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 Missouri 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 / 50Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,773
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,593 (#12 most common name, +46.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
2 / 50Sean is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,825
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 311 (#240 (tie) most common name, -83.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,945
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3 / 50Larry is a name of Latin origin meaning "from the place of the laurel leaves".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,856
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 130 (#448 (tie) most common name, -93.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #58
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,112
Pixabay
4 / 50Nathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "given".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,931
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 997 (#78 most common name, -48.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #49
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,945
Canva
5 / 50Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,945
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 740 (#111 most common name, -62.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,829
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Pixabay
6 / 50Douglas is a name of Scottish origin meaning "black water".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,977
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 75 (#628 most common name, -96.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #50
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,212
Burst
7 / 50Todd is a name of English origin meaning "fox".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,990
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 23 (#1007 most common name, -98.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,384
Canva
8 / 50Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,022
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 170 (#360 (tie) most common name, -91.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,778
Pexels
9 / 50Gary is a name of English origin meaning "spearman".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,026
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 113 (#490 (tie) most common name, -94.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 68,301
Unsplash
10 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,028
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 960 (#80 most common name, -52.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
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11 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,128
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 546 (#148 (tie) most common name, -74.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
Canva
12 / 50Bryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,225
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 253 (#272 most common name, -88.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 71,405
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13 / 50Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,226
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 180 (#348 most common name, -91.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475
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14 / 50Bradley is a name of English origin meaning "woodland clearing".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,277
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 368 (#215 (tie) most common name, -83.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,688
Pixabay
15 / 50Travis is a name of French origin meaning "to cross".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,359
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 295 (#247 most common name, -87.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,139
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PxHere
16 / 50Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning "righteous".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,428
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 634 (#128 most common name, -73.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,581
Unsplash
17 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,637
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 426 (#189 (tie) most common name, -83.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
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18 / 50Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,685
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 249 (#276 most common name, -90.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
Pixabay
19 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,739
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 217 (#311 (tie) most common name, -92.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
Unsplash
20 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,877
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 370 (#214 most common name, -87.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
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Unsplash
21 / 50Chad is a name of English origin meaning "from the warrior's town".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,919
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 93 (#555 (tie) most common name, -96.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,598
Canva
22 / 50Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,926
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 238 (#288 most common name, -91.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
Pixabay
23 / 50Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,074
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 903 (#87 most common name, -70.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 101,539
Thammasak Lek // Shutterstock
24 / 50Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,252
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,829 (#31 most common name, -43.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
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25 / 50Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,511
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,311 (#59 most common name, -62.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,756
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26 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,534
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,400 (#54 most common name, -60.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
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27 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,567
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,579 (#44 most common name, -55.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
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28 / 50Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,773
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 260 (#269 most common name, -93.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
Canva
29 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,870
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,464 (#51 most common name, -62.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
PxHere
30 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,125
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,874 (#29 most common name, -54.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
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31 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,249
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 404 (#201 (tie) most common name, -90.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
PxHere
32 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,846
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 429 (#186 (tie) most common name, -91.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
33 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,941
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 367 (#217 most common name, -92.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
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34 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,987
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 474 (#172 most common name, -90.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
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35 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,082
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,137 (#22 most common name, -57.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
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36 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,236
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 168 (#365 most common name, -96.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
37 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,292
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 549 (#147 most common name, -89.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
Unsplash
38 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,415
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 589 (#138 (tie) most common name, -89.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
Canva
39 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,491
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,594 (#41 most common name, -71.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
Vasiuk Iryna // Shutterstock
40 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,722
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 240 (#286 (tie) most common name, -95.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
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Canva
41 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,492
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,811 (#1 most common name, -41.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
Canva
42 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,354
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,633 (#37 most common name, -80.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
Canva
43 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,492
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 361 (#221 most common name, -95.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
Canva
44 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,716
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,143 (#69 (tie) most common name, -86.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
45 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,555
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,004 (#26 most common name, -79.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
46 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,034
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,631 (#38 most common name, -83.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
Min An // Pexels
47 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,889
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,818 (#7 most common name, -74.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock
48 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,691
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 704 (#117 most common name, -94.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
Negative Space
49 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,039
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,501 (#50 most common name, -87.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
Pixabay
50 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Missouri
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 16,165
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,461 (#15 most common name, -84.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
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