South dakota's most popular baby names in 2016

South Dakota parents in 2016 were all about classic names with a modern twist. The most popular baby girl names were Emma, Harper, and Olivia, all of which have been climbing the charts in recent years. Emma, a name that has been popular for over a decade, took the top spot with its timeless elegance and simplicity. Harper, a name that has gained popularity due to its association with author Harper Lee, came in at a close second. Olivia, a name that has been steadily rising in popularity since the early 2000s, rounded out the top three.

For baby boys, South Dakota parents favored names that were strong and masculine, but also had a touch of modernity. Oliver, a name that has been gaining popularity in recent years, took the top spot with its classic charm. Liam, a name that has been popular for over a decade, came in at a close second. Owen, a name that has been on the rise since the early 2000s, rounded out the top three. Overall, South Dakota parents in 2016 opted for names that were both timeless and trendy, striking a perfect balance between tradition and modernity.

Most popular baby girl names in South dakota in 2016

According to the data from 2016, the most popular baby girl names in South Dakota were Emma with 66 occurrences, followed by Harper with 56, Olivia with 48, and both Ava and Charlotte with 45. These names are all classic and timeless choices that have remained popular for several years.

Emma

66 baby girls born in South dakota (2016) 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

56 baby girls born in South dakota (2016) 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.
Olivia

48 baby girls born in South dakota (2016) 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.
Charlotte

45 baby girls born in South dakota (2016) named Charlotte
Charlotte is a female given name, a female form of the male name Charlot, a diminutive of Charles. It is of French origin meaning "free man" or "petite".
Ava

45 baby girls born in South dakota (2016) 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.
Avery
42 baby girls born in South dakota (2016) 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.
Sophia
40 baby girls born in South dakota (2016) named Sophia
The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek.
Elizabeth
39 baby girls born in South dakota (2016) 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.
Nora
36 baby girls born in South dakota (2016) named Nora
The name Nora is of Irish origin and means "honor" or "light." It is a diminutive of the name Honora or Eleanor.
Evelyn
36 baby girls born in South dakota (2016) named Evelyn
The name Evelyn is of English origin and is derived from the French name Aveline, which means "hazelnut". It is also believed to have roots in the Germanic name Avelina, which means "wished-for child" or "longed-for child". Overall, the name Evelyn is associated with sweetness, charm, and grace.
Ella
34 baby girls born in South dakota (2016) 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.
Hazel
33 baby girls born in South dakota (2016) named Hazel
The name Hazel means "the hazelnut tree" or "the color hazel". It is of English origin and has been used as a name since the late 19th century. It was most popular in the United States in the 1920s and 1930s. People with this name are often associated with intelligence, creativity, and curiosity.
Grace
32 baby girls born in South dakota (2016) 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.
Quinn
31 baby girls born in South dakota (2016) named Quinn
Quinn is an Irish name that means "wise" or "intelligent".
Zoey
30 baby girls born in South dakota (2016) named Zoey
The name Zoey means "life" or "alive" and has Greek origins.
Addison
28 baby girls born in South dakota (2016) 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.
Amelia
27 baby girls born in South dakota (2016) named Amelia
The name Amelia is of Latin origin and means "work of the Lord" or "industrious".
Abigail
27 baby girls born in South dakota (2016) named Abigail
The name Abigail means "my father's joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew.
Mia
26 baby girls born in South dakota (2016) named Mia
The name Mia is of Scandinavian and Italian origin. It is derived from the Scandinavian name Maja, which means "bitter" or "sea of bitterness". In Italian, Mia means "mine" or "my".
Paisley
26 baby girls born in South dakota (2016) named Paisley
The name Paisley is of Scottish origin and is derived from the name of a town in Scotland. The meaning of the name is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated from the Old British word "baslec," which means "basilica" or "church." It is also thought to be related to the word "pais," which means "servant" or "child." Overall, the exact meaning of the name Paisley is unknown.

Most popular baby boy names in South dakota in 2016

According to data from 2016, the most popular baby boy names in South Dakota were Oliver, Liam, Owen, Grayson, and William. Oliver was the most popular name, with 66 babies given that name, followed closely by Liam with 60 babies. Owen was the third most popular name with 55 babies named that, followed by Grayson with 50 babies, and William with 49 babies. These names were likely chosen for their popularity and traditional sound.

Oliver

66 baby boys born in South dakota (2016) named Oliver
Oliver is a name of English origin, derived from the Old French name Olivier. The name is believed to mean "olive tree" or "olive branch". It has been a popular name in England since the Middle Ages and has gained popularity in other English-speaking countries over time.
Liam

60 baby boys born in South dakota (2016) 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".
Owen

55 baby boys born in South dakota (2016) 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.
Grayson

50 baby boys born in South dakota (2016) named Grayson
Grayson is a name of English origin and means "son of the steward" or "son of the grey-haired one".
William

49 baby boys born in South dakota (2016) 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.
Jackson
48 baby boys born in South dakota (2016) 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.
Lincoln
47 baby boys born in South dakota (2016) named Lincoln
The name Lincoln is derived from the Old English words "lindo" meaning "lake" and "colne" meaning "colony, settlement". Therefore, the name Lincoln can be interpreted to mean "settlement by the lake".
Hudson
42 baby boys born in South dakota (2016) named Hudson
Hudson is a name of English origin. Its meaning is "son of Hudd", where Hudd is a medieval nickname for Hugh.
Samuel
41 baby boys born in South dakota (2016) named Samuel
The name Samuel means "heard by God" or "asked of God". It is of Hebrew origin and is a biblical name. Samuel was a prophet and judge in the Old Testament of the Bible.
Benjamin
41 baby boys born in South dakota (2016) named Benjamin
The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "favored son" in Hebrew.
Logan
39 baby boys born in South dakota (2016) 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.
Levi
38 baby boys born in South dakota (2016) named Levi
The name Levi is of Hebrew origin and means "joined" or "attached". It is also associated with the biblical figure Levi, one of the 12 sons of Jacob and the patriarch of the Levites, the priestly tribe of Israel.
Carter
38 baby boys born in South dakota (2016) 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.
Noah
38 baby boys born in South dakota (2016) 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.
Jack
38 baby boys born in South dakota (2016) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".
Sawyer
38 baby boys born in South dakota (2016) named Sawyer
Sawyer is a unisex name of English origin, which means "woodcutter" or "one who saws wood".
Mason
37 baby boys born in South dakota (2016) 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.
Henry
37 baby boys born in South dakota (2016) 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.
Jaxon
35 baby boys born in South dakota (2016) named Jaxon
The name Jaxon is a modern variant of the name Jackson, which means "son of Jack". It is a combination of the name Jack, which is a diminutive of John, and the suffix "-son", which means "son of". Therefore, the name Jaxon can be interpreted to mean "son of John" or "son of Jack".
Elijah
35 baby boys born in South dakota (2016) named Elijah
The name Elijah is of Hebrew origin and means "my God is Yahweh". It is a biblical name and is associated with the prophet Elijah in the Old Testament.