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 Michigan 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 / 50Katherine is a name of Greek origin meaning "pure".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,519
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 655 (#144 most common name, -74.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #55
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 54,068
Tatiana Katsai // Shutterstock
2 / 50Heidi is a name of German origin meaning "nobility".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,540
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 199 (#447 most common name, -92.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #76
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,214
Pixabay
3 / 50Pamela is a name of Greek origin meaning "all sweetness".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,551
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 33 (#1374 most common name, -98.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,042
Canva
4 / 50Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning "moon goddess".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,558
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 104 (#734 most common name, -95.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 80,209
New Africa // Shutterstock
5 / 50Tonya is a name of Russian origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,608
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #49
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 57,768
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Black-Photogaphy // Shutterstock
6 / 50Renee is a name of French origin meaning "reborn".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,640
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 83 (#861 most common name, -96.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #88
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 37,581
ucchie79 // Shutterstock
7 / 50Michele is a name of Italian origin meaning "Who is like God?".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,642
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,541
Canva
8 / 50Holly is a name of English origin meaning "the clearing by the hollow".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,691
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 221 (#404 most common name, -91.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #58
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 50,467
Canva
9 / 50Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,736
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 99 (#766 most common name, -96.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,118
Canva
10 / 50April is a name of Latin origin meaning "to open".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,095
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 137 (#604 (tie) most common name, -95.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,935
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Red Light Films // Pexels
11 / 50Erin is a name of Irish origin meaning "peace".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,172
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 333 (#275 most common name, -89.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,911
phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock
12 / 50Stacey is a name of Greek origin meaning "resurrection".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,213
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 59,222
Marko Poplasen // Shutterstock
13 / 50Jill is a name of English origin meaning "child of the gods".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,223
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,073
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
14 / 50Stacy is a name of Greek origin meaning "fruitful or productive".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,274
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 69,911
Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock
15 / 50Danielle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,275
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 328 (#278 most common name, -90.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 60,915
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George Rudy // Shutterstock
16 / 50Lori is a name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,413
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#2525 (tie) most common name, -99.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,784
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
17 / 50Wendy is a name of English origin meaning "friend".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,429
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 34 (#1357 (tie) most common name, -99.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 74,188
Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
18 / 50Sara is a derivation of the name Sarah, of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,448
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 466 (#198 most common name, -86.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #50
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,948
Krystyna Taran // Shutterstock
19 / 50Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,749
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 71 (#941 (tie) most common name, -98.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
Amalia Zilio // Shutterstock
20 / 50Jamie is a name of Scottish origin meaning "supplanter".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,779
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 147 (#568 most common name, -96.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,812
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photoDiod // Shutterstock
21 / 50Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,818
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 437 (#216 most common name, -88.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,777
Rob Marmion // Shutterstock
22 / 50Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,097
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 114 (#689 most common name, -97.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
Blend Images // Shutterstock
23 / 50Tina is a name of English origin meaning "river".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,144
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 84,757
Fuller Photography // Shutterstock
24 / 50Carrie is a name of German origin meaning "free man".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,200
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 13 (#1863 (tie) most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 66,837
Canva
25 / 50Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "palm tree".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,340
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 98,830
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Pixabay
26 / 50Christine is a name of English origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,500
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 88 (#831 most common name, -98.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 103,241
Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock
27 / 50Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,685
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 327 (#279 most common name, -93.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
28 / 50Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning "fighter".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,745
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock
29 / 50Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,801
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 604 (#156 (tie) most common name, -87.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
Canva
30 / 50Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,124
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 277 (#330 (tie) most common name, -94.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
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Canva
31 / 50Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,162
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 181 (#474 (tie) most common name, -96.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
Nina Buday // Shutterstock
32 / 50Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,446
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 235 (#388 most common name, -95.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock
33 / 50Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,530
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,564 (#17 most common name, -53.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock
34 / 50Dawn is a name of English origin meaning "daybreak".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,771
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11 (#1967 (tie) most common name, -99.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 92,443
Tatyana Domnicheva // Shutterstock
35 / 50Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,807
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 411 (#227 (tie) most common name, -92.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
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Nitin Kumar // Pexels
36 / 50Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,939
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 193 (#455 (tie) most common name, -96.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock
37 / 50Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,953
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 61 (#1026 most common name, -99.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
Canva
38 / 50Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,917
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 110 (#707 (tie) most common name, -98.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
Natalia Kirichenko // Shutterstock
39 / 50Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,985
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,084 (#79 most common name, -84.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
CroMary // Shutterstock
40 / 50Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,274
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 403 (#230 most common name, -94.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
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Canva
41 / 50Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,923
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 78 (#892 (tie) most common name, -99.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
Kateryna Gurska // Shutterstock
42 / 50Nicole is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,732
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 291 (#315 (tie) most common name, -96.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 144,672
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
43 / 50Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,472
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 282 (#329 most common name, -97.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
Canva
44 / 50Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,812
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 70 (#948 (tie) most common name, -99.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
riggleton // Shutterstock
45 / 50Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,834
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 292 (#314 most common name, -97.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
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Pixabay
46 / 50Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,144
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 171 (#505 most common name, -98.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
Pixabay
47 / 50Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,824
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 71 (#941 (tie) most common name, -99.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
48 / 50Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,943
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 238 (#384 most common name, -98.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
Canva
49 / 50Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,430
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 204 (#439 most common name, -98.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
Canva
50 / 50Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".
Michigan
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 28,406
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 206 (#435 (tie) most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791
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