South dakota's most popular baby names in 1974

In the year 1974, South Dakota was buzzing with excitement as new parents welcomed their little bundles of joy into the world. The most popular baby names for girls that year were Jennifer, Amy, and Heather. These names were all the rage across the state, with parents drawn to their classic charm and timeless appeal.

For baby boys, the top names of the year were Jason, Michael, and Christopher. These names were equally popular, with parents drawn to their strong and masculine sound. Whether you were looking for a name that was traditional or trendy, South Dakota had plenty of options to choose from in 1974.

Most popular baby girl names in South dakota in 1974

In 1974, the most popular baby girl names in South Dakota were Jennifer, Amy, Heather, Angela, and Michelle. Jennifer was the most popular name with 221 babies given that name, followed by Amy with 121, Heather with 100, Angela with 91, and Michelle with 86. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends at the time.

Jennifer

221 baby girls born in South dakota (1974) named Jennifer
The name Jennifer is of Welsh origin and means "fair and smooth". It was first used as a given name in the United States in the 20th century and became very popular in the 1970s and 1980s.
Amy

121 baby girls born in South dakota (1974) named Amy
The name Amy means "beloved" or "dearly loved" in French and Latin. It is a popular name for girls and has been used since the Middle Ages.
Heather

100 baby girls born in South dakota (1974) named Heather
The name Heather is of English origin and is derived from the name of a flowering plant that grows in Scotland. The name is often associated with the color purple and is said to symbolize admiration, good luck, and protection.
Angela

91 baby girls born in South dakota (1974) named Angela
The name Angela is derived from the Greek word "angelos" which means "messenger of God". It is a feminine name that has been used in various cultures and languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, and German. Angela is often associated with qualities such as kindness, compassion, and grace.
Michelle

86 baby girls born in South dakota (1974) named Michelle
Michelle is a feminine given name of French origin. The name means "who is like God" or "gift from God." It is a variation of the name Michael, which comes from Hebrew and means "who is like God." The name Michelle has been used in English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century and has gained popularity over time.
Melissa
82 baby girls born in South dakota (1974) named Melissa
The name Melissa is derived from the Greek word "melissa," which means "honey bee." It was a popular name in ancient Greece and is often associated with sweetness and industriousness.
Lisa
79 baby girls born in South dakota (1974) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Nicole
77 baby girls born in South dakota (1974) named Nicole
Nicole is a feminine given name of Greek origin, meaning "victory of the people". It is a popular name in English-speaking countries and has been in use since the 1930s.
Kimberly
66 baby girls born in South dakota (1974) 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
65 baby girls born in South dakota (1974) 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".
Sarah
61 baby girls born in South dakota (1974) named Sarah
The name Sarah means "princess" in Hebrew. It is a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with grace, beauty, and kindness.
Stephanie
59 baby girls born in South dakota (1974) named Stephanie
The name Stephanie is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a feminine name that has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 20th century.
Rebecca
57 baby girls born in South dakota (1974) named Rebecca
Rebecca means "captivating" or "knotted cord" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau in the Old Testament.
Julie
50 baby girls born in South dakota (1974) 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".
Stacy
45 baby girls born in South dakota (1974) named Stacy
The name Stacy is of English origin and means "resurrection" or "to rise again". It is often used as a unisex name and has been popular in the United States since the mid-20th century.
Susan
44 baby girls born in South dakota (1974) 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.
Carrie
41 baby girls born in South dakota (1974) named Carrie
The name Carrie is a diminutive form of the name Caroline or Carol, which are derived from the Old Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or "manly". The name Carrie has been in use since the 19th century and has been popular in the United States.
Tina
39 baby girls born in South dakota (1974) named Tina
The name Tina is a diminutive form of Christina, which is derived from the Greek name Christos, meaning "anointed one" or "follower of Christ." Therefore, the name Tina can be interpreted as "follower of Christ" or "anointed one."
Sara
38 baby girls born in South dakota (1974) named Sara
The name Sara means "princess" or "noblewoman" in Hebrew.
Shannon
38 baby girls born in South dakota (1974) named Shannon
The name Shannon is of Irish origin and is derived from the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland. The name means "wise river" or "old river". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.

Most popular baby boy names in South dakota in 1974

In South Dakota, 1974, the most popular baby boy names were Jason with 249 occurrences, followed by Michael with 191 occurrences, Christopher with 160 occurrences, Chad with 158 occurrences, and Brian with 117 occurrences.

Jason

249 baby boys born in South dakota (1974) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Michael

191 baby boys born in South dakota (1974) 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.
Christopher

160 baby boys born in South dakota (1974) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Chad

158 baby boys born in South dakota (1974) named Chad
The name Chad means "warrior" or "battle" and has Old English origins.
Brian

117 baby boys born in South dakota (1974) 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.
Ryan
115 baby boys born in South dakota (1974) named Ryan
The name Ryan is of Irish origin and means "little king" or "illustrious". It is a popular name for boys in English-speaking countries.
Matthew
112 baby boys born in South dakota (1974) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
John
105 baby boys born in South dakota (1974) 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.
Scott
103 baby boys born in South dakota (1974) 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.
David
102 baby boys born in South dakota (1974) 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
98 baby boys born in South dakota (1974) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Steven
84 baby boys born in South dakota (1974) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Mark
83 baby boys born in South dakota (1974) 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.
Eric
83 baby boys born in South dakota (1974) named Eric
The name Eric is of Scandinavian origin and means "eternal ruler" or "ruler of all". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures.
Jeffrey
77 baby boys born in South dakota (1974) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Jeremy
75 baby boys born in South dakota (1974) named Jeremy
The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".
Travis
75 baby boys born in South dakota (1974) named Travis
The name Travis is of English origin, and its meaning is "crossing or tollgate". It was originally an occupational name for someone who collected tolls at a bridge or river crossing.
William
71 baby boys born in South dakota (1974) 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
71 baby boys born in South dakota (1974) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Robert
67 baby boys born in South dakota (1974) 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.