Most popular boy names in the 70s in New Jersey

Written by:
Stacker
July 2, 2022
Pixabay

Most popular boy names in the 70s in New Jersey

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 New Jersey 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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Pexels

#50. Marc

Marc is a name of Latin origin meaning "to be warlike".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,835
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 187 (#378 most common name, -89.8% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #89
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 31,757

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Alena Vostrikova // Shutterstock

#49. Dennis

Dennis is a name of Greek origin meaning "follower of Dionysius".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,843
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 218 (#348 most common name, -88.2% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #59
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 50,566

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Mallmo // Shutterstock

#48. Joshua

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,887
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,288 (#24 most common name, +74.2% compared to the 70s)

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

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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#47. Donald

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,958
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 143 (#471 (tie) most common name, -92.7% compared to the 70s)

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

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PxHere

#46. Raymond

Raymond is a name of German origin meaning "protector".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,055
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 356 (#238 (tie) most common name, -82.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #61
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 49,366

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pratan ounpitipong // Shutterstock

#45. Todd

Todd is a name of English origin meaning "fox".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,121
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 17 (#1317 most common name, -99.2% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,384

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Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#44. Craig

Craig is a name of Scottish origin meaning "rocky".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,135
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 65 (#768 (tie) most common name, -97.0% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #56
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,823

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Canva

#43. Douglas

Douglas is a name of Scottish origin meaning "black water".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,152
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 121 (#533 (tie) most common name, -94.4% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #50
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,212

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Gorynvd // Shutterstock

#42. Nicholas

Nicholas is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,308
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,622 (#19 most common name, +56.9% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,095

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Pixabay

#41. Adam

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,395
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,878 (#46 most common name, -21.6% compared to the 70s)

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

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Pexels

#40. Shawn

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,483
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 349 (#241 most common name, -85.9% compared to the 70s)

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

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Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock

#39. Ronald

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,608
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 224 (#344 most common name, -91.4% compared to the 70s)

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

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Canva

#38. Patrick

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,789
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,033 (#87 most common name, -63.0% compared to the 70s)

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

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BaLL LunLa // Shutterstock

#37. Jose

Jose is a name of Spanish origin meaning "God will increase".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,883
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,018 (#89 most common name, -64.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 66,116

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Pexels

#36. Jonathan

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,893
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,274 (#35 most common name, -21.4% compared to the 70s)

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

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Unsplash

#35. Ryan

Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,920
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,605 (#8 most common name, +57.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,756

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noBorders - Brayden Howie // Shutterstock

#34. Frank

Frank is a name of German origin meaning "free man".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,973
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 454 (#198 (tie) most common name, -84.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #65
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 46,891

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Canva

#33. George

George is a name of Greek origin meaning "farmer".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,041
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 844 (#114 most common name, -72.2% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #53
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,754

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Canva

#32. Keith

Keith is a name of Celtic origin meaning "wood, forest".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,371
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 170 (#407 (tie) most common name, -95.0% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #45
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,737

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Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock

#31. Sean

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,418
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,001 (#93 most common name, -70.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,945

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Unsplash

#30. Kenneth

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,674
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 540 (#170 most common name, -85.3% compared to the 70s)

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

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Canva

#29. Gregory

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,685
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 357 (#237 most common name, -90.3% compared to the 70s)

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

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Philippe Put // Flickr

#28. Peter

Peter is a name of Greek origin meaning "rock".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,793
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 627 (#147 most common name, -83.5% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #55
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 62,361

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Canva

#27. Andrew

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,824
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,037 (#26 most common name, -20.6% compared to the 70s)

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

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PxHere

#26. Stephen

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,901
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 454 (#198 (tie) most common name, -88.4% compared to the 70s)

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

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Photopin

#25. Timothy

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,111
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 646 (#143 most common name, -84.3% compared to the 70s)

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

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Canva

#24. Charles

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,157
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,548 (#65 most common name, -62.8% compared to the 70s)

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

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Capable97 // Shutterstock

#23. Edward

Edward is a name of English origin meaning "prosperous".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,271
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 836 (#115 (tie) most common name, -80.4% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,515

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PxHere

#22. Paul

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,513
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 554 (#164 most common name, -87.7% compared to the 70s)

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

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Canva

#21. Steven

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,524
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 994 (#94 (tie) most common name, -82.0% compared to the 70s)

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

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Canva

#20. Eric

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,623
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 799 (#124 most common name, -85.8% compared to the 70s)

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

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Canva

#19. Mark

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,833
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 801 (#122 (tie) most common name, -86.3% compared to the 70s)

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

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Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

#18. Scott

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,947
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 205 (#356 (tie) most common name, -96.6% compared to the 70s)

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

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Unsplash

#17. Jeffrey

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,177
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 483 (#187 most common name, -92.2% compared to the 70s)

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

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Canva

#16. Kevin

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,711
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,796 (#50 most common name, -73.2% compared to the 70s)

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

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2p2play // Shutterstock

#15. Matthew

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,088
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,257 (#2 most common name, -25.8% compared to the 70s)

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

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Pixabay

#14. Anthony

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,096
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,674 (#7 most common name, -34.1% compared to the 70s)

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

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Canva

#13. Richard

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,392
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 809 (#119 most common name, -89.1% compared to the 70s)

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

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Sidharth Sircar // Pexels

#12. Thomas

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,167
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,266 (#36 most common name, -72.3% compared to the 70s)

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

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FamVeld // Shutterstock

#11. Daniel

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,184
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,568 (#9 most common name, -44.2% compared to the 70s)

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

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Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock

#10. William

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,683
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,188 (#25 most common name, -67.1% compared to the 70s)

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

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DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock

#9. Jason

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,818
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,688 (#59 most common name, -82.8% compared to the 70s)

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

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Unsplash

#8. Brian

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,226
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 908 (#102 most common name, -91.9% compared to the 70s)

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

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Pixabay

#7. Joseph

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,447
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,018 (#5 most common name, -56.2% compared to the 70s)

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

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Minnikova Mariia // Shutterstock

#6. James

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,432
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,768 (#18 most common name, -69.7% compared to the 70s)

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

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Unsplash

#5. David

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,143
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,570 (#20 most common name, -74.8% compared to the 70s)

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

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Unsplash

#4. Christopher

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,148
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,512 (#21 most common name, -75.2% compared to the 70s)

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

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Roman Sorkin // Shutterstock

#3. Robert

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,341
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,881 (#45 most common name, -86.9% compared to the 70s)

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

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Unsplash

#2. John

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,944
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,308 (#23 most common name, -77.9% compared to the 70s)

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

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Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#1. Michael

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 25,917
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,656 (#1 most common name, -78.2% compared to the 70s)

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

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