South dakota's most popular baby names in 1942

In the year 1942, the state of South Dakota saw a surge of babies being named after popular figures and family members. Mary, a timeless classic, topped the list of most popular baby girl names in the state. Sharon and Karen were also among the top choices for parents looking for elegant and feminine names for their little girls.

On the other hand, for baby boys, Robert was the most popular name in South Dakota in 1942. James and Larry followed closely behind, making for a strong and traditional trio of names. These names reflect the values and trends of the time, while also remaining popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in South dakota in 1942

According to records from 1942, the most popular baby girl names in South Dakota were Mary, Sharon, Karen, Carol, and Barbara. Mary was the most popular name, with 225 babies given that name. Sharon came in second, with 202 babies named that, followed closely by Karen with 193. Carol and Barbara rounded out the top five, with 167 and 128 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and trends of the time.

Mary

225 baby girls born in South dakota (1942) 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

202 baby girls born in South dakota (1942) 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

193 baby girls born in South dakota (1942) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Carol

167 baby girls born in South dakota (1942) 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".
Barbara

128 baby girls born in South dakota (1942) 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.
Judy
125 baby girls born in South dakota (1942) named Judy
Patricia
112 baby girls born in South dakota (1942) 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.
Shirley
103 baby girls born in South dakota (1942) 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.
Sandra
102 baby girls born in South dakota (1942) 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.
Donna
100 baby girls born in South dakota (1942) 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
99 baby girls born in South dakota (1942) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Janet
88 baby girls born in South dakota (1942) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Linda
75 baby girls born in South dakota (1942) 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."
Judith
74 baby girls born in South dakota (1942) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Betty
71 baby girls born in South dakota (1942) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Joyce
71 baby girls born in South dakota (1942) 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.
Beverly
69 baby girls born in South dakota (1942) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Bonnie
68 baby girls born in South dakota (1942) named Bonnie
The name Bonnie means "pretty" or "good" and is of Scottish origin. It is often used as a nickname for someone who is attractive or pleasant.
Marilyn
62 baby girls born in South dakota (1942) 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".
Dorothy
61 baby girls born in South dakota (1942) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".

Most popular baby boy names in South dakota in 1942

In South Dakota in 1942, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, James, Larry, Richard, and John. Robert was the most popular name with 262 babies given that name, followed closely by James with 254 babies. Larry was the third most popular name with 213 babies, followed by Richard with 200 babies, and John with 180 babies. These names were likely chosen for their traditional and classic sound, as well as their popularity at the time.

Robert

262 baby boys born in South dakota (1942) 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.
James

254 baby boys born in South dakota (1942) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Larry

213 baby boys born in South dakota (1942) 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.
Richard

200 baby boys born in South dakota (1942) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

180 baby boys born in South dakota (1942) 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.
Dennis
177 baby boys born in South dakota (1942) 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.
David
164 baby boys born in South dakota (1942) 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.
Donald
159 baby boys born in South dakota (1942) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
157 baby boys born in South dakota (1942) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Gary
151 baby boys born in South dakota (1942) 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.
William
125 baby boys born in South dakota (1942) 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
123 baby boys born in South dakota (1942) 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".
Douglas
94 baby boys born in South dakota (1942) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Jerry
92 baby boys born in South dakota (1942) 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.
Thomas
90 baby boys born in South dakota (1942) 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.
Kenneth
89 baby boys born in South dakota (1942) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Charles
84 baby boys born in South dakota (1942) 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.
Gerald
76 baby boys born in South dakota (1942) 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.
Michael
60 baby boys born in South dakota (1942) 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.
Paul
50 baby boys born in South dakota (1942) 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.