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 Kentucky 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 / 50Bobby is a name of German origin meaning "bright fame".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,295
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 86 (#443 most common name, -93.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #93
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 28,888
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2 / 50Brandon is a name of English origin meaning "beacon hill" or "crow".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,306
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 586 (#95 most common name, -55.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,085
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
3 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,318
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 295 (#185 most common name, -77.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
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4 / 50Phillip is a name of Greek origin meaning "fond of horses".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,343
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 131 (#327 (tie) most common name, -90.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #70
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 39,785
Canva
5 / 50Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,365
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,686 (#20 most common name, +23.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386
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Unsplash
6 / 50Jeffery is a name of German origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,376
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 108 (#385 most common name, -92.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #66
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,551
Jeremy Bishop // Unsplash
7 / 50Terry is a name of German origin meaning "power of the tribe".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,418
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 85 (#445 (tie) most common name, -94.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #68
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,358
Min An // Pexels
8 / 50Bryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,454
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 220 (#237 most common name, -84.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 71,405
Pshenina_m // Shutterstock
9 / 50Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,455
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,334 (#36 most common name, -8.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
Pexels
10 / 50Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,457
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 643 (#91 most common name, -55.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 101,539
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11 / 50Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,458
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 469 (#118 (tie) most common name, -67.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,829
Unsplash
12 / 50Bradley is a name of English origin meaning "woodland clearing".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,554
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 343 (#166 (tie) most common name, -77.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #56
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,688
Canva
13 / 50Jerry is a name of English origin meaning "exalted of the Lord".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,671
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 112 (#374 most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #62
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 48,306
Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock
14 / 50Billy is a name of English origin meaning "resolute protection".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,744
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 93 (#424 (tie) most common name, -94.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #82
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 33,077
Irisska // Shutterstock
15 / 50Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,765
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 101 (#406 most common name, -94.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,778
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16 / 50Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,915
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 190 (#257 (tie) most common name, -90.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
Canva
17 / 50Gary is a name of English origin meaning "spearman".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,025
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 108 (#385 most common name, -94.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 68,301
PxHere
18 / 50Larry is a name of Latin origin meaning "from the place of the laurel leaves".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,031
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 102 (#403 (tie) most common name, -95.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,112
Canva
19 / 50Chad is a name of English origin meaning "from the warrior's town".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,050
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 33 (#663 most common name, -98.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,598
Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock
20 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,086
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 52 (#563 (tie) most common name, -97.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
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Canva
21 / 50Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,130
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 123 (#342 (tie) most common name, -94.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475
Canva
22 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,327
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 376 (#154 (tie) most common name, -83.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
yifanjrb // Shutterstock
23 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,363
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 261 (#203 most common name, -89.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
PxHere
24 / 50Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,365
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 289 (#189 most common name, -87.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
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25 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,494
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 880 (#66 most common name, -64.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
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PxHere
26 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,503
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 170 (#274 most common name, -93.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
Unsplash
27 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,510
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,357 (#33 most common name, -45.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
Unsplash
28 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,904
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,141 (#48 most common name, -60.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
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29 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,051
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 968 (#58 most common name, -68.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock
30 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,098
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 340 (#168 most common name, -89.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
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31 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,200
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 296 (#184 most common name, -90.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
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32 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,269
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 182 (#265 most common name, -94.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
Canva
33 / 50Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,369
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 227 (#233 most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
Burst
34 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,397
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 924 (#61 most common name, -72.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
noBorders - Brayden Howie // Shutterstock
35 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,428
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 254 (#209 most common name, -92.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
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36 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,667
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 411 (#137 most common name, -88.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
Canva
37 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,754
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,326 (#38 most common name, -64.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
Pixabay
38 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,153
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 537 (#107 most common name, -87.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
39 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,357
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 449 (#123 most common name, -89.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
40 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,536
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,536 (#28 most common name, -66.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
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Canva
41 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,925
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,282 (#41 most common name, -74.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
Falcona // Shutterstock
42 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,256
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 268 (#200 most common name, -95.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock
43 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,520
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,833 (#10 most common name, -75.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
Pixabay
44 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,598
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,009 (#55 most common name, -86.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
Canva
45 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,839
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,309 (#1 most common name, -57.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
46 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,254
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,273 (#43 most common name, -84.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
Canva
47 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,136
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 552 (#104 most common name, -94.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock
48 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,924
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,375 (#32 most common name, -87.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
Unsplash
49 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,222
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,711 (#18 most common name, -86.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
MIA Studio // Shutterstock
50 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
Kentucky
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,352
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,628 (#4 most common name, -78.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
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