Names can tell the story of a generation. To learn more about the culture of the 1970s, Stacker compiled a list of the most popular baby names for boys in the 70s in Colorado 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.
Bob Dylan's hits certainly put a spotlight on the name Dylan. Fans of Corey Baker on the late 1960s to early 1970s sitcom "Julia" might have been compelled to put Corey (or the other popular variation, Kory) on their son's birth certificates. People who came of age during the peace-and-love counterculture revolution may have been attracted to nature-inspired baby names, like Micah, while other newborns of the 1970s may have gotten their names from some of the biggest stars of the decade such as Jamey Sheridan or Ricky Nelson.
Keep reading to see if any familiar boys' names (or your own!) made our list.
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1 / 50Bryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 890
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 300 (#231 (tie) most common name, -66.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 71,405
yifanjrb // Shutterstock
2 / 50Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 897
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 83 (#562 (tie) most common name, -90.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475
Todd Trapani // Unsplash
3 / 50Jesse is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "the Lord exists".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 956
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 406 (#171 most common name, -57.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #66
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,910
PxHere
4 / 50Troy is a name of Irish origin meaning "foot soldier".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,008
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 175 (#349 most common name, -82.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #62
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 48,851
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5 / 50Nicholas is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,050
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 791 (#87 most common name, -24.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,095
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6 / 50Shane is a name of Irish origin meaning "graced by God".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,116
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 197 (#319 (tie) most common name, -82.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #60
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 50,289
Canva
7 / 50Todd is a name of English origin meaning "fox".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,137
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11 (#1133 most common name, -99.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,384
DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
8 / 50Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,143
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 191 (#327 most common name, -83.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
Pixabay
9 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,146
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 230 (#279 (tie) most common name, -79.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
Tatiana Dyuvbanova // Shutterstock
10 / 50Brandon is a name of English origin meaning "beacon hill" or "crow".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,156
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 660 (#112 most common name, -42.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,085
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11 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,222
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 407 (#170 most common name, -66.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
Pixabay
12 / 50Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,269
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,396 (#5 most common name, +88.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386
Pixabay
13 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,290
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,131 (#53 most common name, -12.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
Canva
14 / 50Travis is a name of French origin meaning "to cross".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,308
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 199 (#316 (tie) most common name, -84.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,139
Mallmo // Shutterstock
15 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,312
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 128 (#436 most common name, -90.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
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16 / 50Sean is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,432
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 333 (#210 most common name, -76.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,945
Unsplash
17 / 50Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,488
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 756 (#93 most common name, -49.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,829
PxHere
18 / 50Nathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "given".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,501
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,048 (#64 most common name, -30.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #49
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,945
Pexels
19 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,534
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,217 (#46 most common name, -20.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
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20 / 50Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,586
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 134 (#425 most common name, -91.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
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21 / 50Chad is a name of English origin meaning "from the warrior's town".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,747
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 17 (#999 most common name, -99.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,598
Unsplash
22 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,878
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 311 (#224 most common name, -83.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
Canva
23 / 50Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,952
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,017 (#67 most common name, -47.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 101,539
Canva
24 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,953
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,092 (#59 (tie) most common name, -44.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
Canva
25 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,009
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,559 (#27 most common name, -22.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
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26 / 50Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,014
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,536 (#29 most common name, -23.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
Canva
27 / 50Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning "righteous".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,076
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 504 (#136 (tie) most common name, -75.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,581
Iren_Geo // Shutterstock
28 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,164
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 402 (#174 most common name, -81.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
Min An // Pexels
29 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,185
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 661 (#110 (tie) most common name, -69.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
Canva
30 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,257
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 300 (#231 (tie) most common name, -86.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
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PxHere
31 / 50Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,396
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 252 (#262 most common name, -89.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
Canva
32 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,430
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 352 (#201 (tie) most common name, -85.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
Canva
33 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,509
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 268 (#249 (tie) most common name, -89.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
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34 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,537
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 137 (#416 (tie) most common name, -94.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
Andy Dean Photography // Shutterstock
35 / 50Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,612
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,181 (#47 most common name, -54.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,756
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36 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,631
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,623 (#26 most common name, -38.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
Canva
37 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,690
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,680 (#3 most common name, -0.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
Canva
38 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,735
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 135 (#422 (tie) most common name, -95.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
Thammasak Lek // Shutterstock
39 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,821
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,545 (#28 most common name, -45.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
Canva
40 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,994
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 434 (#159 most common name, -85.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
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41 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,373
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,116 (#14 most common name, -37.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
42 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,121
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 242 (#269 most common name, -94.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
Pexels
43 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,334
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,517 (#31 most common name, -65.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
44 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,488
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,243 (#10 most common name, -50.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
45 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,533
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,484 (#33 most common name, -67.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
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46 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,607
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 919 (#74 most common name, -80.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
47 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,472
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,683 (#24 most common name, -69.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
Canva
48 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,825
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,298 (#43 most common name, -77.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
noBorders - Brayden Howie // Shutterstock
49 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,377
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 611 (#123 most common name, -90.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
Canva
50 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Colorado
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,275
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,984 (#17 most common name, -76.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
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