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 Oklahoma 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 / 50Bobby is a name of German origin meaning "bright fame".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 943
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 102 (#423 (tie) most common name, -89.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #94
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 28,888
Canva
2 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 978
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 217 (#246 most common name, -77.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
Pixabay
3 / 50Terry is a name of German origin meaning "power of the tribe".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,025
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 55 (#613 (tie) most common name, -94.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #69
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,358
Katrina Elena // Shutterstock
4 / 50Jimmy is a name of English origin meaning "supplanter".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,045
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 102 (#423 (tie) most common name, -90.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #100
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 26,888
PxHere
5 / 50Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,046
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 87 (#474 (tie) most common name, -91.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,778
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Unsplash
6 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,072
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 766 (#63 most common name, -28.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
Pixabay
7 / 50Bradley is a name of English origin meaning "woodland clearing".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,072
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 264 (#204 most common name, -75.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,688
Andy Dean Photography // Shutterstock
8 / 50Larry is a name of Latin origin meaning "from the place of the laurel leaves".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,149
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 75 (#523 most common name, -93.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #58
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,112
Pexels
9 / 50Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,162
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 91 (#455 most common name, -92.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475
Roman Sorkin // Shutterstock
10 / 50Jerry is a name of English origin meaning "exalted of the Lord".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,207
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 110 (#405 most common name, -90.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #63
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 48,306
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Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock
11 / 50Gary is a name of English origin meaning "spearman".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,262
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 83 (#490 most common name, -93.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 68,301
Unsplash
12 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,300
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 163 (#306 most common name, -87.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
yifanjrb // Shutterstock
13 / 50Dustin is a name of Norse origin meaning "brave warrior".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,325
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 134 (#351 (tie) most common name, -89.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #103
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 26,467
Flashon // Shutterstock
14 / 50Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,361
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 679 (#76 most common name, -50.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 101,539
Canva
15 / 50Billy is a name of English origin meaning "resolute protection".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,408
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 109 (#408 most common name, -92.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #83
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 33,077
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Todd Trapani // Unsplash
16 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,491
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 108 (#411 most common name, -92.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
Pixabay
17 / 50Travis is a name of French origin meaning "to cross".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,494
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 173 (#295 most common name, -88.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,139
Negative Space
18 / 50Bryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,500
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 225 (#238 most common name, -85.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 71,405
Samuel Borges Photography // Shutterstock
19 / 50Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,525
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 187 (#272 most common name, -87.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
Canva
20 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,555
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 277 (#197 most common name, -82.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
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Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock
21 / 50Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,560
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 147 (#326 most common name, -90.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
Adrie Molco // Shutterstock
22 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,569
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 915 (#48 most common name, -41.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
Jeremy Bishop // Unsplash
23 / 50Brandon is a name of English origin meaning "beacon hill" or "crow".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,679
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 504 (#103 (tie) most common name, -70.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,085
Burst
24 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,713
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 732 (#69 most common name, -57.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
Iren_Geo // Shutterstock
25 / 50Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,738
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 807 (#55 most common name, -53.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,756
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Canva
26 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,889
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 69 (#550 (tie) most common name, -96.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
27 / 50Chad is a name of English origin meaning "from the warrior's town".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,927
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 22 (#829 most common name, -98.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,598
Philippe Put // Flickr
28 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,997
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 332 (#168 (tie) most common name, -83.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
Photopin
29 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,001
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,117 (#30 most common name, -44.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
Canva
30 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,021
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 304 (#176 most common name, -85.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
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Pixabay
31 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,031
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,094 (#33 most common name, -46.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
32 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,120
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 155 (#313 (tie) most common name, -92.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
Tetyana Kovyrina // Pexels
33 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,136
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,182 (#26 most common name, -44.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
PxHere
34 / 50Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning "righteous".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,305
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 450 (#117 most common name, -80.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,581
Canva
35 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,315
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 281 (#195 most common name, -87.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
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PxHere
36 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,468
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 685 (#75 most common name, -72.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
Canva
37 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,703
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 124 (#377 most common name, -95.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
Unsplash
38 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,803
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 301 (#177 (tie) most common name, -89.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
FamVeld // Shutterstock
39 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,835
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 515 (#98 (tie) most common name, -81.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
Pexels
40 / 50Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,871
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 214 (#250 (tie) most common name, -92.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
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Unsplash
41 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,039
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,053 (#37 most common name, -65.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
My Good Images // Shutterstock
42 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,402
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,962 (#3 most common name, -42.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
Canva
43 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,934
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 225 (#238 most common name, -94.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
Canva
44 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,783
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 717 (#70 most common name, -85.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
Ramona Heim // Shutterstock
45 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,005
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,130 (#28 most common name, -77.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
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FamVeld // Shutterstock
46 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,217
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,221 (#24 most common name, -76.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
Pixabay
47 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,871
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,687 (#6 most common name, -71.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
PxHere
48 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,603
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 531 (#96 most common name, -92.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
Lipatova Maryna // Shutterstock
49 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,645
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,101 (#31 most common name, -83.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
50 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Oklahoma
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,850
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,478 (#14 most common name, -83.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
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