South dakota's most popular baby names in 2012

South Dakota, located in the Midwestern region of the United States, is known for its vast prairies, scenic landscapes, and friendly people. In 2012, the state welcomed a new generation of little South Dakotans, with parents choosing from a variety of popular baby names.

For baby girls, Emma, Harper, and Sophia topped the list of most popular names. Emma, a classic name meaning "universal," has been a popular choice for years, while Harper, a name of English origin meaning "harp player," has gained popularity in recent years. Sophia, a name of Greek origin meaning "wisdom," has also been a consistently popular choice for parents. For baby boys, Liam, Mason, and Jacob were the most popular names. Liam, a name of Irish origin meaning "strong-willed warrior," has risen in popularity in recent years, while Mason, a name of English origin meaning "worker in stone," has been a consistently popular choice. Jacob, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter," has been a traditional and popular choice for parents for many years.

Most popular baby girl names in South dakota in 2012

In 2012, the most popular baby girl names in South Dakota were Emma, Harper, Sophia, Olivia, and Ava. Emma was the most popular name with 62 babies given that name, followed closely by Harper with 57 babies. Sophia, Olivia, and Ava rounded out the top five with 52, 49, and 45 babies given those names, respectively.

Emma

62 baby girls born in South dakota (2012) named Emma
The name Emma is of German origin and means "universal" or "whole". It is a popular name in many countries and has been used since medieval times. The name has been associated with strength, beauty, and intelligence.
Harper

57 baby girls born in South dakota (2012) named Harper
Harper is a unisex name of English origin. Its meaning is "harp player" or "one who plays the harp". It was originally a surname but has gained popularity as a given name in recent years.
Sophia

52 baby girls born in South dakota (2012) named Sophia
The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek.
Olivia

49 baby girls born in South dakota (2012) named Olivia
The name Olivia is of Latin origin and means "olive tree". It is a feminine name that has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 18th century. The olive tree is a symbol of peace and fertility, and the name Olivia has been associated with these qualities.
Ava

45 baby girls born in South dakota (2012) named Ava
The name Ava is of uncertain origin and meaning. It is believed to possibly be a variation of the name Eve or a shortened form of the name Aveline. Some sources suggest that it may also have Germanic roots and mean "desired" or "life" in Hebrew. However, the true meaning of the name Ava remains unknown.
Ella
43 baby girls born in South dakota (2012) named Ella
The name Ella is of German origin and means "all, completely; fairy maiden". It is a short form of the name Eleanor or Ellen.
Isabella
37 baby girls born in South dakota (2012) named Isabella
The name Isabella is of Italian and Spanish origin and means "God is my oath" or "devoted to God". It is a variant of the name Elizabeth.
Zoey
35 baby girls born in South dakota (2012) named Zoey
The name Zoey means "life" or "alive" and has Greek origins.
Addison
34 baby girls born in South dakota (2012) named Addison
The name Addison is of English origin and means "son of Adam". It is a unisex name that has become more popular as a girl's name in recent years.
Avery
34 baby girls born in South dakota (2012) named Avery
The name Avery is of English origin and has multiple meanings. It can mean "ruler of the elves" or "wise". It is a unisex name, meaning it can be given to both boys and girls.
Brooklyn
34 baby girls born in South dakota (2012) named Brooklyn
Brooklyn is a unisex name of American origin. It is derived from the name of the borough in New York City, which was named after the Dutch village Breukelen. The meaning of the name is unknown, but it is believed to have originated from the Dutch words "breuk" meaning "broken" and "land" meaning "land". The name Brooklyn has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially in the United States.
Grace
33 baby girls born in South dakota (2012) named Grace
The name Grace means "elegance" or "charm" and is derived from the Latin word "gratia". It is often associated with the Christian concept of divine grace, which is the unmerited favor and love of God towards humanity. The name has been popular for centuries and is still commonly used today.
Amelia
32 baby girls born in South dakota (2012) named Amelia
The name Amelia is of Latin origin and means "work of the Lord" or "industrious".
Abigail
29 baby girls born in South dakota (2012) named Abigail
The name Abigail means "my father's joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew.
Chloe
29 baby girls born in South dakota (2012) named Chloe
The name Chloe means "young green shoot" or "blooming" in Greek. It is a popular name for girls and has been used in various cultures throughout history.
Natalie
29 baby girls born in South dakota (2012) named Natalie
The name Natalie is of Latin origin and means "birthday of the Lord" or "born on Christmas day". It is a feminine name that has been popular since the 19th century.
Hannah
28 baby girls born in South dakota (2012) named Hannah
The name Hannah means "grace" or "favor" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by the mother of the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament. The name has been popular among Christians for centuries and is still commonly used today.
Elizabeth
28 baby girls born in South dakota (2012) 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.
Layla
27 baby girls born in South dakota (2012) named Layla
The name Layla means "night" or "dark beauty."
Emily
27 baby girls born in South dakota (2012) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in South dakota in 2012

