Most popular girl names in the 70s in Illinois

Written by:
Stacker
June 25, 2022
Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock

Most popular girl names in the 70s in Illinois

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

#50. Wendy

Wendy 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

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s_oleg // Shutterstock

#49. Tara

Tara 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

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Canva

#48. April

April 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

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Marko Poplasen // Shutterstock

#47. Michele

Michele 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

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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#46. Stacey

Stacey 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

#45. Denise

Denise 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

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Bodler // Shutterstock

#44. Sara

Sara 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

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#43. Katherine

Katherine 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

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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#42. Stacy

Stacy 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

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Black-Photogaphy // Shutterstock

#41. Kathleen

Kathleen 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

#40. Lori

Lori 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

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FreelySky // Shutterstock

#39. Jill

Jill 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

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Matva // Shutterstock

#38. Sandra

Sandra 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

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Lopolo // Shutterstock

#37. Erin

Erin 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

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Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock

#36. Rachel

Rachel 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

#35. Tiffany

Tiffany 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

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Dasha Muller // Shutterstock

#34. Jamie

Jamie 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

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Canva

#33. Tammy

Tammy 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

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Pixabay

#32. Cynthia

Cynthia 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

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Canva

#31. Carrie

Carrie 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

#30. Andrea

Andrea 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

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#29. Tina

Tina 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

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Canva

#28. Patricia

Patricia 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

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Natalia Kirichenko // Shutterstock

#27. Shannon

Shannon 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

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Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock

#26. Maria

Maria 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

#25. Susan

Susan 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

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Canva

#24. Karen

Karen 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

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pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

#23. Jessica

Jessica 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

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Canva

#22. Tracy

Tracy 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

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phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock

#21. Amanda

Amanda 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

#20. Christina

Christina 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

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pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

#19. Dawn

Dawn 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

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Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock

#18. Christine

Christine 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

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javi_indy // Shutterstock

#17. Mary

Mary 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

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Canva

#16. Sarah

Sarah 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

#15. Stephanie

Stephanie 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

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Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock

#14. Rebecca

Rebecca 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

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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#13. Laura

Laura 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

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Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#12. Kelly

Kelly 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

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Liudmila Fadzeyeva // Shutterstock

#11. Julie

Julie 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

#10. Elizabeth

Elizabeth 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

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photoDiod // Shutterstock

#9. Nicole

Nicole 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

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Canva

#8. Heather

Heather 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

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Dasha Muller // Shutterstock

#7. Angela

Angela 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

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Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#6. Melissa

Melissa 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

#5. Lisa

Lisa 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

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FamVeld // Shutterstock

#4. Kimberly

Kimberly 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

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Pixabay

#3. Amy

Amy 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

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#2. Michelle

Michelle 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

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Canva

#1. Jennifer

Jennifer 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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