South dakota's most popular baby names in 1950

In the year 1950, South Dakota saw a surge of new parents giving their newborns classic and timeless names. The top baby girl names of the year were Linda, Mary, and Barbara, while the top baby boy names were David, Robert, and James.

Linda, which means "pretty" or "beautiful" in Spanish, was the most popular name for baby girls in South Dakota in 1950. Mary, a name with biblical origins, was a close second, followed by Barbara, meaning "stranger" or "foreigner." For baby boys, David, meaning "beloved," was the most popular name, followed by Robert, meaning "bright fame," and James, meaning "supplanter." These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in South dakota in 1950

In 1950, the most popular baby girl name in South Dakota was Linda, with 394 babies given this name. Mary was the second most popular name, with 338 babies named Mary. Barbara came in third with 236 babies named Barbara. Patricia and Sandra rounded out the top five with 197 and 196 babies given those names, respectively.

Linda

394 baby girls born in South dakota (1950) 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."
Mary

338 baby girls born in South dakota (1950) 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.
Barbara

236 baby girls born in South dakota (1950) 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

197 baby girls born in South dakota (1950) 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.
Sandra

196 baby girls born in South dakota (1950) 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.
Nancy
173 baby girls born in South dakota (1950) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Susan
170 baby girls born in South dakota (1950) 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.
Carol
169 baby girls born in South dakota (1950) 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".
Kathleen
156 baby girls born in South dakota (1950) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Sharon
123 baby girls born in South dakota (1950) 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.
Diane
122 baby girls born in South dakota (1950) 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".
Donna
121 baby girls born in South dakota (1950) 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.
Karen
114 baby girls born in South dakota (1950) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Janet
93 baby girls born in South dakota (1950) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Judy
87 baby girls born in South dakota (1950) named Judy
Pamela
87 baby girls born in South dakota (1950) named Pamela
The name Pamela is of Greek origin and means "all sweetness" or "honeyed". It was first popularized by Sir Philip Sidney in his pastoral romance "Arcadia" (1590) and later by Samuel Richardson in his novel "Pamela" (1740).
Cheryl
87 baby girls born in South dakota (1950) 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.
Deborah
86 baby girls born in South dakota (1950) named Deborah
Deborah is a Hebrew name that means "bee". It is derived from the Hebrew word "d'vorah" which also means "word" or "thing". The name Deborah is often associated with strength, wisdom, and leadership, as the biblical Deborah was a judge and prophetess who led the Israelites to victory over their enemies.
Judith
82 baby girls born in South dakota (1950) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Cynthia
80 baby girls born in South dakota (1950) named Cynthia
The name Cynthia means "moon goddess" or "from Mount Kynthos" in Greek. It is also associated with the Greek mythological figure Artemis, who was known as the goddess of the hunt and the moon. The name Cynthia has been in use since ancient times and has remained relatively popular throughout history.

Most popular baby boy names in South dakota in 1950

In South Dakota in 1950, the most popular baby boy names were David, Robert, James, Michael, and John. David was the most popular name with 403 babies given that name, followed by Robert with 353, James with 337, Michael with 316, and John with 293. These classic and timeless names have remained popular choices for baby boys for many years.

David

403 baby boys born in South dakota (1950) 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.
Robert

353 baby boys born in South dakota (1950) 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

337 baby boys born in South dakota (1950) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Michael

316 baby boys born in South dakota (1950) 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.
John

293 baby boys born in South dakota (1950) 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
252 baby boys born in South dakota (1950) 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.
Richard
244 baby boys born in South dakota (1950) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
213 baby boys born in South dakota (1950) 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.
Dennis
200 baby boys born in South dakota (1950) 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.
Ronald
187 baby boys born in South dakota (1950) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
William
186 baby boys born in South dakota (1950) 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.
Steven
177 baby boys born in South dakota (1950) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Larry
176 baby boys born in South dakota (1950) 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
154 baby boys born in South dakota (1950) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Douglas
151 baby boys born in South dakota (1950) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Daniel
136 baby boys born in South dakota (1950) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Kenneth
132 baby boys born in South dakota (1950) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Charles
126 baby boys born in South dakota (1950) 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.
Roger
124 baby boys born in South dakota (1950) 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".
Gregory
119 baby boys born in South dakota (1950) named Gregory
The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".