Names can tell the story of a generation. To learn more about the culture of the 1970s, Stacker compiled a list of the most popular baby names for boys in the 70s in Illinois 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.
Bob Dylan's hits certainly put a spotlight on the name Dylan. Fans of Corey Baker on the late 1960s to early 1970s sitcom "Julia" might have been compelled to put Corey (or the other popular variation, Kory) on their son's birth certificates. People who came of age during the peace-and-love counterculture revolution may have been attracted to nature-inspired baby names, like Micah, while other newborns of the 1970s may have gotten their names from some of the biggest stars of the decade such as Jamey Sheridan or Ricky Nelson.
Keep reading to see if any familiar boys' names (or your own!) made our list.
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Unsplash
1 / 50Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,499
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,097 (#7 most common name, +74.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386
Pixabay
2 / 50Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning "righteous".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,508
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,320 (#120 most common name, -62.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,581
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
3 / 50Douglas is a name of Scottish origin meaning "black water".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,755
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 133 (#706 most common name, -96.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #50
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,212
Canva
4 / 50Bradley is a name of English origin meaning "woodland clearing".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,053
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 645 (#221 most common name, -84.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,688
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
5 / 50Peter is a name of Greek origin meaning "rock".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,062
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 860 (#176 most common name, -78.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #55
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 62,361
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PxHere
6 / 50Nicholas is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,194
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,007 (#44 most common name, -28.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,095
marina shin // Shutterstock
7 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,308
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,329 (#39 most common name, -22.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
2p2play // Shutterstock
8 / 50Jose is a name of Spanish origin meaning "God will increase".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,324
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,896 (#82 most common name, -56.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 66,116
Canva
9 / 50Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,339
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 446 (#298 most common name, -89.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
Pixabay
10 / 50Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,377
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 320 (#375 most common name, -92.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475
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Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock
11 / 50Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,422
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 292 (#406 (tie) most common name, -93.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,778
DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
12 / 50Keith is a name of Celtic origin meaning "wood, forest".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,428
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 289 (#411 (tie) most common name, -93.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #45
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,737
rSnapshotPhotos // Shutterstock
13 / 50Sean is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,534
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 953 (#158 (tie) most common name, -79.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,945
Irisska // Shutterstock
14 / 50Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,799
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 335 (#363 most common name, -93.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
Unsplash
15 / 50Edward is a name of English origin meaning "prosperous".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,854
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,158 (#130 most common name, -76.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,515
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Pexels
16 / 50Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,106
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,500 (#57 most common name, -51.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,829
Pixabay
17 / 50Todd is a name of English origin meaning "fox".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,116
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 60 (#1113 (tie) most common name, -98.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,384
Canva
18 / 50Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,375
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,552 (#55 most common name, -52.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 101,539
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
19 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,425
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,506 (#100 most common name, -72.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
Tetyana Kovyrina // Pexels
20 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,946
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 662 (#217 most common name, -88.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
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Jeremy Bishop // Unsplash
21 / 50Chad is a name of English origin meaning "from the warrior's town".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,979
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 91 (#895 most common name, -98.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,598
Canva
22 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,994
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 404 (#322 most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
Pixabay
23 / 50Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,271
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 814 (#185 most common name, -87.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
Canva
24 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,026
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,832 (#30 most common name, -45.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
25 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,255
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 720 (#208 most common name, -90.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
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Canva
26 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,566
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,327 (#40 most common name, -56.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
Canva
27 / 50Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,655
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,655 (#35 most common name, -52.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,756
Unsplash
28 / 50Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,657
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,970 (#29 most common name, -48.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
Ramona Heim // Shutterstock
29 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,065
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 864 (#175 most common name, -91.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
30 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,855
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 829 (#182 most common name, -92.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
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Canva
31 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,877
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,917 (#45 most common name, -73.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
Unsplash
32 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,961
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,465 (#11 most common name, -50.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
Alena Vostrikova // Shutterstock
33 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,135
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,037 (#145 most common name, -90.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
Unsplash
34 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,152
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,187 (#67 (tie) most common name, -80.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
Peakpx
35 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,402
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 222 (#499 most common name, -98.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
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Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
36 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,443
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 823 (#184 most common name, -92.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
Pixabay
37 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,573
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 392 (#331 (tie) most common name, -96.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
Unsplash
38 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,604
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,225 (#126 most common name, -90.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
PxHere
39 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,457
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,187 (#6 most common name, -54.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
burlakova_anna // Shutterstock
40 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,567
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,383 (#21 most common name, -67.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
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41 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,534
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,866 (#8 most common name, -59.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
BaLL LunLa // Shutterstock
42 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 15,707
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,559 (#18 most common name, -71.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
43 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 19,768
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,020 (#150 most common name, -94.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
Katrina Elena // Shutterstock
44 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 20,617
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,187 (#67 (tie) most common name, -89.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
Burst
45 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 20,816
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,098 (#27 most common name, -80.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
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Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
46 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 21,732
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,560 (#38 most common name, -83.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
MIA Studio // Shutterstock
47 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 22,511
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,066 (#13 most common name, -77.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
Pixabay
48 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 22,778
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,516 (#97 most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
Shutterstock
49 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 23,074
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,449 (#19 most common name, -80.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
Pixabay
50 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Illinois
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 39,547
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,315 (#4 (tie) most common name, -84.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
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