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—and you'd actually be historically accurate. James and Susan were in fact two of the most popular names of the decade.

Stacker compiled a list of the most popular baby names for boys in the 50s in South Dakota using data from the Social Security Administration. 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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