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 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—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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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
1 / 50Catherine is a name of Greek origin meaning "pure".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,762
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 468 (#172 (tie) most common name, -73.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #73
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 43,840
Aaron Amat // Shutterstock
2 / 50Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,777
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,114 (#19 most common name, +19.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
Pixabay
3 / 50Colleen is a name of Irish origin meaning "countrywoman".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,788
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 32 (#1306 (tie) most common name, -98.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #128
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 23,573
Canva
4 / 50Tina is a name of English origin meaning "river".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,806
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 15 (#1659 most common name, -99.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 84,757
javi_indy // Shutterstock
5 / 50Deborah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "bee".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,809
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 157 (#488 most common name, -91.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #61
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,839
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Pexels
6 / 50Cheryl is a name of Greek origin meaning "cherry fruit".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,828
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #79
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 40,351
Surne1shots // Shutterstock
7 / 50Stacey is a name of Greek origin meaning "resurrection".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,913
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 44 (#1134 (tie) most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 59,222
Canva
8 / 50Jacqueline is a name of French origin meaning "may God protect".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,917
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 319 (#247 (tie) most common name, -83.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #85
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 37,916
Canva
9 / 50Erin is a name of Irish origin meaning "peace".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,920
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 377 (#216 most common name, -80.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,911
Pixabay
10 / 50Nancy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "grace".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,944
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 72 (#878 most common name, -96.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #78
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 41,831
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Canva
11 / 50Jill is a name of English origin meaning "child of the gods".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,013
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#2323 (tie) most common name, -99.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,073
Canva
12 / 50Donna is a name of Italian origin meaning "lady of the home".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,061
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 30 (#1335 (tie) most common name, -98.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #64
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,310
riggleton // Shutterstock
13 / 50Kristen is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,109
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 92 (#738 (tie) most common name, -95.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #72
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,205
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
14 / 50Lauren is a name of Latin origin meaning "the bay or laurel plant".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,125
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 550 (#142 most common name, -74.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #136
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 21,582
Shyamalamuralinath // Shutterstock
15 / 50Sharon is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "a fertile plain".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,190
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 112 (#636 most common name, -94.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #63
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,718
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
16 / 50Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning "moon goddess".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,206
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 110 (#647 most common name, -95.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 80,209
Max Bukovski // Shutterstock
17 / 50Lori is a name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,222
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#2067 most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,784
Canva
18 / 50Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,238
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 569 (#133 most common name, -74.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
DONUT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
19 / 50Dana is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,297
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 148 (#512 most common name, -93.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 51,292
Rob Marmion // Shutterstock
20 / 50Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,328
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 132 (#551 (tie) most common name, -94.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
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Canva
21 / 50Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,384
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 421 (#191 (tie) most common name, -82.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
22 / 50Sandra is a name of Greek origin meaning "defender of man".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,432
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 114 (#627 most common name, -95.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,310
Maria Evseyeva // Shutterstock
23 / 50Denise is a name of Greek origin meaning "to be devoted to Bacchus".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,572
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 80 (#812 (tie) most common name, -96.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #53
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,860
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
24 / 50Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,614
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 619 (#124 most common name, -76.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
Pixabay
25 / 50Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning "fighter".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,618
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#2323 (tie) most common name, -99.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
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Canva
26 / 50Kathleen is a name of Irish origin meaning "pure".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,705
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 122 (#585 (tie) most common name, -95.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #69
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,851
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
27 / 50Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,945
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 88 (#763 most common name, -97.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,118
Impact Photography // Shutterstock
28 / 50Maria is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "sea of bitterness".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,990
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 792 (#97 most common name, -73.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,102
photoDiod // Shutterstock
29 / 50Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,093
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 413 (#197 (tie) most common name, -86.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
30 / 50Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,364
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 82 (#800 (tie) most common name, -97.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
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Canva
31 / 50Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,528
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 548 (#144 most common name, -84.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
32 / 50Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,537
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 304 (#263 most common name, -91.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
Black-Photogaphy // Shutterstock
33 / 50Tara is a name of Irish origin meaning "rocky hill".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,546
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 103 (#680 most common name, -97.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,075
George Rudy // Shutterstock
34 / 50Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,702
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 282 (#284 (tie) most common name, -92.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
Tatyana Domnicheva // Shutterstock
35 / 50Michele is a name of Italian origin meaning "Who is like God?".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,798
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#2067 most common name, -99.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,541
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Darren Brode // Shutterstock
36 / 50Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,955
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 251 (#320 (tie) most common name, -93.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
Canva
37 / 50Danielle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,033
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 297 (#273 (tie) most common name, -92.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 60,915
Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock
38 / 50Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,235
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,845 (#23 most common name, -56.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
s_oleg // Shutterstock
39 / 50Dawn is a name of English origin meaning "daybreak".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,259
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 92,443
Krystyna Taran // Shutterstock
40 / 50Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,604
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 566 (#136 (tie) most common name, -87.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
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Tetiana Iatsenko // Shutterstock
41 / 50Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,791
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 345 (#234 most common name, -92.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
CroMary // Shutterstock
42 / 50Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,079
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 72 (#878 most common name, -98.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
Canva
43 / 50Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,537
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 724 (#106 most common name, -86.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
Canva
44 / 50Christine is a name of English origin meaning "follower of Christ".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,776
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 115 (#619 (tie) most common name, -98.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 103,241
Canva
45 / 50Nicole is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,228
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 876 (#90 most common name, -85.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 144,672
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Canva
46 / 50Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,581
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 653 (#116 most common name, -90.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
47 / 50Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,680
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 736 (#103 (tie) most common name, -89.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
ucchie79 // Shutterstock
48 / 50Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,949
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 428 (#190 most common name, -93.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock
49 / 50Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,444
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 93 (#733 (tie) most common name, -98.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
Canva
50 / 50Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 19,139
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 440 (#185 most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791
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