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 Pennsylvania 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 / 50Bryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,504
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 533 (#231 most common name, -84.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 71,405
Pexels
2 / 50Gary is a name of English origin meaning "spearman".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,524
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 195 (#470 (tie) most common name, -94.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 68,301
PxHere
3 / 50Craig is a name of Scottish origin meaning "rocky".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,597
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 125 (#634 (tie) most common name, -96.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #56
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,823
Canva
4 / 50Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,842
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,982 (#7 most common name, +55.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386
Canva
5 / 50Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,078
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,015 (#73 most common name, -50.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 101,539
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Pixabay
6 / 50Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning "righteous".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,273
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,642 (#90 most common name, -61.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,581
Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock
7 / 50Douglas is a name of Scottish origin meaning "black water".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,369
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 200 (#459 (tie) most common name, -95.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #50
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,212
Canva
8 / 50George is a name of Greek origin meaning "farmer".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,378
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,010 (#137 most common name, -76.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #53
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,754
Pexels
9 / 50Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,589
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,965 (#75 most common name, -57.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,829
PxHere
10 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,898
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,391 (#105 most common name, -71.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
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11 / 50Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,904
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 328 (#325 most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475
Unsplash
12 / 50Keith is a name of Celtic origin meaning "wood, forest".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,136
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 364 (#296 (tie) most common name, -92.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #45
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,737
Tetyana Kovyrina // Pexels
13 / 50Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,158
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 783 (#170 most common name, -84.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
Pexels
14 / 50Sean is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,339
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,072 (#124 most common name, -79.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,945
Todd Trapani // Unsplash
15 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,387
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,316 (#66 most common name, -57.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
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Canva
16 / 50Chad is a name of English origin meaning "from the warrior's town".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,503
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 155 (#537 (tie) most common name, -97.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,598
Canva
17 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,598
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,762 (#32 most common name, -32.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
Vasiuk Iryna // Shutterstock
18 / 50Todd is a name of English origin meaning "fox".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,683
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 120 (#656 (tie) most common name, -97.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,384
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19 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,727
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 632 (#201 most common name, -89.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
20 / 50Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,731
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 349 (#312 most common name, -93.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,778
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Canva
21 / 50Edward is a name of English origin meaning "prosperous".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,305
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,034 (#132 most common name, -83.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,515
burlakova_anna // Shutterstock
22 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,750
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 472 (#251 most common name, -93.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
PxHere
23 / 50Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,806
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,841 (#16 most common name, -28.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,756
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24 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,116
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 892 (#151 most common name, -87.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
Capable97 // Shutterstock
25 / 50Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,925
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 885 (#152 most common name, -88.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
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PxHere
26 / 50Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,167
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,121 (#24 most common name, -49.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
Canva
27 / 50Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,233
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 712 (#187 most common name, -91.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
Canva
28 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,302
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,620 (#56 most common name, -68.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
29 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,423
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,292 (#23 most common name, -49.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
Minnikova Mariia // Shutterstock
30 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,382
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,104 (#120 most common name, -88.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
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Canva
31 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,248
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,274 (#110 most common name, -87.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
PxHere
32 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,568
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,478 (#99 most common name, -87.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
Ramona Heim // Shutterstock
33 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,970
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,101 (#121 most common name, -90.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
Unsplash
34 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,060
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 982 (#141 (tie) most common name, -91.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
Min An // Pexels
35 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,105
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 352 (#310 (tie) most common name, -97.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
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36 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,107
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,092 (#122 most common name, -91.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
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37 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,318
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 634 (#199 most common name, -94.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
Canva
38 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,236
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,953 (#47 most common name, -77.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
Pixabay
39 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,782
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,547 (#20 most common name, -67.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock
40 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 17,499
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,316 (#9 most common name, -69.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
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41 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 17,529
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,126 (#11 most common name, -70.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
PxHere
42 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 17,933
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,587 (#19 most common name, -74.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
Pixabay
43 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 21,754
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 994 (#138 most common name, -95.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
PxHere
44 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 23,170
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,798 (#80 most common name, -92.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
Pixabay
45 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 23,174
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,403 (#8 most common name, -76.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
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Pixabay
46 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 23,316
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,364 (#40 most common name, -85.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
47 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 23,783
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,594 (#57 most common name, -89.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
PxHere
48 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 25,300
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,784 (#31 most common name, -85.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
Canva
49 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 25,367
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,998 (#13 most common name, -80.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
Canva
50 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,770
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,589 (#4 most common name, -84.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
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