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 Tennessee 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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Pixabay
1 / 50Johnny is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,483
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 271 (#289 (tie) most common name, -81.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #87
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 31,836
Unsplash
2 / 50Keith is a name of Celtic origin meaning "wood, forest".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,534
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 173 (#397 (tie) most common name, -88.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #45
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,737
PxHere
3 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,579
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 459 (#188 most common name, -70.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
Canva
4 / 50Bradley is a name of English origin meaning "woodland clearing".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,592
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 512 (#171 most common name, -67.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,688
Unsplash
5 / 50Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,620
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,581 (#14 most common name, +59.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386
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Sidharth Sircar // Pexels
6 / 50Bobby is a name of German origin meaning "bright fame".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,623
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 131 (#480 most common name, -91.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #93
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 28,888
Canva
7 / 50Bryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,625
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 402 (#216 most common name, -75.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 71,405
Burst
8 / 50Brandon is a name of English origin meaning "beacon hill" or "crow".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,655
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,074 (#83 most common name, -35.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,085
Lipatova Maryna // Shutterstock
9 / 50Jeffery is a name of German origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,670
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 164 (#407 most common name, -90.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #67
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,551
yifanjrb // Shutterstock
10 / 50Marcus is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,771
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 518 (#169 most common name, -70.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #71
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 39,349
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Pixabay
11 / 50Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,823
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 157 (#417 most common name, -91.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475
Canva
12 / 50Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,852
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 170 (#399 most common name, -90.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,778
Canva
13 / 50Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,881
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,085 (#30 most common name, +10.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
Pixabay
14 / 50Travis is a name of French origin meaning "to cross".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,899
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 363 (#232 most common name, -80.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,139
Unsplash
15 / 50Chad is a name of English origin meaning "from the warrior's town".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,899
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 84 (#648 most common name, -95.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,598
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Canva
16 / 50Terry is a name of German origin meaning "power of the tribe".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,910
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 182 (#376 (tie) most common name, -90.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #68
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,358
Vasiuk Iryna // Shutterstock
17 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,980
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 108 (#545 most common name, -94.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
PxHere
18 / 50Billy is a name of English origin meaning "resolute protection".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,012
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 138 (#463 most common name, -93.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #82
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 33,077
noBorders - Brayden Howie // Shutterstock
19 / 50Gary is a name of English origin meaning "spearman".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,023
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 138 (#463 most common name, -93.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 68,301
rSnapshotPhotos // Shutterstock
20 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,105
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 373 (#227 (tie) most common name, -82.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
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Canva
21 / 50Jerry is a name of English origin meaning "exalted of the Lord".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,169
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 180 (#379 (tie) most common name, -91.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #63
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 48,306
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
22 / 50Larry is a name of Latin origin meaning "from the place of the laurel leaves".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,331
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 198 (#356 (tie) most common name, -91.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #58
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,112
Mallmo // Shutterstock
23 / 50Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,483
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 362 (#233 most common name, -85.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock
24 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,622
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 259 (#300 (tie) most common name, -90.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
yifanjrb // Shutterstock
25 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,689
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 559 (#159 (tie) most common name, -79.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
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Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock
26 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,087
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,372 (#19 most common name, -23.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
Yulia Sribna // Shutterstock
27 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,304
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,498 (#59 most common name, -54.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
PxHere
28 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,377
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,059 (#31 most common name, -39.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
Ana Paula Lima // Pexels
29 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,543
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 576 (#149 (tie) most common name, -83.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
Canva
30 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,588
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 553 (#161 most common name, -84.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
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Lopolo // Shutterstock
31 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,637
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 271 (#289 (tie) most common name, -92.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock
32 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,641
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,756 (#49 most common name, -51.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
Canva
33 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,649
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,051 (#32 most common name, -43.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
Gorynvd // Shutterstock
34 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,714
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 525 (#165 most common name, -85.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
Pixabay
35 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,721
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 388 (#220 (tie) most common name, -89.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
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Katrina Elena // Shutterstock
36 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,766
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,416 (#61 most common name, -62.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
Adrie Molco // Shutterstock
37 / 50Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,969
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 464 (#186 most common name, -88.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock
38 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,149
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,318 (#21 most common name, -44.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
Canva
39 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,684
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 819 (#107 most common name, -82.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
Canva
40 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,127
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 830 (#106 most common name, -83.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
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Falcona // Shutterstock
41 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,627
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,010 (#36 most common name, -64.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
Pixabay
42 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,960
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 427 (#203 (tie) most common name, -92.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
Canva
43 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,527
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,792 (#47 most common name, -79.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
Burst
44 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,858
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,103 (#9 most common name, -65.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
Unsplash
45 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,892
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,460 (#1 most common name, -38.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
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PxHere
46 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,170
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,296 (#23 most common name, -75.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
Thammasak Lek // Shutterstock
47 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,499
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 839 (#105 most common name, -92.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
48 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,839
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,396 (#18 most common name, -79.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
49 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,918
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,793 (#11 most common name, -79.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
Pixabay
50 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,947
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,099 (#3 most common name, -70.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
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