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 New Jersey 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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Pexels
1 / 50Marc is a name of Latin origin meaning "to be warlike".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,835
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 187 (#378 most common name, -89.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #89
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 31,757
Alena Vostrikova // Shutterstock
2 / 50Dennis is a name of Greek origin meaning "follower of Dionysius".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,843
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 218 (#348 most common name, -88.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #59
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 50,566
Mallmo // Shutterstock
3 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,887
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,288 (#24 most common name, +74.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
4 / 50Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,958
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 143 (#471 (tie) most common name, -92.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475
PxHere
5 / 50Raymond is a name of German origin meaning "protector".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,055
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 356 (#238 (tie) most common name, -82.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #61
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 49,366
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pratan ounpitipong // Shutterstock
6 / 50Todd is a name of English origin meaning "fox".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,121
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 17 (#1317 most common name, -99.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,384
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
7 / 50Craig is a name of Scottish origin meaning "rocky".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,135
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 65 (#768 (tie) most common name, -97.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #56
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,823
Canva
8 / 50Douglas is a name of Scottish origin meaning "black water".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,152
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 121 (#533 (tie) most common name, -94.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #50
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,212
Gorynvd // Shutterstock
9 / 50Nicholas is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,308
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,622 (#19 most common name, +56.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,095
Pixabay
10 / 50Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,395
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,878 (#46 most common name, -21.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,829
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Pexels
11 / 50Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,483
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 349 (#241 most common name, -85.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock
12 / 50Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,608
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 224 (#344 most common name, -91.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,778
Canva
13 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,789
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,033 (#87 most common name, -63.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
BaLL LunLa // Shutterstock
14 / 50Jose is a name of Spanish origin meaning "God will increase".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,883
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,018 (#89 most common name, -64.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 66,116
Pexels
15 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,893
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,274 (#35 most common name, -21.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
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Unsplash
16 / 50Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,920
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,605 (#8 most common name, +57.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,756
noBorders - Brayden Howie // Shutterstock
17 / 50Frank is a name of German origin meaning "free man".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,973
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 454 (#198 (tie) most common name, -84.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #65
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 46,891
Canva
18 / 50George is a name of Greek origin meaning "farmer".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,041
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 844 (#114 most common name, -72.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #53
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,754
Canva
19 / 50Keith is a name of Celtic origin meaning "wood, forest".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,371
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 170 (#407 (tie) most common name, -95.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #45
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,737
Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock
20 / 50Sean is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,418
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,001 (#93 most common name, -70.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,945
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Unsplash
21 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,674
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 540 (#170 most common name, -85.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
Canva
22 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,685
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 357 (#237 most common name, -90.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
Philippe Put // Flickr
23 / 50Peter is a name of Greek origin meaning "rock".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,793
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 627 (#147 most common name, -83.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #55
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 62,361
Canva
24 / 50Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,824
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,037 (#26 most common name, -20.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
PxHere
25 / 50Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,901
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 454 (#198 (tie) most common name, -88.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
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Photopin
26 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,111
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 646 (#143 most common name, -84.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
Canva
27 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,157
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,548 (#65 most common name, -62.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
Capable97 // Shutterstock
28 / 50Edward is a name of English origin meaning "prosperous".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,271
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 836 (#115 (tie) most common name, -80.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,515
PxHere
29 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,513
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 554 (#164 most common name, -87.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
Canva
30 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,524
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 994 (#94 (tie) most common name, -82.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
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Canva
31 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,623
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 799 (#124 most common name, -85.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
Canva
32 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,833
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 801 (#122 (tie) most common name, -86.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
33 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,947
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 205 (#356 (tie) most common name, -96.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
Unsplash
34 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,177
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 483 (#187 most common name, -92.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
Canva
35 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,711
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,796 (#50 most common name, -73.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
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2p2play // Shutterstock
36 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,088
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,257 (#2 most common name, -25.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
Pixabay
37 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,096
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,674 (#7 most common name, -34.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
Canva
38 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,392
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 809 (#119 most common name, -89.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
Sidharth Sircar // Pexels
39 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,167
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,266 (#36 most common name, -72.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
FamVeld // Shutterstock
40 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,184
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,568 (#9 most common name, -44.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
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Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock
41 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,683
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,188 (#25 most common name, -67.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
42 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,818
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,688 (#59 most common name, -82.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
Unsplash
43 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,226
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 908 (#102 most common name, -91.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
Pixabay
44 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,447
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,018 (#5 most common name, -56.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
Minnikova Mariia // Shutterstock
45 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,432
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,768 (#18 most common name, -69.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
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Unsplash
46 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,143
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,570 (#20 most common name, -74.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
Unsplash
47 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,148
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,512 (#21 most common name, -75.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
Roman Sorkin // Shutterstock
48 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,341
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,881 (#45 most common name, -86.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
Unsplash
49 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,944
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,308 (#23 most common name, -77.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
50 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
New Jersey
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 25,917
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,656 (#1 most common name, -78.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
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