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 Massachusetts 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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Shyamalamuralinath // Shutterstock
1 / 50Catherine is a name of Greek origin meaning "pure".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,491
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 588 (#98 most common name, -60.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #73
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 43,840
Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock
2 / 50Laurie is a name of Latin origin meaning "sweet bay tree".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,564
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #117
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 26,034
PxHere
3 / 50Maria is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "sea of bitterness".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,602
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 571 (#103 most common name, -64.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,102
Canva
4 / 50Pamela is a name of Greek origin meaning "all sweetness".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,619
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11 (#1280 most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,042
Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
5 / 50Tina is a name of English origin meaning "river".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,629
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10 (#1334 most common name, -99.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 84,757
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Pixabay
6 / 50Stacey is a name of Greek origin meaning "resurrection".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,647
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 59,222
Canva
7 / 50Cheryl is a name of Greek origin meaning "cherry fruit".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,658
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #78
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 40,351
Natalia Kirichenko // Shutterstock
8 / 50Sandra is a name of Greek origin meaning "defender of man".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,665
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 52 (#760 (tie) most common name, -96.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,310
Canva
9 / 50Deborah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "bee".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,673
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 105 (#485 (tie) most common name, -93.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #61
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,839
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
10 / 50Wendy is a name of English origin meaning "friend".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,683
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 21 (#1061 most common name, -98.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 74,188
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11 / 50Kerry is a name of Irish origin meaning "black-haired".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,690
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #171
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 15,961
Unsplash
12 / 50Katherine is a name of Greek origin meaning "pure".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,808
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 790 (#66 most common name, -56.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #55
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 54,068
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
13 / 50Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "palm tree".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,944
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 98,830
Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock
14 / 50Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,964
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 219 (#266 most common name, -88.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
Nina Buday // Shutterstock
15 / 50Lori is a name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,991
- 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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16 / 50Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,015
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 363 (#165 most common name, -82.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,777
phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock
17 / 50Jill is a name of English origin meaning "child of the gods".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,037
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,073
Canva
18 / 50Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,118
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 62 (#681 (tie) most common name, -97.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,118
Tatiana Katsai // Shutterstock
19 / 50Kristin is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,166
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1637 (tie) most common name, -99.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #74
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,381
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
20 / 50Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,174
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 85 (#575 most common name, -96.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
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21 / 50Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,184
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 294 (#191 (tie) most common name, -86.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
Nolte Lourens // Shutterstock
22 / 50Tara is a name of Irish origin meaning "rocky hill".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,258
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 76 (#609 (tie) most common name, -96.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,075
Pixabay
23 / 50Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,454
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 178 (#319 (tie) most common name, -92.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
Lopolo // Shutterstock
24 / 50Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,468
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 270 (#211 most common name, -89.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
Blend Images // Shutterstock
25 / 50Dawn is a name of English origin meaning "daybreak".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,476
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 92,443
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26 / 50Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning "fighter".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,509
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
Max Bukovski // Shutterstock
27 / 50Danielle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,531
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 181 (#315 most common name, -92.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 60,915
s_oleg // Shutterstock
28 / 50Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,531
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 484 (#126 most common name, -80.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
Pixabay
29 / 50Kathleen is a name of Irish origin meaning "pure".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,839
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 123 (#441 most common name, -95.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #69
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,851
Tetiana Iatsenko // Shutterstock
30 / 50Erin is a name of Irish origin meaning "peace".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,998
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 216 (#270 most common name, -92.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,911
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Durganand // Shutterstock
31 / 50Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,067
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 267 (#215 most common name, -91.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
Canva
32 / 50Kristen is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,086
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 22 (#1047 most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #72
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,205
Canva
33 / 50Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,121
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 321 (#181 most common name, -89.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
Pixabay
34 / 50Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,180
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 42 (#831 most common name, -98.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
Bodler // Shutterstock
35 / 50Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,515
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 406 (#151 most common name, -88.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
36 / 50Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,789
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 98 (#510 most common name, -97.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
lascot studio // Pexels
37 / 50Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,817
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,096 (#41 most common name, -71.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
Coy_Creek // Shutterstock
38 / 50Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,905
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 188 (#303 most common name, -95.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
39 / 50Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,184
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 146 (#384 (tie) most common name, -96.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
Pixabay
40 / 50Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,712
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,756 (#16 most common name, -62.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
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41 / 50Nicole is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,927
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 377 (#161 most common name, -92.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 144,672
Lopolo // Shutterstock
42 / 50Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,018
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 353 (#168 most common name, -93.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
43 / 50Christine is a name of English origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,154
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 63 (#676 most common name, -98.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 103,241
Canva
44 / 50Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,439
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 29 (#961 (tie) most common name, -99.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock
45 / 50Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,679
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 265 (#218 most common name, -95.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
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Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
46 / 50Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,102
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 317 (#184 most common name, -95.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
47 / 50Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,202
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 73 (#627 (tie) most common name, -99.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
Darkdiamond67 // Shutterstock
48 / 50Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,235
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 330 (#174 (tie) most common name, -95.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
49 / 50Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,535
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 288 (#198 most common name, -96.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
Marko Poplasen // Shutterstock
50 / 50Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".
Massachusetts
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 17,274
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 241 (#242 most common name, -98.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791
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