South dakota's most popular baby names in 1976

In the year 1976, the state of South Dakota saw a surge in popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Jennifer, Amy, and Heather were the most popular choices, while for baby boys, Jason, Michael, and Christopher topped the charts. These names were not only trendy but also timeless, as they continue to be popular even today.

The name Jennifer, which means "white wave" in Welsh, was the most popular name for baby girls in South Dakota in 1976. The name Amy, which means "beloved" in Latin, was a close second, followed by Heather, which means "a flowering plant." For baby boys, the name Jason, which means "healer" in Greek, was the most popular, followed by Michael, which means "who is like God," and Christopher, which means "bearer of Christ." These names reflect the cultural and religious influences of the time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in South dakota in 1976

In South Dakota in 1976, the most popular baby girl name was Jennifer with 220 babies given that name. The next most popular names were Amy with 141, Heather with 127, Angela with 109, and Melissa with 105. These were the top five names for baby girls in South Dakota that year.

Jennifer

220 baby girls born in South dakota (1976) 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

141 baby girls born in South dakota (1976) 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

127 baby girls born in South dakota (1976) 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

109 baby girls born in South dakota (1976) 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.
Melissa

105 baby girls born in South dakota (1976) 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.
Sarah
93 baby girls born in South dakota (1976) 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.
Jessica
81 baby girls born in South dakota (1976) named Jessica
The name Jessica is of Hebrew origin and means "God beholds" or "God sees". It is derived from the name Yiskah in the Old Testament, which was the name of a daughter of Haran and sister of Milcah and Iscah. The name Jessica has been in use since the 16th century and became popular in the 20th century.
Michelle
73 baby girls born in South dakota (1976) 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.
Nicole
72 baby girls born in South dakota (1976) 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.
Stephanie
65 baby girls born in South dakota (1976) 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.
Lisa
63 baby girls born in South dakota (1976) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Sara
61 baby girls born in South dakota (1976) named Sara
The name Sara means "princess" or "noblewoman" in Hebrew.
Rebecca
61 baby girls born in South dakota (1976) 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.
Laura
58 baby girls born in South dakota (1976) named Laura
The name Laura is of Latin origin and means "bay laurel". It was a symbol of victory and honor in ancient Rome. The name has been popular in many countries and cultures throughout history.
Kimberly
55 baby girls born in South dakota (1976) 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.
Heidi
51 baby girls born in South dakota (1976) named Heidi
The name Heidi is of German origin and means "of noble birth" or "noble and serene". It is a diminutive form of the name Adelheid.
Amanda
48 baby girls born in South dakota (1976) named Amanda
The name Amanda is of Latin origin, meaning "lovable" or "worthy of love". It was first used as a name in the 17th century and became popular in the 19th century. The name is often associated with kindness, compassion, and a friendly personality.
Julie
48 baby girls born in South dakota (1976) 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".
Carrie
45 baby girls born in South dakota (1976) 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.
Shannon
44 baby girls born in South dakota (1976) 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 1976

In South Dakota, 1976, the most popular baby boy names were Jason with 262 occurrences, followed by Michael with 188 occurrences, Christopher with 154 occurrences, Ryan with 147 occurrences, and Matthew with 134 occurrences. These names were the top 5 most chosen names for baby boys during that year in South Dakota.

Jason

262 baby boys born in South dakota (1976) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Michael

188 baby boys born in South dakota (1976) 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

154 baby boys born in South dakota (1976) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Ryan

147 baby boys born in South dakota (1976) 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

134 baby boys born in South dakota (1976) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Chad
131 baby boys born in South dakota (1976) named Chad
The name Chad means "warrior" or "battle" and has Old English origins.
Jeremy
116 baby boys born in South dakota (1976) named Jeremy
The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".
David
109 baby boys born in South dakota (1976) 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.
Eric
102 baby boys born in South dakota (1976) 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.
Brian
101 baby boys born in South dakota (1976) 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.
Joshua
92 baby boys born in South dakota (1976) named Joshua
The name Joshua means "God is salvation" or "Yahweh is salvation" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name and was the name of one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan. Joshua later became the successor to Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land.
Scott
90 baby boys born in South dakota (1976) 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.
John
87 baby boys born in South dakota (1976) 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.
Daniel
85 baby boys born in South dakota (1976) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Robert
80 baby boys born in South dakota (1976) 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.
Travis
78 baby boys born in South dakota (1976) 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.
James
78 baby boys born in South dakota (1976) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Jeffrey
70 baby boys born in South dakota (1976) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Justin
70 baby boys born in South dakota (1976) named Justin
The name Justin is of Latin origin and means "just, upright, righteous." It was a popular name among early Christians and has been used throughout history by various notable figures.
Nathan
67 baby boys born in South dakota (1976) named Nathan
The name Nathan means "gift of God" or "God has given" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by a prophet in the Old Testament.