Looking for a unique name for your baby? Look no further than this list of historic Iowans, read about their accomplishments and impact here.

Caitlin

Caitlin Clark is an Iowan, and a certified bucket, launching logo 3’s and dishing out assists to teammates en route to triple doubles. She is an inspiration to young and old. In her senior season with the Iowa women’s basketball team Clark was the consensus National Player of the Year for the second straight season winning countless awards and setting the NCAA basketball scoring record. She plays for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA.

Herky

Herky the Hawk, the University of Iowa mascot, celebrated its 75th birthday in 2023 and is perpetually young at heart. 100 versions of Herky have taken to the streets in the form of a 6-foot-tall statue as a public art display “Herky on Parade.”

Beth

Beth Goetz is the Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair at the University of Iowa. She joined the Iowa athletics staff as Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Operating Officer in 2022. Under her leadership as interim director, several teams and student-athletes enjoyed athletic and academic success.

Carver

Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver were long-time supporters of the University of Iowa. He was an industrialist, sports enthusiast, and philanthropist whose generosity has made an indelible mark at the University of Iowa. The namesake for Carver-Hawkeye Arena, it is one of the 25 largest university-owned facilities in the nation. The Carver name is now synonymous with the exceptional teaching and research associated with University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics and the Carver College of Medicine.

Hoover

Herbert Hoover was the 31st President of the United States. He is the only president to have been born in Iowa. His hometown of West Branch has a museum and presidential library and hosts an annual festival every August celebrating his birthday, complete with a tournament for the sport, “Hoover-ball.”

Brat

Brat, a staple of tailgates across the state, often served in a bath of beer. The bratwurst is a dish that came to Iowa via Germany and still has a strong tradition in the Amana Colonies.

Construction

Iowa never stops working on itself. The Iowa DOT has completed major construction projects at the interchange with Interstate 80 and Interstate 380, widened lanes through Coralville and Iowa City, and redesigned an interchange with a diverging diamond at the Iowa River Landing.

Murray

Kris and Keegan Murray, twin brothers from Cedar Rapids. Both currently play for teams in the NBA and were men’s basketball at the University of Iowa. Their father Kenyon played at Iowa as a four-year starter.

Old Capitol

The Old Capitol remains one of the most recognizable symbols of the state of Iowa.  In the many years since the cornerstone was laid, the building has served state legislatures, countless university uses, and has undergone multiple additions and renovations, even surviving a major fire in 2001.

Hayden

Hayden Fry was the head football coach at the University from 1979-1998. In his final 18 seasons, his teams posted 13 winning records. The Hawkeyes had enjoyed just 13 winning seasons since 1933 before he arrived. FRYfest is held annually in his honor, it is a celebration of all that is Hawkeye.

Lisa

Lisa Bluder is the all-time winningest coach in program history, the Hawkeyes have advanced to 22 postseason appearances (18 NCAA and four WNIT) in 24 seasons, including NCAA Tournament berths in 14 of the last 16 seasons. Iowa advanced to the postseason in 16 consecutive seasons (14 NCAA and two WNIT) when a postseason tournament was held.

Kirk

Kirk Ferentz is the Moon Family Head Football Coach and is in his 26th year as the head football coach at the University of Iowa. Ferentz has been a member of the Iowa coaching staff for 34 seasons. His most recent contract extension extended his agreement with Iowa through the 2029 season. Under Ferentz’ leadership the Iowa football program has earned 21 bowl game invitations since 2001.

Spencer

Spencer Lee was a three-time NCAA DI men’s wrestling national champion for the University of Iowa at 125 pounds. He is the 57 kg representative for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Megan

Megan Gustafson was the 2019 Naismith Trophy winner while playing women’s basketball with the University of Iowa. She was named ESPN player of the year and Big Ten Women’s basketball Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019. Her jersey number 10 was retired by the university in 2020. Gustafson currently plays for the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA and will represent Spain in the 2024 Olympics.

Macbride

Lake Macbride State Park, which borders the Iowa River, is named after Thomas Macbride, the “father” of Iowa conservation, Lake Macbride State Park is a popular lakeside destination with family friendly outdoor activities. Several multi-use trails wind around the lake, featuring the sights and sounds of Iowa’s native birds. In the summer, soak up the sun by kayaking, paddling or swimming in the lake

Duke

Duke Slater was a first-team all-American tackle in 1921; second team all-American in 1919; first team all-Big Ten in 1919, 20, 21; member of Iowa’s first undefeated conference championship team in 1921; member of National Football Foundation Hall of Fame and Helms Foundation Hall of Fame; played professional football for nine years and all-Pro six years; and dormitory named in his honor (Slater Hall).

Kinnick

Nile Kinnick’s jersey number 24 is one of only two numbers retired by the Hawkeyes.
The native of Adel, Iowa, won the Heisman Trophy in 1939, he died in a 1943 training flight while serving in the Navy in World War II.
He was inducted into the inaugural class of the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951.

Gable

Dan Gable was Iowa’s head wrestling coach for 21 seasons, from 1976 to 1997, and is the program’s all-time winningest coach. He collected 15 NCAA National Championships as a coach. Gable coached 152 All-Americans, 45 national champions, 106 Big Ten champions, and 12 Olympians—including four gold, one silver, and three bronze medalists. As a wrestler at Iowa State, Gable held a career record of 181-1, graduating in 1970 as a three-time national champion. He won a 1971 world championship, and in 1972 he was an Olympic gold medalist. He joined the University of Iowa wrestling staff the same year.