Most popular boy names in the 50s in South Dakota

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May 22, 2026
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Most popular boy names in the 50s in South Dakota

Perhaps no decade in US history conjures up more imagery of all-American idealism than the 1950s. A politically conservative era, the '50s introduced the world to some of the most enduring cultural touchstones of the USA: milkshakes, Elvis Presley, "I Love Lucy," and sock-hops. One might imagine classic American kids named Jimmy and Susie splitting a hot-fudge sundae at a local soda shop鈥攁nd you'd actually be historically accurate. James and Susan were in fact two of the most popular names of the decade.

compiled a list of the most popular baby names for boys in the 50s in South Dakota using data from the . Names are ranked by number of babies born.

Keep reading to see if your name made the list.

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#30. Scott

Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 781
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 4,787 (#5 most common name, data not available compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 111,814 (#36 most common name)

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#29. Bruce

Bruce is a name of Scottish origin meaning "from the brushwood thicket".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 832
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 4,787 (#5 most common name, data not available compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 136,459 (#32 most common name)

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#28. Dale

Dale is a name of English origin meaning "valley".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 894
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 4,787 (#5 most common name, data not available compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 75,560 (#49 most common name)

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#27. Jeffrey

Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 930
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 4,787 (#5 most common name, data not available compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 184,663 (#24 most common name)

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#26. Paul

Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 979
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 48 (#221 (tie) most common name, -95.1% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 253,191 (#17 most common name)

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#25. Roger

Roger is a name of German origin meaning "famous spearman".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,008
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 48 (#221 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 110,156 (#37 most common name)

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#24. Gregory

Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,009
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 5 (#518 most common name, -99.5% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 178,453 (#26 most common name)

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#23. Kenneth

Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,015
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 40 (#247 most common name, -96.1% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 262,822 (#16 most common name)

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#22. Charles

Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,053
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 217 (#41 (tie) most common name, -79.4% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 361,178 (#10 most common name)

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#21. Terry

Terry is a name of German origin meaning "power of the tribe".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,082
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 217 (#41 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 140,720 (#29 most common name)

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#20. Randy

Randy is a name of Norse origin meaning "shield-wolf".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,082
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 217 (#41 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 120,514 (#33 most common name)

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#19. Kevin

Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,090
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 27 (#290 (tie) most common name, -97.5% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 158,998 (#27 most common name)

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#18. Timothy

Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,206
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 46 (#229 (tie) most common name, -96.2% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 198,322 (#22 most common name)

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#17. Dennis

Dennis is a name of Greek origin meaning "follower of Dionysius".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,213
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 46 (#229 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 204,267 (#21 most common name)

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#16. Larry

Larry is a name of Latin origin meaning "from the place of the laurel leaves".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,254
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 46 (#229 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 245,690 (#18 most common name)

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#15. Donald

Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,283
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 46 (#229 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 273,576 (#14 most common name)

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#14. Ronald

Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,368
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 7 (#437 most common name, -99.5% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 271,146 (#15 most common name)

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#13. Daniel

Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,451
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 233 (#33 most common name, -83.9% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 243,725 (#19 most common name)

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#12. William

William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,589
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 403 (#6 most common name, -74.6% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 591,226 (#6 most common name)

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#11. Douglas

Douglas is a name of Scottish origin meaning "black water".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,609
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 403 (#6 most common name, data not available compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 148,204 (#28 most common name)

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#10. Gary

Gary is a name of English origin meaning "spearman".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,732
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 403 (#6 most common name, data not available compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 329,935 (#12 most common name)

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#9. Thomas

Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,853
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 226 (#36 most common name, -87.8% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 454,385 (#8 most common name)

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Samuel Borges Photography // Shutterstock

#8. Mark

Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,074
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 226 (#36 most common name, data not available compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 382,585 (#9 most common name)

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#7. Richard

Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,251
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 47 (#225 (tie) most common name, -97.9% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 535,453 (#7 most common name)

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#6. John

John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,274
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 162 (#69 most common name, -92.9% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 797,917 (#4 most common name)

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#5. Steven

Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,408
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 32 (#268 (tie) most common name, -98.7% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 333,657 (#11 most common name)

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#4. Robert

Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,788
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 97 (#134 most common name, -96.5% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 830,391 (#3 most common name)

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#3. James

James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,959
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 341 (#13 most common name, -88.5% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 843,776 (#1 most common name)

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#2. Michael

Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 3,347
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 251 (#29 most common name, -92.5% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 837,466 (#2 most common name)

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#1. David

David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".

South Dakota
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 3,570
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 165 (#66 (tie) most common name, -95.4% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 769,951 (#5 most common name)

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