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 Oregon 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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1 / 50Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 875
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 56 (#539 most common name, -93.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475
rSnapshotPhotos // Shutterstock
2 / 50Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 876
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 103 (#384 (tie) most common name, -88.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
Canva
3 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 928
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 222 (#209 (tie) most common name, -76.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
burlakova_anna // Shutterstock
4 / 50Troy is a name of Irish origin meaning "foot soldier".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 943
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 111 (#364 (tie) most common name, -88.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #62
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 48,851
Canva
5 / 50Shane is a name of Irish origin meaning "graced by God".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 961
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 109 (#368 most common name, -88.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #60
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 50,289
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6 / 50Nicholas is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 976
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 467 (#103 (tie) most common name, -52.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,095
Unsplash
7 / 50Sean is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 977
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 185 (#246 most common name, -81.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,945
Peakpx
8 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 995
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 170 (#265 (tie) most common name, -82.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
Canva
9 / 50Todd is a name of English origin meaning "fox".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,013
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 170 (#265 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,384
Unsplash
10 / 50Jesse is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "the Lord exists".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,040
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 349 (#141 (tie) most common name, -66.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #66
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,910
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Pexels
11 / 50Jacob is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "to follow".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,095
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,428 (#18 most common name, +30.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #78
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 36,332
Tetyana Kovyrina // Pexels
12 / 50Brandon is a name of English origin meaning "beacon hill" or "crow".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,105
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 444 (#110 most common name, -59.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,085
BaLL LunLa // Shutterstock
13 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,111
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 753 (#56 (tie) most common name, -32.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock
14 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,157
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 71 (#476 (tie) most common name, -93.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
15 / 50Chad is a name of English origin meaning "from the warrior's town".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,192
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11 (#898 most common name, -99.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,598
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PxHere
16 / 50Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,249
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 428 (#114 (tie) most common name, -65.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,829
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
17 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,267
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 827 (#46 most common name, -34.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
Canva
18 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,295
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 185 (#246 most common name, -85.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
19 / 50Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,355
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 97 (#395 (tie) most common name, -92.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
Pexels
20 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,367
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 962 (#30 most common name, -29.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
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Canva
21 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,442
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 694 (#61 most common name, -51.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
Canva
22 / 50Nathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "given".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,492
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 775 (#51 most common name, -48.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #49
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,945
PxHere
23 / 50Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,531
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,803 (#4 most common name, +17.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386
morrowlight // Shutterstock
24 / 50Travis is a name of French origin meaning "to cross".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,654
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 146 (#300 most common name, -91.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,139
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
25 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,810
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 222 (#209 (tie) most common name, -87.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
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Pixabay
26 / 50Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,823
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 988 (#28 most common name, -45.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
PxHere
27 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,854
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 239 (#197 most common name, -87.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
marina shin // Shutterstock
28 / 50Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning "righteous".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,915
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 329 (#153 most common name, -82.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,581
Falcona // Shutterstock
29 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,985
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 211 (#224 most common name, -89.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
Pixabay
30 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,009
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 333 (#151 (tie) most common name, -83.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
31 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,198
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 428 (#114 (tie) most common name, -80.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
Shutterstock
32 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,205
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,782 (#5 most common name, -19.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
pratan ounpitipong // Shutterstock
33 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,292
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 911 (#36 most common name, -60.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
yifanjrb // Shutterstock
34 / 50Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,306
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 605 (#78 most common name, -73.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 101,539
Canva
35 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,377
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 91 (#414 most common name, -96.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
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Samuel Borges Photography // Shutterstock
36 / 50Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,422
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 155 (#288 most common name, -93.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
37 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,433
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 244 (#192 most common name, -90.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
Canva
38 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,585
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 73 (#465 most common name, -97.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
Canva
39 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,823
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,445 (#16 most common name, -48.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
Jeremy Bishop // Unsplash
40 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,074
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 847 (#42 most common name, -72.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
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Pexels
41 / 50Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,149
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 772 (#52 most common name, -75.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,756
PxHere
42 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,266
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 802 (#48 most common name, -75.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
Pixabay
43 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,609
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 551 (#86 most common name, -84.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
Lipatova Maryna // Shutterstock
44 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,653
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 215 (#220 most common name, -94.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
Unsplash
45 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,727
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 955 (#32 most common name, -74.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
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Pixabay
46 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,835
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,497 (#13 most common name, -61.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
Fotonium // Shutterstock
47 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,470
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,275 (#21 most common name, -71.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
Gorynvd // Shutterstock
48 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,723
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 721 (#59 most common name, -84.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
BaLL LunLa // Shutterstock
49 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,439
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,133 (#26 most common name, -82.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
Pixabay
50 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
Oregon
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,454
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 412 (#122 most common name, -93.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
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