South dakota's most popular baby names in 1916

In the year 1916, South Dakota saw a surge in the popularity of classic names for newborns. For baby girls, Helen was the most popular name, followed closely by Dorothy and Mary. These names were timeless and traditional, reflecting the values and culture of the era.

For baby boys, Robert was the most popular name, followed by John and William. These names were strong and sturdy, fitting for the rugged and hardworking lifestyle of South Dakotans. Overall, the top baby names of 1916 in South Dakota reflected a sense of simplicity and tradition, embodying the values of the state and its people.

Most popular baby girl names in South dakota in 1916

In South Dakota in 1916, the most popular baby girl names were Helen, Dorothy, Mary, Ruth, and Margaret. Helen was the most popular name with 212 babies given that name, followed closely by Dorothy with 202 babies. Mary was the third most popular name with 192 babies, followed by Ruth with 170 babies, and Margaret with 167 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and trends of the time.

Helen

212 baby girls born in South dakota (1916) 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.
Dorothy

202 baby girls born in South dakota (1916) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Mary

192 baby girls born in South dakota (1916) 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.
Ruth

170 baby girls born in South dakota (1916) 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.
Margaret

167 baby girls born in South dakota (1916) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Evelyn
124 baby girls born in South dakota (1916) 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.
Mildred
121 baby girls born in South dakota (1916) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Alice
100 baby girls born in South dakota (1916) 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.
Gladys
90 baby girls born in South dakota (1916) named Gladys
The name Gladys means "land of the bards" or "princess" and is of Welsh origin.
Irene
88 baby girls born in South dakota (1916) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
Marie
86 baby girls born in South dakota (1916) 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.
Florence
85 baby girls born in South dakota (1916) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Esther
84 baby girls born in South dakota (1916) 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.
Frances
83 baby girls born in South dakota (1916) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Lucille
82 baby girls born in South dakota (1916) named Lucille
The name Lucille means "light" or "illumination" and is of French origin. It is a feminine name that has been in use since the 19th century.
Hazel
76 baby girls born in South dakota (1916) 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.
Edna
75 baby girls born in South dakota (1916) named Edna
The name Edna means "pleasure" or "delight" in Hebrew.
Grace
71 baby girls born in South dakota (1916) named Grace
The name Grace means "elegance" or "charm" and is derived from the Latin word "gratia". It is often associated with the Christian concept of divine grace, which is the unmerited favor and love of God towards humanity. The name has been popular for centuries and is still commonly used today.
Doris
69 baby girls born in South dakota (1916) named Doris
The name Doris means "gift of the ocean" or "from the sea" in Greek. It was also the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology.
Elizabeth
67 baby girls born in South dakota (1916) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.

Most popular baby boy names in South dakota in 1916

In 1916, the most popular baby boy names in South Dakota were Robert, John, William, James, and Donald. Robert was the most popular with 237 babies given that name, followed closely by John with 236. William, James, and Donald were also popular choices with 151, 132, and 129 babies given those names, respectively.

Robert

237 baby boys born in South dakota (1916) 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.
John

236 baby boys born in South dakota (1916) 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.
William

151 baby boys born in South dakota (1916) 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.
James

132 baby boys born in South dakota (1916) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Donald

129 baby boys born in South dakota (1916) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Harold
120 baby boys born in South dakota (1916) 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.
George
117 baby boys born in South dakota (1916) 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.
Charles
91 baby boys born in South dakota (1916) 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.
Kenneth
88 baby boys born in South dakota (1916) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Raymond
84 baby boys born in South dakota (1916) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Richard
81 baby boys born in South dakota (1916) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Edward
77 baby boys born in South dakota (1916) named Edward
The name Edward means "wealthy guardian" or "rich guard" and is of Old English origin. It is derived from the words "ead" meaning "wealth, fortune" and "weard" meaning "guardian, protector".
Clarence
75 baby boys born in South dakota (1916) named Clarence
The name Clarence means "bright" or "clear" and is of Latin origin. It was originally a surname before becoming a given name.
Joseph
74 baby boys born in South dakota (1916) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Walter
73 baby boys born in South dakota (1916) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Arthur
67 baby boys born in South dakota (1916) 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.
Elmer
66 baby boys born in South dakota (1916) named Elmer
The name Elmer means "noble and famous" and has English origins.
Albert
63 baby boys born in South dakota (1916) named Albert
The name Albert is of Germanic origin and means "noble and bright".
Ralph
61 baby boys born in South dakota (1916) named Ralph
The name Ralph means "wolf counsel" or "counselor wolf".
Francis
57 baby boys born in South dakota (1916) named Francis
The name Francis is derived from the Latin name Franciscus, which means "Frenchman" or "free man". It has been a popular name throughout history, particularly among Christians due to its association with Saint Francis of Assisi. The name is often associated with humility, kindness, and a love for nature and animals.