South dakota's most popular baby names in 1946

In the year 1946, the state of South Dakota welcomed a generation of babies with some of the most popular names of the time. Mary topped the list of baby girl names, followed by Linda and Sharon. These names were popular not only in South Dakota but all across America. Mary, in particular, had been a popular name for centuries, and its timeless appeal continued to make it a top choice for parents.

For baby boys, Robert was the most popular name in South Dakota in 1946. James and Richard followed closely behind. These classic names were also widely used throughout the United States during this time period. Parents often chose these names for their sons because of their strong, timeless qualities. Even today, many parents continue to choose these names for their newborns, keeping the tradition alive.

Most popular baby girl names in South dakota in 1946

In South Dakota in the year 1946, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with 300 occurrences. Linda came in second with 193 occurrences, followed by Sharon with 178 occurrences. Carol and Patricia were also popular names with 177 and 169 occurrences respectively.

Mary

300 baby girls born in South dakota (1946) 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.
Linda

193 baby girls born in South dakota (1946) 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."
Sharon

178 baby girls born in South dakota (1946) 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

177 baby girls born in South dakota (1946) 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".
Patricia

169 baby girls born in South dakota (1946) 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
157 baby girls born in South dakota (1946) named Judy
Sandra
149 baby girls born in South dakota (1946) 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.
Barbara
148 baby girls born in South dakota (1946) 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.
Karen
125 baby girls born in South dakota (1946) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Donna
104 baby girls born in South dakota (1946) 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.
Diane
98 baby girls born in South dakota (1946) 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".
Nancy
96 baby girls born in South dakota (1946) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Judith
93 baby girls born in South dakota (1946) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Shirley
91 baby girls born in South dakota (1946) 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.
Bonnie
88 baby girls born in South dakota (1946) 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.
Cheryl
88 baby girls born in South dakota (1946) 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.
Kathleen
85 baby girls born in South dakota (1946) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Susan
85 baby girls born in South dakota (1946) named Susan
The name Susan means "lily" or "graceful lily" in Hebrew. It was a popular name in the 1940s and 1950s, but has since declined in popularity.
Janice
84 baby girls born in South dakota (1946) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Betty
80 baby girls born in South dakota (1946) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

Most popular baby boy names in South dakota in 1946

In South Dakota in 1946, the most popular names for baby boys were Robert, James, Richard, David, and John. Robert was the most popular name with 326 babies given that name, followed closely by James with 323 babies. Richard came in third with 287 babies named that, followed by David with 242 babies and John with 222 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical events of the time.

Robert

326 baby boys born in South dakota (1946) 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

323 baby boys born in South dakota (1946) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard

287 baby boys born in South dakota (1946) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
David

242 baby boys born in South dakota (1946) 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.
John

222 baby boys born in South dakota (1946) 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
216 baby boys born in South dakota (1946) 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.
Gary
204 baby boys born in South dakota (1946) 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
200 baby boys born in South dakota (1946) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Larry
197 baby boys born in South dakota (1946) 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.
Michael
149 baby boys born in South dakota (1946) 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.
Donald
141 baby boys born in South dakota (1946) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Kenneth
131 baby boys born in South dakota (1946) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Thomas
130 baby boys born in South dakota (1946) 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.
William
124 baby boys born in South dakota (1946) 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
117 baby boys born in South dakota (1946) 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
88 baby boys born in South dakota (1946) 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
87 baby boys born in South dakota (1946) 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.
Douglas
84 baby boys born in South dakota (1946) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Paul
82 baby boys born in South dakota (1946) 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.
Terry
73 baby boys born in South dakota (1946) named Terry
The name Terry is a unisex name of English origin, derived from the name Terence. The meaning of the name Terry is "smooth, tender".