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 Texas 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.
You may also like: Top 5 uniquely popular potato chip brands in Texas
Canva
1 / 50Nancy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "grace".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,760
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 493 (#640 most common name, -86.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #78
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 41,831
Haywiremedia // Shutterstock
2 / 50Amber is a name of Persian origin meaning "ambergris”, a fragrant material extracted from a type of whale.
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,803
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,141 (#286 most common name, -70.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #65
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,013
Canva
3 / 50Leslie is a name of Scottish origin meaning "garden of holly".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,820
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,702 (#196 most common name, -55.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #70
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,816
George Rudy // Shutterstock
4 / 50Linda is a name of Italian origin meaning "beautiful".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,981
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 566 (#572 (tie) most common name, -85.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #68
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 45,889
Liudmila Fadzeyeva // Shutterstock
5 / 50Brandy is a name of Dutch origin meaning "burnt wine".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,023
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 130 (#1691 most common name, -96.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #81
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 39,953
You may also like: Cities with the most UFO sightings in Texas
Durganand // Shutterstock
6 / 50Brenda is a name of Norse origin meaning "sword".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,072
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 577 (#567 most common name, -85.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #60
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 48,589
Shyamalamuralinath // Shutterstock
7 / 50Tina is a name of English origin meaning "river".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,129
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 134 (#1662 (tie) most common name, -96.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 84,757
Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock
8 / 50Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,151
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 237 (#1118 most common name, -94.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
Studio Romantic // Shutterstock
9 / 50Wendy is a name of English origin meaning "friend".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,188
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 438 (#708 (tie) most common name, -89.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 74,188
Fuller Photography // Shutterstock
10 / 50Teresa is a name of Greek origin meaning "huntress".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,199
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 502 (#629 (tie) most common name, -88.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,001
You may also like: Best NFL players born in Texas
Canva
11 / 50Erica is a name of Norse origin meaning "eternal ruler".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,256
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 423 (#727 most common name, -90.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #59
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 49,581
javi_indy // Shutterstock
12 / 50Diana is a name of Roman origin meaning "goddess of the hunt".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,352
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,689 (#199 most common name, -61.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #97
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 33,268
Rob Marmion // Shutterstock
13 / 50Stacy is a name of Greek origin meaning "fruitful or productive".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,363
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 288 (#961 (tie) most common name, -93.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 69,911
Canva
14 / 50Nicole is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,374
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,189 (#87 most common name, -27.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 144,672
Pixabay
15 / 50Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,396
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,151 (#281 most common name, -73.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
You may also like: How Texas' unbanked population compares to the rest of the US
Pixabay
16 / 50Lori is a name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,422
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 124 (#1739 (tie) most common name, -97.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,784
Malakhova Ganna // Shutterstock
17 / 50Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning "fighter".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,467
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 120 (#1778 most common name, -97.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
Canva
18 / 50Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,884
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,357 (#39 most common name, +9.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock
19 / 50Tiffany is a name of Greek origin meaning "appearance of God".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,916
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 759 (#435 most common name, -84.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,151
Marko Poplasen // Shutterstock
20 / 50April is a name of Latin origin meaning "to open".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,086
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,099 (#298 most common name, -78.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,935
You may also like: Easy as pie: See the most uniquely popular pie in Texas
Pixabay
21 / 50Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,183
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,453 (#55 most common name, -14.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
Amalia Zilio // Shutterstock
22 / 50Crystal is a name of Latin origin meaning "Earth mineral".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,270
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,059 (#310 most common name, -79.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 73,759
Black-Photogaphy // Shutterstock
23 / 50Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,358
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 787 (#417 most common name, -85.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
ucchie79 // Shutterstock
24 / 50Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "palm tree".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,745
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 36 (#3338 most common name, -99.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 98,830
Natalia Kirichenko // Shutterstock
25 / 50Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,760
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,427 (#230 most common name, -75.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,777
You may also like: The 20 most competitive housing markets in Texas
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
26 / 50Misty is a name of English origin meaning "mist".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,808
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 65 (#2578 most common name, -98.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #75
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,284
phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock
27 / 50Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,148
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 147 (#1558 most common name, -97.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
28 / 50Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,652
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 817 (#401 most common name, -87.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
Canva
29 / 50Sandra is a name of Greek origin meaning "defender of man".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,507
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 522 (#610 most common name, -93.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,310
Aaron Amat // Shutterstock
30 / 50Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,781
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 452 (#692 (tie) most common name, -94.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,118
You may also like: Most common jobs 150 years ago in Texas
riggleton // Shutterstock
31 / 50Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,663
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,804 (#182 most common name, -79.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
Bodler // Shutterstock
32 / 50Veronica is a name of Latin origin meaning "she who brings victory".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,776
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 790 (#414 (tie) most common name, -91.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #83
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 38,634
Pixabay
33 / 50Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,933
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 347 (#830 (tie) most common name, -96.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
New Africa // Shutterstock
34 / 50Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,033
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 871 (#376 most common name, -90.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
Tatiana Katsai // Shutterstock
35 / 50Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning "moon goddess".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,297
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 717 (#467 most common name, -92.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 80,209
You may also like: The most popular grocery items for Christmas in Texas, according to Instacart
Canva
36 / 50Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,525
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,018 (#156 most common name, -78.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
37 / 50Monica is a name of Greek origin meaning "solitary".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,535
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 893 (#361 (tie) most common name, -90.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #45
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 61,651
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
38 / 50Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,749
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,935 (#166 most common name, -80.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
Pixabay
39 / 50Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,179
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,228 (#265 (tie) most common name, -87.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
lascot studio // Pexels
40 / 50Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,386
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,156 (#280 most common name, -88.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
You may also like: Most popular diamond shapes in the South
Nitin Kumar // Pexels
41 / 50Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,048
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 9,363 (#12 most common name, -15.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
42 / 50Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,756
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,396 (#132 most common name, -79.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
s_oleg // Shutterstock
43 / 50Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,365
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 325 (#878 most common name, -97.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
Canva
44 / 50Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,283
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,287 (#135 most common name, -82.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock
45 / 50Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,521
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,009 (#46 most common name, -63.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
You may also like: Biggest comeback wins in Houston Texans history
Canva
46 / 50Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,793
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,522 (#123 most common name, -81.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock
47 / 50Maria is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "sea of bitterness".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,688
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,237 (#61 most common name, -71.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,102
Canva
48 / 50Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 15,114
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,760 (#110 most common name, -81.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
Canva
49 / 50Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 17,459
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,880 (#173 most common name, -89.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
Nina Buday // Shutterstock
50 / 50Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 31,479
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,207 (#142 most common name, -93.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791
You may also like: Best counties to raise a family in Texas
