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 Rhode Island 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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Tatiana Katsai // Shutterstock
1 / 50Bethany is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "house of figs".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 271
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #171
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,949
Nolte Lourens // Shutterstock
2 / 50Holly is a name of English origin meaning "the clearing by the hollow".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 277
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #58
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 50,467
Canva
3 / 50Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 282
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#377 most common name, -97.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
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4 / 50Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 12 (#314 most common name, -95.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
Shyamalamuralinath // Shutterstock
5 / 50Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 19 (#259 (tie) most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
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PxHere
6 / 50Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 284
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 27 (#224 most common name, -90.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,777
Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock
7 / 50Kristin is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 286
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #72
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,381
Canva
8 / 50Pamela is a name of Greek origin meaning "all sweetness".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 286
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,042
Canva
9 / 50Michele is a name of Italian origin meaning "Who is like God?".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 294
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,541
Bodler // Shutterstock
10 / 50Wendy is a name of English origin meaning "friend".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 295
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 74,188
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
11 / 50Stacey is a name of Greek origin meaning "resurrection".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 295
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 59,222
Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock
12 / 50Jill is a name of English origin meaning "child of the gods".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 297
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,073
Coy_Creek // Shutterstock
13 / 50Sandra is a name of Greek origin meaning "defender of man".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 314
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,310
Canva
14 / 50Donna is a name of Italian origin meaning "lady of the home".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 315
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #64
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,310
Natalia Kirichenko // Shutterstock
15 / 50Kathleen is a name of Irish origin meaning "pure".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 321
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#377 most common name, -98.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #68
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,851
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16 / 50Gina is a name of German origin meaning "farmer".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 321
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #80
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 38,068
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
17 / 50Tara is a name of Irish origin meaning "rocky hill".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 325
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,075
Canva
18 / 50Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 334
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,118
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19 / 50Tina is a name of English origin meaning "river".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 334
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 84,757
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock
20 / 50Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 342
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 13 (#302 most common name, -96.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
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21 / 50Danielle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 346
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 60,915
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
22 / 50Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 356
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
Mcimage // Shutterstock
23 / 50Melanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "black, dark"
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 357
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 60 (#138 (tie) most common name, -83.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #56
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 53,326
lascot studio // Pexels
24 / 50Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 381
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 55 (#147 (tie) most common name, -85.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
Tetiana Iatsenko // Shutterstock
25 / 50Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "palm tree".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 428
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 98,830
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26 / 50Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning "fighter".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 447
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
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27 / 50Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 448
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 15 (#287 (tie) most common name, -96.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
Canva
28 / 50Kerri is a name of Irish origin meaning "mysterious".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 474
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #154
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,226
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
29 / 50Lori is a name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 524
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,784
Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
30 / 50Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 538
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
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Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
31 / 50Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 543
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 130 (#61 (tie) most common name, -76.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
Malakhova Ganna // Shutterstock
32 / 50Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 543
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
FreelySky // Shutterstock
33 / 50Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 555
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
34 / 50Erin is a name of Irish origin meaning "peace".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 559
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,911
Tatyana Domnicheva // Shutterstock
35 / 50Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 564
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11 (#328 most common name, -98.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
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Nitin Kumar // Pexels
36 / 50Kristen is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 679
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #70
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,205
ucchie79 // Shutterstock
37 / 50Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 682
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#431 most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
Pixabay
38 / 50Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 690
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 16 (#279 most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock
39 / 50Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 704
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 272 (#16 most common name, -61.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
Aaron Amat // Shutterstock
40 / 50Dawn is a name of English origin meaning "daybreak".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 755
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 92,443
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Canva
41 / 50Nicole is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 823
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 19 (#259 (tie) most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 144,672
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock
42 / 50Christine is a name of English origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 902
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 103,241
Max Bukovski // Shutterstock
43 / 50Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 997
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 25 (#232 most common name, -97.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
FamVeld // Shutterstock
44 / 50Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,001
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
Marko Poplasen // Shutterstock
45 / 50Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,037
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35 (#200 (tie) most common name, -96.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
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Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock
46 / 50Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,071
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 20 (#254 most common name, -98.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
Canva
47 / 50Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,251
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 24 (#235 most common name, -98.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
48 / 50Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,316
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
Red Light Films // Pexels
49 / 50Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,662
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 12 (#314 most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
Canva
50 / 50Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".
Rhode Island
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,927
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 20 (#254 most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791
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