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.
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Pixabay
1 / 50Bobby 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
PxHere
2 / 50Antonio 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
Unsplash
3 / 50Samuel 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
Photopin
4 / 50Jerry 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
Burst
5 / 50Terry 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
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Min An // Pexels
6 / 50Shawn 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
Falcona // Shutterstock
7 / 50Andrew 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
Canva
8 / 50Chad 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
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
9 / 50Bryan 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
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
10 / 50Willie 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
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Canva
11 / 50Rodney 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
burlakova_anna // Shutterstock
12 / 50Edward 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
PxHere
13 / 50Jeremy 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
Canva
14 / 50Patrick 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
Shutterstock
15 / 50Benjamin 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
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Roman Sorkin // Shutterstock
16 / 50Derrick 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
Lipatova Maryna // Shutterstock
17 / 50George 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
Canva
18 / 50Scott 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
Pixabay
19 / 50Donald 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
Pexels
20 / 50Larry 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
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My Good Images // Shutterstock
21 / 50Joshua 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
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
22 / 50Paul 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
Canva
23 / 50Ronald 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
Pixabay
24 / 50Gregory 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
Canva
25 / 50Stephen 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
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Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
26 / 50Travis 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
Unsplash
27 / 50Mark 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
Canva
28 / 50Jonathan 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
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
29 / 50Matthew 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
Andy Dean Photography // Shutterstock
30 / 50Daniel 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
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Serenko Natalia // Shutterstock
31 / 50Jeffrey 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
Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock
32 / 50Steven 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
Burst
33 / 50Kenneth 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
PxHere
34 / 50Eric 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
PxHere
35 / 50Richard 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
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Lopolo // Shutterstock
36 / 50Anthony 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
Canva
37 / 50Thomas 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
Pixabay
38 / 50Timothy 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
Canva
39 / 50Joseph 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
Canva
40 / 50Brian 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
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Burst
41 / 50Charles 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
Canva
42 / 50Kevin 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
Pixabay
43 / 50Jason 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
Canva
44 / 50David 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
DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
45 / 50Robert 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
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Ramona Heim // Shutterstock
46 / 50John 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
Vasiuk Iryna // Shutterstock
47 / 50William 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
2p2play // Shutterstock
48 / 50Christopher 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
Mallmo // Shutterstock
49 / 50Michael 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
Pixabay
50 / 50James 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
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