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 Alabama 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.
Canva
1 / 50Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,222
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,453 (#25 most common name, +18.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386
Yulia Sribna // Shutterstock
2 / 50Keith is a name of Celtic origin meaning "wood, forest".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,269
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 122 (#369 (tie) most common name, -90.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #45
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,737
Pexels
3 / 50Jimmy is a name of English origin meaning "supplanter".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,288
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 109 (#403 most common name, -91.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #99
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 26,888
Canva
4 / 50Bobby is a name of German origin meaning "bright fame".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,348
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 72 (#536 most common name, -94.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #93
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 28,888
PxHere
5 / 50Gary is a name of English origin meaning "spearman".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,349
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 99 (#440 most common name, -92.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 68,301
PxHere
6 / 50Billy is a name of English origin meaning "resolute protection".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,381
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 90 (#474 most common name, -93.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #82
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 33,077
PxHere
7 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,415
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 47 (#657 most common name, -96.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
8 / 50Phillip is a name of Greek origin meaning "fond of horses".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,427
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 208 (#255 most common name, -85.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #70
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 39,785
Pixabay
9 / 50Johnny is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,441
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 179 (#287 (tie) most common name, -87.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #87
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 31,836
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
10 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,517
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 255 (#217 most common name, -83.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
Pixabay
11 / 50Rodney is a name of English origin meaning "island near the clearing".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,565
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 113 (#390 most common name, -92.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #73
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 37,409
noBorders - Brayden Howie // Shutterstock
12 / 50Brandon is a name of English origin meaning "beacon hill" or "crow".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,592
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 792 (#76 most common name, -50.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,085
Canva
13 / 50Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,628
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 133 (#349 most common name, -91.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,778
Irisska // Shutterstock
14 / 50Derrick is a name of Danish origin meaning "the people's ruler".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,632
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 229 (#239 most common name, -86.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #84
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 32,719
PxHere
15 / 50Jeffery is a name of German origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,635
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 140 (#336 most common name, -91.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #66
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,551
Canva
16 / 50Willie is a name of English origin meaning "resolute".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,636
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 139 (#338 (tie) most common name, -91.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #116
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 23,716
Tatiana Dyuvbanova // Shutterstock
17 / 50Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,664
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 128 (#358 (tie) most common name, -92.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475
Canva
18 / 50Terry is a name of German origin meaning "power of the tribe".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,708
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 132 (#351 most common name, -92.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #68
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,358
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
19 / 50Jerry is a name of English origin meaning "exalted of the Lord".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,733
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 141 (#335 most common name, -91.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #62
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 48,306
Unsplash
20 / 50Larry is a name of Latin origin meaning "from the place of the laurel leaves".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,846
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 98 (#445 (tie) most common name, -94.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,112
Canva
21 / 50Marcus is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,862
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 413 (#134 most common name, -77.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #71
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 39,349
Pshenina_m // Shutterstock
22 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,978
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 336 (#169 most common name, -83.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock
23 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,992
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,750 (#14 most common name, -12.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
Unsplash
24 / 50Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,006
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 291 (#194 (tie) most common name, -85.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
PxHere
25 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,308
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 206 (#257 (tie) most common name, -91.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
PxHere
26 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,404
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 218 (#247 (tie) most common name, -90.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
PxHere
27 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,609
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,273 (#38 most common name, -51.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
Canva
28 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,640
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 187 (#274 most common name, -92.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
Peakpx
29 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,693
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,297 (#35 most common name, -51.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
Canva
30 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,732
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 415 (#131 most common name, -84.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
31 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,876
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,059 (#53 most common name, -63.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
morrowlight // Shutterstock
32 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,905
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 370 (#149 (tie) most common name, -87.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
Min An // Pexels
33 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,967
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 413 (#134 most common name, -86.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
Canva
34 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,049
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,316 (#33 most common name, -56.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
rSnapshotPhotos // Shutterstock
35 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,126
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 435 (#126 most common name, -86.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
Pixabay
36 / 50Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,586
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 350 (#161 most common name, -90.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
Ramona Heim // Shutterstock
37 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,595
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 957 (#60 (tie) most common name, -73.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
Philippe Put // Flickr
38 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,703
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 514 (#104 most common name, -86.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
Fotonium // Shutterstock
39 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,729
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 645 (#90 most common name, -82.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
Canva
40 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,755
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,522 (#19 most common name, -59.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
Burst
41 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,236
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 300 (#190 (tie) most common name, -92.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
PxHere
42 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,268
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,465 (#23 most common name, -65.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
Canva
43 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,337
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,265 (#41 most common name, -80.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
burlakova_anna // Shutterstock
44 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,463
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,602 (#18 most common name, -75.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
Unsplash
45 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,020
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,239 (#1 most common name, -39.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
Min An // Pexels
46 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,405
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,986 (#3 most common name, -59.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
Canva
47 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,850
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 601 (#94 most common name, -92.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
Canva
48 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,667
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,776 (#12 most common name, -83.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
Canva
49 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,943
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,195 (#2 most common name, -70.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
Canva
50 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Alabama
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,383
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,969 (#9 most common name, -82.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
