South dakota's most popular baby names in 1941

In the year 1941, the state of South Dakota saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for babies. Mary, a classic name with biblical roots, was the most popular name for baby girls, followed closely by Sharon and Karen. These names reflect the timeless elegance of traditional names that have been popular for generations.

For baby boys, the top names were James, Robert, and Richard. These names also have a strong historical significance and are still popular today. The popularity of these names in 1941 South Dakota highlights the enduring appeal of classic names that have stood the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in South dakota in 1941

In South Dakota in the year 1941, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with a total of 216 babies given that name. The next four most popular names were Sharon (182), Karen (142), Carol (138), and Judy (136).

Mary

216 baby girls born in South dakota (1941) 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.
Sharon

182 baby girls born in South dakota (1941) named Sharon
The name Sharon means "a plain or flat area" in Hebrew. It is also a biblical name, referring to a fertile plain near the coast of Israel.
Karen

142 baby girls born in South dakota (1941) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Carol

138 baby girls born in South dakota (1941) named Carol
The name Carol is derived from the Old Germanic word "karl", which means "man" or "free man". It is often associated with the Christmas season due to the popular Christmas carol "Carol of the Bells".
Judy

136 baby girls born in South dakota (1941) named Judy
Barbara
135 baby girls born in South dakota (1941) named Barbara
The name Barbara is of Greek origin, derived from the word "barbaros" which means foreign or strange. It was a popular name in the Middle Ages and was often given to girls born on St. Barbara's feast day. The name has been used in various cultures and languages around the world.
Patricia
123 baby girls born in South dakota (1941) named Patricia
The name Patricia is derived from the Latin word "patricius," meaning "noble" or "aristocratic." It was a popular name in the Roman Empire and later spread throughout Europe. The name is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, kindness, and leadership.
Judith
116 baby girls born in South dakota (1941) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Donna
109 baby girls born in South dakota (1941) named Donna
The name Donna is of Italian origin and means "lady" or "woman". It was initially used as a title of respect for women of high social status in Italy, but later became a popular given name in English-speaking countries.
Janice
106 baby girls born in South dakota (1941) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Joyce
85 baby girls born in South dakota (1941) named Joyce
The name Joyce is of Old French origin, derived from the name Josse, which means "lord" or "master". It was originally a masculine name but became popular as a feminine name in the 20th century. The name Joyce is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, creativity, and independence.
Shirley
83 baby girls born in South dakota (1941) named Shirley
The name Shirley is of English origin and its meaning is "bright meadow" or "bright clearing". It was originally a surname that became a popular given name in the 19th century.
Janet
73 baby girls born in South dakota (1941) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Linda
69 baby girls born in South dakota (1941) named Linda
The name Linda means "beautiful" or "pretty" in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and other Romance languages. It is also derived from the Germanic word "lind," which means "gentle" or "soft."
Betty
66 baby girls born in South dakota (1941) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Sandra
65 baby girls born in South dakota (1941) named Sandra
The name Sandra is a variant of the name Alexandra, which is of Greek origin. The name Alexandra means "defender of mankind" or "protector of humanity". Therefore, it can be inferred that the name Sandra has a similar meaning.
Dorothy
64 baby girls born in South dakota (1941) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Gloria
62 baby girls born in South dakota (1941) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.
Marilyn
62 baby girls born in South dakota (1941) named Marilyn
The name Marilyn is a combination of the names Mary and Lynn. The name Mary means "bitter" or "rebellious" in Hebrew, while Lynn means "lake" or "waterfall" in English. Therefore, the name Marilyn could be interpreted as "bitter lake" or "rebellious waterfall".
Beverly
62 baby girls born in South dakota (1941) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".

Most popular baby boy names in South dakota in 1941

According to records from 1941, the most popular baby boy names in South Dakota were James, Robert, Richard, Larry, and Donald. James was the most popular name with 264 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 251 babies. Richard came in third with 217 babies, while Larry was fourth with 209 babies. Donald rounded out the top five with 178 babies given that name. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical events of the time.

James

264 baby boys born in South dakota (1941) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

251 baby boys born in South dakota (1941) 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.
Richard

217 baby boys born in South dakota (1941) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Larry

209 baby boys born in South dakota (1941) named Larry
The name Larry is a shortened form of the name Lawrence, which comes from the Latin name Laurentius meaning "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel". The name was popularized in the Middle Ages due to the fame of St. Lawrence, a Christian martyr who was roasted alive on a gridiron. The name Larry has been used as a given name since the 19th century and has been a popular name in the United States.
Donald

178 baby boys born in South dakota (1941) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
John
168 baby boys born in South dakota (1941) 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.
David
167 baby boys born in South dakota (1941) named David
The name David is of Hebrew origin and means "beloved" or "friend". It is a popular name in many cultures and religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Bible, David was the second king of Israel and is known for his bravery, leadership, and devotion to God. People with the name David are often described as confident, charismatic, and loyal.
Gary
157 baby boys born in South dakota (1941) named Gary
The name Gary is of English origin and means "spear rule" or "spear carrier". It was originally a surname but became popular as a given name in the 20th century. People with this name are believed to be independent, practical, and analytical.
Ronald
151 baby boys born in South dakota (1941) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Dennis
150 baby boys born in South dakota (1941) named Dennis
The name Dennis is of Greek origin and means "follower of Dionysius", the Greek god of wine and fertility. It was a popular name in ancient Greece and was later adopted by the Romans. The name has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history.
William
130 baby boys born in South dakota (1941) 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.
Roger
99 baby boys born in South dakota (1941) named Roger
The name Roger means "famous spearman" or "renowned warrior". It is of Old German origin, derived from the words "hrod" meaning "fame" and "ger" meaning "spear".
Charles
99 baby boys born in South dakota (1941) 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.
Jerry
98 baby boys born in South dakota (1941) named Jerry
The name Jerry is a diminutive form of the name Gerald or Gerard, which means "ruler with a spear" or "brave with a spear" respectively. It is of Old German origin.
Kenneth
95 baby boys born in South dakota (1941) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Thomas
80 baby boys born in South dakota (1941) named Thomas
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.
Dale
64 baby boys born in South dakota (1941) named Dale
The name Dale means valley or dale, which is a piece of land between hills or mountains. It is of Old English origin and is often used as a masculine given name.
Gerald
63 baby boys born in South dakota (1941) named Gerald
The name Gerald means "ruler with a spear" or "rule of the spear". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobles.
Wayne
57 baby boys born in South dakota (1941) named Wayne
The name Wayne means "wagon maker" or "wagon driver". It has Old English origins and was originally a surname before becoming a first name.
Michael
53 baby boys born in South dakota (1941) named Michael
The name Michael means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that is often associated with the archangel Michael, who is considered to be a protector and warrior in many religious traditions. The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.