While many women throughout history have achieved amazing things, most little girls' names are popularized by the stars of the entertainment industry: a child actress who was a beacon of hope during the Great Depression; the title of a popular song; or the name fictional characters gave their baby in a sitcom.
Stacker compiled a list of the most popular baby names for girls in the 70s in California 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—after all, names can tell the story of a generation. Radios blaring the melodies Fleetwood Mac may have inspired parents to name their daughters after the band's keyboardist, Christine McVie, people who came of age during the peace-and-love counterculture revolution may have been attracted to nature-inspired baby names, like Crystal, April, or Heather. Other newborns of the 1970s may have gotten their names from some of the biggest stars of the decade, like Julie Andrews or Carrie Fisher.
Keep reading to see if any familiar girls' names (or your own!) made our list.
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Matva // Shutterstock
1 / 50Teresa is a name of Greek origin meaning "huntress".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,639
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 825 (#481 most common name, -85.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,001
DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
2 / 50Diana is a name of Roman origin meaning "goddess of the hunt".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,666
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,956 (#133 most common name, -47.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #97
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 33,268
Canva
3 / 50Erica is a name of Norse origin meaning "eternal ruler".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,689
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 530 (#684 most common name, -90.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #59
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 49,581
Canva
4 / 50Gina is a name of German origin meaning "farmer".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,752
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 213 (#1330 (tie) most common name, -96.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #84
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 38,068
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5 / 50Alicia is a name of Spanish origin meaning "noble".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,768
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,022 (#195 most common name, -64.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #82
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 39,201
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6 / 50Stacy is a name of Greek origin meaning "fruitful or productive".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,768
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 481 (#736 most common name, -91.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 69,911
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock
7 / 50Sara is a derivation of the name Sarah, of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,860
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,539 (#154 most common name, -56.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #50
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,948
Canva
8 / 50Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,888
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 314 (#1014 most common name, -94.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
Canva
9 / 50Jamie is a name of Scottish origin meaning "supplanter".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,114
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,038 (#396 most common name, -83.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,812
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
10 / 50Denise is a name of Greek origin meaning "to be devoted to Bacchus".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,266
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 901 (#443 most common name, -85.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #53
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,860
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11 / 50Tiffany is a name of Greek origin meaning "appearance of God".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,400
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,662 (#238 most common name, -74.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,151
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
12 / 50Danielle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,525
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,496 (#277 most common name, -77.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 60,915
CroMary // Shutterstock
13 / 50Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning "fighter".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,556
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 194 (#1431 (tie) most common name, -97.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
14 / 50Dawn is a name of English origin meaning "daybreak".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,561
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 112 (#1998 (tie) most common name, -98.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 92,443
Lopolo // Shutterstock
15 / 50Tina is a name of English origin meaning "river".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,699
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 332 (#977 most common name, -95.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 84,757
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16 / 50April is a name of Latin origin meaning "to open".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,786
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,746 (#225 most common name, -74.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,935
Canva
17 / 50Amber is a name of Persian origin meaning "ambergris”, a fragrant material extracted from a type of whale.
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,916
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,806 (#219 most common name, -73.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #65
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,013
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
18 / 50Wendy is a name of English origin meaning "friend".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,242
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 949 (#419 most common name, -86.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 74,188
Bodler // Shutterstock
19 / 50Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,304
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,973 (#201 most common name, -73.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
Canva
20 / 50Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,311
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,592 (#252 most common name, -78.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
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21 / 50Erin is a name of Irish origin meaning "peace".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,531
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,070 (#380 most common name, -85.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,911
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22 / 50Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,983
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,145 (#185 most common name, -73.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,777
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
23 / 50Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,467
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,656 (#240 most common name, -80.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
Pexels
24 / 50Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,327
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,383 (#47 most common name, -31.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
25 / 50Sandra is a name of Greek origin meaning "defender of man".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,411
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 751 (#522 (tie) most common name, -92.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,310
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26 / 50Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,696
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,299 (#312 most common name, -86.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
Canva
27 / 50Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,933
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 563 (#652 most common name, -94.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,118
Canva
28 / 50Veronica is a name of Latin origin meaning "she who brings victory".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,296
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,239 (#323 most common name, -88.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #83
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 38,634
Malakhova Ganna // Shutterstock
29 / 50Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning "moon goddess".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,325
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,337 (#305 most common name, -87.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 80,209
Haywiremedia // Shutterstock
30 / 50Monica is a name of Greek origin meaning "solitary".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,576
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,213 (#336 most common name, -88.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #45
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 61,651
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Coy_Creek // Shutterstock
31 / 50Christine is a name of English origin meaning "follower of Christ".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,722
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 638 (#594 most common name, -94.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 103,241
Studio Romantic // Shutterstock
32 / 50Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,533
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,188 (#182 most common name, -81.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
riggleton // Shutterstock
33 / 50Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,830
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,247 (#68 most common name, -55.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
Canva
34 / 50Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,881
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 276 (#1116 (tie) most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
35 / 50Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,947
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,194 (#341 most common name, -90.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
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Canva
36 / 50Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,011
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,141 (#357 most common name, -90.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
Natalia Kirichenko // Shutterstock
37 / 50Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,577
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,843 (#103 most common name, -71.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
38 / 50Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,743
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,673 (#113 most common name, -73.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
Durganand // Shutterstock
39 / 50Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,031
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,750 (#109 most common name, -73.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
photoDiod // Shutterstock
40 / 50Nicole is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,925
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,576 (#78 most common name, -69.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 144,672
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Kateryna Gurska // Shutterstock
41 / 50Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 15,661
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10,360 (#16 most common name, -33.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
Tetiana Iatsenko // Shutterstock
42 / 50Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 16,354
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,352 (#300 most common name, -91.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
Fuller Photography // Shutterstock
43 / 50Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 16,513
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,456 (#82 most common name, -73.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock
44 / 50Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 17,098
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,528 (#46 most common name, -61.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
45 / 50Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 17,229
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 358 (#929 (tie) most common name, -97.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
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Oleggg // Shutterstock
46 / 50Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 18,172
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,782 (#107 most common name, -79.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
Canva
47 / 50Maria is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "sea of bitterness".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 18,393
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,447 (#83 most common name, -75.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,102
Canva
48 / 50Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 21,590
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 604 (#614 most common name, -97.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock
49 / 50Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 26,578
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,903 (#102 most common name, -85.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
Tatiana Katsai // Shutterstock
50 / 50Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".
California
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 54,735
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,069 (#127 most common name, -94.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791
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