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 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—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.
Amalia Zilio // Shutterstock
1 / 50Stacey is a name of Greek origin meaning "resurrection".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,362
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#2168 (tie) most common name, -99.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 59,222
riggleton // Shutterstock
2 / 50Sherry is a name of French origin meaning "dear".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,391
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #95
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 34,127
Canva
3 / 50Leslie is a name of Scottish origin meaning "garden of holly".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,411
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 136 (#504 (tie) most common name, -90.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #70
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,816
Tatiana Katsai // Shutterstock
4 / 50Dana is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,454
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 48 (#980 (tie) most common name, -96.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 51,292
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
5 / 50Sharon is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "a fertile plain".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,496
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 43 (#1042 most common name, -97.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #63
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,718
New Africa // Shutterstock
6 / 50Brandy is a name of Dutch origin meaning "burnt wine".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,516
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#2168 (tie) most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #81
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 39,953
photoDiod // Shutterstock
7 / 50Donna is a name of Italian origin meaning "lady of the home".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,547
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#2168 (tie) most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #64
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,310
Aaron Amat // Shutterstock
8 / 50Rhonda is a name of Welsh origin meaning "good lance".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,549
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #86
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 37,843
Canva
9 / 50Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,553
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 99 (#629 most common name, -93.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,118
Canva
10 / 50Melanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "black, dark"
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,553
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 403 (#169 (tie) most common name, -74.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #56
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 53,326
Darkdiamond67 // Shutterstock
11 / 50Jamie is a name of Scottish origin meaning "supplanter".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,612
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 142 (#483 (tie) most common name, -91.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,812
Canva
12 / 50Stacy is a name of Greek origin meaning "fruitful or productive".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,628
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 22 (#1359 most common name, -98.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 69,911
Canva
13 / 50Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,648
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,063 (#42 most common name, -35.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
Canva
14 / 50Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,690
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 374 (#192 most common name, -77.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
Coy_Creek // Shutterstock
15 / 50Pamela is a name of Greek origin meaning "all sweetness".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,744
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 16 (#1514 (tie) most common name, -99.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,042
Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock
16 / 50Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,863
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 353 (#203 (tie) most common name, -81.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,777
Black-Photogaphy // Shutterstock
17 / 50Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,883
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 182 (#381 (tie) most common name, -90.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
18 / 50Teresa is a name of Greek origin meaning "huntress".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,903
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 54 (#920 (tie) most common name, -97.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,001
Canva
19 / 50Tiffany is a name of Greek origin meaning "appearance of God".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,904
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 81 (#717 most common name, -95.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,151
Kateryna Gurska // Shutterstock
20 / 50Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,910
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 47 (#991 (tie) most common name, -97.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
Pixabay
21 / 50Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,917
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 357 (#200 most common name, -81.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
Lopolo // Shutterstock
22 / 50Wendy is a name of English origin meaning "friend".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,925
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 57 (#900 most common name, -97.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 74,188
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
23 / 50Lori is a name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,984
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#2168 (tie) most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,784
Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock
24 / 50Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning "moon goddess".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,106
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 93 (#654 most common name, -95.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 80,209
Nolte Lourens // Shutterstock
25 / 50Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,107
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 141 (#486 (tie) most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
Haywiremedia // Shutterstock
26 / 50Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,228
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 149 (#461 most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock
27 / 50Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,234
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 254 (#285 (tie) most common name, -88.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
George Rudy // Shutterstock
28 / 50Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,302
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 113 (#577 most common name, -95.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
s_oleg // Shutterstock
29 / 50Tina is a name of English origin meaning "river".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,411
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#2168 (tie) most common name, -99.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 84,757
Liudmila Fadzeyeva // Shutterstock
30 / 50Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning "fighter".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,427
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
Canva
31 / 50Misty is a name of English origin meaning "mist".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,450
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #75
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,284
CroMary // Shutterstock
32 / 50Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,578
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 41 (#1070 most common name, -98.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
Nina Buday // Shutterstock
33 / 50Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,683
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,495 (#8 most common name, -7.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
Shyamalamuralinath // Shutterstock
34 / 50Crystal is a name of Latin origin meaning "Earth mineral".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,695
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 49 (#967 (tie) most common name, -98.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 73,759
Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock
35 / 50Tonya is a name of Russian origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,720
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #49
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 57,768
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
36 / 50Christy is a name of Greek origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,927
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 13 (#1607 most common name, -99.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #71
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,559
Bodler // Shutterstock
37 / 50Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,030
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 198 (#357 most common name, -93.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
Canva
38 / 50April is a name of Latin origin meaning "to open".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,103
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 95 (#645 most common name, -96.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,935
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
39 / 50Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,280
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 379 (#189 (tie) most common name, -88.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
Canva
40 / 50Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "palm tree".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,466
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 98,830
Canva
41 / 50Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,817
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 59 (#882 most common name, -98.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
Canva
42 / 50Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,867
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,098 (#39 most common name, -71.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
Oleggg // Shutterstock
43 / 50Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,214
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 59 (#882 most common name, -98.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
Canva
44 / 50Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,402
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 197 (#360 (tie) most common name, -95.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
Canva
45 / 50Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,547
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 143 (#481 (tie) most common name, -96.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
46 / 50Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,822
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 188 (#373 most common name, -96.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
47 / 50Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,500
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 433 (#155 most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
ucchie79 // Shutterstock
48 / 50Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,614
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 273 (#261 most common name, -95.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
Mcimage // Shutterstock
49 / 50Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,563
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 197 (#360 (tie) most common name, -97.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
Darren Brode // Shutterstock
50 / 50Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".
Tennessee
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,522
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 242 (#299 (tie) most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791
