Most popular boy names in the 70s in South Carolina
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 South 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.
#50. Bobby
Bobby is a name of German origin meaning "bright fame".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 990
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 82 (#457 most common name, -91.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #94
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 28,888
#49. Antonio
Antonio is a name of Spanish origin meaning "priceless one".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 991
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 424 (#121 (tie) most common name, -57.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #84
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 33,023
#48. Samuel
Samuel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "name of God".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 997
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,489 (#19 most common name, +49.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #64
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 48,115
#47. Jerry
Jerry is a name of English origin meaning "exalted of the Lord".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,021
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 93 (#409 (tie) most common name, -90.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #63
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 48,306
#46. Terry
Terry is a name of German origin meaning "power of the tribe".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,036
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 97 (#397 most common name, -90.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #69
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,358
#45. Shawn
Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,048
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 154 (#302 most common name, -85.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
#44. Andrew
Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,073
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,196 (#40 most common name, +11.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
#43. Chad
Chad is a name of English origin meaning "from the warrior's town".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,075
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 47 (#622 (tie) most common name, -95.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,598
#42. Bryan
Bryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,099
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 281 (#180 most common name, -74.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 71,405
#41. Willie
Willie is a name of English origin meaning "resolute".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,108
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 67 (#516 (tie) most common name, -94.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #115
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 23,716
#40. Rodney
Rodney is a name of English origin meaning "island near the clearing".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,110
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 104 (#385 (tie) most common name, -90.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #74
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 37,409
#39. Edward
Edward is a name of English origin meaning "prosperous".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,132
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 341 (#155 most common name, -69.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,515
#38. Jeremy
Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,144
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 291 (#171 most common name, -74.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
#37. Patrick
Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,145
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 368 (#138 most common name, -67.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
#36. Benjamin
Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,191
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,585 (#18 most common name, +33.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386
#35. Derrick
Derrick is a name of Danish origin meaning "the people's ruler".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,211
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 155 (#301 most common name, -87.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #85
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 32,719
#34. George
George is a name of Greek origin meaning "farmer".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,212
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 416 (#124 most common name, -65.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #53
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,754
#33. Scott
Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,243
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 83 (#450 (tie) most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
#32. Donald
Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,293
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 106 (#381 most common name, -91.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475
#31. Larry
Larry is a name of Latin origin meaning "from the place of the laurel leaves".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,314
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 88 (#426 most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #58
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,112
#30. Joshua
Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,326
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,693 (#15 most common name, +27.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
#29. Paul
Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,336
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 262 (#194 (tie) most common name, -80.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
#28. Ronald
Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,413
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 128 (#337 (tie) most common name, -90.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,778
#27. Gregory
Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,453
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 174 (#270 (tie) most common name, -88.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
#26. Stephen
Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,597
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 265 (#190 most common name, -83.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
#25. Travis
Travis is a name of French origin meaning "to cross".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,613
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 335 (#159 most common name, -79.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,139
#24. Mark
Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,817
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 260 (#196 most common name, -85.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
#23. Jonathan
Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,894
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 985 (#53 most common name, -48.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
#22. Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,934
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,281 (#34 most common name, -33.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
#21. Daniel
Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,963
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,408 (#27 most common name, -28.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
#20. Jeffrey
Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,988
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 176 (#265 (tie) most common name, -91.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
#19. Steven
Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,035
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 340 (#157 most common name, -83.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
#18. Kenneth
Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,093
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 414 (#125 most common name, -80.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
#17. Eric
Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,277
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 359 (#145 most common name, -84.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
#16. Richard
Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,706
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 433 (#119 most common name, -84.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
#15. Anthony
Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,731
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,003 (#51 most common name, -63.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
#14. Thomas
Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,804
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,349 (#29 most common name, -51.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
#13. Timothy
Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,889
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 578 (#94 most common name, -80.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
#12. Joseph
Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,990
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,464 (#22 most common name, -51.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
#11. Brian
Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,462
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 290 (#173 most common name, -91.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
#10. Charles
Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,699
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,425 (#26 most common name, -61.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
#9. Kevin
Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,833
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 611 (#85 most common name, -84.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
#8. Jason
Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,735
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 595 (#89 most common name, -87.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
#7. David
David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,397
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,478 (#20 most common name, -72.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
#6. Robert
Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,858
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,266 (#36 most common name, -78.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
#5. John
John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,237
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,046 (#7 most common name, -67.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
#4. William
William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,403
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,594 (#1 most common name, -43.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
#3. Christopher
Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,286
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,741 (#12 most common name, -76.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
#2. Michael
Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,598
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,975 (#9 most common name, -77.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
#1. James
James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,402
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,730 (#2 most common name, -71.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982