South dakota's most popular baby names in 1982

In the year 1982, South Dakota saw a rise in popularity of traditional names for baby girls. Jennifer, Jessica, and Sarah were among the top picks for parents, each with their own unique charm. Jennifer, meaning "white wave," was a timeless choice that had been popular for decades. Jessica, meaning "God beholds," had gained popularity in the 1960s and 70s due to its association with the Shakespearean character in "The Merchant of Venice." Sarah, meaning "princess," was a classic name with biblical roots.

For baby boys, parents in South Dakota favored names with strong biblical ties and timeless appeal. Matthew, meaning "gift of God," was a popular choice that had been in use for centuries. Joshua, meaning "the Lord is my salvation," was also a biblical name that had been steadily gaining popularity since the 1970s. Christopher, meaning "bearer of Christ," was a traditional name that had been in use since the Middle Ages. These names reflect the values and preferences of parents in South Dakota in 1982, and continue to be popular choices for families today.

Most popular baby girl names in South dakota in 1982

According to the data for 1982, Jennifer was the most popular baby girl name in South Dakota with 213 babies receiving that name. The second and third most popular names were Jessica and Sarah with 196 and 161 babies receiving those names respectively. Amanda and Melissa were also popular names with 146 and 98 babies receiving those names respectively.

Jennifer

213 baby girls born in South dakota (1982) 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

196 baby girls born in South dakota (1982) 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

161 baby girls born in South dakota (1982) 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

146 baby girls born in South dakota (1982) 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

98 baby girls born in South dakota (1982) 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.
Angela
97 baby girls born in South dakota (1982) 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.
Nicole
97 baby girls born in South dakota (1982) 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
95 baby girls born in South dakota (1982) 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.
Amy
83 baby girls born in South dakota (1982) 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
82 baby girls born in South dakota (1982) 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.
Elizabeth
73 baby girls born in South dakota (1982) 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.
Erin
72 baby girls born in South dakota (1982) 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.
Emily
68 baby girls born in South dakota (1982) named Emily
The name Emily means "rival" or "industrious" and is of Latin origin. It became popular in the 19th century and is still a commonly used name today.
Heather
67 baby girls born in South dakota (1982) 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.
Michelle
67 baby girls born in South dakota (1982) 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.
Sara
61 baby girls born in South dakota (1982) named Sara
The name Sara means "princess" or "noblewoman" in Hebrew.
Lisa
59 baby girls born in South dakota (1982) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Jamie
57 baby girls born in South dakota (1982) 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".
Stephanie
56 baby girls born in South dakota (1982) 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
53 baby girls born in South dakota (1982) 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 1982

In South Dakota, 1982, Matthew was the most popular baby boy name with 194 occurrences. Joshua came in second with 184 occurrences, followed by Christopher with 174 occurrences. Michael was the fourth most popular name with 159 occurrences, and Jason rounded out the top five with 144 occurrences.

Matthew

194 baby boys born in South dakota (1982) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Joshua

184 baby boys born in South dakota (1982) 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.
Christopher

174 baby boys born in South dakota (1982) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Michael

159 baby boys born in South dakota (1982) 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

144 baby boys born in South dakota (1982) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Justin
143 baby boys born in South dakota (1982) 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
142 baby boys born in South dakota (1982) 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.
Adam
114 baby boys born in South dakota (1982) 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.
David
104 baby boys born in South dakota (1982) 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
99 baby boys born in South dakota (1982) 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.
Robert
99 baby boys born in South dakota (1982) 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.
Dustin
97 baby boys born in South dakota (1982) 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.
Nicholas
95 baby boys born in South dakota (1982) 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.
Daniel
95 baby boys born in South dakota (1982) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
James
95 baby boys born in South dakota (1982) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Andrew
93 baby boys born in South dakota (1982) 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.
Joseph
88 baby boys born in South dakota (1982) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
John
85 baby boys born in South dakota (1982) 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
82 baby boys born in South dakota (1982) named Jeremy
The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".
Travis
80 baby boys born in South dakota (1982) 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.