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 Arizona 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 / 50Carlos is a name of Spanish origin meaning "free man".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 871
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,662 (#48 most common name, +90.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #76
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 36,750
Canva
2 / 50Bryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 874
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 523 (#180 most common name, -40.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 71,405
Philippe Put // Flickr
3 / 50Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 886
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 126 (#500 (tie) most common name, -85.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,778
Canva
4 / 50Nathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "given".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 898
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,889 (#38 most common name, +110.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #49
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,945
Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock
5 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 901
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 434 (#210 (tie) most common name, -51.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
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Pixabay
6 / 50Edward is a name of English origin meaning "prosperous".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 906
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 485 (#191 most common name, -46.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,515
Canva
7 / 50Juan is a name of Spanish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 915
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,341 (#64 most common name, +46.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #68
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 43,179
Shutterstock
8 / 50Gabriel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my strength".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 931
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,615 (#18 most common name, +180.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #114
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 24,251
Min An // Pexels
9 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 979
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 166 (#408 (tie) most common name, -83.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
Samuel Borges Photography // Shutterstock
10 / 50Travis is a name of French origin meaning "to cross".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 984
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 272 (#294 most common name, -72.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,139
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Todd Trapani // Unsplash
11 / 50Chad is a name of English origin meaning "from the warrior's town".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,004
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 45 (#833 most common name, -95.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,598
Canva
12 / 50Sean is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,012
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 381 (#236 most common name, -62.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,945
Pixabay
13 / 50Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,052
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,777 (#14 most common name, +164.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
14 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,060
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 331 (#260 (tie) most common name, -68.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
Pixabay
15 / 50Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,072
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 265 (#299 most common name, -75.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
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Sidharth Sircar // Pexels
16 / 50Brandon is a name of English origin meaning "beacon hill" or "crow".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,110
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,115 (#83 most common name, +0.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,085
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
17 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,120
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,876 (#39 most common name, +67.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
Pixabay
18 / 50Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,204
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,231 (#74 most common name, +2.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,829
2p2play // Shutterstock
19 / 50Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,226
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 202 (#357 most common name, -83.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
marina shin // Shutterstock
20 / 50Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning "righteous".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,388
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 659 (#141 (tie) most common name, -52.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,581
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Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
21 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,430
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,003 (#94 most common name, -29.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
Canva
22 / 50Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,437
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,295 (#27 most common name, +59.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
Lopolo // Shutterstock
23 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,592
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 425 (#217 most common name, -73.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
Pixabay
24 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,598
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 433 (#212 most common name, -72.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
25 / 50Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,609
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,683 (#47 most common name, +4.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 101,539
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morrowlight // Shutterstock
26 / 50Jose is a name of Spanish origin meaning "God will increase".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,623
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,389 (#24 most common name, +47.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 66,116
Canva
27 / 50Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,646
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 360 (#247 most common name, -78.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
PxHere
28 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,697
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,048 (#89 most common name, -38.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
29 / 50Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,747
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,577 (#52 most common name, -9.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,756
Peakpx
30 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,770
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,948 (#9 most common name, +66.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
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Capable97 // Shutterstock
31 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,776
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,160 (#80 most common name, -34.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
Tetyana Kovyrina // Pexels
32 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,782
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 189 (#369 (tie) most common name, -89.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock
33 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,850
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,074 (#32 most common name, +12.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
Canva
34 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,945
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 195 (#364 most common name, -90.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
Unsplash
35 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,034
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 427 (#215 most common name, -79.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
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Unsplash
36 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,094
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 662 (#140 most common name, -68.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
Pshenina_m // Shutterstock
37 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,267
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 543 (#175 (tie) most common name, -76.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
PxHere
38 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,471
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,552 (#21 most common name, +3.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
Canva
39 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,585
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,361 (#26 most common name, -8.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
Burst
40 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,788
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,486 (#22 most common name, -10.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
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FamVeld // Shutterstock
41 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,816
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 640 (#145 most common name, -77.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
Katrina Elena // Shutterstock
42 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,170
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 482 (#192 (tie) most common name, -84.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
Canva
43 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,341
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,473 (#3 most common name, +4.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
PxHere
44 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,912
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,442 (#59 most common name, -63.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
Canva
45 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,215
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,383 (#25 most common name, -43.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
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Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
46 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,767
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,321 (#69 most common name, -72.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
yifanjrb // Shutterstock
47 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,199
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 927 (#102 most common name, -82.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
Adrie Molco // Shutterstock
48 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,226
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,742 (#15 most common name, -47.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
Mallmo // Shutterstock
49 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,264
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,163 (#29 most common name, -58.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
Unsplash
50 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Arizona
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,755
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,202 (#6 most common name, -58.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
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