According to data from 2012, Liam was the most popular baby boy name in South Dakota with 72 occurrences. Following Liam were Mason with 65 occurrences, Jacob with 59 occurrences, Owen with 54 occurrences, and William with 53 occurrences. These names were the top 5 most popular baby boy names in South Dakota during that year.

Liam

72 baby boys born in South dakota (2012) named Liam
The name Liam is of Irish origin and is a shortened form of the name Uilliam, which is the Irish version of the name William. The name Liam means "strong-willed warrior" or "protector".
Mason

65 baby boys born in South dakota (2012) named Mason
The name Mason is of English origin and means "worker in stone". It is often associated with the occupation of stonemasonry and is a popular surname that has been used as a first name since the 19th century. The name has a strong and masculine sound to it and is often chosen for boys.
Jacob

59 baby boys born in South dakota (2012) named Jacob
The name Jacob means "supplanter" or "holder of the heel" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by one of the patriarchs of the Old Testament.
Owen

54 baby boys born in South dakota (2012) named Owen
The name Owen is of Welsh origin and means "young warrior" or "well-born". It is a popular name in Wales and has become increasingly popular in other English-speaking countries.
William

53 baby boys born in South dakota (2012) named William
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
Noah
52 baby boys born in South dakota (2012) named Noah
The name Noah is of Hebrew origin and means "rest" or "comfort". It is famously associated with the biblical character who built an ark to save his family and animals from a great flood.
Logan
51 baby boys born in South dakota (2012) named Logan
The name Logan is of Scottish origin and means "small hollow" or "little hollow". It is derived from the Gaelic word "lagan", which refers to a small valley or hollow.
Jack
46 baby boys born in South dakota (2012) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Carter
45 baby boys born in South dakota (2012) named Carter
The name Carter is of English origin and means "one who transports goods by cart". It is a surname that has been used as a given name since the 19th century. It is a popular name for boys in the United States.
Michael
43 baby boys born in South dakota (2012) 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.
Ethan
41 baby boys born in South dakota (2012) named Ethan
The name Ethan means "firm, strong, enduring" and is of Hebrew origin.
Bentley
40 baby boys born in South dakota (2012) named Bentley
The name Bentley is of English origin and is derived from a place name, meaning "clearing covered with bent grass".
Eli
39 baby boys born in South dakota (2012) named Eli
The name Eli is of Hebrew origin and means "ascended" or "my God". It is a short form of the name Elijah and is often used as a standalone name.
Jackson
39 baby boys born in South dakota (2012) named Jackson
The name Jackson is of English origin and means "son of Jack". It is a common surname that has been used as a first name since the 19th century.
Cooper
39 baby boys born in South dakota (2012) named Cooper
The name Cooper is of English origin and is an occupational surname given to someone who made or repaired wooden vessels such as barrels, buckets, and tubs. The name is derived from the Middle English word "couper," which means "barrel maker." As a first name, Cooper has become increasingly popular in recent years and is often associated with qualities such as hard work, craftsmanship, and reliability.
Isaac
39 baby boys born in South dakota (2012) named Isaac
The name Isaac means "laughter" in Hebrew. It is derived from the word "tsachaq" which means to laugh or rejoice. The name Isaac is most commonly associated with the biblical figure Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah. According to the Bible, Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age and his birth was seen as a miracle. The name Isaac has been a popular name for boys for centuries and is still commonly used today.
Easton
38 baby boys born in South dakota (2012) named Easton
The name Easton is of English origin and means "east-facing place". It is derived from the Old English words "east" meaning "east" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement".
Blake
35 baby boys born in South dakota (2012) named Blake
The name Blake is of Old English origin and means "black" or "dark". It was originally used to describe someone with dark hair or complexion. The name has also been associated with the word "blake" meaning "bright" or "shining". Overall, the meaning of the name Blake is somewhat ambiguous and can be interpreted in different ways.
Henry
35 baby boys born in South dakota (2012) named Henry
The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.
James
35 baby boys born in South dakota (2012) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".