While many women throughout history have achieved amazing things, most little girls' names are popularized by the stars of the entertainment industry: a child actress who was a beacon of hope during the Great Depression; the title of a popular song; or the name fictional characters gave their baby in a sitcom.
Stacker compiled a list of the most popular baby names for girls 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—after all, names can tell the story of a generation. Radios blaring the melodies Fleetwood Mac may have inspired parents to name their daughters after the band's keyboardist, Christine McVie, people who came of age during the peace-and-love counterculture revolution may have been attracted to nature-inspired baby names, like Crystal, April, or Heather. Other newborns of the 1970s may have gotten their names from some of the biggest stars of the decade, like Julie Andrews or Carrie Fisher.
Keep reading to see if any familiar girls' names (or your own!) made our list.
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Canva
1 / 50Pamela is a name of Greek origin meaning "all sweetness".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,034
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 29 (#1603 (tie) most common name, -99.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,042
Studio Romantic // Shutterstock
2 / 50Carrie is a name of German origin meaning "free man".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,243
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 49 (#1303 most common name, -98.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 66,837
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
3 / 50Holly is a name of English origin meaning "the clearing by the hollow".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,265
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 217 (#490 most common name, -93.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #58
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 50,467
phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock
4 / 50Beth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "house".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,355
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #110
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 28,766
Canva
5 / 50Kristen is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,432
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 88 (#941 most common name, -97.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #72
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,205
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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
6 / 50Kathleen is a name of Irish origin meaning "pure".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,634
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 195 (#535 most common name, -94.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #69
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,851
Canva
7 / 50Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,675
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,119 (#101 most common name, -69.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,777
Red Light Films // Pexels
8 / 50Dana is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,741
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 96 (#889 most common name, -97.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 51,292
Amalia Zilio // Shutterstock
9 / 50Megan is a name of Welsh origin meaning "pearl".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,759
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 471 (#253 most common name, -87.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #89
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 37,258
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock
10 / 50Stacy is a name of Greek origin meaning "fruitful or productive".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,764
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 36 (#1481 most common name, -99.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 69,911
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Impact Photography // Shutterstock
11 / 50Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,801
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,997 (#38 most common name, -47.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
Oleggg // Shutterstock
12 / 50Stacey is a name of Greek origin meaning "resurrection".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,837
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11 (#2152 most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 59,222
Aaron Amat // Shutterstock
13 / 50Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,844
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 424 (#274 most common name, -89.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
Shyamalamuralinath // Shutterstock
14 / 50Jill is a name of English origin meaning "child of the gods".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,857
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,073
DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
15 / 50Wendy is a name of English origin meaning "friend".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,039
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 50 (#1290 (tie) most common name, -98.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 74,188
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Canva
16 / 50Denise is a name of Greek origin meaning "to be devoted to Bacchus".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,069
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 49 (#1303 most common name, -98.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #53
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,860
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
17 / 50Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,077
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 99 (#861 (tie) most common name, -97.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,118
Pixabay
18 / 50Jamie is a name of Scottish origin meaning "supplanter".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,086
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 195 (#535 most common name, -95.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,812
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
19 / 50Tina is a name of English origin meaning "river".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,336
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 27 (#1640 most common name, -99.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 84,757
Pixabay
20 / 50Erin is a name of Irish origin meaning "peace".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,404
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 497 (#242 most common name, -88.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,911
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
21 / 50Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,700
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 570 (#208 most common name, -87.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
Malakhova Ganna // Shutterstock
22 / 50Tara is a name of Irish origin meaning "rocky hill".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,705
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 100 (#854 (tie) most common name, -97.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,075
riggleton // Shutterstock
23 / 50Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,892
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 560 (#212 most common name, -88.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
javi_indy // Shutterstock
24 / 50Danielle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,092
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 400 (#301 most common name, -92.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 60,915
Marko Poplasen // Shutterstock
25 / 50Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,200
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 160 (#624 (tie) most common name, -96.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
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Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
26 / 50Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning "fighter".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,355
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#2450 (tie) most common name, -99.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
27 / 50Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,364
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 279 (#398 most common name, -94.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
28 / 50Michele is a name of Italian origin meaning "Who is like God?".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,584
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 23 (#1729 most common name, -99.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,541
Pexels
29 / 50Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "palm tree".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,589
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 98,830
Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock
30 / 50Dawn is a name of English origin meaning "daybreak".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,098
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 18 (#1857 (tie) most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 92,443
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Pixabay
31 / 50Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,149
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 256 (#420 (tie) most common name, -95.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
Nolte Lourens // Shutterstock
32 / 50Lori is a name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,205
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 57 (#1208 most common name, -99.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,784
Darren Brode // Shutterstock
33 / 50Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,254
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 170 (#597 most common name, -97.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
Unsplash
34 / 50Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,304
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,424 (#14 most common name, -45.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
35 / 50Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,350
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,239 (#86 most common name, -80.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
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Maria Evseyeva // Shutterstock
36 / 50Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,370
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 349 (#330 (tie) most common name, -94.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
Tatyana Domnicheva // Shutterstock
37 / 50Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,488
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 558 (#213 most common name, -92.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
Black-Photogaphy // Shutterstock
38 / 50Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,520
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 827 (#141 (tie) most common name, -89.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
PxHere
39 / 50Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,648
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 276 (#402 most common name, -96.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
DONUT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
40 / 50Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,683
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 400 (#301 most common name, -94.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
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Max Bukovski // Shutterstock
41 / 50Christine is a name of English origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,364
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 100 (#854 (tie) most common name, -98.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 103,241
Matva // Shutterstock
42 / 50Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,908
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 227 (#468 (tie) most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
Blend Images // Shutterstock
43 / 50Nicole is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,736
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 517 (#233 (tie) most common name, -95.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 144,672
Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock
44 / 50Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,657
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 379 (#314 most common name, -96.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
Tetiana Iatsenko // Shutterstock
45 / 50Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,237
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 323 (#354 most common name, -97.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
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CroMary // Shutterstock
46 / 50Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,273
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 121 (#755 (tie) most common name, -99.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
Krystyna Taran // Shutterstock
47 / 50Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,680
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 117 (#773 most common name, -99.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
Darren Brode // Shutterstock
48 / 50Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 15,049
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 268 (#411 most common name, -98.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
Pixabay
49 / 50Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 16,133
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 370 (#317 most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
Canva
50 / 50Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".
Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 34,209
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 346 (#332 most common name, -99.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791
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