South dakota's most popular baby names in 1957

In the year 1957, the state of South Dakota saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the top names were Debra, Mary, and Cynthia. These names were not only popular in South Dakota, but across the United States as well. Debra, in particular, had been rising in popularity since the 1940s and was a top name choice for parents throughout the 1950s.

For baby boys, the top names in South Dakota were Michael, David, and Mark. These names were also popular across the country and continue to be popular today. Michael, in particular, has been a top name choice for boys for many decades and is still a popular name choice for parents today. Overall, the year 1957 saw some classic and timeless baby names being chosen by parents in South Dakota.

Most popular baby girl names in South dakota in 1957

In 1957, the most popular baby girl names in South Dakota were Debra, Mary, Cynthia, Susan, and Cindy. Debra was the most popular name with 243 baby girls given that name, closely followed by Mary with 239. Cynthia was the third most popular name with 188 baby girls given that name, while Susan and Cindy rounded out the top five with 162 and 157 baby girls respectively. These names were likely chosen for their popularity and traditional sound.

Debra

243 baby girls born in South dakota (1957) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Mary

239 baby girls born in South dakota (1957) 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.
Cynthia

188 baby girls born in South dakota (1957) 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.
Susan

162 baby girls born in South dakota (1957) 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.
Cindy

157 baby girls born in South dakota (1957) named Cindy
The name Cindy is a diminutive form of the name Cynthia, which means "moon goddess" in Greek. It is also sometimes considered a nickname for the name Lucinda, which means "light" in Spanish.
Karen
149 baby girls born in South dakota (1957) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Julie
146 baby girls born in South dakota (1957) named Julie
The name Julie is a French name that means "youthful" or "full of energy". It is derived from the Latin name Julia, which means "soft-haired" or "youthful".
Linda
135 baby girls born in South dakota (1957) 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."
Nancy
134 baby girls born in South dakota (1957) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Pamela
133 baby girls born in South dakota (1957) 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
122 baby girls born in South dakota (1957) 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
115 baby girls born in South dakota (1957) 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.
Brenda
110 baby girls born in South dakota (1957) named Brenda
The name Brenda is of Old Norse origin and means "sword" or "torch". It was popularized in the 20th century as a given name, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom.
Sandra
108 baby girls born in South dakota (1957) 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.
Lori
103 baby girls born in South dakota (1957) named Lori
The name Lori is a short form of the name Lorraine or Laurence. Its origin and meaning are uncertain, but it is believed to have French or Latin roots. Some sources suggest that it may mean "crowned with laurel" or "victorious." However, the exact meaning of the name Lori remains unknown.
Cheryl
101 baby girls born in South dakota (1957) 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.
Carol
100 baby girls born in South dakota (1957) 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".
Diane
95 baby girls born in South dakota (1957) 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
95 baby girls born in South dakota (1957) 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.
Deborah
94 baby girls born in South dakota (1957) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in South dakota in 1957

In 1957, Michael was the most popular baby boy name in South Dakota with 340 babies being named Michael. David came in second with 317 babies, followed by Mark with 268 babies, James with 255 babies, and Steven with 229 babies. These were the top five most popular names for baby boys in South Dakota in 1957.

Michael

340 baby boys born in South dakota (1957) 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

317 baby boys born in South dakota (1957) 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.
Mark

268 baby boys born in South dakota (1957) 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.
James

255 baby boys born in South dakota (1957) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Steven

229 baby boys born in South dakota (1957) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Robert
208 baby boys born in South dakota (1957) 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
206 baby boys born in South dakota (1957) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John
198 baby boys born in South dakota (1957) 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.
Kevin
193 baby boys born in South dakota (1957) named Kevin
The name Kevin is of Irish origin and means "handsome" or "gentle birth". It is derived from the Irish name Caoimhín, which is composed of the Gaelic words "caomh" meaning "kind" or "gentle" and "gin" meaning "birth".
Douglas
157 baby boys born in South dakota (1957) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Thomas
154 baby boys born in South dakota (1957) 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.
Timothy
151 baby boys born in South dakota (1957) named Timothy
The name Timothy is of Greek origin and means "honoring God" or "one who honors God". It is derived from the Greek name Timotheos, which is a combination of the words "timao" meaning to honor and "theos" meaning God.
Daniel
138 baby boys born in South dakota (1957) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Donald
132 baby boys born in South dakota (1957) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Gary
129 baby boys born in South dakota (1957) 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
129 baby boys born in South dakota (1957) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Randy
124 baby boys born in South dakota (1957) 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.
William
112 baby boys born in South dakota (1957) 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.
Scott
106 baby boys born in South dakota (1957) named Scott
The name Scott is of Scottish origin and means "from Scotland" or "wanderer". It is a common surname that has been used as a first name since the 19th century.
Terry
106 baby boys born in South dakota (1957) 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".