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 York 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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Canva
1 / 50Vincent is a name of Latin origin meaning "to conquer".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,833
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,060 (#73 most common name, -36.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #98
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 27,485
Pixabay
2 / 50Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,067
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 319 (#487 most common name, -93.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475
Pixabay
3 / 50Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,074
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 9,238 (#13 most common name, +82.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,756
Pixabay
4 / 50Raymond is a name of German origin meaning "protector".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,223
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,069 (#195 most common name, -79.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #61
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 49,366
PxHere
5 / 50Luis is a name of German origin meaning "famous warrior".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,361
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,817 (#122 most common name, -66.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #119
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 23,580
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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
6 / 50Craig is a name of Scottish origin meaning "rocky".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,404
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 162 (#802 most common name, -97.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #56
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,823
2p2play // Shutterstock
7 / 50Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,466
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,477 (#85 most common name, -54.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
Minnikova Mariia // Shutterstock
8 / 50Nicholas is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,684
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,150 (#23 most common name, +25.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,095
Katrina Elena // Shutterstock
9 / 50Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,774
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 467 (#370 most common name, -91.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,778
BaLL LunLa // Shutterstock
10 / 50Todd is a name of English origin meaning "fox".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,023
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 88 (#1219 (tie) most common name, -98.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,384
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Pixabay
11 / 50George is a name of Greek origin meaning "farmer".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,601
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,133 (#99 most common name, -67.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #53
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,754
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
12 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,605
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,008 (#24 most common name, +6.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
Min An // Pexels
13 / 50Frank is a name of German origin meaning "free man".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,960
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 985 (#206 (tie) most common name, -85.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #65
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 46,891
Canva
14 / 50Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,003
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 753 (#262 (tie) most common name, -89.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
Burst
15 / 50Keith is a name of Celtic origin meaning "wood, forest".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,490
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 392 (#415 most common name, -94.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #45
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,737
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Vasiuk Iryna // Shutterstock
16 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,593
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,004 (#109 most common name, -73.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
17 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,046
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,087 (#36 most common name, -36.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
18 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,271
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,152 (#173 most common name, -86.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
Thammasak Lek // Shutterstock
19 / 50Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,296
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,188 (#48 most common name, -49.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,829
Canva
20 / 50Sean is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,629
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,959 (#113 most common name, -77.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,945
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Peakpx
21 / 50Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,925
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 949 (#216 most common name, -89.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
Canva
22 / 50Jose is a name of Spanish origin meaning "God will increase".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,242
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,950 (#115 most common name, -78.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 66,116
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
23 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,266
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 705 (#281 most common name, -92.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
PxHere
24 / 50Edward is a name of English origin meaning "prosperous".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,437
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,835 (#121 most common name, -80.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,515
Ana Paula Lima // Pexels
25 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,545
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,957 (#50 most common name, -58.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
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Canva
26 / 50Peter is a name of Greek origin meaning "rock".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,177
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,647 (#132 most common name, -85.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #55
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 62,361
Canva
27 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,432
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,615 (#135 most common name, -85.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
28 / 50Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,976
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,315 (#27 most common name, -47.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
Pshenina_m // Shutterstock
29 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,632
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,330 (#159 most common name, -89.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
Iren_Geo // Shutterstock
30 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,072
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,623 (#134 most common name, -88.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
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Africa Studio // Shutterstock
31 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,101
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,338 (#91 (tie) most common name, -83.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
Pixabay
32 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,397
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,070 (#194 most common name, -92.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
Pexels
33 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 15,400
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 417 (#400 most common name, -97.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
PxHere
34 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 15,526
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,338 (#91 (tie) most common name, -84.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
Canva
35 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 16,154
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,913 (#53 most common name, -75.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
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Canva
36 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 18,385
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,756 (#126 most common name, -90.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
Unsplash
37 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 19,026
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,878 (#39 most common name, -74.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
PxHere
38 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 19,441
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 8,901 (#16 most common name, -54.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
39 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 19,533
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10,687 (#7 most common name, -45.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
Pexels
40 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 20,743
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,526 (#21 most common name, -63.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
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Pixabay
41 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 21,895
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10,024 (#8 most common name, -54.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
rSnapshotPhotos // Shutterstock
42 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 23,353
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,984 (#111 most common name, -91.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
Canva
43 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 27,992
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10,877 (#6 most common name, -61.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock
44 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 27,998
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,125 (#49 most common name, -85.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
Sidharth Sircar // Pexels
45 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 29,835
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 8,701 (#17 most common name, -70.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
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PxHere
46 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 31,809
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,663 (#58 most common name, -88.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
Pexels
47 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 34,702
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,756 (#25 most common name, -80.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
Adrie Molco // Shutterstock
48 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 34,703
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 8,910 (#15 most common name, -74.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
49 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 35,676
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,236 (#22 most common name, -79.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
Tatiana Dyuvbanova // Shutterstock
50 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
New York
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 62,282
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11,974 (#3 most common name, -80.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
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