South dakota's most popular baby names in 1978

In the year 1978, South Dakota welcomed a new generation of babies with some of the most popular names of the time. For baby girls, Jennifer and Jessica were the top choices among parents, followed closely by Amy. These names were not only widely used in South Dakota, but also across the United States, reflecting the national trends of the era.

For baby boys, Michael was the most popular name in South Dakota in 1978, followed by Jason and Ryan. These names were also among the top choices for parents nationwide, highlighting the influence of popular culture and media on naming trends. Whether inspired by celebrities, family traditions, or personal preferences, the names chosen for babies in South Dakota during this time period reflect the unique cultural and social context of the state and the country as a whole.

Most popular baby girl names in South dakota in 1978

According to the data from 1978, Jennifer was the most popular baby girl name in South Dakota with 215 occurrences, followed by Jessica with 143 occurrences. The third most popular name was Amy with 119 occurrences, and Melissa and Sarah tied for fourth place with 105 occurrences each. These were the top 5 baby girl names in South Dakota in 1978.

Jennifer

215 baby girls born in South dakota (1978) 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.
Jessica

143 baby girls born in South dakota (1978) 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.
Amy

119 baby girls born in South dakota (1978) 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.
Melissa

105 baby girls born in South dakota (1978) 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

105 baby girls born in South dakota (1978) 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.
Angela
103 baby girls born in South dakota (1978) 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.
Heather
93 baby girls born in South dakota (1978) 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.
Rebecca
88 baby girls born in South dakota (1978) 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.
Nicole
81 baby girls born in South dakota (1978) 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.
Michelle
75 baby girls born in South dakota (1978) 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.
Stephanie
75 baby girls born in South dakota (1978) 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.
Sara
72 baby girls born in South dakota (1978) named Sara
The name Sara means "princess" or "noblewoman" in Hebrew.
Amber
68 baby girls born in South dakota (1978) named Amber
The name Amber is derived from the fossilized tree resin of the same name. It is believed to originate from the Arabic word "anbar," which means ambergris or amber. The name is often associated with the color of the gemstone, which ranges from a pale yellow to a deep orange-brown. The name Amber has been used for both boys and girls, but it is more commonly given to girls. The name is often associated with warmth, light, and energy.
Jill
64 baby girls born in South dakota (1978) named Jill
The name Jill is a diminutive form of the name Jillian, which is of Latin origin. The meaning of the name Jill is "youthful" or "childlike".
Amanda
63 baby girls born in South dakota (1978) 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.
Lisa
59 baby girls born in South dakota (1978) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Erin
55 baby girls born in South dakota (1978) named Erin
The name Erin is of Irish origin and means "peace" or "Ireland". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.
Kimberly
54 baby girls born in South dakota (1978) 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.
Kelly
54 baby girls born in South dakota (1978) named Kelly
The name Kelly is of Irish origin and means "bright-headed" or "warrior". It is a unisex name, meaning it can be given to both boys and girls. The name has been popularized by its use as a surname and has been used as a given name since the 20th century.
Laura
53 baby girls born in South dakota (1978) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in South dakota in 1978

In South Dakota in 1978, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, Jason, Ryan, Christopher, and Matthew. Michael was the most popular name with 207 babies given that name, followed by Jason with 176, Ryan with 173, Christopher with 157, and Matthew with 155. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends at the time.

Michael

207 baby boys born in South dakota (1978) 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.
Jason

176 baby boys born in South dakota (1978) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Ryan

173 baby boys born in South dakota (1978) 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.
Christopher

157 baby boys born in South dakota (1978) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Matthew

155 baby boys born in South dakota (1978) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Jeremy
149 baby boys born in South dakota (1978) named Jeremy
The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".
Joshua
124 baby boys born in South dakota (1978) 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.
Justin
121 baby boys born in South dakota (1978) 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.
David
101 baby boys born in South dakota (1978) 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.
Brian
101 baby boys born in South dakota (1978) 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.
Eric
95 baby boys born in South dakota (1978) 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.
John
92 baby boys born in South dakota (1978) 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.
Robert
92 baby boys born in South dakota (1978) 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
91 baby boys born in South dakota (1978) 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.
Nathan
85 baby boys born in South dakota (1978) 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.
Chad
84 baby boys born in South dakota (1978) named Chad
The name Chad means "warrior" or "battle" and has Old English origins.
Daniel
83 baby boys born in South dakota (1978) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
James
83 baby boys born in South dakota (1978) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Timothy
75 baby boys born in South dakota (1978) 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.
Aaron
74 baby boys born in South dakota (1978) named Aaron
The name Aaron means "mountain of strength" or "enlightened" and is of Hebrew origin. It is a biblical name, borne by the brother of Moses in the Old Testament. Aaron is a popular name for boys in many cultures.