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 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—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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Canva
1 / 50Tonya is a name of Russian origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 902
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #49
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 57,768
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
2 / 50Tara is a name of Irish origin meaning "rocky hill".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 920
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 54 (#776 (tie) most common name, -94.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,075
Amalia Zilio // Shutterstock
3 / 50Donna is a name of Italian origin meaning "lady of the home".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 930
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #64
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,310
Canva
4 / 50Pamela is a name of Greek origin meaning "all sweetness".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 944
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1828 most common name, -99.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,042
Canva
5 / 50Lori is a name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 948
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,784
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Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
6 / 50Kathleen is a name of Irish origin meaning "pure".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 959
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 64 (#706 (tie) most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #69
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,851
Canva
7 / 50Deborah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "bee".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 962
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 109 (#492 (tie) most common name, -88.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #61
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,839
Nolte Lourens // Shutterstock
8 / 50Katherine is a name of Greek origin meaning "pure".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 998
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 841 (#50 most common name, -15.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #55
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 54,068
Darkdiamond67 // Shutterstock
9 / 50Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,032
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 478 (#120 (tie) most common name, -53.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,777
Lopolo // Shutterstock
10 / 50Tiffany is a name of Greek origin meaning "appearance of God".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,045
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 135 (#406 most common name, -87.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,151
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Canva
11 / 50Carrie is a name of German origin meaning "free man".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,061
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 16 (#1237 (tie) most common name, -98.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 66,837
Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock
12 / 50Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,072
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 496 (#114 (tie) most common name, -53.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock
13 / 50Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning "moon goddess".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,125
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 89 (#573 most common name, -92.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 80,209
Canva
14 / 50Stacy is a name of Greek origin meaning "fruitful or productive".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,130
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 31 (#1009 (tie) most common name, -97.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 69,911
Lopolo // Shutterstock
15 / 50Wendy is a name of English origin meaning "friend".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,159
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 34 (#968 (tie) most common name, -97.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 74,188
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DONUT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
16 / 50April is a name of Latin origin meaning "to open".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,172
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 120 (#447 most common name, -89.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,935
Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock
17 / 50Erin is a name of Irish origin meaning "peace".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,175
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 256 (#224 (tie) most common name, -78.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,911
Canva
18 / 50Crystal is a name of Latin origin meaning "Earth mineral".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,258
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 89 (#573 most common name, -92.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 73,759
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock
19 / 50Danielle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,286
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 294 (#192 most common name, -77.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 60,915
Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock
20 / 50Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,326
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 55 (#769 (tie) most common name, -95.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,118
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Africa Studio // Shutterstock
21 / 50Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,354
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 917 (#44 most common name, -32.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
Canva
22 / 50Michele is a name of Italian origin meaning "Who is like God?".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,358
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,541
Blend Images // Shutterstock
23 / 50Stacey is a name of Greek origin meaning "resurrection".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,362
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 15 (#1267 (tie) most common name, -98.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 59,222
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
24 / 50Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,446
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 40 (#896 (tie) most common name, -97.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
lascot studio // Pexels
25 / 50Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning "fighter".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,447
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
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Canva
26 / 50Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,465
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 165 (#353 (tie) most common name, -88.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock
27 / 50Tina is a name of English origin meaning "river".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,479
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1828 most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 84,757
Black-Photogaphy // Shutterstock
28 / 50Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,594
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 124 (#431 (tie) most common name, -92.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
Oleggg // Shutterstock
29 / 50Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "palm tree".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,816
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 98,830
javi_indy // Shutterstock
30 / 50Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,865
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 36 (#935 (tie) most common name, -98.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
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George Rudy // Shutterstock
31 / 50Christine is a name of English origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,902
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 66 (#693 most common name, -96.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 103,241
riggleton // Shutterstock
32 / 50Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,022
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 355 (#159 most common name, -82.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
Canva
33 / 50Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,047
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 174 (#334 (tie) most common name, -91.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
34 / 50Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,054
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,734 (#11 most common name, -15.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
Shyamalamuralinath // Shutterstock
35 / 50Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,113
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 315 (#180 (tie) most common name, -85.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
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Liudmila Fadzeyeva // Shutterstock
36 / 50Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,198
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 141 (#392 (tie) most common name, -93.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
Darren Brode // Shutterstock
37 / 50Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,240
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 478 (#120 (tie) most common name, -78.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
FamVeld // Shutterstock
38 / 50Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,270
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 317 (#177 most common name, -86.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
Max Bukovski // Shutterstock
39 / 50Dawn is a name of English origin meaning "daybreak".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,319
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 92,443
Surne1shots // Shutterstock
40 / 50Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,603
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 189 (#312 (tie) most common name, -92.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
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Canva
41 / 50Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,639
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 178 (#326 most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
Krystyna Taran // Shutterstock
42 / 50Nicole is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,771
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 383 (#142 most common name, -86.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 144,672
Tatyana Domnicheva // Shutterstock
43 / 50Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,057
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 265 (#213 (tie) most common name, -91.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
44 / 50Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,130
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 33 (#981 (tie) most common name, -98.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
Bodler // Shutterstock
45 / 50Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,738
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 438 (#129 most common name, -88.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
46 / 50Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,788
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 242 (#240 (tie) most common name, -93.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock
47 / 50Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,804
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 468 (#123 most common name, -87.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
Red Light Films // Pexels
48 / 50Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,804
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 56 (#762 (tie) most common name, -98.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
49 / 50Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,292
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 499 (#113 most common name, -88.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
50 / 50Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".
Maryland
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,315
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 293 (#193 (tie) most common name, -96.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791
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