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 Ohio 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 / 50Craig is a name of Scottish origin meaning "rocky".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,800
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 94 (#796 (tie) most common name, -97.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #56
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,823
Pixabay
2 / 50Bradley is a name of English origin meaning "woodland clearing".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,895
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 721 (#196 most common name, -81.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,688
Iren_Geo // Shutterstock
3 / 50Edward is a name of English origin meaning "prosperous".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,143
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 811 (#173 (tie) most common name, -80.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,515
Unsplash
4 / 50Nicholas is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,172
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,320 (#67 most common name, -44.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,095
Canva
5 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,271
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 919 (#152 most common name, -78.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
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Jeremy Bishop // Unsplash
6 / 50Gary is a name of English origin meaning "spearman".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,296
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 199 (#482 (tie) most common name, -95.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 68,301
Canva
7 / 50Keith is a name of Celtic origin meaning "wood, forest".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,419
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 355 (#320 (tie) most common name, -92.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #45
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,737
Canva
8 / 50Sean is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,426
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 637 (#212 (tie) most common name, -85.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,945
2p2play // Shutterstock
9 / 50Bryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,585
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 489 (#254 (tie) most common name, -89.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 71,405
Pixabay
10 / 50Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,837
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,964 (#12 most common name, +2.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386
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11 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,899
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,957 (#78 most common name, -60.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
12 / 50Douglas is a name of Scottish origin meaning "black water".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,234
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 184 (#506 (tie) most common name, -96.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #50
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,212
Canva
13 / 50Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,307
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 365 (#317 most common name, -93.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,778
Canva
14 / 50Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,676
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 511 (#244 most common name, -91.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock
15 / 50Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,709
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 411 (#292 most common name, -92.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475
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16 / 50Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,749
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,903 (#80 most common name, -66.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,829
Min An // Pexels
17 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,981
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 784 (#180 most common name, -86.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock
18 / 50Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,774
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,773 (#84 most common name, -73.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 101,539
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
19 / 50Todd is a name of English origin meaning "fox".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,889
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 110 (#734 most common name, -98.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,384
Philippe Put // Flickr
20 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,958
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 771 (#185 most common name, -88.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
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Pexels
21 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,343
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 423 (#284 most common name, -94.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
Min An // Pexels
22 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,106
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,151 (#39 most common name, -61.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
Unsplash
23 / 50Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,132
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 458 (#273 (tie) most common name, -94.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
Thammasak Lek // Shutterstock
24 / 50Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,153
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 640 (#211 most common name, -92.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
yifanjrb // Shutterstock
25 / 50Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,226
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,846 (#48 most common name, -65.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,756
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26 / 50Chad is a name of English origin meaning "from the warrior's town".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,351
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 185 (#504 most common name, -97.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,598
Mallmo // Shutterstock
27 / 50Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,395
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,136 (#20 most common name, -50.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
Samuel Borges Photography // Shutterstock
28 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,473
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,095 (#44 most common name, -67.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
Unsplash
29 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,490
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,360 (#30 most common name, -64.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
Canva
30 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,600
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 879 (#161 most common name, -91.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
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31 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,005
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 936 (#144 most common name, -91.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
burlakova_anna // Shutterstock
32 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,063
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,511 (#60 most common name, -77.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
Canva
33 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,168
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,280 (#112 most common name, -88.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
Canva
34 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,994
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,100 (#127 (tie) most common name, -90.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
Gorynvd // Shutterstock
35 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,153
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 765 (#187 most common name, -93.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
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36 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,338
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 512 (#243 most common name, -95.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
Photopin
37 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,395
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 916 (#153 most common name, -92.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
Irisska // Shutterstock
38 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,009
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,223 (#37 most common name, -75.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
Canva
39 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,454
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 307 (#352 (tie) most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
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40 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,625
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,208 (#18 most common name, -69.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
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Unsplash
41 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 15,810
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,949 (#4 most common name, -62.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
Pexels
42 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 19,319
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,316 (#32 most common name, -82.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
PxHere
43 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 21,579
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,526 (#27 most common name, -83.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
FamVeld // Shutterstock
44 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 21,995
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 739 (#192 most common name, -96.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
Pixabay
45 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 22,879
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,541 (#59 most common name, -88.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
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Andy Dean Photography // Shutterstock
46 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 23,940
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,838 (#50 most common name, -88.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
PxHere
47 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 25,038
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,150 (#40 most common name, -87.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
48 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 25,655
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,050 (#11 most common name, -80.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
My Good Images // Shutterstock
49 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 27,766
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,585 (#91 (tie) most common name, -94.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
50 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Ohio
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 39,615
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,247 (#6 most common name, -86.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
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