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 Iowa 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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Tatiana Katsai // Shutterstock
1 / 50Ann is a name of Latin origin meaning "grace".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 781
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #100
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 32,014
Rob Marmion // Shutterstock
2 / 50Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 818
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 39 (#577 (tie) most common name, -95.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
FreelySky // Shutterstock
3 / 50Kristin is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 845
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #74
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,381
Coy_Creek // Shutterstock
4 / 50Megan is a name of Welsh origin meaning "pearl".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 879
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 107 (#299 most common name, -87.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #89
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 37,258
Bodler // Shutterstock
5 / 50Stacey is a name of Greek origin meaning "resurrection".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 926
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 59,222
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Canva
6 / 50Amber is a name of Persian origin meaning "ambergris”, a fragrant material extracted from a type of whale.
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 929
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 55 (#486 (tie) most common name, -94.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #65
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,013
Blend Images // Shutterstock
7 / 50Teresa is a name of Greek origin meaning "huntress".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 932
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11 (#942 (tie) most common name, -98.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,001
Lopolo // Shutterstock
8 / 50Holly is a name of English origin meaning "the clearing by the hollow".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 968
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 54 (#491 (tie) most common name, -94.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #58
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 50,467
Canva
9 / 50Emily is a name of Latin origin meaning "to strive".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,008
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 748 (#26 most common name, -25.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #66
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 46,803
Max Bukovski // Shutterstock
10 / 50Tara is a name of Irish origin meaning "rocky hill".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,036
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11 (#942 (tie) most common name, -98.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,075
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Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock
11 / 50Jodi is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Jewish woman".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,119
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #104
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 30,298
Canva
12 / 50Heidi is a name of German origin meaning "nobility".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,162
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 64 (#444 most common name, -94.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #76
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,214
Tetiana Iatsenko // Shutterstock
13 / 50Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,170
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 179 (#181 (tie) most common name, -84.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,777
Canva
14 / 50Jamie is a name of Scottish origin meaning "supplanter".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,173
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 29 (#662 (tie) most common name, -97.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,812
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
15 / 50Christine is a name of English origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,225
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11 (#942 (tie) most common name, -99.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 103,241
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Fuller Photography // Shutterstock
16 / 50Wendy is a name of English origin meaning "friend".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,232
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#1089 most common name, -99.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 74,188
Pixabay
17 / 50Brenda is a name of Norse origin meaning "sword".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,235
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7 (#1040 (tie) most common name, -99.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #60
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 48,589
Unsplash
18 / 50Tina is a name of English origin meaning "river".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,298
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 84,757
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
19 / 50Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,304
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#1089 most common name, -99.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
20 / 50Erin is a name of Irish origin meaning "peace".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,315
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 59 (#469 (tie) most common name, -95.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,911
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21 / 50Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,340
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 27 (#681 most common name, -98.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
Pexels
22 / 50Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning "fighter".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,385
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
Canva
23 / 50Stacy is a name of Greek origin meaning "fruitful or productive".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,396
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 69,911
ucchie79 // Shutterstock
24 / 50Lori is a name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,419
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,784
s_oleg // Shutterstock
25 / 50Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "palm tree".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,421
- 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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Impact Photography // Shutterstock
26 / 50Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,441
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 148 (#229 most common name, -89.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
Malakhova Ganna // Shutterstock
27 / 50Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,461
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 229 (#145 most common name, -84.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
Nolte Lourens // Shutterstock
28 / 50Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,502
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1209 most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
CroMary // Shutterstock
29 / 50Carrie is a name of German origin meaning "free man".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,542
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 66,837
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
30 / 50Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,542
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 945 (#13 most common name, -38.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
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31 / 50Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,654
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 93 (#343 (tie) most common name, -94.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
32 / 50Dawn is a name of English origin meaning "daybreak".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,787
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 92,443
Pixabay
33 / 50Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,797
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 169 (#197 most common name, -90.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
Canva
34 / 50Jill is a name of English origin meaning "child of the gods".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,836
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,073
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
35 / 50Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,976
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 36 (#596 (tie) most common name, -98.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
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Darren Brode // Shutterstock
36 / 50Sara is a derivation of the name Sarah, of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,016
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 128 (#256 most common name, -93.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #50
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,948
Haywiremedia // Shutterstock
37 / 50Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,080
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 27 (#681 most common name, -98.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
Canva
38 / 50Nicole is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,299
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 95 (#334 (tie) most common name, -95.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 144,672
Amalia Zilio // Shutterstock
39 / 50Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,340
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 62 (#456 most common name, -97.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
40 / 50Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,386
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 114 (#284 (tie) most common name, -95.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
41 / 50Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,410
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 27 (#681 most common name, -98.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
Marko Poplasen // Shutterstock
42 / 50Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,773
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 131 (#249 (tie) most common name, -95.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
Canva
43 / 50Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,932
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 257 (#131 most common name, -91.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
Nina Buday // Shutterstock
44 / 50Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,203
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 20 (#767 (tie) most common name, -99.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
lascot studio // Pexels
45 / 50Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,997
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 71 (#416 (tie) most common name, -98.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
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Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
46 / 50Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,002
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
Canva
47 / 50Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,051
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 59 (#469 (tie) most common name, -98.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
48 / 50Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,715
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 94 (#339 (tie) most common name, -98.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
Durganand // Shutterstock
49 / 50Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,838
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 103 (#306 (tie) most common name, -98.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
Shyamalamuralinath // Shutterstock
50 / 50Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".
Iowa
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,683
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 99 (#318 (tie) most common name, -99.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791
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