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 Mexico 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.
Canva
1 / 50Jerry is a name of English origin meaning "exalted of the Lord".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 454
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 14 (#550 (tie) most common name, -96.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #62
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 48,306
Peakpx
2 / 50Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 463
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 14 (#550 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,778
Pixabay
3 / 50Sean is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 465
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 144 (#168 (tie) most common name, -69.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,945
yifanjrb // Shutterstock
4 / 50Johnny is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 465
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 141 (#176 (tie) most common name, -69.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #87
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 31,836
Burst
5 / 50Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 474
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 622 (#30 most common name, +31.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386
Canva
6 / 50Joe is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Jehovah increases".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 482
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 49 (#362 (tie) most common name, -89.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #108
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 24,759
Canva
7 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 498
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 56 (#331 (tie) most common name, -88.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
Pixabay
8 / 50Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 519
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 64 (#309 (tie) most common name, -87.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
Pixabay
9 / 50Edward is a name of English origin meaning "prosperous".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 522
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 131 (#195 most common name, -74.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,515
Pixabay
10 / 50Raymond is a name of German origin meaning "protector".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 530
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 107 (#221 (tie) most common name, -79.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #60
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 49,366
Canva
11 / 50Manuel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God with us".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 544
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 225 (#108 (tie) most common name, -58.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #146
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 17,266
Canva
12 / 50Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 559
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 55 (#338 most common name, -90.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
PxHere
13 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 101 (#232 (tie) most common name, -82.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
Canva
14 / 50Juan is a name of Spanish origin meaning "God is gracious".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 583
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 363 (#65 (tie) most common name, -37.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #67
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 43,179
Negative Space
15 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 587
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 29 (#445 (tie) most common name, -95.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
PxHere
16 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 601
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 445 (#52 most common name, -26.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
Capable97 // Shutterstock
17 / 50Carlos is a name of Spanish origin meaning "free man".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 614
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 431 (#56 most common name, -29.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #75
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 36,750
Unsplash
18 / 50Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning "righteous".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 620
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 260 (#94 most common name, -58.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,581
Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock
19 / 50Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 621
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 437 (#54 most common name, -29.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,756
Yulia Sribna // Shutterstock
20 / 50Gabriel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my strength".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 630
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 829 (#9 most common name, +31.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #112
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 24,251
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
21 / 50Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 632
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 363 (#65 (tie) most common name, -42.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,829
Photopin
22 / 50Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 720
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 548 (#41 (tie) most common name, -23.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
Shutterstock
23 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 747
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 49 (#362 (tie) most common name, -93.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
Canva
24 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 762
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 221 (#110 most common name, -71.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
Canva
25 / 50Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 767
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 468 (#48 most common name, -39.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 101,539
Alena Vostrikova // Shutterstock
26 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 770
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 141 (#176 (tie) most common name, -81.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
Unsplash
27 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 778
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 149 (#164 (tie) most common name, -80.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
BaLL LunLa // Shutterstock
28 / 50Jose is a name of Spanish origin meaning "God will increase".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 795
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 575 (#35 most common name, -27.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 66,116
Pixabay
29 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 832
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 290 (#82 (tie) most common name, -65.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
Pexels
30 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 860
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 760 (#13 most common name, -11.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
Canva
31 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 885
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 288 (#85 most common name, -67.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
marina shin // Shutterstock
32 / 50Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 890
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 153 (#158 (tie) most common name, -82.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
Canva
33 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 964
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 135 (#186 (tie) most common name, -86.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
Canva
34 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 991
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 137 (#183 (tie) most common name, -86.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
35 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,082
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 111 (#218 most common name, -89.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
Min An // Pexels
36 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,113
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 548 (#41 (tie) most common name, -50.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
Lopolo // Shutterstock
37 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,217
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 698 (#22 most common name, -42.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
Philippe Put // Flickr
38 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,252
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 233 (#106 (tie) most common name, -81.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock
39 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,339
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 192 (#124 (tie) most common name, -85.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock
40 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,359
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 699 (#20 (tie) most common name, -48.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
Thammasak Lek // Shutterstock
41 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,361
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 136 (#185 most common name, -90.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
BaLL LunLa // Shutterstock
42 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,592
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 727 (#17 most common name, -54.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
PxHere
43 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,666
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 870 (#8 most common name, -47.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
Min An // Pexels
44 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,031
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 398 (#62 most common name, -80.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
Canva
45 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,154
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 685 (#23 most common name, -68.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
46 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,220
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 325 (#76 most common name, -85.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
Pexels
47 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,329
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 362 (#67 most common name, -84.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
Pshenina_m // Shutterstock
48 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,626
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 681 (#25 most common name, -74.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
49 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,697
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 642 (#28 most common name, -76.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
Roman Sorkin // Shutterstock
50 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
New Mexico
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,741
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 930 (#5 most common name, -75.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
