South dakota's most popular baby names in 1912

In the year 1912, the state of South Dakota saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for their newborns. The top baby girl names included Mary, Helen, and Dorothy, while the top baby boy names were John, William, and Robert.

Mary, a timeless classic, held the top spot for baby girl names in South Dakota. The name Helen, which means "bright" or "shining," was also a popular choice for new parents. Dorothy, a name with English origins, was also a hit among parents looking for a traditional name for their baby girl. On the other hand, John, William, and Robert were the top picks for baby boys, reflecting a preference for strong and classic names in the state.

Most popular baby girl names in South dakota in 1912

According to the records from 1912 in South Dakota, the top five baby girl names were Mary with 108 occurrences, followed by Helen with 93 occurrences, Dorothy with 82 occurrences, and Margaret and Ruth both with 79 occurrences. These names were the most popular choices for parents in South Dakota during that time period.

  1. Mary

    108 baby girls born in South dakota (1912) named Mary

    Mary is a feminine given name that has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history. The meaning and origin of the name are uncertain, but it is believed to derive from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "bitter" or "rebellious". The name Mary is popular in Christian cultures due to its association with the mother of Jesus Christ.

  2. Helen

    93 baby girls born in South dakota (1912) named Helen

    Helen is a name of Greek origin and means "bright, shining one" or "torchbearer". It is also sometimes associated with the meaning "sunray" or "ray of light". The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.

  3. Dorothy

    82 baby girls born in South dakota (1912) named Dorothy

    The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".

  4. Margaret

    79 baby girls born in South dakota (1912) named Margaret

    The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

  5. Ruth

    79 baby girls born in South dakota (1912) named Ruth

    The name Ruth means "friend" or "companion" in Hebrew. It is also associated with the character Ruth in the Bible, who was known for her loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi.

  6. Mildred

    73 baby girls born in South dakota (1912) named Mildred

    The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".

  7. Marie

    55 baby girls born in South dakota (1912) named Marie

    The name Marie is the French variant of Mary, which means "bitter" in Hebrew. It is a popular name among Christians and has been used for centuries. The name is often associated with purity, grace, and elegance.

  8. Alice

    55 baby girls born in South dakota (1912) named Alice

    The name Alice is of German origin and means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a popular name that has been used for centuries and has been the name of many notable fictional characters in literature and film.

  9. Gladys

    52 baby girls born in South dakota (1912) named Gladys

    The name Gladys means "land of the bards" or "princess" and is of Welsh origin.

  10. Florence

    51 baby girls born in South dakota (1912) named Florence

    Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".

  11. Esther

    48 baby girls born in South dakota (1912) named Esther

    Esther is a feminine given name of Persian origin. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to possibly mean "star" or "myrtle leaf". In the Bible, Esther was a queen of Persia who saved the Jewish people from genocide. The name has been popular among Jewish communities and has been used in various cultures around the world.

  12. Frances

    47 baby girls born in South dakota (1912) named Frances

    Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".

  13. Evelyn

    46 baby girls born in South dakota (1912) named Evelyn

    The name Evelyn is of English origin and is derived from the French name Aveline, which means "hazelnut". It is also believed to have roots in the Germanic name Avelina, which means "wished-for child" or "longed-for child". Overall, the name Evelyn is associated with sweetness, charm, and grace.

  14. Hazel

    40 baby girls born in South dakota (1912) named Hazel

    The name Hazel means "the hazelnut tree" or "the color hazel". It is of English origin and has been used as a name since the late 19th century. It was most popular in the United States in the 1920s and 1930s. People with this name are often associated with intelligence, creativity, and curiosity.

  15. Mabel

    40 baby girls born in South dakota (1912) named Mabel

  16. Lillian

    40 baby girls born in South dakota (1912) named Lillian

    The name Lillian means "pure" or "innocent" and is of English origin. It is a variant of the name Lily and is often associated with the flower of the same name. Lillian has been a popular name for girls since the late 19th century.

  17. Elsie

    37 baby girls born in South dakota (1912) named Elsie

    The name Elsie is of Scottish origin and is a diminutive form of the name Elizabeth, meaning "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

  18. Myrtle

    37 baby girls born in South dakota (1912) named Myrtle

  19. Viola

    37 baby girls born in South dakota (1912) named Viola

  20. Irene

    37 baby girls born in South dakota (1912) named Irene

    The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.

Most popular baby boy names in South dakota in 1912

According to the records of South Dakota in 1912, the most popular baby boy names were John, William, Robert, Harold, and Charles. John was the most popular name with 98 occurrences, followed by William with 69, Robert with 59, Harold with 52, and Charles with 50. These names were likely influenced by cultural and historical factors of the time period.

  1. John

    98 baby boys born in South dakota (1912) named John

    The name John is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a very common name and has been used for centuries. People with this name are often known for their kindness and generosity.

  2. William

    69 baby boys born in South dakota (1912) named William

    The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.

  3. Robert

    59 baby boys born in South dakota (1912) named Robert

    The name Robert means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobility.

  4. Harold

    52 baby boys born in South dakota (1912) named Harold

    The name Harold is of Old English origin and means "ruler of the army". It was a popular name among the Anglo-Saxons and was borne by several kings of England.

  5. Charles

    50 baby boys born in South dakota (1912) named Charles

    The name Charles means "free man" or "strong man" and is of Germanic origin. It was a popular name among European royalty and has been commonly used throughout history.

  6. George

    49 baby boys born in South dakota (1912) named George

    The name George means "farmer" or "earthworker" and is of Greek origin. It was a popular name among early Christians, as Saint George is the patron saint of England and a martyr in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches. The name has been used by many notable figures throughout history, including several kings of England.

  7. Clarence

    44 baby boys born in South dakota (1912) named Clarence

    The name Clarence means "bright" or "clear" and is of Latin origin. It was originally a surname before becoming a given name.

  8. Kenneth

    40 baby boys born in South dakota (1912) named Kenneth

    The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".

  9. James

    40 baby boys born in South dakota (1912) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  10. Henry

    39 baby boys born in South dakota (1912) named Henry

    The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.

  11. Donald

    36 baby boys born in South dakota (1912) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  12. Ralph

    33 baby boys born in South dakota (1912) named Ralph

    The name Ralph means "wolf counsel" or "counselor wolf".

  13. Raymond

    33 baby boys born in South dakota (1912) named Raymond

    The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".

  14. Albert

    33 baby boys born in South dakota (1912) named Albert

    The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".

  15. Walter

    32 baby boys born in South dakota (1912) named Walter

    Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".

  16. Melvin

    31 baby boys born in South dakota (1912) named Melvin

  17. Harry

    31 baby boys born in South dakota (1912) named Harry

    The name Harry is of English origin and is a variation of the name Henry. Its meaning is "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler".

  18. Frank

    29 baby boys born in South dakota (1912) named Frank

    The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".

  19. Paul

    28 baby boys born in South dakota (1912) named Paul

    The name Paul is of Latin origin and means "small" or "humble". It was originally derived from the Roman family name Paulus, which was a common name in ancient Rome. The name has been popularized by various saints and biblical figures, including the apostle Paul, who was a significant figure in the early Christian church.

  20. Arthur

    28 baby boys born in South dakota (1912) named Arthur

    The name Arthur is of Celtic origin and means "bear". It was a popular name among the kings and nobles of medieval England, and has since become a classic name that is still in use today.