South dakota's most popular baby names in 1959

In the year 1959, South Dakota saw a surge in popularity for traditional and biblical names for newborns. Mary, a classic name with religious roots, topped the list for baby girls. Following closely behind were Susan and Debra, both names that were highly popular during the mid-twentieth century.

For baby boys, David was the most popular name in South Dakota in 1959. This timeless name has been a favorite for generations and continues to be a popular choice today. Michael and Mark also made the top three, reflecting a trend towards short and simple names for boys during this time period. Overall, these names represent a snapshot of the cultural and historical influences on baby naming trends in South Dakota during the late 1950s.

Most popular baby girl names in South dakota in 1959

In South Dakota in 1959, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with 226 babies given that name. Susan was the second most popular name with 200 babies named Susan. Debra was the third most popular name with 174 babies named Debra. Julie was the fourth most popular name with 169 babies named Julie. Linda was the fifth most popular name with 156 babies named Linda.

Mary

226 baby girls born in South dakota (1959) 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.
Susan

200 baby girls born in South dakota (1959) 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.
Debra

174 baby girls born in South dakota (1959) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Julie

169 baby girls born in South dakota (1959) 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".
Lori

156 baby girls born in South dakota (1959) 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.
Linda
156 baby girls born in South dakota (1959) 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."
Karen
125 baby girls born in South dakota (1959) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Nancy
120 baby girls born in South dakota (1959) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Barbara
115 baby girls born in South dakota (1959) 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.
Pamela
113 baby girls born in South dakota (1959) 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).
Cynthia
108 baby girls born in South dakota (1959) 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.
Patricia
106 baby girls born in South dakota (1959) 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.
Cindy
106 baby girls born in South dakota (1959) 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.
Cheryl
101 baby girls born in South dakota (1959) 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.
Brenda
99 baby girls born in South dakota (1959) 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.
Donna
95 baby girls born in South dakota (1959) 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
95 baby girls born in South dakota (1959) 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".
Dawn
90 baby girls born in South dakota (1959) named Dawn
The name Dawn means "the first appearance of light, daybreak" and is often given to girls born at or around sunrise. It is derived from the Old English word "dagian" which means "to become day".
Debbie
89 baby girls born in South dakota (1959) named Debbie
The name Debbie is a diminutive form of the name Deborah. It is of Hebrew origin and means "bee".
Kathy
89 baby girls born in South dakota (1959) named Kathy
The name Kathy is a diminutive form of the name Katherine, which means "pure" or "clear". It is of Greek origin and has been a popular name in English-speaking countries since the 19th century.

Most popular baby boy names in South dakota in 1959

According to the records of South Dakota in 1959, the most popular baby boy names were David, Michael, Mark, Robert, and James. David was the most popular name with 358 babies given this name, followed by Michael with 291, Mark with 289, Robert with 242, and James with 225. These names were the top choices for parents in South Dakota during that year.

David

358 baby boys born in South dakota (1959) 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.
Michael

291 baby boys born in South dakota (1959) 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.
Mark

289 baby boys born in South dakota (1959) 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.
Robert

242 baby boys born in South dakota (1959) 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

225 baby boys born in South dakota (1959) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Steven
182 baby boys born in South dakota (1959) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Kevin
180 baby boys born in South dakota (1959) 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".
John
178 baby boys born in South dakota (1959) 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.
Richard
169 baby boys born in South dakota (1959) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Timothy
165 baby boys born in South dakota (1959) 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.
Scott
151 baby boys born in South dakota (1959) 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.
William
144 baby boys born in South dakota (1959) 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.
Brian
140 baby boys born in South dakota (1959) named Brian
The name Brian is of Irish origin and means "strong, virtuous, and honorable". It is a popular name for boys in Ireland and has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages.
Douglas
139 baby boys born in South dakota (1959) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Thomas
134 baby boys born in South dakota (1959) 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.
Daniel
131 baby boys born in South dakota (1959) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Jeffrey
130 baby boys born in South dakota (1959) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Randy
117 baby boys born in South dakota (1959) 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.
Gary
109 baby boys born in South dakota (1959) 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.
Paul
105 baby boys born in South dakota (1959) 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.