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 North Carolina 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 / 50Billy is a name of English origin meaning "resolute protection".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,813
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 116 (#647 most common name, -93.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #83
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 33,077
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2 / 50Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,847
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 324 (#319 (tie) most common name, -82.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
Canva
3 / 50Phillip is a name of Greek origin meaning "fond of horses".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,887
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 290 (#336 most common name, -84.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #71
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 39,785
Canva
4 / 50Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,902
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,784 (#14 most common name, +98.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386
Serenko Natalia // Shutterstock
5 / 50George is a name of Greek origin meaning "farmer".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,921
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 803 (#150 most common name, -58.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #53
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,754
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Canva
6 / 50Tony is a name of Latin origin meaning "priceless one".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,923
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 260 (#364 most common name, -86.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #80
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 35,590
Canva
7 / 50Terry is a name of German origin meaning "power of the tribe".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,958
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 163 (#508 (tie) most common name, -91.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #69
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,358
Pexels
8 / 50Edward is a name of English origin meaning "prosperous".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,977
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 674 (#180 most common name, -65.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,515
Pixabay
9 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,021
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 659 (#184 most common name, -67.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
Photopin
10 / 50Bryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,044
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 833 (#144 (tie) most common name, -59.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 71,405
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11 / 50Bobby is a name of German origin meaning "bright fame".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,108
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 173 (#476 most common name, -91.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #94
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 28,888
Vasiuk Iryna // Shutterstock
12 / 50Rodney is a name of English origin meaning "island near the clearing".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,184
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 143 (#559 most common name, -93.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #74
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 37,409
Katrina Elena // Shutterstock
13 / 50Gary is a name of English origin meaning "spearman".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,189
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 123 (#623 (tie) most common name, -94.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 68,301
Yulia Sribna // Shutterstock
14 / 50Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,213
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,887 (#35 most common name, +30.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock
15 / 50Travis is a name of French origin meaning "to cross".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,292
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 485 (#244 most common name, -78.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,139
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16 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,304
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 490 (#243 most common name, -78.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
Canva
17 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,416
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 179 (#464 most common name, -92.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
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18 / 50Jerry is a name of English origin meaning "exalted of the Lord".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,440
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 181 (#459 (tie) most common name, -92.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #63
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 48,306
Canva
19 / 50Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,465
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 219 (#416 most common name, -91.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,778
pratan ounpitipong // Shutterstock
20 / 50Chad is a name of English origin meaning "from the warrior's town".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,630
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 89 (#775 most common name, -96.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,598
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21 / 50Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,695
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 213 (#424 most common name, -92.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475
PxHere
22 / 50Larry is a name of Latin origin meaning "from the place of the laurel leaves".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,763
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 225 (#405 (tie) most common name, -91.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #58
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,112
Sidharth Sircar // Pexels
23 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,856
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,635 (#17 most common name, +27.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
Lopolo // Shutterstock
24 / 50Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,080
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 498 (#235 most common name, -83.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
Pixabay
25 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,157
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 314 (#323 most common name, -90.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
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26 / 50Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,276
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 651 (#191 most common name, -80.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
Pixabay
27 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,847
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 734 (#164 most common name, -80.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
Canva
28 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,987
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,515 (#22 most common name, -11.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
morrowlight // Shutterstock
29 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,993
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 494 (#238 (tie) most common name, -87.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
rSnapshotPhotos // Shutterstock
30 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,354
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 833 (#144 (tie) most common name, -80.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
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31 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,377
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 784 (#152 most common name, -82.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
yifanjrb // Shutterstock
32 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,393
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,125 (#30 most common name, -28.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
Canva
33 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,704
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,381 (#53 most common name, -49.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
Philippe Put // Flickr
34 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,763
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 770 (#155 most common name, -83.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
Pixabay
35 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,843
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,687 (#37 most common name, -44.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
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Pexels
36 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,870
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,569 (#45 most common name, -47.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock
37 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,028
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 406 (#276 most common name, -91.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
Canva
38 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,338
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,208 (#28 most common name, -39.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
PxHere
39 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,785
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,077 (#110 most common name, -81.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
Mallmo // Shutterstock
40 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,800
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,513 (#81 most common name, -73.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
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Canva
41 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,333
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,518 (#46 most common name, -60.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
Fotonium // Shutterstock
42 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,648
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 730 (#166 most common name, -90.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
Unsplash
43 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,750
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,451 (#85 most common name, -85.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
Pexels
44 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,965
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,609 (#20 most common name, -63.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
My Good Images // Shutterstock
45 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,386
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,116 (#59 most common name, -79.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
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46 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,283
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,432 (#24 most common name, -69.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
Pexels
47 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,474
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,978 (#1 most common name, -39.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
Canva
48 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 15,067
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,628 (#19 most common name, -75.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
Pshenina_m // Shutterstock
49 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 15,353
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,147 (#5 most common name, -66.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
Vasiuk Iryna // Shutterstock
50 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 17,291
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,112 (#10 most common name, -76.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
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