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 Kansas 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".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 778
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 40 (#570 most common name, -94.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475
Pixabay
2 / 50Sean is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 784
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 150 (#271 most common name, -80.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,945
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3 / 50Dustin is a name of Norse origin meaning "brave warrior".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 845
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 51 (#515 most common name, -94.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #103
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 26,467
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4 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 849
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 626 (#60 most common name, -26.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
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5 / 50Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 850
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 118 (#317 most common name, -86.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
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6 / 50Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 869
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,354 (#7 most common name, +55.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386
Canva
7 / 50Troy is a name of Irish origin meaning "foot soldier".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 874
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 89 (#396 most common name, -89.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #62
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 48,851
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8 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 878
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 198 (#212 (tie) most common name, -77.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
Canva
9 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 888
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 85 (#404 (tie) most common name, -90.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
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10 / 50Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 897
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 376 (#112 most common name, -58.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,829
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Canva
11 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 923
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 163 (#254 most common name, -82.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
Canva
12 / 50Bryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 986
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 157 (#264 (tie) most common name, -84.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 71,405
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13 / 50Todd is a name of English origin meaning "fox".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 996
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 157 (#264 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,384
Pixabay
14 / 50Bradley is a name of English origin meaning "woodland clearing".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,004
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 192 (#221 (tie) most common name, -80.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,688
Burst
15 / 50Nathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "given".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,016
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 589 (#69 most common name, -42.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #49
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,945
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16 / 50Shane is a name of Irish origin meaning "graced by God".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,019
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 96 (#370 (tie) most common name, -90.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #60
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 50,289
Unsplash
17 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,112
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 197 (#214 (tie) most common name, -82.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
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18 / 50Brandon is a name of English origin meaning "beacon hill" or "crow".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,241
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 306 (#147 (tie) most common name, -75.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,085
Pexels
19 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,268
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 777 (#42 most common name, -38.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
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20 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,313
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 730 (#47 most common name, -44.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
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Canva
21 / 50Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,356
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 874 (#34 most common name, -35.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
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22 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,434
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 787 (#40 most common name, -45.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
Pixabay
23 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,647
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 931 (#29 most common name, -43.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
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24 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,684
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 159 (#261 most common name, -90.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
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25 / 50Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,737
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 93 (#384 most common name, -94.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
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26 / 50Travis is a name of French origin meaning "to cross".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,749
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 127 (#299 most common name, -92.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,139
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27 / 50Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,754
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 548 (#71 most common name, -68.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 101,539
Pixabay
28 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,814
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 236 (#177 (tie) most common name, -87.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
Pixabay
29 / 50Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning "righteous".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,920
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 307 (#146 most common name, -84.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,581
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30 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,927
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 172 (#242 (tie) most common name, -91.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
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31 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,958
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 136 (#289 most common name, -93.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
Pixabay
32 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,984
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 784 (#41 most common name, -60.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
PxHere
33 / 50Chad is a name of English origin meaning "from the warrior's town".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,007
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7 (#909 (tie) most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,598
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34 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,011
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 317 (#139 (tie) most common name, -84.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
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35 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,050
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,015 (#24 most common name, -50.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
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36 / 50Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,113
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 591 (#68 most common name, -72.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,756
PxHere
37 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,198
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 249 (#172 (tie) most common name, -88.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
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38 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,308
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,715 (#2 most common name, -25.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
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39 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,371
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 95 (#374 (tie) most common name, -96.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
Pixabay
40 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,385
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 97 (#366 most common name, -95.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
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41 / 50Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,411
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 145 (#280 most common name, -94.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
Pexels
42 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,240
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 485 (#86 most common name, -85.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
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43 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,598
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 757 (#46 most common name, -79.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
Canva
44 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,623
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 921 (#31 most common name, -74.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
Pexels
45 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,877
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 852 (#36 most common name, -78.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
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Pixabay
46 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,878
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,302 (#10 most common name, -66.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
Canva
47 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,883
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 172 (#242 (tie) most common name, -95.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
yifanjrb // Shutterstock
48 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,081
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 666 (#56 most common name, -86.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
Unsplash
49 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,139
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 318 (#138 most common name, -94.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
Canva
50 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Kansas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,364
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,107 (#19 most common name, -82.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
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