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 Indiana 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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Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock
1 / 50Nicholas is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,003
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 998 (#87 most common name, -50.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,095
Unsplash
2 / 50Larry is a name of Latin origin meaning "from the place of the laurel leaves".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,072
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 153 (#430 most common name, -92.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #58
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,112
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
3 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,093
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 452 (#195 most common name, -78.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
Pixabay
4 / 50Bryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,141
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 301 (#273 most common name, -85.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 71,405
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
5 / 50Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning "righteous".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,164
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 714 (#127 most common name, -67.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,581
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6 / 50Brandon is a name of English origin meaning "beacon hill" or "crow".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,210
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 856 (#108 most common name, -61.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,085
Lipatova Maryna // Shutterstock
7 / 50Travis is a name of French origin meaning "to cross".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,227
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 297 (#274 most common name, -86.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,139
Pixabay
8 / 50Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,332
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 188 (#368 (tie) most common name, -91.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,778
Unsplash
9 / 50Douglas is a name of Scottish origin meaning "black water".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,412
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 89 (#618 most common name, -96.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #50
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,212
Adrie Molco // Shutterstock
10 / 50Nathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "given".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,498
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,215 (#75 most common name, -51.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #49
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,945
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Unsplash
11 / 50Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,498
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,983 (#7 most common name, +19.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386
Pshenina_m // Shutterstock
12 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,566
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,296 (#70 most common name, -49.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
PxHere
13 / 50Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,636
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 188 (#368 (tie) most common name, -92.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475
Unsplash
14 / 50Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,746
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 353 (#239 most common name, -87.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
BaLL LunLa // Shutterstock
15 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,785
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 416 (#211 most common name, -85.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
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Gorynvd // Shutterstock
16 / 50Todd is a name of English origin meaning "fox".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,021
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 18 (#1149 (tie) most common name, -99.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,384
Pixabay
17 / 50Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,052
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 880 (#103 (tie) most common name, -71.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,829
Canva
18 / 50Bradley is a name of English origin meaning "woodland clearing".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,086
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 396 (#216 most common name, -87.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,688
Pixabay
19 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,199
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 422 (#208 most common name, -86.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
Tatiana Dyuvbanova // Shutterstock
20 / 50Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,407
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 252 (#298 (tie) most common name, -92.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
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21 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,483
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 188 (#368 (tie) most common name, -94.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
Canva
22 / 50Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,887
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,142 (#76 most common name, -70.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 101,539
Canva
23 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,457
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,620 (#52 most common name, -63.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
Canva
24 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,741
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,379 (#61 most common name, -70.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
pratan ounpitipong // Shutterstock
25 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,787
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,678 (#49 most common name, -64.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
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Canva
26 / 50Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,792
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,389 (#22 most common name, -50.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock
27 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,911
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 444 (#199 most common name, -91.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock
28 / 50Chad is a name of English origin meaning "from the warrior's town".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,349
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 81 (#656 (tie) most common name, -98.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,598
Pixabay
29 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,382
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 699 (#131 most common name, -87.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
30 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,398
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 507 (#172 (tie) most common name, -90.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
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Canva
31 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,409
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,968 (#35 most common name, -63.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
32 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,623
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 778 (#117 most common name, -86.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
Burst
33 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,838
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 338 (#247 most common name, -94.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
Canva
34 / 50Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,922
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 378 (#226 most common name, -93.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
Flashon // Shutterstock
35 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,953
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,971 (#34 most common name, -66.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
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Canva
36 / 50Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,955
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,456 (#58 most common name, -75.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,756
Samuel Borges Photography // Shutterstock
37 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,958
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,066 (#29 most common name, -65.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
Canva
38 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,027
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 277 (#284 most common name, -95.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
Tetyana Kovyrina // Pexels
39 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,378
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 583 (#153 most common name, -90.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
PxHere
40 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,486
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 150 (#436 most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
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Alena Vostrikova // Shutterstock
41 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,515
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,397 (#5 most common name, -54.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
Canva
42 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,375
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,832 (#40 most common name, -80.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
Capable97 // Shutterstock
43 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,127
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 405 (#212 most common name, -96.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
Canva
44 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,155
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,886 (#38 most common name, -81.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock
45 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,414
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,244 (#74 most common name, -88.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
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Philippe Put // Flickr
46 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,885
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,060 (#30 most common name, -82.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
Pixabay
47 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,293
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,784 (#13 most common name, -77.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
marina shin // Shutterstock
48 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,645
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,701 (#47 most common name, -86.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
49 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 15,579
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 834 (#110 most common name, -94.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
PxHere
50 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Indiana
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 18,499
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,618 (#18 most common name, -85.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
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