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 Illinois 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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Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
1 / 50Wendy is a name of English origin meaning "friend".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,902
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 119 (#872 most common name, -95.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 74,188
s_oleg // Shutterstock
2 / 50Tara is a name of Irish origin meaning "rocky hill".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,932
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 119 (#872 most common name, -95.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,075
Canva
3 / 50April is a name of Latin origin meaning "to open".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,984
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 278 (#425 (tie) most common name, -90.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,935
Marko Poplasen // Shutterstock
4 / 50Michele is a name of Italian origin meaning "Who is like God?".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,988
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,541
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
5 / 50Stacey is a name of Greek origin meaning "resurrection".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,026
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 21 (#2037 most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 59,222
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Pixabay
6 / 50Denise is a name of Greek origin meaning "to be devoted to Bacchus".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,271
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 185 (#604 (tie) most common name, -94.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #53
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,860
Bodler // Shutterstock
7 / 50Sara is a derivation of the name Sarah, of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,298
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 753 (#166 most common name, -77.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #50
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,948
Canva
8 / 50Katherine is a name of Greek origin meaning "pure".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,323
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,269 (#91 most common name, -61.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #55
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 54,068
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
9 / 50Stacy is a name of Greek origin meaning "fruitful or productive".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,387
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 49 (#1496 most common name, -98.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 69,911
Black-Photogaphy // Shutterstock
10 / 50Kathleen is a name of Irish origin meaning "pure".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,408
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 167 (#676 (tie) most common name, -95.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #69
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,851
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Fuller Photography // Shutterstock
11 / 50Lori is a name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,584
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 12 (#2377 (tie) most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,784
FreelySky // Shutterstock
12 / 50Jill is a name of English origin meaning "child of the gods".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,666
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,073
Matva // Shutterstock
13 / 50Sandra is a name of Greek origin meaning "defender of man".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,673
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 152 (#730 (tie) most common name, -95.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,310
Lopolo // Shutterstock
14 / 50Erin is a name of Irish origin meaning "peace".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,756
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 424 (#293 most common name, -88.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,911
Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock
15 / 50Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,835
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 627 (#203 most common name, -83.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,777
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Durganand // Shutterstock
16 / 50Tiffany is a name of Greek origin meaning "appearance of God".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,855
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 171 (#653 (tie) most common name, -95.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,151
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
17 / 50Jamie is a name of Scottish origin meaning "supplanter".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,885
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 193 (#582 (tie) most common name, -95.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,812
Canva
18 / 50Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "palm tree".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,068
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 98,830
Pixabay
19 / 50Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning "moon goddess".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,205
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 262 (#455 (tie) most common name, -93.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 80,209
Canva
20 / 50Carrie is a name of German origin meaning "free man".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,235
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 26 (#1910 most common name, -99.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 66,837
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Surne1shots // Shutterstock
21 / 50Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,349
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,207 (#97 most common name, -72.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
22 / 50Tina is a name of English origin meaning "river".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,401
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 13 (#2320 most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 84,757
Canva
23 / 50Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,531
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 175 (#637 (tie) most common name, -96.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,118
Natalia Kirichenko // Shutterstock
24 / 50Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,547
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 142 (#771 (tie) most common name, -96.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock
25 / 50Maria is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "sea of bitterness".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,876
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,102 (#112 most common name, -77.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,102
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Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock
26 / 50Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,977
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 114 (#899 most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
Canva
27 / 50Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,063
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 261 (#458 most common name, -94.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock
28 / 50Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,829
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 853 (#149 most common name, -85.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
Canva
29 / 50Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning "fighter".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,831
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#3152 (tie) most common name, -99.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock
30 / 50Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,910
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 361 (#342 most common name, -93.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
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Unsplash
31 / 50Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,129
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 400 (#310 most common name, -93.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock
32 / 50Dawn is a name of English origin meaning "daybreak".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,208
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 22 (#2011 most common name, -99.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 92,443
Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock
33 / 50Christine is a name of English origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,511
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 113 (#905 (tie) most common name, -98.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 103,241
javi_indy // Shutterstock
34 / 50Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,541
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 856 (#146 most common name, -86.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
Canva
35 / 50Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,737
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,500 (#69 most common name, -77.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
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Mcimage // Shutterstock
36 / 50Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,863
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 724 (#174 (tie) most common name, -89.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock
37 / 50Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,972
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 589 (#219 most common name, -91.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
38 / 50Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,640
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 327 (#370 most common name, -95.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
39 / 50Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,848
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 305 (#389 most common name, -96.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
Liudmila Fadzeyeva // Shutterstock
40 / 50Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,124
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 217 (#536 most common name, -97.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
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Canva
41 / 50Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,424
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,509 (#13 most common name, -58.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
photoDiod // Shutterstock
42 / 50Nicole is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,249
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,180 (#101 most common name, -87.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 144,672
Canva
43 / 50Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,691
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 92 (#1047 (tie) most common name, -99.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
44 / 50Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,427
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 592 (#217 most common name, -94.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
45 / 50Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,467
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 655 (#192 most common name, -94.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
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Malakhova Ganna // Shutterstock
46 / 50Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,496
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 94 (#1036 most common name, -99.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
FamVeld // Shutterstock
47 / 50Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,859
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,034 (#121 most common name, -92.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
Pixabay
48 / 50Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,674
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 605 (#210 most common name, -95.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
49 / 50Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,807
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 819 (#153 most common name, -94.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
Canva
50 / 50Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 32,163
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 578 (#221 (tie) most common name, -98.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791
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