South dakota's most popular baby names in 1944

In the year 1944, South Dakota witnessed a surge in popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Sharon, and Carol were the top three names for baby girls, while James, Robert, and Richard were the top three names for baby boys. These names were a reflection of the cultural and societal trends of the time, as parents often chose names that were popular and traditional.

Mary, a timeless classic, was the most popular name for baby girls in South Dakota in 1944. Sharon and Carol, both names that were gaining popularity in the mid-20th century, followed closely behind. For baby boys, James, Robert, and Richard were the top choices, reflecting a preference for traditional and strong-sounding names. These names continue to be popular today, proving that some names truly stand the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in South dakota in 1944

Based on the data from South Dakota in 1944, Mary was the most popular baby girl name with 273 occurrences. Following Mary, the next four most popular names were Sharon with 181 occurrences, Carol with 161 occurrences, Karen with 143 occurrences, and Barbara with 135 occurrences. These were the top five names given to baby girls in South Dakota during that year.

Mary

273 baby girls born in South dakota (1944) 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

181 baby girls born in South dakota (1944) 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.
Carol

161 baby girls born in South dakota (1944) 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".
Karen

143 baby girls born in South dakota (1944) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Barbara

135 baby girls born in South dakota (1944) 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
135 baby girls born in South dakota (1944) 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.
Judy
128 baby girls born in South dakota (1944) named Judy
Linda
124 baby girls born in South dakota (1944) 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."
Donna
115 baby girls born in South dakota (1944) 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.
Sandra
113 baby girls born in South dakota (1944) 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.
Judith
106 baby girls born in South dakota (1944) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Betty
92 baby girls born in South dakota (1944) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Shirley
84 baby girls born in South dakota (1944) 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.
Janice
81 baby girls born in South dakota (1944) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Nancy
78 baby girls born in South dakota (1944) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Janet
73 baby girls born in South dakota (1944) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Diane
70 baby girls born in South dakota (1944) named Diane
Diane is a feminine given name of French origin. The name is derived from the Roman goddess Diana, who was the goddess of hunting, the moon, and childbirth. The name Diane means "divine" or "heavenly".
Marilyn
66 baby girls born in South dakota (1944) 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".
Cheryl
66 baby girls born in South dakota (1944) named Cheryl
The name Cheryl is of English origin and its meaning is uncertain. It is believed to have been derived from the French name Cherie, which means "darling" or "beloved". However, some sources suggest that it may have originated from the Welsh name Ceinlys, which means "beautiful". The name Cheryl was most popular in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s.
Margaret
64 baby girls born in South dakota (1944) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

Most popular baby boy names in South dakota in 1944

In 1944, the most popular baby boy names in South Dakota were James, Robert, Richard, Larry, and John. James was the most popular name with 281 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 256 babies. Richard came in third with 224 babies, while Larry and John rounded out the top five with 200 and 190 babies respectively.

James

281 baby boys born in South dakota (1944) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

256 baby boys born in South dakota (1944) 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

224 baby boys born in South dakota (1944) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Larry

200 baby boys born in South dakota (1944) 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.
John

190 baby boys born in South dakota (1944) 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.
Gary
187 baby boys born in South dakota (1944) 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.
David
173 baby boys born in South dakota (1944) 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.
Dennis
173 baby boys born in South dakota (1944) 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
166 baby boys born in South dakota (1944) 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.
Donald
143 baby boys born in South dakota (1944) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
135 baby boys born in South dakota (1944) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Roger
129 baby boys born in South dakota (1944) 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".
Thomas
113 baby boys born in South dakota (1944) 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
98 baby boys born in South dakota (1944) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Charles
94 baby boys born in South dakota (1944) 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.
Michael
88 baby boys born in South dakota (1944) 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.
Jerry
86 baby boys born in South dakota (1944) 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.
Dale
70 baby boys born in South dakota (1944) 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 (1944) 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.
George
55 baby boys born in South dakota (1944) 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.