Most popular girl names in the 70s in North Carolina
Most popular girl names in the 70s in North Carolina
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 North 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.
#50. Emily
Emily is a name of Latin origin meaning "to strive".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,532
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,208 (#9 most common name, +109.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #66
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 46,803
#49. Ashley
Ashley is a name of English origin meaning "ash tree meadow".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,544
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,107 (#84 most common name, -28.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #138
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 20,835
#48. Tara
Tara is a name of Irish origin meaning "rocky hill".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,545
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 64 (#1114 (tie) most common name, -95.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,075
#47. Sandra
Sandra is a name of Greek origin meaning "defender of man".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,597
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 112 (#763 most common name, -93.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,310
#46. Robin
Robin is a name of German origin meaning "fame-bright".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,629
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 60 (#1161 most common name, -96.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #67
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 45,944
#45. Jamie
Jamie is a name of Scottish origin meaning "supplanter".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,640
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 178 (#530 (tie) most common name, -89.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,812
#44. Andrea
Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,663
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 682 (#149 most common name, -59.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
#43. Misty
Misty is a name of English origin meaning "mist".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,677
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #75
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,284
#42. Rhonda
Rhonda is a name of Welsh origin meaning "good lance".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,704
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #86
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 37,843
#41. Sherry
Sherry is a name of French origin meaning "dear".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,719
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#2472 (tie) most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #94
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 34,127
#40. Leslie
Leslie is a name of Scottish origin meaning "garden of holly".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,754
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 296 (#341 (tie) most common name, -83.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #70
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,816
#39. Dana
Dana is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,827
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 91 (#900 most common name, -95.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 51,292
#38. Tiffany
Tiffany is a name of Greek origin meaning "appearance of God".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,887
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 149 (#598 (tie) most common name, -92.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,151
#37. Lori
Lori is a name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,964
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 19 (#1806 (tie) most common name, -99.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,784
#36. Sarah
Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,965
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,600 (#42 most common name, -18.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
#35. Patricia
Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,974
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 98 (#850 (tie) most common name, -95.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,118
#34. Jessica
Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,094
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 466 (#211 (tie) most common name, -77.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
#33. Donna
Donna is a name of Italian origin meaning "lady of the home".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,275
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 46 (#1319 most common name, -98.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #64
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,310
#32. Sharon
Sharon is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "a fertile plain".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,360
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 74 (#1033 most common name, -96.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #63
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,718
#31. Teresa
Teresa is a name of Greek origin meaning "huntress".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,370
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 122 (#714 (tie) most common name, -94.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,001
#30. Julie
Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,512
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 188 (#503 most common name, -92.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
#29. Cynthia
Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning "moon goddess".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,532
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 186 (#511 (tie) most common name, -92.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 80,209
#28. Pamela
Pamela is a name of Greek origin meaning "all sweetness".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,592
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 46 (#1319 most common name, -98.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,042
#27. Laura
Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,699
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 313 (#314 (tie) most common name, -88.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
#26. Tina
Tina is a name of English origin meaning "river".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,704
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10 (#2246 most common name, -99.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 84,757
#25. Christina
Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,717
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 307 (#326 most common name, -88.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
#24. Christy
Christy is a name of Greek origin meaning "follower of Christ".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,743
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #71
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,559
#23. Rebecca
Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,841
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 526 (#190 most common name, -81.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
#22. Susan
Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,908
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 94 (#877 most common name, -96.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
#21. Tracy
Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning "fighter".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,025
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
#20. Karen
Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,066
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 194 (#485 (tie) most common name, -93.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
#19. Wendy
Wendy is a name of English origin meaning "friend".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,367
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 65 (#1106 most common name, -98.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 74,188
#18. Kelly
Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,375
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 247 (#406 most common name, -92.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
#17. April
April is a name of Latin origin meaning "to open".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,450
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 183 (#519 (tie) most common name, -94.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,935
#16. Shannon
Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,786
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 80 (#979 (tie) most common name, -97.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
#15. Tonya
Tonya is a name of Russian origin meaning "praiseworthy".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,813
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #49
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 57,768
#14. Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,876
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,438 (#8 most common name, -11.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
#13. Michelle
Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,230
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 420 (#235 most common name, -90.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
#12. Amanda
Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,332
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 204 (#465 most common name, -95.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
#11. Mary
Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,395
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,162 (#78 most common name, -73.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
#10. Tammy
Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "palm tree".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,438
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 98,830
#9. Heather
Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,785
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 82 (#967 (tie) most common name, -98.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
#8. Stephanie
Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,792
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 406 (#247 most common name, -91.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
#7. Crystal
Crystal is a name of Latin origin meaning "Earth mineral".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,223
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 186 (#511 (tie) most common name, -96.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 73,759
#6. Lisa
Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,440
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 77 (#1007 most common name, -98.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
#5. Melissa
Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,460
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 358 (#282 most common name, -94.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
#4. Amy
Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,188
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 599 (#171 most common name, -91.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
#3. Kimberly
Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,978
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 719 (#142 most common name, -91.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
#2. Angela
Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,202
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 325 (#309 most common name, -96.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
#1. Jennifer
Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".
North Carolina
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,523
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 430 (#229 most common name, -96.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791
