Most popular girl names in the 70s in Rhode Island

Written by:
June 25, 2022
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

Most popular girl names in the 70s in Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island 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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Tatiana Katsai // Shutterstock

#50. Bethany

Bethany is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "house of figs".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 271
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #171
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,949

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Nolte Lourens // Shutterstock

#49. Holly

Holly is a name of English origin meaning "the clearing by the hollow".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 277
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #58
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 50,467

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Canva

#48. Amanda

Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 282
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#377 most common name, -97.9% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920

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photoDiod // Shutterstock

#47. Andrea

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 12 (#314 most common name, -95.8% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433

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Shyamalamuralinath // Shutterstock

#46. Angela

Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 19 (#259 (tie) most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222

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PxHere

#45. Rachel

Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 284
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 27 (#224 most common name, -90.5% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,777

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Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock

#44. Kristin

Kristin is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 286
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #72
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,381

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Canva

#43. Pamela

Pamela is a name of Greek origin meaning "all sweetness".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 286
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,042

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Canva

#42. Michele

Michele is a name of Italian origin meaning "Who is like God?".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 294
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,541

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Bodler // Shutterstock

#41. Wendy

Wendy is a name of English origin meaning "friend".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 295
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 74,188

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#40. Stacey

Stacey is a name of Greek origin meaning "resurrection".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 295
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 59,222

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Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock

#39. Jill

Jill is a name of English origin meaning "child of the gods".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 297
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,073

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Coy_Creek // Shutterstock

#38. Sandra

Sandra is a name of Greek origin meaning "defender of man".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 314
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,310

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Canva

#37. Donna

Donna is a name of Italian origin meaning "lady of the home".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 315
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #64
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,310

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Natalia Kirichenko // Shutterstock

#36. Kathleen

Kathleen is a name of Irish origin meaning "pure".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 321
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#377 most common name, -98.1% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #68
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,851

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Oleggg // Shutterstock

#35. Gina

Gina is a name of German origin meaning "farmer".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 321
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #80
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 38,068

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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#34. Tara

Tara is a name of Irish origin meaning "rocky hill".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 325
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,075

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Canva

#33. Patricia

Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 334
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,118

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Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#32. Tina

Tina is a name of English origin meaning "river".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 334
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 84,757

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pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

#31. Laura

Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 342
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 13 (#302 most common name, -96.2% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216

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Blend Images // Shutterstock

#30. Danielle

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 346
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 60,915

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Dasha Muller // Shutterstock

#29. Shannon

Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 356
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805

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Mcimage // Shutterstock

#28. Melanie

Melanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "black, dark"

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 357
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 60 (#138 (tie) most common name, -83.2% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #56
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 53,326

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lascot studio // Pexels

#27. Mary

Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 381
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 55 (#147 (tie) most common name, -85.6% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279

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Tetiana Iatsenko // Shutterstock

#26. Tammy

Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "palm tree".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 428
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 98,830

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Maria Evseyeva // Shutterstock

#25. Tracy

Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning "fighter".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 447
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538

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George Rudy // Shutterstock

#24. Christina

Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 448
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 15 (#287 (tie) most common name, -96.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747

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Canva

#23. Kerri

Kerri is a name of Irish origin meaning "mysterious".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 474
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #154
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,226

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#22. Lori

Lori is a name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 524
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,784

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Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock

#21. Karen

Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 538
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185

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Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock

#20. Sarah

Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 543
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 130 (#61 (tie) most common name, -76.1% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841

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Malakhova Ganna // Shutterstock

#19. Susan

Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 543
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327

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FreelySky // Shutterstock

#18. Kelly

Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 555
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568

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Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

#17. Erin

Erin is a name of Irish origin meaning "peace".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 559
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,911

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Tatyana Domnicheva // Shutterstock

#16. Julie

Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 564
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11 (#328 most common name, -98.0% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949

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Nitin Kumar // Pexels

#15. Kristen

Kristen is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 679
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #70
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,205

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ucchie79 // Shutterstock

#14. Stephanie

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 682
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#431 most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470

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Pixabay

#13. Rebecca

Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 690
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 16 (#279 most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312

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Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock

#12. Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 704
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 272 (#16 most common name, -61.4% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869

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Aaron Amat // Shutterstock

#11. Dawn

Dawn is a name of English origin meaning "daybreak".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 755
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 92,443

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Canva

#10. Nicole

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 823
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 19 (#259 (tie) most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 144,672

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pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

#9. Christine

Christine is a name of English origin meaning "follower of Christ".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 902
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 103,241

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Max Bukovski // Shutterstock

#8. Jessica

Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 997
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 25 (#232 most common name, -97.5% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488

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FamVeld // Shutterstock

#7. Heather

Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,001
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939

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Marko Poplasen // Shutterstock

#6. Kimberly

Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,037
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35 (#200 (tie) most common name, -96.6% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112

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Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock

#5. Amy

Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,071
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 20 (#254 most common name, -98.1% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009

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Canva

#4. Michelle

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,251
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 24 (#235 most common name, -98.1% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#3. Lisa

Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,316
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676

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Red Light Films // Pexels

#2. Melissa

Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,662
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 12 (#314 most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291

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Canva

#1. Jennifer

Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,927
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 20 (#254 most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791

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