South dakota's most popular baby names in 1981

In the year 1981, South Dakota saw an influx of new parents naming their baby girls Jennifer, Jessica, and Sarah. These three names dominated the charts as the most popular baby girl names in the state. Jennifer held the top spot, followed closely by Jessica and Sarah. These timeless names have continued to remain popular over the years and are still commonly used today.

For baby boys, Joshua, Matthew, and Michael were the top choices for parents in South Dakota. Joshua took the lead as the most popular baby boy name, followed by Matthew and Michael. These names have also stood the test of time and remain popular choices for parents today. It's interesting to see how certain names have remained popular over the years, while others have fallen out of favor.

Most popular baby girl names in South dakota in 1981

In 1981, the top five most popular baby girl names in South Dakota were Jennifer, Jessica, Sarah, Amanda, and Melissa. Jennifer was the most popular name with 202 babies given that name, followed closely by Jessica with 187 babies. Sarah came in third place with 130 babies named that, while Amanda and Melissa rounded out the top five with 122 and 114 babies respectively. These names were likely inspired by popular culture and trends of the time, and may still be popular choices for parents today.

Jennifer

202 baby girls born in South dakota (1981) 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

187 baby girls born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Sarah

130 baby girls born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Amanda

122 baby girls born in South dakota (1981) 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

114 baby girls born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Nicole
93 baby girls born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Amber
92 baby girls born in South dakota (1981) 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
89 baby girls born in South dakota (1981) named Sara
The name Sara means "princess" or "noblewoman" in Hebrew.
Heather
80 baby girls born in South dakota (1981) 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
80 baby girls born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Rebecca
76 baby girls born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Erin
73 baby girls born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Elizabeth
72 baby girls born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Angela
67 baby girls born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Stephanie
61 baby girls born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Laura
58 baby girls born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Lisa
57 baby girls born in South dakota (1981) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Jamie
50 baby girls born in South dakota (1981) 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".
Katie
50 baby girls born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Michelle
49 baby girls born in South dakota (1981) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in South dakota in 1981

According to the records of the most popular baby boy names in South Dakota in 1981, the top five names were Joshua, Matthew, Michael, Christopher, and Justin. Joshua was the most popular name with 203 babies given that name, followed closely by Matthew with 189 babies. Michael came in third with 184 babies named after him, while Christopher and Justin followed closely with 166 and 164 babies respectively. These names were the most popular choices for parents of baby boys in South Dakota during that year.

Joshua

203 baby boys born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Matthew

189 baby boys born in South dakota (1981) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Michael

184 baby boys born in South dakota (1981) 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

166 baby boys born in South dakota (1981) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Justin

164 baby boys born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Ryan
153 baby boys born in South dakota (1981) 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
150 baby boys born in South dakota (1981) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Eric
112 baby boys born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Jesse
109 baby boys born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Daniel
103 baby boys born in South dakota (1981) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
John
102 baby boys born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Joseph
102 baby boys born in South dakota (1981) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Dustin
102 baby boys born in South dakota (1981) named Dustin
The name Dustin is of Old Norse origin, meaning "valiant fighter" or "brave warrior". It was originally a surname, but has since become a popular given name for boys.
Jeremy
100 baby boys born in South dakota (1981) named Jeremy
The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".
David
97 baby boys born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Adam
94 baby boys born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Nicholas
92 baby boys born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Travis
92 baby boys born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Brian
91 baby boys born in South dakota (1981) 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.
Andrew
88 baby boys born in South dakota (1981) named Andrew
The name Andrew means "manly" or "warrior" and is of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek name Andreas, which comes from the word "andrós" meaning "man". Andrew is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and is often used in Christian traditions due to the apostle Andrew being one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ.