South dakota's most popular baby names in 1986

In the year 1986, the state of South Dakota witnessed a surge of new parents naming their baby girls Ashley, Amanda, and Jessica. These three names dominated the baby girl naming charts and were the most popular picks of the year. Ashley, with its English origin, meaning "ash tree meadow," held the top spot, followed closely by Amanda, which means "worthy of love," and Jessica, a Hebrew name meaning "God beholds."

On the other hand, Michael, Matthew, and Christopher were the most popular baby boy names in South Dakota in 1986. Michael, a biblical name meaning "who is like God," was the most popular name of the year for boys. Matthew, meaning "gift of God," came in at a close second, followed by Christopher, which means "bearer of Christ." These classic names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents in South Dakota and across the country.

Most popular baby girl names in South dakota in 1986

In 1986, the most popular baby girl names in South Dakota were Ashley, Amanda, Jessica, Sarah, and Jennifer. Ashley was the most popular name with 175 babies given that name. Amanda and Jessica tied for the second spot with 150 babies each. Sarah followed in third place with 121 babies named Sarah, while Jennifer rounded out the top five with 107 babies given that name. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and media trends of the time.

Ashley

175 baby girls born in South dakota (1986) named Ashley
The name Ashley is of English origin and means "ash tree meadow". It is a unisex name that was originally more commonly given to boys, but has become more popular for girls in recent years.
Jessica

150 baby girls born in South dakota (1986) 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

150 baby girls born in South dakota (1986) 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.
Sarah

121 baby girls born in South dakota (1986) 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.
Jennifer

107 baby girls born in South dakota (1986) 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.
Amber
95 baby girls born in South dakota (1986) 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.
Megan
87 baby girls born in South dakota (1986) 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".
Stephanie
73 baby girls born in South dakota (1986) 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
69 baby girls born in South dakota (1986) 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.
Brittany
65 baby girls born in South dakota (1986) named Brittany
The name Brittany is derived from the region of Brittany in France. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to come from the Latin word "Britannia," which means "Britain" or "of the Britons." It is also thought to be related to the Celtic word "breton," which means "from Brittany." The name is commonly given to girls in English-speaking countries.
Melissa
65 baby girls born in South dakota (1986) 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.
Emily
60 baby girls born in South dakota (1986) 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.
Nicole
60 baby girls born in South dakota (1986) 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.
Katie
58 baby girls born in South dakota (1986) 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.
Samantha
57 baby girls born in South dakota (1986) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Kayla
57 baby girls born in South dakota (1986) named Kayla
The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.
Danielle
57 baby girls born in South dakota (1986) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Heather
55 baby girls born in South dakota (1986) 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
54 baby girls born in South dakota (1986) 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.
Laura
54 baby girls born in South dakota (1986) 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 1986

According to the data from 1986, the most popular baby boy names in South Dakota were Michael, Matthew, Christopher, Tyler, and Ryan. Michael was the most popular name, with 189 babies given that name. Matthew came in second with 159 babies named that, followed by Christopher with 142 babies. Tyler and Ryan were the fourth and fifth most popular names, with 130 and 122 babies given those names, respectively.

Michael

189 baby boys born in South dakota (1986) 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.
Matthew

159 baby boys born in South dakota (1986) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Christopher

142 baby boys born in South dakota (1986) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Tyler

130 baby boys born in South dakota (1986) named Tyler
The name Tyler is of English origin, and its meaning is "maker of tiles". It is derived from an occupational surname for a person who made or laid tiles. The name Tyler gained popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, and it has remained a popular name for boys.
Ryan

122 baby boys born in South dakota (1986) 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.
Joshua
120 baby boys born in South dakota (1986) 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.
Andrew
115 baby boys born in South dakota (1986) 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.
Daniel
109 baby boys born in South dakota (1986) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Kyle
101 baby boys born in South dakota (1986) named Kyle
The name Kyle is of Scottish origin and means "narrow strait". It is a unisex name, but more commonly given to boys. People with this name are often described as confident, charismatic, and adventurous.
Justin
91 baby boys born in South dakota (1986) 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.
Adam
90 baby boys born in South dakota (1986) 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
85 baby boys born in South dakota (1986) 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.
John
85 baby boys born in South dakota (1986) 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.
Brandon
84 baby boys born in South dakota (1986) named Brandon
The name Brandon is of English origin and is derived from the Old English words "brom" meaning "broom" or "gorse" and "dun" meaning "hill". Therefore, the name Brandon means "hill covered in broom or gorse".
Joseph
77 baby boys born in South dakota (1986) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Eric
74 baby boys born in South dakota (1986) 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.
Robert
72 baby boys born in South dakota (1986) 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.
Jason
71 baby boys born in South dakota (1986) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Nicholas
67 baby boys born in South dakota (1986) 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.
Aaron
66 baby boys born in South dakota (1986) 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.