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 Kansas 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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Darren Brode // Shutterstock
1 / 50Tara is a name of Irish origin meaning "rocky hill".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 611
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1248 most common name, -99.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,075
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock
2 / 50Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning "moon goddess".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 629
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 37 (#610 (tie) most common name, -94.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 80,209
phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock
3 / 50Megan is a name of Welsh origin meaning "pearl".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 635
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 102 (#326 most common name, -83.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #89
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 37,258
Mcimage // Shutterstock
4 / 50Dana is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 644
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7 (#1069 (tie) most common name, -98.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 51,292
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
5 / 50Teresa is a name of Greek origin meaning "huntress".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 646
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 42 (#577 most common name, -93.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,001
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6 / 50Stacey is a name of Greek origin meaning "resurrection".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 656
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 59,222
Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock
7 / 50Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 669
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 52 (#522 (tie) most common name, -92.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
Durganand // Shutterstock
8 / 50Wendy is a name of English origin meaning "friend".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 706
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 13 (#926 most common name, -98.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 74,188
Darkdiamond67 // Shutterstock
9 / 50Tonya is a name of Russian origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 716
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #49
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 57,768
Canva
10 / 50Christine is a name of English origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 718
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#1114 (tie) most common name, -99.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 103,241
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Pixabay
11 / 50Tiffany is a name of Greek origin meaning "appearance of God".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 734
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 24 (#745 most common name, -96.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,151
Nina Buday // Shutterstock
12 / 50Jill is a name of English origin meaning "child of the gods".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 739
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,073
photoDiod // Shutterstock
13 / 50Misty is a name of English origin meaning "mist".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 745
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #75
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,284
Lopolo // Shutterstock
14 / 50April is a name of Latin origin meaning "to open".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 751
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35 (#629 most common name, -95.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,935
lascot studio // Pexels
15 / 50Amber is a name of Persian origin meaning "ambergris", a fragrant material extracted from a type of whale.
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 804
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 42 (#577 most common name, -94.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #65
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,013
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16 / 50Sara is a derivation of the name Sarah, of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 804
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 114 (#293 most common name, -85.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #50
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,948
FreelySky // Shutterstock
17 / 50Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 817
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 17 (#862 most common name, -97.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
Canva
18 / 50Erin is a name of Irish origin meaning "peace".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 817
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 84 (#390 (tie) most common name, -89.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,911
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
19 / 50Tina is a name of English origin meaning "river".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 841
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1248 most common name, -99.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 84,757
Canva
20 / 50Dawn is a name of English origin meaning "daybreak".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 847
- 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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Pixabay
21 / 50Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning "fighter".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 853
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
riggleton // Shutterstock
22 / 50Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 861
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 153 (#221 most common name, -82.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,777
Canva
23 / 50Carrie is a name of German origin meaning "free man".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 900
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 66,837
Unsplash
24 / 50Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 913
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 206 (#159 (tie) most common name, -77.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
25 / 50Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "palm tree".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 952
- 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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26 / 50Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 984
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 106 (#313 most common name, -89.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
Lopolo // Shutterstock
27 / 50Crystal is a name of Latin origin meaning "Earth mineral".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,024
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 33 (#644 most common name, -96.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 73,759
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
28 / 50Jamie is a name of Scottish origin meaning "supplanter".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,050
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 47 (#547 (tie) most common name, -95.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,812
Canva
29 / 50Stacy is a name of Greek origin meaning "fruitful or productive".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,065
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 69,911
Canva
30 / 50Lori is a name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,071
- 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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Studio Romantic // Shutterstock
31 / 50Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,078
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 309 (#94 (tie) most common name, -71.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
Max Bukovski // Shutterstock
32 / 50Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,119
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,151 (#9 most common name, +2.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
Canva
33 / 50Nicole is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,130
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 151 (#223 (tie) most common name, -86.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 144,672
Amalia Zilio // Shutterstock
34 / 50Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,152
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 36 (#620 most common name, -96.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
Pixabay
35 / 50Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,330
- 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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Canva
36 / 50Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,469
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 138 (#242 (tie) most common name, -90.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
Canva
37 / 50Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,478
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 60 (#484 most common name, -95.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
George Rudy // Shutterstock
38 / 50Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,511
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 51 (#531 (tie) most common name, -96.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
Natalia Kirichenko // Shutterstock
39 / 50Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,528
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 327 (#87 most common name, -78.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
Liudmila Fadzeyeva // Shutterstock
40 / 50Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,538
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 71 (#429 most common name, -95.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
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Coy_Creek // Shutterstock
41 / 50Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,639
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 149 (#227 most common name, -90.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
Pixabay
42 / 50Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,915
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 98 (#342 most common name, -94.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
43 / 50Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,047
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10 (#1026 (tie) most common name, -99.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
Tatiana Katsai // Shutterstock
44 / 50Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,307
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 242 (#135 most common name, -89.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
s_oleg // Shutterstock
45 / 50Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,603
- 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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Canva
46 / 50Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,660
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 95 (#354 most common name, -96.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
47 / 50Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,991
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 88 (#381 most common name, -97.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
Aaron Amat // Shutterstock
48 / 50Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,289
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 106 (#313 most common name, -96.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
Oleggg // Shutterstock
49 / 50Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,732
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 130 (#256 most common name, -96.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
Canva
50 / 50Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,424
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 102 (#326 most common name, -98.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791
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