Most popular girl names in the 70s in New Jersey

Written by:
June 25, 2022
Canva

Most popular girl names in the 70s in New Jersey

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 New Jersey 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.

1 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#50. Catherine

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,762
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 468 (#172 (tie) most common name, -73.4% compared to the 70s)

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

2 / 50
Aaron Amat // Shutterstock

#49. Sarah

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,777
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,114 (#19 most common name, +19.0% compared to the 70s)

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

3 / 50
Pixabay

#48. Colleen

Colleen is a name of Irish origin meaning "countrywoman".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,788
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 32 (#1306 (tie) most common name, -98.2% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #128
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 23,573

4 / 50
Canva

#47. Tina

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,806
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 15 (#1659 most common name, -99.2% compared to the 70s)

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

5 / 50
javi_indy // Shutterstock

#46. Deborah

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,809
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 157 (#488 most common name, -91.3% compared to the 70s)

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

6 / 50
Pexels

#45. Cheryl

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,828
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #79
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 40,351

7 / 50
Surne1shots // Shutterstock

#44. Stacey

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,913
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 44 (#1134 (tie) most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 59,222

8 / 50
Canva

#43. Jacqueline

Jacqueline is a name of French origin meaning "may God protect".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,917
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 319 (#247 (tie) most common name, -83.4% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #85
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 37,916

9 / 50
Canva

#42. Erin

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,920
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 377 (#216 most common name, -80.4% compared to the 70s)

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

10 / 50
Pixabay

#41. Nancy

Nancy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "grace".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,944
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 72 (#878 most common name, -96.3% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #78
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 41,831

11 / 50
Canva

#40. Jill

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,013
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#2323 (tie) most common name, -99.8% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,073

12 / 50
Canva

#39. Donna

Donna is a name of Italian origin meaning "lady of the home".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,061
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 30 (#1335 (tie) most common name, -98.5% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #64
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,310

13 / 50
riggleton // Shutterstock

#38. Kristen

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,109
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 92 (#738 (tie) most common name, -95.6% compared to the 70s)

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

14 / 50
Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#37. Lauren

Lauren is a name of Latin origin meaning "the bay or laurel plant".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,125
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 550 (#142 most common name, -74.1% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #136
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 21,582

15 / 50
Shyamalamuralinath // Shutterstock

#36. Sharon

Sharon is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "a fertile plain".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,190
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 112 (#636 most common name, -94.9% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #63
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,718

16 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#35. Cynthia

Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning "moon goddess".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,206
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 110 (#647 most common name, -95.0% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 80,209

17 / 50
Max Bukovski // Shutterstock

#34. Lori

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,222
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#2067 most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,784

18 / 50
Canva

#33. Andrea

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,238
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 569 (#133 most common name, -74.6% compared to the 70s)

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

19 / 50
DONUT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock

#32. Dana

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,297
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 148 (#512 most common name, -93.6% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 51,292

20 / 50
Rob Marmion // Shutterstock

#31. Shannon

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,328
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 132 (#551 (tie) most common name, -94.3% compared to the 70s)

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

21 / 50
Canva

#30. Angela

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,384
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 421 (#191 (tie) most common name, -82.3% compared to the 70s)

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

22 / 50
Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#29. Sandra

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,432
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 114 (#627 most common name, -95.3% compared to the 70s)

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

23 / 50
Maria Evseyeva // Shutterstock

#28. Denise

Denise is a name of Greek origin meaning "to be devoted to Bacchus".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,572
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 80 (#812 (tie) most common name, -96.9% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #53
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,860

24 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#27. Rebecca

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,614
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 619 (#124 most common name, -76.3% compared to the 70s)

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

25 / 50
Pixabay

#26. Tracy

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,618
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#2323 (tie) most common name, -99.8% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538

26 / 50
Canva

#25. Kathleen

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,705
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 122 (#585 (tie) most common name, -95.5% compared to the 70s)

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

27 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#24. Patricia

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,945
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 88 (#763 most common name, -97.0% compared to the 70s)

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

28 / 50
Impact Photography // Shutterstock

#23. Maria

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,990
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 792 (#97 most common name, -73.5% compared to the 70s)

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

29 / 50
photoDiod // Shutterstock

#22. Mary

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,093
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 413 (#197 (tie) most common name, -86.6% compared to the 70s)

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

30 / 50
Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock

#21. Susan

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,364
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 82 (#800 (tie) most common name, -97.6% compared to the 70s)

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

31 / 50
Canva

#20. Stephanie

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,528
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 548 (#144 most common name, -84.5% compared to the 70s)

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

32 / 50
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#19. Christina

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,537
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 304 (#263 most common name, -91.4% compared to the 70s)

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

33 / 50
Black-Photogaphy // Shutterstock

#18. Tara

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,546
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 103 (#680 most common name, -97.1% compared to the 70s)

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

34 / 50
George Rudy // Shutterstock

#17. Laura

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,702
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 282 (#284 (tie) most common name, -92.4% compared to the 70s)

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

35 / 50
Tatyana Domnicheva // Shutterstock

#16. Michele

Michele is a name of Italian origin meaning "Who is like God?".

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,798
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#2067 most common name, -99.8% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,541

36 / 50
Darren Brode // Shutterstock

#15. Karen

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,955
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 251 (#320 (tie) most common name, -93.7% compared to the 70s)

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

37 / 50
Canva

#14. Danielle

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,033
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 297 (#273 (tie) most common name, -92.6% compared to the 70s)

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

38 / 50
Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock

#13. Elizabeth

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,235
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,845 (#23 most common name, -56.4% compared to the 70s)

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

39 / 50
s_oleg // Shutterstock

#12. Dawn

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,259
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 92,443

40 / 50
Krystyna Taran // Shutterstock

#11. Jessica

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,604
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 566 (#136 (tie) most common name, -87.7% compared to the 70s)

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

41 / 50
Tetiana Iatsenko // Shutterstock

#10. Kelly

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,791
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 345 (#234 most common name, -92.8% compared to the 70s)

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

42 / 50
CroMary // Shutterstock

#9. Heather

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,079
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 72 (#878 most common name, -98.6% compared to the 70s)

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

43 / 50
Canva

#8. Amy

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,537
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 724 (#106 most common name, -86.9% compared to the 70s)

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

44 / 50
Canva

#7. Christine

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,776
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 115 (#619 (tie) most common name, -98.0% compared to the 70s)

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

45 / 50
Canva

#6. Nicole

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,228
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 876 (#90 most common name, -85.9% compared to the 70s)

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

46 / 50
Canva

#5. Michelle

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,581
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 653 (#116 most common name, -90.1% compared to the 70s)

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

47 / 50
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock

#4. Kimberly

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,680
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 736 (#103 (tie) most common name, -89.0% compared to the 70s)

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

48 / 50
ucchie79 // Shutterstock

#3. Melissa

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,949
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 428 (#190 most common name, -93.8% compared to the 70s)

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

49 / 50
Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock

#2. Lisa

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,444
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 93 (#733 (tie) most common name, -98.8% compared to the 70s)

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

50 / 50
Canva

#1. Jennifer

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

New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 19,139
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 440 (#185 most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)

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

Trending Now