona Heim // Shutterstock

#35. Thomas

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,778
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 651 (#59 most common name, -63.4% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 177,743
17 / 50
Fotonium // Shutterstock

#34. Scott

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,919
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 62 (#452 most common name, -96.8% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 108,165
18 / 50
Mallmo // Shutterstock

#33. Jonathan

Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 1,976
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 550 (#73 most common name, -72.2% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 229,906
19 / 50
Photopin

#32. Jeffrey

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,034
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 80 (#395 most common name, -96.1% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 144,781
20 / 50
Canva

#31. Anthony

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,061
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 620 (#66 most common name, -69.9% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 211,804
21 / 50
Unsplash

#30. Timothy

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,118
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 190 (#220 most common name, -91.0% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 172,811
22 / 50
Unsplash

#29. Zachary

Zachary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God remembers".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,121
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 408 (#103 most common name, -80.8% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 101,809
23 / 50
2p2play // Shutterstock

#28. Jeremy

Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,201
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 115 (#311 (tie) most common name, -94.8% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 153,418
24 / 50
Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock

#27. Dustin

Dustin is a name of Norse origin meaning "brave warrior".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,221
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 54 (#482 (tie) most common name, -97.6% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 97,301
25 / 50
Canva

#26. Travis

Travis is a name of French origin meaning "to cross".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,233
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 81 (#391 (tie) most common name, -96.4% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 102,915
26 / 50
PxHere

#25. Robert

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,374
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 419 (#101 most common name, -82.4% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 321,598
27 / 50
Pexels

#24. Aaron

Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,493
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 466 (#89 (tie) most common name, -81.3% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 138,343
28 / 50
Gorynvd // Shutterstock

#23. Tyler

Tyler is a name of English origin meaning "doorkeeper of an inn" or "owner of a tavern".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,658
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 523 (#75 most common name, -80.3% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 86,422
29 / 50
Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#22. Kyle

Kyle is a name of Scottish origin meaning "narrow strait".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,752
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 164 (#244 most common name, -94.0% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 141,910
30 / 50
Canva

#21. James

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,782
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,161 (#14 most common name, -58.3% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 356,362
31 / 50
rSnapshotPhotos // Shutterstock

#20. John

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,845
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 697 (#50 most common name, -75.5% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 321,034
32 / 50
Pixabay

#19. Brian

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,933
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 122 (#301 most common name, -95.8% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 233,976
33 / 50
Irisska // Shutterstock

#18. Nathan

Nathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "given".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,954
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 497 (#82 most common name, -83.2% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 105,962
34 / 50
Serenko Natalia // Shutterstock

#17. Eric

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 2,957
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 189 (#221 most common name, -93.6% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 204,199
35 / 50
Canva

#16. Brandon

Brandon is a name of English origin meaning "beacon hill" or "crow".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,003
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 237 (#175 (tie) most common name, -92.1% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 232,173
36 / 50
Canva

#15. Benjamin

Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,089
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,229 (#11 most common name, -60.2% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 141,341
37 / 50
Unsplash

#14. Jacob

Jacob is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "to follow".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,148
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,112 (#16 (tie) most common name, -64.7% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 124,186
38 / 50
Canva

#13. David

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,454
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 717 (#47 most common name, -79.2% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 383,610
39 / 50
Iren_Geo // Shutterstock

#12. Joseph

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,456
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 864 (#32 most common name, -75.0% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 299,367
40 / 50
Philippe Put // Flickr

#11. Jason

Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,590
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 262 (#158 most common name, -92.7% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 292,016
41 / 50
Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock

#10. Daniel

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 3,664
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 793 (#41 most common name, -78.4% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 345,414
42 / 50
PxHere

#9. Adam

Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 4,394
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 317 (#137 most common name, -92.8% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 195,049
43 / 50
Canva

#8. Nicholas

Nicholas is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 4,412
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 376 (#117 most common name, -91.5% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 223,293
44 / 50
My Good Images // Shutterstock

#7. Justin

Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning "righteous".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 4,441
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 216 (#193 most common name, -95.1% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 289,755
45 / 50
Pixabay

#6. Andrew

Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 4,981
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 808 (#39 most common name, -83.8% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 285,013
46 / 50
Canva

#5. Christopher

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 5,020
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 502 (#80 most common name, -90.0% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 554,793
47 / 50
PxHere

#4. Ryan

Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 5,076
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 547 (#74 most common name, -89.2% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 278,848
48 / 50
Tatiana Dyuvbanova // Shutterstock

#3. Joshua

Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 6,094
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 621 (#65 most common name, -89.8% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 396,533
49 / 50
Roman Sorkin // Shutterstock

#2. Michael

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 6,591
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 869 (#30 most common name, -86.8% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 663,592
50 / 50
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#1. Matthew

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

Iowa
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 6,922
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 680 (#53 most common name, -90.2% compared to the 80s)

National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1980 to 1989: 458,894

Trending Now