Most Popular Boy Names in the 70s in Illinois

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Most popular boy names in the 70s in Illinois

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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#50. Benjamin

Benjamin 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

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#49. Justin

Justin 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

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#48. Douglas

Douglas 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

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#47. Bradley

Bradley 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

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#46. Peter

Peter 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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#45. Nicholas

Nicholas 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

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#44. Jonathan

Jonathan 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

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#43. Jose

Jose 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

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#42. Stephen

Stephen 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

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#41. Donald

Donald 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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#40. Ronald

Ronald 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

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#39. Keith

Keith 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

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#38. Sean

Sean 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

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#37. Shawn

Shawn 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

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#36. Edward

Edward 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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#35. Adam

Adam 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

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#34. Todd

Todd 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

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#33. Aaron

Aaron 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

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#32. Patrick

Patrick 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

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#31. Kenneth

Kenneth 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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#30. Chad

Chad 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

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#29. Gregory

Gregory 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

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#28. Jeremy

Jeremy 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

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#27. Joshua

Joshua 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

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#26. Paul

Paul 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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#25. Charles

Charles 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

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#24. Ryan

Ryan 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

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#23. Andrew

Andrew 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

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#22. Richard

Richard 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

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#21. Steven

Steven 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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#20. Thomas

Thomas 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

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#19. Anthony

Anthony 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

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#18. Timothy

Timothy 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

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#17. Kevin

Kevin 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

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#16. Scott

Scott 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

#15. Mark

Mark 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

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#14. Jeffrey

Jeffrey 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

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#13. Eric

Eric 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

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#12. William

William 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

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#11. Joseph

Joseph 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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#10. Daniel

Daniel 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

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#9. Matthew

Matthew 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

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Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock

#8. Brian

Brian 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

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#7. Robert

Robert 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

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#6. John

John 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

#5. Christopher

Christopher 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

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#4. James

James 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

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#3. Jason

Jason 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

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#2. David

David 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

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#1. Michael

Michael 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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