South dakota's most popular baby names in 1954

In the year 1954, the state of South Dakota saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Debra, and Linda were among the most popular names for baby girls, while Michael, David, and James were the top choices for baby boys.

Mary, a timeless classic, has been a popular name for baby girls for centuries. Debra, a name of Hebrew origin, means "bee" and has been a popular choice since the 1950s. Linda, which means "pretty" or "beautiful" in Spanish, was also a top choice for parents in South Dakota in 1954. On the other hand, Michael, David, and James were popular names for baby boys, each with their own unique meanings and origins. 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 1954

In South Dakota in 1954, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with 338 babies given that name. Following closely behind were Debra with 262, Linda with 229, Susan with 211, and Karen with 173. These five names were the most commonly chosen for baby girls in that year in South Dakota.

Mary

338 baby girls born in South dakota (1954) 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.
Debra

262 baby girls born in South dakota (1954) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Linda

229 baby girls born in South dakota (1954) 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."
Susan

211 baby girls born in South dakota (1954) 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.
Karen

173 baby girls born in South dakota (1954) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Pamela
157 baby girls born in South dakota (1954) 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).
Patricia
154 baby girls born in South dakota (1954) 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.
Barbara
154 baby girls born in South dakota (1954) 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.
Cynthia
151 baby girls born in South dakota (1954) 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.
Nancy
149 baby girls born in South dakota (1954) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Sandra
128 baby girls born in South dakota (1954) 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.
Carol
124 baby girls born in South dakota (1954) 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
120 baby girls born in South dakota (1954) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Deborah
120 baby girls born in South dakota (1954) 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.
Donna
108 baby girls born in South dakota (1954) 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.
Sharon
96 baby girls born in South dakota (1954) 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.
Cheryl
91 baby girls born in South dakota (1954) 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.
Janet
86 baby girls born in South dakota (1954) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Diane
77 baby girls born in South dakota (1954) 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".
Connie
75 baby girls born in South dakota (1954) named Connie
The name Connie is a diminutive form of the name Constance, which is derived from the Latin word "constantia" meaning "steadfastness" or "constancy". The name Connie is often used as a standalone name and can also be a nickname for other names such as Constance, Constanza, or Conrad.

Most popular baby boy names in South dakota in 1954

In South Dakota in 1954, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, David, James, Steven, and Robert. Michael was the most popular name with 374 babies given that name, followed closely by David with 335 babies. James was the third most popular name with 317 babies, while Steven and Robert rounded out the top five with 292 and 248 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and traditional family names.

Michael

374 baby boys born in South dakota (1954) 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.
David

335 baby boys born in South dakota (1954) 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.
James

317 baby boys born in South dakota (1954) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Steven

292 baby boys born in South dakota (1954) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Robert

248 baby boys born in South dakota (1954) 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.
Mark
233 baby boys born in South dakota (1954) named Mark
The name Mark is derived from the Latin name "Marcus" which means "dedicated to Mars", the Roman god of war. It is a popular name among Christians as it is the name of one of the four Gospel writers in the New Testament. The name Mark is also associated with qualities such as courage, strength, and leadership.
John
226 baby boys born in South dakota (1954) 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
219 baby boys born in South dakota (1954) 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
206 baby boys born in South dakota (1954) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
201 baby boys born in South dakota (1954) 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.
Douglas
175 baby boys born in South dakota (1954) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
William
163 baby boys born in South dakota (1954) 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.
Daniel
145 baby boys born in South dakota (1954) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Ronald
144 baby boys born in South dakota (1954) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Larry
140 baby boys born in South dakota (1954) 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
127 baby boys born in South dakota (1954) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Randy
126 baby boys born in South dakota (1954) named Randy
The name Randy is a shortened form of the name Randall, which means "shield wolf" in Old English. It is also sometimes used as a nickname for the name Randolph.
Dennis
122 baby boys born in South dakota (1954) 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.
Kenneth
109 baby boys born in South dakota (1954) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
109 baby boys born in South dakota (1954) 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.