South dakota's most popular baby names in 1961

In the year 1961, South Dakota saw a rise in popularity of some classic names for baby girls. Lori, Mary, and Brenda were among the top choices for parents. Lori, meaning "crowned with laurel," was a popular pick for its simplicity and elegance. Mary, a timeless name with biblical roots, remained a favorite among parents for its traditional charm. Brenda, meaning "sword," added a touch of strength and power to the list of top baby girl names.

For baby boys, David, Mark, and Michael were the most popular choices in South Dakota. David, meaning "beloved," has been a classic name for centuries and continues to be a popular choice among parents. Mark, meaning "warlike," added a touch of masculinity and strength to the list of top baby boy names. Michael, meaning "who is like God," was a popular biblical name that added a sense of spirituality and reverence to the list of top baby boy names in South Dakota in 1961.

Most popular baby girl names in South dakota in 1961

In 1961, the most popular baby girl names in South Dakota were Lori, Mary, Brenda, Lisa, and Julie. Lori was the most commonly chosen name with 211 babies being given that name, followed by Mary with 187, Brenda with 163, Lisa with 162, and Julie with 157. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Lori

211 baby girls born in South dakota (1961) 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.
Mary

187 baby girls born in South dakota (1961) 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.
Brenda

163 baby girls born in South dakota (1961) 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.
Lisa

162 baby girls born in South dakota (1961) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Julie

157 baby girls born in South dakota (1961) 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".
Susan
144 baby girls born in South dakota (1961) 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.
Linda
130 baby girls born in South dakota (1961) 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
114 baby girls born in South dakota (1961) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Debra
113 baby girls born in South dakota (1961) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Patricia
108 baby girls born in South dakota (1961) 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.
Nancy
104 baby girls born in South dakota (1961) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Pamela
101 baby girls born in South dakota (1961) 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).
Kimberly
94 baby girls born in South dakota (1961) named Kimberly
The name Kimberly means "from the wood of the royal forest" or "royal fortress meadow". It is of Old English origin and was first used as a given name in the 1940s.
Dawn
88 baby girls born in South dakota (1961) 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".
Teresa
86 baby girls born in South dakota (1961) named Teresa
The name Teresa is derived from the Greek name Therasia, which means "harvester" or "reaper". It has also been associated with the Spanish word "teresa", meaning "to harvest". The name has been popularized by Saint Teresa of Avila, a Spanish mystic and writer who lived in the 16th century. The name is commonly given to girls and is of Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian origin.
Sandra
86 baby girls born in South dakota (1961) 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
85 baby girls born in South dakota (1961) 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".
Barbara
83 baby girls born in South dakota (1961) 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.
Donna
81 baby girls born in South dakota (1961) 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.
Kathy
76 baby girls born in South dakota (1961) 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 1961

In 1961, the most popular baby boy names in South Dakota were David, Mark, Michael, James, and Kevin. David was the most popular name with 328 babies given that name, followed by Mark with 284, Michael with 262, James with 228, and Kevin with 206. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and traditional family names.

David

328 baby boys born in South dakota (1961) 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

284 baby boys born in South dakota (1961) 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.
Michael

262 baby boys born in South dakota (1961) 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.
James

228 baby boys born in South dakota (1961) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Kevin

206 baby boys born in South dakota (1961) 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
198 baby boys born in South dakota (1961) 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.
Todd
194 baby boys born in South dakota (1961) named Todd
The name Todd is of English origin and means "fox". It was originally a surname before becoming a first name.
Scott
190 baby boys born in South dakota (1961) 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.
Robert
188 baby boys born in South dakota (1961) 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.
Steven
166 baby boys born in South dakota (1961) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Jeffrey
163 baby boys born in South dakota (1961) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Timothy
159 baby boys born in South dakota (1961) 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
149 baby boys born in South dakota (1961) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Brian
130 baby boys born in South dakota (1961) 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.
Richard
125 baby boys born in South dakota (1961) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
112 baby boys born in South dakota (1961) 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
112 baby boys born in South dakota (1961) 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.
Douglas
111 baby boys born in South dakota (1961) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Gary
109 baby boys born in South dakota (1961) 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
99 baby boys born in South dakota (1961) 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.