South dakota's most popular baby names in 1979

In the year 1979, the state of South Dakota witnessed a surge of babies being named after popular figures and celebrities. The most popular baby girl names of the year were Jennifer, Jessica, and Melissa. These names were inspired by the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Lange, and Melissa Sue Anderson, who were all making waves in the entertainment industry during that time.

On the other hand, the top baby boy names of 1979 in South Dakota were Matthew, Michael, and Jason. These names were also influenced by popular figures such as Matthew Broderick, Michael J. Fox, and Jason Bateman, who were all household names in the entertainment industry. The year 1979 saw a trend of parents choosing names that were familiar and relatable, yet unique enough to stand out.

Most popular baby girl names in South dakota in 1979

In South Dakota in 1979, the most popular baby girl name was Jennifer, with 244 babies given this name. Following closely behind were Jessica with 133 babies, Melissa with 132 babies, Amanda with 128 babies, and Angela with 107 babies. These names were the top five most popular names for baby girls born in South Dakota that year.

Jennifer

244 baby girls born in South dakota (1979) 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

133 baby girls born in South dakota (1979) 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.
Melissa

132 baby girls born in South dakota (1979) 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.
Amanda

128 baby girls born in South dakota (1979) 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.
Angela

107 baby girls born in South dakota (1979) 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
106 baby girls born in South dakota (1979) 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.
Amy
101 baby girls born in South dakota (1979) 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.
Sarah
92 baby girls born in South dakota (1979) 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.
Nicole
83 baby girls born in South dakota (1979) 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
82 baby girls born in South dakota (1979) 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.
Rebecca
79 baby girls born in South dakota (1979) 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.
Lisa
76 baby girls born in South dakota (1979) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Jamie
71 baby girls born in South dakota (1979) named Jamie
The name Jamie is a unisex name of English origin. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to be a diminutive form of James or Jacob, which means "supplanter" or "holder of the heel".
Amber
67 baby girls born in South dakota (1979) 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.
Sara
58 baby girls born in South dakota (1979) named Sara
The name Sara means "princess" or "noblewoman" in Hebrew.
Stephanie
56 baby girls born in South dakota (1979) 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.
Elizabeth
55 baby girls born in South dakota (1979) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Andrea
53 baby girls born in South dakota (1979) named Andrea
The name Andrea is derived from the Greek name Andreas, meaning "manly" or "warrior". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for females in English-speaking countries.
Laura
51 baby girls born in South dakota (1979) 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
50 baby girls born in South dakota (1979) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in South dakota in 1979

In South Dakota in 1979, the most popular baby boy names were Matthew, Michael, Jason, Christopher, and Joshua. Matthew was the most popular name with 197 babies given that name, followed closely by Michael with 193 babies. Jason was the third most popular name with 190 babies, followed by Christopher with 170 babies, and Joshua with 149 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends at the time.

Matthew

197 baby boys born in South dakota (1979) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Michael

193 baby boys born in South dakota (1979) 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

190 baby boys born in South dakota (1979) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Christopher

170 baby boys born in South dakota (1979) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Joshua

149 baby boys born in South dakota (1979) 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.
Ryan
134 baby boys born in South dakota (1979) 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.
Justin
124 baby boys born in South dakota (1979) 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.
Nicholas
111 baby boys born in South dakota (1979) named Nicholas
The name Nicholas is derived from the Greek name Νικόλαος (Nikolaos), which means "victory of the people". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures, and is often associated with Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, sailors, and merchants.
John
109 baby boys born in South dakota (1979) 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.
Jeremy
108 baby boys born in South dakota (1979) named Jeremy
The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".
Brian
105 baby boys born in South dakota (1979) 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.
Travis
104 baby boys born in South dakota (1979) 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.
Eric
102 baby boys born in South dakota (1979) 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.
David
102 baby boys born in South dakota (1979) 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.
Aaron
102 baby boys born in South dakota (1979) 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.
James
101 baby boys born in South dakota (1979) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Adam
94 baby boys born in South dakota (1979) named Adam
The name Adam is of Hebrew origin and means "man" or "earth". It is also the name of the first man created by God in the Bible.
Daniel
93 baby boys born in South dakota (1979) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Robert
83 baby boys born in South dakota (1979) 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.
Nathan
75 baby boys born in South dakota (1979) 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.