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 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—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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s_oleg // Shutterstock
1 / 50Molly is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "star of the sea".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,149
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 610 (#91 most common name, -46.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #174
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 15,544
Canva
2 / 50Jamie is a name of Scottish origin meaning "supplanter".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,194
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 69 (#651 (tie) most common name, -94.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,812
Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock
3 / 50Holly is a name of English origin meaning "the clearing by the hollow".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,252
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 137 (#410 most common name, -89.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #58
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 50,467
Pixabay
4 / 50Emily is a name of Latin origin meaning "to strive".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,258
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,533 (#17 most common name, +21.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #66
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 46,803
Pixabay
5 / 50Wendy is a name of English origin meaning "friend".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,275
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 41 (#850 most common name, -96.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 74,188
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Pixabay
6 / 50Ann is a name of Latin origin meaning "grace".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,298
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 28 (#992 (tie) most common name, -97.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #99
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 32,014
Canva
7 / 50Tanya is a name of Slavic origin meaning "fairy queen".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,349
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #62
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,834
Shyamalamuralinath // Shutterstock
8 / 50Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,387
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 63 (#694 (tie) most common name, -95.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
Pixabay
9 / 50Katherine is a name of Greek origin meaning "pure".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,426
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 502 (#111 most common name, -64.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #55
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 54,068
DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
10 / 50Brenda is a name of Norse origin meaning "sword".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,463
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 25 (#1032 most common name, -98.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #60
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 48,589
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Oleggg // Shutterstock
11 / 50Tara is a name of Irish origin meaning "rocky hill".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,511
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 27 (#1009 (tie) most common name, -98.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,075
Canva
12 / 50Kristin is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,592
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #74
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,381
Pixabay
13 / 50Jodi is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Jewish woman".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,663
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #103
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 30,298
PxHere
14 / 50Tina is a name of English origin meaning "river".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,670
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10 (#1395 (tie) most common name, -99.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 84,757
Tatyana Domnicheva // Shutterstock
15 / 50Erin is a name of Irish origin meaning "peace".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,702
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 122 (#455 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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Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
16 / 50Lori is a name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,736
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,784
Studio Romantic // Shutterstock
17 / 50Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "palm tree".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,741
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 98,830
Lopolo // Shutterstock
18 / 50Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,781
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 133 (#421 most common name, -92.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
Max Bukovski // Shutterstock
19 / 50Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,806
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 39 (#873 most common name, -97.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
Canva
20 / 50Carrie is a name of German origin meaning "free man".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,813
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1707 most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 66,837
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Canva
21 / 50Kari is a name of Scandinavian origin meaning "pure".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,827
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #150
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 18,567
Rob Marmion // Shutterstock
22 / 50Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,851
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 98 (#533 most common name, -94.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
Canva
23 / 50Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,933
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 378 (#149 (tie) most common name, -80.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
Canva
24 / 50Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning "fighter".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,994
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
lascot studio // Pexels
25 / 50Dawn is a name of English origin meaning "daybreak".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,008
- 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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Marko Poplasen // Shutterstock
26 / 50Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,016
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 293 (#199 most common name, -85.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,777
Canva
27 / 50Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,081
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 189 (#308 (tie) most common name, -90.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
Lopolo // Shutterstock
28 / 50Stacy is a name of Greek origin meaning "fruitful or productive".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,178
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 18 (#1149 (tie) most common name, -99.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 69,911
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
29 / 50Jill is a name of English origin meaning "child of the gods".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,282
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,073
Tetiana Iatsenko // Shutterstock
30 / 50Christine is a name of English origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,293
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 51 (#780 most common name, -97.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 103,241
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Durganand // Shutterstock
31 / 50Heidi is a name of German origin meaning "nobility".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,401
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 132 (#425 (tie) most common name, -94.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #76
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,214
photoDiod // Shutterstock
32 / 50Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,423
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 191 (#304 (tie) most common name, -92.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock
33 / 50Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,560
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1707 most common name, -99.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
Red Light Films // Pexels
34 / 50Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,560
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,711 (#15 most common name, -33.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
Fuller Photography // Shutterstock
35 / 50Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,775
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 126 (#440 (tie) most common name, -95.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
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Pixabay
36 / 50Sara is a derivation of the name Sarah, of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,017
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 225 (#256 (tie) most common name, -92.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #50
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,948
Canva
37 / 50Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,225
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 231 (#247 (tie) most common name, -92.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
Maria Evseyeva // Shutterstock
38 / 50Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,438
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 218 (#271 (tie) most common name, -93.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock
39 / 50Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,442
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 88 (#567 most common name, -97.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
Nitin Kumar // Pexels
40 / 50Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,606
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 67 (#666 most common name, -98.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
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George Rudy // Shutterstock
41 / 50Nicole is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,019
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 151 (#373 most common name, -96.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 144,672
Canva
42 / 50Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,642
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 28 (#992 (tie) most common name, -99.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
Mcimage // Shutterstock
43 / 50Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,692
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 215 (#277 most common name, -95.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock
44 / 50Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,793
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 446 (#125 most common name, -90.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
45 / 50Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,008
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35 (#914 (tie) most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
46 / 50Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,408
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 156 (#360 (tie) most common name, -97.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
FamVeld // Shutterstock
47 / 50Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,429
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 171 (#332 most common name, -96.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
Aaron Amat // Shutterstock
48 / 50Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,708
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 106 (#500 (tie) most common name, -98.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock
49 / 50Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,450
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 188 (#312 most common name, -97.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
DONUT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
50 / 50Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".
Minnesota
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,076
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 163 (#343 most common name, -98.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791
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