Most popular boy names in the 70s in Kentucky

Written by:
July 2, 2022
Tatiana Dyuvbanova // Shutterstock

Most popular boy names in the 70s in Kentucky

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 Kentucky 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.

You may also like: Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in Kentucky
1 / 50
Adrie Molco // Shutterstock

#50. Bobby

Bobby is a name of German origin meaning "bright fame".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,295
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 86 (#443 most common name, -93.4% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #93
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 28,888

2 / 50
Lopolo // Shutterstock

#49. Brandon

Brandon is a name of English origin meaning "beacon hill" or "crow".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,306
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 586 (#95 most common name, -55.1% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,085

3 / 50
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#48. Patrick

Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,318
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 295 (#185 most common name, -77.6% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309

4 / 50
marina shin // Shutterstock

#47. Phillip

Phillip is a name of Greek origin meaning "fond of horses".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,343
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 131 (#327 (tie) most common name, -90.2% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #70
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 39,785

5 / 50
Canva

#46. Benjamin

Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,365
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,686 (#20 most common name, +23.5% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386

You may also like: Metros in Kentucky that are best for nurses
6 / 50
Unsplash

#45. Jeffery

Jeffery is a name of German origin meaning "pledge of peace".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,376
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 108 (#385 most common name, -92.2% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #66
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,551

7 / 50
Jeremy Bishop // Unsplash

#44. Terry

Terry is a name of German origin meaning "power of the tribe".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,418
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 85 (#445 (tie) most common name, -94.0% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #68
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,358

8 / 50
Min An // Pexels

#43. Bryan

Bryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,454
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 220 (#237 most common name, -84.9% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 71,405

9 / 50
Pshenina_m // Shutterstock

#42. Andrew

Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,455
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,334 (#36 most common name, -8.3% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096

10 / 50
Pexels

#41. Aaron

Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,457
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 643 (#91 most common name, -55.9% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 101,539

You may also like: Counties with the highest rates of strokes in Kentucky
11 / 50
Serenko Natalia // Shutterstock

#40. Adam

Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,458
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 469 (#118 (tie) most common name, -67.8% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,829

12 / 50
Unsplash

#39. Bradley

Bradley is a name of English origin meaning "woodland clearing".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,554
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 343 (#166 (tie) most common name, -77.9% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #56
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,688

13 / 50
Canva

#38. Jerry

Jerry is a name of English origin meaning "exalted of the Lord".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,671
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 112 (#374 most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #62
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 48,306

14 / 50
Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock

#37. Billy

Billy is a name of English origin meaning "resolute protection".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,744
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 93 (#424 (tie) most common name, -94.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #82
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 33,077

15 / 50
Irisska // Shutterstock

#36. Ronald

Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,765
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 101 (#406 most common name, -94.3% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,778

You may also like: The number of registered hunters in Kentucky
16 / 50
Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#35. Shawn

Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,915
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 190 (#257 (tie) most common name, -90.1% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831

17 / 50
Canva

#34. Gary

Gary is a name of English origin meaning "spearman".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,025
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 108 (#385 most common name, -94.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 68,301

18 / 50
PxHere

#33. Larry

Larry is a name of Latin origin meaning "from the place of the laurel leaves".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,031
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 102 (#403 (tie) most common name, -95.0% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,112

19 / 50
Canva

#32. Chad

Chad is a name of English origin meaning "from the warrior's town".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,050
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 33 (#663 most common name, -98.4% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,598

20 / 50
Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock

#31. Scott

Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,086
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 52 (#563 (tie) most common name, -97.5% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707

You may also like: Counties with the most prewar homes in Kentucky
21 / 50
Canva

#30. Donald

Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,130
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 123 (#342 (tie) most common name, -94.2% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475

22 / 50
Canva

#29. Kenneth

Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,327
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 376 (#154 (tie) most common name, -83.8% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551

23 / 50
yifanjrb // Shutterstock

#28. Paul

Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,363
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 261 (#203 most common name, -89.0% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498

24 / 50
PxHere

#27. Stephen

Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,365
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 289 (#189 most common name, -87.8% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880

25 / 50
My Good Images // Shutterstock

#26. Jonathan

Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,494
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 880 (#66 most common name, -64.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996

You may also like: Best-performing Kentucky stocks last week
26 / 50
PxHere

#25. Gregory

Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,503
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 170 (#274 most common name, -93.2% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646

27 / 50
Unsplash

#24. Joshua

Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,510
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,357 (#33 most common name, -45.9% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406

28 / 50
Unsplash

#23. Daniel

Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,904
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,141 (#48 most common name, -60.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582

29 / 50
morrowlight // Shutterstock

#22. Thomas

Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,051
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 968 (#58 most common name, -68.3% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901

30 / 50
Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock

#21. Richard

Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,098
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 340 (#168 most common name, -89.0% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920

You may also like: Where people in Kentucky are moving to most
31 / 50
Gorynvd // Shutterstock

#20. Eric

Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,200
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 296 (#184 most common name, -90.8% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608

32 / 50
Roman Sorkin // Shutterstock

#19. Jeffrey

Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,269
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 182 (#265 most common name, -94.4% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965

33 / 50
Canva

#18. Jeremy

Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,369
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 227 (#233 most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357

34 / 50
Burst

#17. Anthony

Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,397
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 924 (#61 most common name, -72.8% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951

35 / 50
noBorders - Brayden Howie // Shutterstock

#16. Mark

Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,428
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 254 (#209 most common name, -92.6% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442

You may also like: Highest-rated wineries in Kentucky, according to Yelp
36 / 50
Yulia Sribna // Shutterstock

#15. Steven

Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,667
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 411 (#137 most common name, -88.8% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214

37 / 50
Canva

#14. Matthew

Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,754
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,326 (#38 most common name, -64.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010

38 / 50
Pixabay

#13. Timothy

Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,153
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 537 (#107 most common name, -87.1% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367

39 / 50
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock

#12. Kevin

Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,357
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 449 (#123 most common name, -89.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422

40 / 50
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#11. Joseph

Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,536
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,536 (#28 most common name, -66.1% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939

You may also like: Counties with the worst droughts in Kentucky
41 / 50
Canva

#10. Charles

Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,925
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,282 (#41 most common name, -74.0% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117

42 / 50
Falcona // Shutterstock

#9. Brian

Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,256
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 268 (#200 most common name, -95.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870

43 / 50
Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock

#8. John

John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,520
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,833 (#10 most common name, -75.6% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879

44 / 50
Pixabay

#7. Robert

Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,598
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,009 (#55 most common name, -86.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452

45 / 50
Canva

#6. William

William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,839
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,309 (#1 most common name, -57.8% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588

You may also like: These 10 car insurers have the highest market share in Kentucky
46 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#5. David

David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,254
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,273 (#43 most common name, -84.6% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004

47 / 50
Canva

#4. Jason

Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,136
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 552 (#104 most common name, -94.0% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954

48 / 50
Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock

#3. Christopher

Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,924
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,375 (#32 most common name, -87.4% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669

49 / 50
Unsplash

#2. Michael

Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,222
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,711 (#18 most common name, -86.0% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737

50 / 50
MIA Studio // Shutterstock

#1. James

James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".

Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,352
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,628 (#4 most common name, -78.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982

You may also like: Bestselling cars in Kentucky

Trending Now