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 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—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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1 / 50Melanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "black, dark"
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 830
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 251 (#177 most common name, -69.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #56
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 53,326
Surne1shots // Shutterstock
2 / 50Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 845
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 722 (#43 most common name, -14.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock
3 / 50Nicole is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 856
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 144 (#306 most common name, -83.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 144,672
Canva
4 / 50Monica is a name of Greek origin meaning "solitary".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 861
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 39 (#751 (tie) most common name, -95.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #45
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 61,651
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
5 / 50Leslie is a name of Scottish origin meaning "garden of holly".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 871
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 65 (#574 (tie) most common name, -92.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #70
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,816
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Rob Marmion // Shutterstock
6 / 50Stacy is a name of Greek origin meaning "fruitful or productive".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 876
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 69,911
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
7 / 50Ashley is a name of English origin meaning "ash tree meadow".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 878
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 319 (#128 most common name, -63.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #138
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 20,835
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
8 / 50Sandra is a name of Greek origin meaning "defender of man".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 893
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 43 (#719 (tie) most common name, -95.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,310
Pixabay
9 / 50Stacey is a name of Greek origin meaning "resurrection".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 907
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 59,222
Krystyna Taran // Shutterstock
10 / 50Christy is a name of Greek origin meaning "follower of Christ".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 907
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1533 most common name, -99.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #71
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,559
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
11 / 50Robin is a name of German origin meaning "fame-bright".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 937
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7 (#1321 most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #67
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 45,944
Darren Brode // Shutterstock
12 / 50Dana is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 950
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 17 (#1031 most common name, -98.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 51,292
Marko Poplasen // Shutterstock
13 / 50Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 961
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 219 (#205 most common name, -77.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
PxHere
14 / 50Rhonda is a name of Welsh origin meaning "good lance".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 970
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #85
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 37,843
Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock
15 / 50Tara is a name of Irish origin meaning "rocky hill".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,052
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10 (#1248 (tie) most common name, -99.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,075
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Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock
16 / 50Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,073
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 200 (#224 (tie) most common name, -81.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
Unsplash
17 / 50Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,078
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 37 (#773 (tie) most common name, -96.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,118
Pixabay
18 / 50Donna is a name of Italian origin meaning "lady of the home".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,108
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #64
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,310
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
19 / 50Tiffany is a name of Greek origin meaning "appearance of God".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,246
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 36 (#784 (tie) most common name, -97.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,151
Nolte Lourens // Shutterstock
20 / 50Tina is a name of English origin meaning "river".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,286
- 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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Black-Photogaphy // Shutterstock
21 / 50Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,293
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 155 (#287 (tie) most common name, -88.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
Coy_Creek // Shutterstock
22 / 50Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,297
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 137 (#320 (tie) most common name, -89.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
Canva
23 / 50Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,302
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 64 (#580 (tie) most common name, -95.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
javi_indy // Shutterstock
24 / 50Teresa is a name of Greek origin meaning "huntress".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,319
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 15 (#1079 most common name, -98.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,001
Canva
25 / 50Wendy is a name of English origin meaning "friend".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,356
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 12 (#1149 (tie) most common name, -99.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 74,188
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Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
26 / 50Sharon is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "a fertile plain".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,399
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1533 most common name, -99.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #63
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,718
Tatiana Katsai // Shutterstock
27 / 50Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,402
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 19 (#991 most common name, -98.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
28 / 50Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,416
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 31 (#841 (tie) most common name, -97.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
Tatyana Domnicheva // Shutterstock
29 / 50Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,426
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 228 (#196 most common name, -84.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
Bodler // Shutterstock
30 / 50Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning "moon goddess".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,429
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 46 (#704 (tie) most common name, -96.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 80,209
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Canva
31 / 50Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning "fighter".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,507
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
Pixabay
32 / 50Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,534
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 61 (#602 (tie) most common name, -96.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
FreelySky // Shutterstock
33 / 50Pamela is a name of Greek origin meaning "all sweetness".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,541
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1533 most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,042
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34 / 50April is a name of Latin origin meaning "to open".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,852
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 39 (#751 (tie) most common name, -97.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,935
Lopolo // Shutterstock
35 / 50Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,866
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1533 most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
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36 / 50Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,974
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 42 (#728 most common name, -97.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
Nitin Kumar // Pexels
37 / 50Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,064
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,611 (#6 most common name, -21.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
Red Light Films // Pexels
38 / 50Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "palm tree".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,141
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 98,830
Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock
39 / 50Tonya is a name of Russian origin meaning "praiseworthy".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,147
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #49
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 57,768
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
40 / 50Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,176
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 153 (#292 most common name, -93.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
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Canva
41 / 50Crystal is a name of Latin origin meaning "Earth mineral".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,220
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 38 (#762 (tie) most common name, -98.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 73,759
Maria Evseyeva // Shutterstock
42 / 50Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,240
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 63 (#587 (tie) most common name, -97.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
43 / 50Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,522
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 12 (#1149 (tie) most common name, -99.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
Amalia Zilio // Shutterstock
44 / 50Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,678
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 814 (#35 most common name, -69.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
Fuller Photography // Shutterstock
45 / 50Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,695
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 135 (#326 most common name, -95.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
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Canva
46 / 50Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,008
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 155 (#287 (tie) most common name, -94.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
Mcimage // Shutterstock
47 / 50Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,732
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 129 (#334 (tie) most common name, -96.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
Canva
48 / 50Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,982
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 262 (#171 most common name, -93.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
Canva
49 / 50Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,418
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 132 (#329 most common name, -97.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
Canva
50 / 50Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".
South Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,940
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 164 (#268 (tie) most common name, -97.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791
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