Most Popular Girl Names in the 70s in Massachusetts

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Most popular girl names in the 70s in Massachusetts

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 Massachusetts 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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Shyamalamuralinath // Shutterstock

#50. Catherine

Catherine is a name of Greek origin meaning "pure".

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,491
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 588 (#98 most common name, -60.6% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #73
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 43,840

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Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock

#49. Laurie

Laurie is a name of Latin origin meaning "sweet bay tree".

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,564
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #117
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 26,034

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PxHere

#48. Maria

Maria is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "sea of bitterness".

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,602
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 571 (#103 most common name, -64.4% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,102

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Canva

#47. Pamela

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,619
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11 (#1280 most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)

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

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Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock

#46. Tina

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,629
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10 (#1334 most common name, -99.4% compared to the 70s)

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

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Pixabay

#45. Stacey

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,647
- 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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Canva

#44. Cheryl

Cheryl is a name of Greek origin meaning "cherry fruit".

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,658
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #78
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 40,351

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Natalia Kirichenko // Shutterstock

#43. Sandra

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,665
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 52 (#760 (tie) most common name, -96.9% compared to the 70s)

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

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Canva

#42. Deborah

Deborah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "bee".

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,673
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 105 (#485 (tie) most common name, -93.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #61
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,839

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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#41. Wendy

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,683
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 21 (#1061 most common name, -98.8% compared to the 70s)

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

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#40. Kerry

Kerry is a name of Irish origin meaning "black-haired".

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,690
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #171
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 15,961

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Unsplash

#39. Katherine

Katherine is a name of Greek origin meaning "pure".

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,808
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 790 (#66 most common name, -56.3% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #55
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 54,068

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Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

#38. Tammy

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,944
- 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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Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock

#37. Amanda

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,964
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 219 (#266 most common name, -88.8% compared to the 70s)

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

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#36. Lori

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,991
- 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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#35. Rachel

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,015
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 363 (#165 most common name, -82.0% compared to the 70s)

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

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#34. Jill

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,037
- 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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Canva

#33. Patricia

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,118
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 62 (#681 (tie) most common name, -97.1% compared to the 70s)

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

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#32. Kristin

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,166
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1637 (tie) most common name, -99.8% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #74
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,381

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#31. Shannon

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,174
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 85 (#575 most common name, -96.1% compared to the 70s)

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

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#30. Angela

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,184
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 294 (#191 (tie) most common name, -86.5% compared to the 70s)

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

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#29. Tara

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,258
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 76 (#609 (tie) most common name, -96.6% compared to the 70s)

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

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Pixabay

#28. Christina

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,454
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 178 (#319 (tie) most common name, -92.7% compared to the 70s)

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

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Lopolo // Shutterstock

#27. Andrea

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,468
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 270 (#211 most common name, -89.1% compared to the 70s)

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

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#26. Dawn

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,476
- 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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#25. Tracy

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,509
- 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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#24. Danielle

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,531
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 181 (#315 most common name, -92.8% compared to the 70s)

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

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#23. Mary

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,531
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 484 (#126 most common name, -80.9% compared to the 70s)

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

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Pixabay

#22. Kathleen

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,839
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 123 (#441 most common name, -95.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #69
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,851

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Tetiana Iatsenko // Shutterstock

#21. Erin

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,998
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 216 (#270 most common name, -92.8% compared to the 70s)

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

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#20. Stephanie

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,067
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 267 (#215 most common name, -91.3% compared to the 70s)

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

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Canva

#19. Kristen

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,086
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 22 (#1047 most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #72
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,205

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Canva

#18. Laura

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,121
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 321 (#181 most common name, -89.7% compared to the 70s)

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

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Pixabay

#17. Susan

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,180
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 42 (#831 most common name, -98.7% compared to the 70s)

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

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#16. Rebecca

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,515
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 406 (#151 most common name, -88.4% compared to the 70s)

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

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#15. Karen

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,789
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 98 (#510 most common name, -97.4% compared to the 70s)

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

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#14. Sarah

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,817
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,096 (#41 most common name, -71.3% compared to the 70s)

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

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#13. Julie

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,905
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 188 (#303 most common name, -95.2% compared to the 70s)

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

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#12. Kelly

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,184
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 146 (#384 (tie) most common name, -96.5% compared to the 70s)

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

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Pixabay

#11. Elizabeth

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,712
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,756 (#16 most common name, -62.7% compared to the 70s)

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

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#10. Nicole

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,927
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 377 (#161 most common name, -92.3% compared to the 70s)

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

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Lopolo // Shutterstock

#9. Jessica

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,018
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 353 (#168 most common name, -93.0% compared to the 70s)

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

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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#8. Christine

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,154
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 63 (#676 most common name, -98.8% compared to the 70s)

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

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Canva

#7. Heather

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,439
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 29 (#961 (tie) most common name, -99.5% compared to the 70s)

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

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#6. Kimberly

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,679
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 265 (#218 most common name, -95.3% compared to the 70s)

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

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Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock

#5. Melissa

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,102
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 317 (#184 most common name, -95.5% compared to the 70s)

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

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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#4. Lisa

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,202
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 73 (#627 (tie) most common name, -99.0% compared to the 70s)

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

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#3. Amy

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,235
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 330 (#174 (tie) most common name, -95.4% compared to the 70s)

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

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#2. Michelle

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,535
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 288 (#198 most common name, -96.2% compared to the 70s)

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

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#1. Jennifer

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

Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 17,274
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 241 (#242 most common name, -98.6% compared to the 70s)

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