While many women throughout history have achieved amazing things, most little girls' names are popularized by the stars of the entertainment industry: a child actress who was a beacon of hope during the Great Depression; the title of a popular song; or the name fictional characters gave their baby in a sitcom.
Stacker compiled a list of the most popular baby names for girls in the 70s in Alabama using data from the Social Security Administration. Names are ranked by number of babies born.
So why were so many parents drawn to a few popular names during this groovy decade? The answers vary from name to name but make total sense when you consider the context of the era—after all, names can tell the story of a generation. Radios blaring the melodies Fleetwood Mac may have inspired parents to name their daughters after the band's keyboardist, Christine McVie, people who came of age during the peace-and-love counterculture revolution may have been attracted to nature-inspired baby names, like Crystal, April, or Heather. Other newborns of the 1970s may have gotten their names from some of the biggest stars of the decade, like Julie Andrews or Carrie Fisher.
Keep reading to see if any familiar girls' names (or your own!) made our list.
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Canva
1 / 50Melanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "black, dark"
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,143
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 261 (#176 most common name, -77.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #56
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 53,326
Canva
2 / 50Jamie is a name of Scottish origin meaning "supplanter".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,157
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 91 (#483 most common name, -92.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,812
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
3 / 50Tara is a name of Irish origin meaning "rocky hill".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,163
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10 (#1332 (tie) most common name, -99.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,075
Rob Marmion // Shutterstock
4 / 50Stacey is a name of Greek origin meaning "resurrection".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,177
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 59,222
Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock
5 / 50Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,191
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 246 (#191 (tie) most common name, -79.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,777
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phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock
6 / 50Lori is a name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,192
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,784
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
7 / 50Leslie is a name of Scottish origin meaning "garden of holly".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,208
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 102 (#440 (tie) most common name, -91.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #70
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,816
CroMary // Shutterstock
8 / 50Tiffany is a name of Greek origin meaning "appearance of God".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,216
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 50 (#712 (tie) most common name, -95.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,151
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
9 / 50Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,242
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35 (#842 most common name, -97.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,118
Surne1shots // Shutterstock
10 / 50Monica is a name of Greek origin meaning "solitary".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,257
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 49 (#719 most common name, -96.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #45
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 61,651
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Oleggg // Shutterstock
11 / 50Stacy is a name of Greek origin meaning "fruitful or productive".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,265
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 69,911
Canva
12 / 50Crystal is a name of Latin origin meaning "Earth mineral".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,317
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 20 (#1040 most common name, -98.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 73,759
Tatyana Domnicheva // Shutterstock
13 / 50Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,321
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 121 (#371 (tie) most common name, -90.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock
14 / 50Brandy is a name of Dutch origin meaning "burnt wine".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,341
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1637 (tie) most common name, -99.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #81
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 39,953
Shyamalamuralinath // Shutterstock
15 / 50Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,367
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 192 (#246 most common name, -86.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
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Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock
16 / 50Teresa is a name of Greek origin meaning "huntress".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,368
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 45 (#755 most common name, -96.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,001
Canva
17 / 50Donna is a name of Italian origin meaning "lady of the home".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,371
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 9 (#1366 (tie) most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #64
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,310
phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock
18 / 50Ashley is a name of English origin meaning "ash tree meadow".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,371
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 296 (#151 most common name, -78.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #138
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 20,835
George Rudy // Shutterstock
19 / 50Dana is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,455
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 19 (#1060 (tie) most common name, -98.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 51,292
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
20 / 50Sharon is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "a fertile plain".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,481
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 25 (#967 most common name, -98.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #63
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,718
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Canva
21 / 50Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,493
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 187 (#254 (tie) most common name, -87.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock
22 / 50Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,540
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 94 (#470 most common name, -93.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
Canva
23 / 50Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,544
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 22 (#1008 most common name, -98.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
lascot studio // Pexels
24 / 50Misty is a name of English origin meaning "mist".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,595
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #75
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,284
Pixabay
25 / 50Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,680
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 68 (#592 most common name, -96.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
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Canva
26 / 50Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,688
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 75 (#550 (tie) most common name, -95.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
riggleton // Shutterstock
27 / 50Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,699
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 188 (#252 (tie) most common name, -88.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
Tetiana Iatsenko // Shutterstock
28 / 50Tina is a name of English origin meaning "river".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,747
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 84,757
Durganand // Shutterstock
29 / 50Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,772
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 238 (#198 most common name, -86.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock
30 / 50Wendy is a name of English origin meaning "friend".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,900
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 43 (#775 most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 74,188
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Pixabay
31 / 50Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning "moon goddess".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,915
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 63 (#621 most common name, -96.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 80,209
Canva
32 / 50Pamela is a name of Greek origin meaning "all sweetness".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,974
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10 (#1332 (tie) most common name, -99.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,042
Canva
33 / 50Tonya is a name of Russian origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,043
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #49
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 57,768
PxHere
34 / 50Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,044
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1637 (tie) most common name, -99.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
Mcimage // Shutterstock
35 / 50Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,093
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 116 (#383 most common name, -94.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
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Pexels
36 / 50Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,104
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,852 (#4 most common name, -12.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
Maria Evseyeva // Shutterstock
37 / 50Christy is a name of Greek origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,174
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #71
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,559
photoDiod // Shutterstock
38 / 50Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning "fighter".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,197
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
39 / 50April is a name of Latin origin meaning "to open".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,543
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 42 (#784 most common name, -98.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,935
Unsplash
40 / 50Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "palm tree".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,575
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 98,830
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Marko Poplasen // Shutterstock
41 / 50Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,686
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 13 (#1180 most common name, -99.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
Blend Images // Shutterstock
42 / 50Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,863
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 41 (#791 (tie) most common name, -98.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
s_oleg // Shutterstock
43 / 50Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,275
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,300 (#16 most common name, -60.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
Darkdiamond67 // Shutterstock
44 / 50Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,340
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 132 (#344 most common name, -96.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
Pixabay
45 / 50Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,797
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 115 (#387 most common name, -97.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
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Canva
46 / 50Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,855
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 87 (#502 most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
47 / 50Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,700
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 154 (#304 most common name, -96.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
Nolte Lourens // Shutterstock
48 / 50Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,215
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 122 (#368 (tie) most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
Pixabay
49 / 50Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,383
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 280 (#165 most common name, -94.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
Pixabay
50 / 50Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,420
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 203 (#234 (tie) most common name, -97.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791
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