South dakota's most popular baby names in 1980

In the year 1980, the state of South Dakota witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Jennifer, Jessica, and Amanda emerged as the top three baby girl names, while Michael, Justin, and Matthew were the most popular baby boy names. These names were chosen by parents across the state for their newborns, reflecting the prevailing trends of the time.

Jennifer, meaning "white wave" in Welsh, was a popular name across the United States during the 1980s. Jessica, meaning "God beholds" in Hebrew, was also a favorite among parents. Amanda, meaning "lovable" in Latin, was another name that gained popularity in the state of South Dakota. Meanwhile, Michael, meaning "who is like God" in Hebrew, continued to be a popular choice for baby boys, along with Justin, meaning "just" or "fair" in Latin, and Matthew, meaning "gift of God" in Hebrew. These names continue to be popular to this day, reflecting the enduring appeal of classic and timeless baby names.

Most popular baby girl names in South dakota in 1980

In South Dakota, the most popular baby girl names in 1980 were Jennifer, Jessica, Amanda, Melissa, and Sarah. Jennifer was the most popular name, with 222 babies given that name. Jessica and Amanda followed closely behind with 176 and 171 babies respectively. Melissa and Sarah rounded out the top five with 130 and 111 babies given those names. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends at the time.

Jennifer

222 baby girls born in South dakota (1980) 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

176 baby girls born in South dakota (1980) 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.
Amanda

171 baby girls born in South dakota (1980) 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.
Melissa

130 baby girls born in South dakota (1980) 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

111 baby girls born in South dakota (1980) 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.
Amy
110 baby girls born in South dakota (1980) 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.
Nicole
94 baby girls born in South dakota (1980) 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.
Heather
94 baby girls born in South dakota (1980) 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 (1980) 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.
Angela
86 baby girls born in South dakota (1980) 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
83 baby girls born in South dakota (1980) 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.
Erin
79 baby girls born in South dakota (1980) 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.
Amber
76 baby girls born in South dakota (1980) 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
71 baby girls born in South dakota (1980) named Sara
The name Sara means "princess" or "noblewoman" in Hebrew.
Lisa
59 baby girls born in South dakota (1980) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Stephanie
58 baby girls born in South dakota (1980) 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.
Katie
56 baby girls born in South dakota (1980) named Katie
The name Katie is a diminutive form of Katherine, which is derived from the Greek name Aikaterine. The meaning of the name is unclear, but it is thought to possibly mean "pure" or "clear". It has been a popular name in English-speaking countries since the 19th century.
Jamie
52 baby girls born in South dakota (1980) 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".
Laura
50 baby girls born in South dakota (1980) 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.
Megan
50 baby girls born in South dakota (1980) named Megan
The name Megan is of Welsh origin and means "pearl". It is a shortened version of the name Margaret, which also means "pearl".

Most popular baby boy names in South dakota in 1980

According to the data from South Dakota in 1980, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, Justin, Matthew, Joshua, and Ryan. Michael topped the list with 213 babies given that name, followed closely by Justin with 193 babies. Matthew, Joshua, and Ryan also proved to be popular choices, with 175, 169, and 166 babies given those names, respectively.

Michael

213 baby boys born in South dakota (1980) 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.
Justin

193 baby boys born in South dakota (1980) 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.
Matthew

175 baby boys born in South dakota (1980) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Joshua

169 baby boys born in South dakota (1980) 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

166 baby boys born in South dakota (1980) 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.
Jason
156 baby boys born in South dakota (1980) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Christopher
155 baby boys born in South dakota (1980) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
John
125 baby boys born in South dakota (1980) 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.
Eric
122 baby boys born in South dakota (1980) 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.
Nicholas
114 baby boys born in South dakota (1980) 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.
David
106 baby boys born in South dakota (1980) 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.
Travis
105 baby boys born in South dakota (1980) 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.
Robert
104 baby boys born in South dakota (1980) 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.
Brian
103 baby boys born in South dakota (1980) 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.
James
103 baby boys born in South dakota (1980) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Jeremy
102 baby boys born in South dakota (1980) named Jeremy
The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".
Daniel
93 baby boys born in South dakota (1980) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Nathan
92 baby boys born in South dakota (1980) 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.
Jesse
89 baby boys born in South dakota (1980) named Jesse
The name Jesse is of Hebrew origin and means "gift" or "God's gracious gift". It is a name that has been used for both boys and girls, but is more commonly used for boys.
Adam
86 baby boys born in South dakota (1980) 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.