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 Arkansas 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"
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 643
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 217 (#134 most common name, -66.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #56
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 53,326
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
2 / 50Donna is a name of Italian origin meaning "lady of the home".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 656
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #64
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,310
DONUT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
3 / 50Monica is a name of Greek origin meaning "solitary".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 658
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 28 (#661 most common name, -95.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #45
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 61,651
Canva
4 / 50Sharon is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "a fertile plain".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 670
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #63
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,718
Pixabay
5 / 50Wendy is a name of English origin meaning "friend".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 700
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11 (#916 (tie) most common name, -98.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 74,188
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Malakhova Ganna // Shutterstock
6 / 50Dana is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 711
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11 (#916 (tie) most common name, -98.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 51,292
Impact Photography // Shutterstock
7 / 50Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 726
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1194 most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,118
s_oleg // Shutterstock
8 / 50Leslie is a name of Scottish origin meaning "garden of holly".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 729
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 88 (#343 most common name, -87.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #70
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,816
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
9 / 50Carrie is a name of German origin meaning "free man".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 734
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 66,837
phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock
10 / 50Rhonda is a name of Welsh origin meaning "good lance".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 750
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #86
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 37,843
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Canva
11 / 50Ashley is a name of English origin meaning "ash tree meadow".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 755
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 231 (#125 most common name, -69.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #136
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 20,835
Darren Brode // Shutterstock
12 / 50Lori is a name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 792
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,784
Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
13 / 50Pamela is a name of Greek origin meaning "all sweetness".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 799
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,042
Canva
14 / 50Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 799
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
Red Light Films // Pexels
15 / 50Amber is a name of Persian origin meaning "ambergris", a fragrant material extracted from a type of whale.
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 826
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 55 (#466 most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #65
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,013
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Lopolo // Shutterstock
16 / 50Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 864
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 211 (#137 (tie) most common name, -75.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock
17 / 50Brandy is a name of Dutch origin meaning "burnt wine".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 879
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #81
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 39,953
Liudmila Fadzeyeva // Shutterstock
18 / 50Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 881
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 135 (#227 (tie) most common name, -84.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
Canva
19 / 50Teresa is a name of Greek origin meaning "huntress".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 884
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1194 most common name, -99.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,001
Canva
20 / 50Jamie is a name of Scottish origin meaning "supplanter".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 898
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 40 (#551 most common name, -95.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,812
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Blend Images // Shutterstock
21 / 50Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 917
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 36 (#579 (tie) most common name, -96.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
22 / 50Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 954
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 58 (#458 most common name, -93.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
riggleton // Shutterstock
23 / 50Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning "moon goddess".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 965
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 34 (#603 (tie) most common name, -96.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 80,209
Tatyana Domnicheva // Shutterstock
24 / 50Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 986
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 78 (#383 (tie) most common name, -92.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
Surne1shots // Shutterstock
25 / 50Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 998
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 16 (#815 (tie) most common name, -98.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
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Krystyna Taran // Shutterstock
26 / 50Stacy is a name of Greek origin meaning "fruitful or productive".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,010
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 69,911
Canva
27 / 50Christy is a name of Greek origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,064
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #71
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,559
Unsplash
28 / 50Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,076
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 887 (#11 most common name, -17.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
Mcimage // Shutterstock
29 / 50Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,094
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 334 (#77 most common name, -69.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
30 / 50Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning "fighter".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,102
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
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Nolte Lourens // Shutterstock
31 / 50Tina is a name of English origin meaning "river".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,124
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 84,757
Durganand // Shutterstock
32 / 50April is a name of Latin origin meaning "to open".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,128
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 68 (#414 (tie) most common name, -94.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,935
Tetiana Iatsenko // Shutterstock
33 / 50Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,145
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 78 (#383 (tie) most common name, -93.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock
34 / 50Crystal is a name of Latin origin meaning "Earth mineral".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,197
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 43 (#526 most common name, -96.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 73,759
Tatiana Katsai // Shutterstock
35 / 50Misty is a name of English origin meaning "mist".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,212
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #75
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,284
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Canva
36 / 50Tonya is a name of Russian origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,258
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #49
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 57,768
Haywiremedia // Shutterstock
37 / 50Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "palm tree".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,358
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 98,830
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
38 / 50Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,373
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1194 most common name, -99.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
CroMary // Shutterstock
39 / 50Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,511
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 140 (#219 most common name, -90.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
FamVeld // Shutterstock
40 / 50Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,558
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 357 (#68 most common name, -77.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
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Pixabay
41 / 50Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,565
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 79 (#378 (tie) most common name, -95.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
42 / 50Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,644
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 20 (#757 most common name, -98.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock
43 / 50Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,820
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#1060 (tie) most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
Pixabay
44 / 50Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,110
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 87 (#346 most common name, -95.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
George Rudy // Shutterstock
45 / 50Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,534
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 126 (#248 (tie) most common name, -95.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
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Canva
46 / 50Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,590
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 64 (#430 (tie) most common name, -97.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
Canva
47 / 50Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,597
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35 (#592 most common name, -98.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
lascot studio // Pexels
48 / 50Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,918
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 203 (#145 most common name, -93.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
Canva
49 / 50Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,381
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 51 (#487 (tie) most common name, -98.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
Black-Photogaphy // Shutterstock
50 / 50Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".
Arkansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,850
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 115 (#269 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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