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 Maryland 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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Canva
1 / 50Raymond is a name of German origin meaning "protector".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 976
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 229 (#259 most common name, -76.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #60
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 49,366
Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock
2 / 50Larry is a name of Latin origin meaning "from the place of the laurel leaves".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 991
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 112 (#432 most common name, -88.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,112
Canva
3 / 50Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,035
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,470 (#11 most common name, +138.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386
Canva
4 / 50Craig is a name of Scottish origin meaning "rocky".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,042
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 51 (#702 most common name, -95.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #55
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,823
Canva
5 / 50Douglas is a name of Scottish origin meaning "black water".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,116
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 128 (#394 most common name, -88.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #49
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,212
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Canva
6 / 50Bryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,160
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 609 (#108 most common name, -47.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 71,405
PxHere
7 / 50Todd is a name of English origin meaning "fox".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,182
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 32 (#841 (tie) most common name, -97.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,384
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
8 / 50Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,213
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 891 (#78 most common name, -26.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,829
Shutterstock
9 / 50Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,224
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 557 (#117 most common name, -54.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
Falcona // Shutterstock
10 / 50Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,234
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,301 (#50 most common name, +5.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 101,539
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11 / 50Gary is a name of English origin meaning "spearman".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,241
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 97 (#486 (tie) most common name, -92.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 68,301
Min An // Pexels
12 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,385
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 539 (#127 most common name, -61.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
Canva
13 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,481
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,429 (#13 most common name, +64.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock
14 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,517
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,512 (#38 most common name, -0.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
15 / 50George is a name of Greek origin meaning "farmer".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,537
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 548 (#122 most common name, -64.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,754
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Canva
16 / 50Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,589
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,154 (#19 most common name, +35.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,756
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
17 / 50Edward is a name of English origin meaning "prosperous".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,590
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 515 (#132 (tie) most common name, -67.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,515
PxHere
18 / 50Keith is a name of Celtic origin meaning "wood, forest".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,614
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 214 (#272 most common name, -86.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #45
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,737
Negative Space
19 / 50Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,650
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 161 (#328 (tie) most common name, -90.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475
MIA Studio // Shutterstock
20 / 50Sean is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,783
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 589 (#112 most common name, -67.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,945
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21 / 50Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,811
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 193 (#288 (tie) most common name, -89.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,778
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
22 / 50Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,963
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 270 (#229 (tie) most common name, -86.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock
23 / 50Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,985
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 305 (#204 most common name, -84.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
Capable97 // Shutterstock
24 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,061
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 404 (#159 most common name, -80.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
Canva
25 / 50Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,163
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,000 (#28 most common name, -7.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
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26 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,204
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 254 (#241 most common name, -88.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
Canva
27 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,233
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 396 (#163 (tie) most common name, -82.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
PxHere
28 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,557
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,935 (#29 most common name, -24.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
Iren_Geo // Shutterstock
29 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,707
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 131 (#386 (tie) most common name, -95.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
Fotonium // Shutterstock
30 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,944
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 557 (#117 most common name, -81.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
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Adrie Molco // Shutterstock
31 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,050
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 385 (#171 most common name, -87.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
PxHere
32 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,054
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 614 (#106 most common name, -79.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
Pixabay
33 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,101
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 369 (#177 most common name, -88.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
Unsplash
34 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,445
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 617 (#105 most common name, -82.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
Pexels
35 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,508
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 510 (#134 most common name, -85.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
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Alena Vostrikova // Shutterstock
36 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,531
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,337 (#47 most common name, -62.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
37 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,540
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,649 (#9 most common name, -25.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
38 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,794
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,445 (#41 most common name, -61.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
PxHere
39 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,916
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,076 (#67 most common name, -72.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
Canva
40 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,188
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,277 (#16 most common name, -45.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
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41 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,296
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,081 (#21 (tie) most common name, -51.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
Canva
42 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,735
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 550 (#120 most common name, -90.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
Canva
43 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,796
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,204 (#55 most common name, -79.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
PxHere
44 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,103
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,781 (#7 most common name, -54.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
Pshenina_m // Shutterstock
45 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,233
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,181 (#57 most common name, -83.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
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Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock
46 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,322
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,081 (#21 (tie) most common name, -71.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
Canva
47 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,389
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,009 (#26 (tie) most common name, -72.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
Pixabay
48 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,604
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,223 (#17 most common name, -70.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
Burst
49 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,757
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,713 (#8 most common name, -65.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
50 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,813
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,864 (#5 most common name, -75.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
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