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 Minnesota 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 / 50Cory is a name of Irish origin meaning "from the hollow".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,473
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 41 (#764 (tie) most common name, -97.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #98
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 27,454
Pixabay
2 / 50Brandon is a name of English origin meaning "beacon hill" or "crow".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,485
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 458 (#153 most common name, -69.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,085
Canva
3 / 50Shane is a name of Irish origin meaning "graced by God".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,516
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 151 (#359 most common name, -90.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #60
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 50,289
Tatiana Dyuvbanova // Shutterstock
4 / 50Craig is a name of Scottish origin meaning "rocky".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,613
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 14 (#1066 most common name, -99.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #56
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,823
MIA Studio // Shutterstock
5 / 50Brent is a name of English origin meaning "hill".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,639
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 14 (#1066 most common name, data not available compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #81
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 35,388
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6 / 50Travis is a name of French origin meaning "to cross".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,789
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 173 (#325 (tie) most common name, -90.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,139
PxHere
7 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,808
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,858 (#23 most common name, +2.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock
8 / 50Jesse is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "the Lord exists".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,930
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 281 (#236 most common name, -85.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #66
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,910
Pixabay
9 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,976
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 122 (#412 (tie) most common name, -93.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
Minnikova Mariia // Shutterstock
10 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,025
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 870 (#84 most common name, -57.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
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11 / 50Peter is a name of Greek origin meaning "rock".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,059
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 521 (#134 (tie) most common name, -74.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #55
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 62,361
Flashon // Shutterstock
12 / 50Nicholas is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,176
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 804 (#89 most common name, -63.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,095
Pixabay
13 / 50Bradley is a name of English origin meaning "woodland clearing".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,230
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 232 (#273 (tie) most common name, -89.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,688
Pexels
14 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,271
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 380 (#172 (tie) most common name, -83.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
Philippe Put // Flickr
15 / 50Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning "righteous".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,403
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 427 (#160 most common name, -82.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,581
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Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock
16 / 50Troy is a name of Irish origin meaning "foot soldier".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,434
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 116 (#433 most common name, -95.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #62
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 48,851
Canva
17 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,484
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 278 (#240 most common name, -88.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
Pixabay
18 / 50Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,533
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 846 (#85 most common name, -66.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,829
Gorynvd // Shutterstock
19 / 50Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,651
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 155 (#352 (tie) most common name, -94.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
Unsplash
20 / 50Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,653
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,603 (#8 most common name, -1.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386
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21 / 50Todd is a name of English origin meaning "fox".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,742
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 12 (#1103 most common name, -99.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,384
Unsplash
22 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,890
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,101 (#65 most common name, -61.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
Canva
23 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,929
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,357 (#2 most common name, +14.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
24 / 50Nathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "given".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,144
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,126 (#59 most common name, -64.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #49
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,945
Jeremy Bishop // Unsplash
25 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,193
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 466 (#150 most common name, -85.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
26 / 50Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,209
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 789 (#92 most common name, -75.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 101,539
Canva
27 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,458
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 303 (#224 most common name, -91.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
Yulia Sribna // Shutterstock
28 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,734
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,469 (#38 most common name, -60.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
Canva
29 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,856
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 247 (#256 (tie) most common name, -93.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
Canva
30 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,897
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,122 (#61 most common name, -71.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
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My Good Images // Shutterstock
31 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,199
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 396 (#167 most common name, -90.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
Pixabay
32 / 50Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,351
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,573 (#32 most common name, -63.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
Canva
33 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,371
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,729 (#24 most common name, -60.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
Adrie Molco // Shutterstock
34 / 50Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,650
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 190 (#312 most common name, -95.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
Peakpx
35 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,679
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 276 (#241 most common name, -94.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
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Pixabay
36 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,968
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 702 (#105 most common name, -85.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
Canva
37 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,120
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 320 (#216 most common name, -93.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
38 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,405
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 170 (#331 most common name, -96.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
Unsplash
39 / 50Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,495
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,124 (#60 most common name, -79.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,756
Canva
40 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,511
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,270 (#13 most common name, -58.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
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41 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,747
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 104 (#460 (tie) most common name, -98.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
PxHere
42 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,980
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,424 (#40 most common name, -76.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
Mallmo // Shutterstock
43 / 50Chad is a name of English origin meaning "from the warrior's town".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,045
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 17 (#1012 (tie) most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,598
Pexels
44 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,492
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,439 (#39 most common name, -77.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
Canva
45 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,967
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 219 (#286 (tie) most common name, -96.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
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46 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,311
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,191 (#56 most common name, -83.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
Canva
47 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,939
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,271 (#48 most common name, -84.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
48 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,145
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 791 (#91 most common name, -90.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
Falcona // Shutterstock
49 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,694
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 505 (#138 (tie) most common name, -95.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
Canva
50 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,302
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,637 (#28 most common name, -86.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
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