Most popular girl names in the 70s in New York
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 York 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.
#50. Jill
Jill is a name of English origin meaning "child of the gods".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,301
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7 (#3654 most common name, -99.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,073
#49. Tanya
Tanya is a name of Slavic origin meaning "fairy queen".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,391
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 81 (#1566 (tie) most common name, -98.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #62
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,834
#48. Amanda
Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,572
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,093 (#164 most common name, -76.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
#47. Wendy
Wendy is a name of English origin meaning "friend".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,580
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 238 (#721 most common name, -94.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 74,188
#46. Kristen
Kristen is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,580
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 264 (#661 most common name, -94.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #72
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,205
#45. Nancy
Nancy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "grace".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,657
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 267 (#651 (tie) most common name, -94.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #78
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 41,831
#44. Catherine
Catherine is a name of Greek origin meaning "pure".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,663
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,236 (#144 most common name, -73.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #73
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 43,840
#43. Tina
Tina is a name of English origin meaning "river".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,828
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 153 (#1007 most common name, -96.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 84,757
#42. Stacey
Stacey is a name of Greek origin meaning "resurrection".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,866
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 144 (#1056 (tie) most common name, -97.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 59,222
#41. Erin
Erin is a name of Irish origin meaning "peace".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,914
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 744 (#252 most common name, -84.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,911
#40. Jacqueline
Jacqueline is a name of French origin meaning "may God protect".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,939
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 730 (#257 most common name, -85.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #85
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 37,916
#39. Shannon
Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,047
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 258 (#672 (tie) most common name, -94.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
#38. Deborah
Deborah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "bee".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,114
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 327 (#549 (tie) most common name, -93.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #61
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,839
#37. Lori
Lori is a name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,125
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 66 (#1756 (tie) most common name, -98.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,784
#36. Sandra
Sandra is a name of Greek origin meaning "defender of man".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,141
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 207 (#799 (tie) most common name, -96.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,310
#35. Tammy
Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "palm tree".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,324
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 56 (#1920 most common name, -98.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 98,830
#34. Cynthia
Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning "moon goddess".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,491
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 419 (#435 most common name, -92.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 80,209
#33. Rachel
Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,730
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,475 (#31 most common name, -39.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,777
#32. Kathleen
Kathleen is a name of Irish origin meaning "pure".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,969
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 281 (#630 (tie) most common name, -95.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #69
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,851
#31. Andrea
Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,004
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,135 (#159 most common name, -81.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
#30. Tracy
Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning "fighter".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,292
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 86 (#1512 (tie) most common name, -98.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
#29. Julie
Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,727
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 471 (#391 (tie) most common name, -93.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
#28. Denise
Denise is a name of Greek origin meaning "to be devoted to Bacchus".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,785
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 181 (#900 most common name, -97.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #53
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,860
#27. Angela
Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,881
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,155 (#154 most common name, -83.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
#26. Tara
Tara is a name of Irish origin meaning "rocky hill".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,101
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 245 (#704 (tie) most common name, -96.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,075
#25. Sarah
Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,108
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,085 (#16 most common name, -28.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
#24. Susan
Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,256
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 217 (#771 most common name, -97.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
#23. Patricia
Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,495
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 219 (#765 most common name, -97.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,118
#22. Michele
Michele is a name of Italian origin meaning "Who is like God?".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,617
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 49 (#2020 most common name, -99.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,541
#21. Rebecca
Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,682
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,443 (#128 most common name, -81.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
#20. Stephanie
Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,112
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,124 (#161 most common name, -86.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
#19. Dawn
Dawn is a name of English origin meaning "daybreak".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,169
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 51 (#1986 most common name, -99.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 92,443
#18. Mary
Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,311
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,008 (#186 most common name, -87.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
#17. Christina
Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,362
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 864 (#215 most common name, -89.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
#16. Laura
Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,619
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 660 (#287 most common name, -92.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
#15. Danielle
Danielle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,045
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 713 (#268 most common name, -92.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 60,915
#14. Maria
Maria is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "sea of bitterness".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,063
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,839 (#89 most common name, -79.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,102
#13. Karen
Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,682
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 590 (#315 most common name, -93.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
#12. Kelly
Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,356
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 697 (#276 most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
#11. Heather
Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,405
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 204 (#810 (tie) most common name, -98.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
#10. Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,778
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,717 (#18 (tie) most common name, -63.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
#9. Jessica
Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,221
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,244 (#143 most common name, -90.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
#8. Kimberly
Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,475
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,559 (#112 most common name, -88.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
#7. Christine
Christine is a name of English origin meaning "follower of Christ".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,680
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 345 (#512 (tie) most common name, -97.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 103,241
#6. Amy
Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,398
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,677 (#101 most common name, -88.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
#5. Nicole
Nicole is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 15,515
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,950 (#84 most common name, -87.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 144,672
#4. Melissa
Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 17,592
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 839 (#219 most common name, -95.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
#3. Michelle
Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 18,790
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,575 (#110 most common name, -91.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
#2. Lisa
Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 19,550
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 289 (#610 most common name, -98.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
#1. Jennifer
Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,337
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,063 (#171 most common name, -97.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791
