Most Popular Girl Names in the 70s in Rhode Island

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

Most popular girl names in the 70s in Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island 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

Tatiana Katsai // Shutterstock

#50. Bethany

Bethany is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "house of figs".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 271
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #171
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,949

2 / 50

Nolte Lourens // Shutterstock

#49. Holly

Holly is a name of English origin meaning "the clearing by the hollow".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 277
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #58
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 50,467

3 / 50

Canva

#48. Amanda

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 282
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#377 most common name, -97.9% compared to the 70s)

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

4 / 50

photoDiod // Shutterstock

#47. Andrea

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 12 (#314 most common name, -95.8% compared to the 70s)

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

5 / 50

Shyamalamuralinath // Shutterstock

#46. Angela

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 19 (#259 (tie) most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)

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

6 / 50

PxHere

#45. Rachel

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 284
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 27 (#224 most common name, -90.5% compared to the 70s)

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

7 / 50

Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock

#44. Kristin

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 286
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #72
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,381

8 / 50

Canva

#43. Pamela

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 286
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

9 / 50

Canva

#42. Michele

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 294
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

10 / 50

Bodler // Shutterstock

#41. Wendy

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 295
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

11 / 50

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#40. Stacey

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 295
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

12 / 50

Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock

#39. Jill

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 297
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

13 / 50

Coy_Creek // Shutterstock

#38. Sandra

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 314
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

14 / 50

Canva

#37. Donna

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 315
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

15 / 50

Natalia Kirichenko // Shutterstock

#36. Kathleen

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 321
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#377 most common name, -98.1% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #68
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,851

16 / 50

Oleggg // Shutterstock

#35. Gina

Gina is a name of German origin meaning "farmer".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 321
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #80
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 38,068

17 / 50

Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#34. Tara

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 325
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

18 / 50

Canva

#33. Patricia

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 334
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

19 / 50

Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#32. Tina

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 334
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

20 / 50

pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

#31. Laura

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 342
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 13 (#302 most common name, -96.2% compared to the 70s)

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

21 / 50

Blend Images // Shutterstock

#30. Danielle

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 346
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

22 / 50

Dasha Muller // Shutterstock

#29. Shannon

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 356
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

23 / 50

Mcimage // Shutterstock

#28. Melanie

Melanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "black, dark"

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 357
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 60 (#138 (tie) most common name, -83.2% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #56
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 53,326

24 / 50

lascot studio // Pexels

#27. Mary

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 381
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 55 (#147 (tie) most common name, -85.6% compared to the 70s)

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

25 / 50

Tetiana Iatsenko // Shutterstock

#26. Tammy

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 428
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 98,830

26 / 50

Maria Evseyeva // Shutterstock

#25. Tracy

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 447
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

27 / 50

George Rudy // Shutterstock

#24. Christina

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 448
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 15 (#287 (tie) most common name, -96.7% compared to the 70s)

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

28 / 50

Canva

#23. Kerri

Kerri is a name of Irish origin meaning "mysterious".

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 474
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #154
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,226

29 / 50

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#22. Lori

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 524
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

30 / 50

Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock

#21. Karen

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 538
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

31 / 50

Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock

#20. Sarah

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 543
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 130 (#61 (tie) most common name, -76.1% compared to the 70s)

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

32 / 50

Malakhova Ganna // Shutterstock

#19. Susan

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 543
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

33 / 50

FreelySky // Shutterstock

#18. Kelly

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 555
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

34 / 50

Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

#17. Erin

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 559
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

35 / 50

Tatyana Domnicheva // Shutterstock

#16. Julie

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 564
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11 (#328 most common name, -98.0% compared to the 70s)

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

36 / 50

Nitin Kumar // Pexels

#15. Kristen

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 679
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #70
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,205

37 / 50

ucchie79 // Shutterstock

#14. Stephanie

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 682
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#431 most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)

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

38 / 50

Pixabay

#13. Rebecca

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 690
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 16 (#279 most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)

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

39 / 50

Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock

#12. Elizabeth

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 704
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 272 (#16 most common name, -61.4% compared to the 70s)

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

40 / 50

Aaron Amat // Shutterstock

#11. Dawn

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 755
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

41 / 50

Canva

#10. Nicole

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 823
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 19 (#259 (tie) most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)

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

42 / 50

pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

#9. Christine

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 902
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

43 / 50

Max Bukovski // Shutterstock

#8. Jessica

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 997
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 25 (#232 most common name, -97.5% compared to the 70s)

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

44 / 50

FamVeld // Shutterstock

#7. Heather

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,001
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

45 / 50

Marko Poplasen // Shutterstock

#6. Kimberly

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,037
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35 (#200 (tie) most common name, -96.6% compared to the 70s)

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

46 / 50

Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock

#5. Amy

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,071
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 20 (#254 most common name, -98.1% compared to the 70s)

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

47 / 50

Canva

#4. Michelle

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,251
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 24 (#235 most common name, -98.1% compared to the 70s)

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

48 / 50

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#3. Lisa

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,316
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

49 / 50

Red Light Films // Pexels

#2. Melissa

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,662
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 12 (#314 most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)

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

50 / 50

Canva

#1. Jennifer

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

Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,927
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 20 (#254 most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)

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