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 Utah 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 / 50Monica is a name of Greek origin meaning "solitary".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 576
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 42 (#716 most common name, -92.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #45
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 61,651
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
2 / 50Sara is a derivation of the name Sarah, of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 587
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 203 (#226 most common name, -65.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #50
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,948
Tatyana Domnicheva // Shutterstock
3 / 50Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 590
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 27 (#859 (tie) most common name, -95.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
Canva
4 / 50Tina is a name of English origin meaning "river".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 591
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 84,757
Canva
5 / 50Christine is a name of English origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 592
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 23 (#918 (tie) most common name, -96.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 103,241
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Canva
6 / 50Melinda is a name of Latin origin meaning "sweet".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 595
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1462 most common name, -99.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #91
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 36,410
Canva
7 / 50Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 597
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 60 (#582 (tie) most common name, -89.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
Canva
8 / 50Brooke is a name of English origin meaning "small stream".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 606
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 271 (#160 most common name, -55.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #175
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,326
DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
9 / 50Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 607
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 54 (#618 most common name, -91.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
ucchie79 // Shutterstock
10 / 50Mindy is a name of Latin origin meaning "sweet".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 612
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #180
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,797
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Canva
11 / 50Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 615
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 50 (#649 (tie) most common name, -91.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock
12 / 50Jenny is a name of English origin meaning "fair one".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 617
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 34 (#790 most common name, -94.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #129
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 22,807
Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock
13 / 50Stacy is a name of Greek origin meaning "fruitful or productive".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 618
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 69,911
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
14 / 50Erin is a name of Irish origin meaning "peace".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 622
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 76 (#501 (tie) most common name, -87.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,911
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
15 / 50Misty is a name of English origin meaning "mist".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 630
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1462 most common name, -99.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #75
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,284
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Red Light Films // Pexels
16 / 50Tara is a name of Irish origin meaning "rocky hill".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 638
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1462 most common name, -99.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,075
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
17 / 50Carrie is a name of German origin meaning "free man".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 677
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 66,837
Malakhova Ganna // Shutterstock
18 / 50Jill is a name of English origin meaning "child of the gods".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 712
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,073
Pixabay
19 / 50April is a name of Latin origin meaning "to open".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 719
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 96 (#441 most common name, -86.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,935
Canva
20 / 50Lori is a name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 811
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,784
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Krystyna Taran // Shutterstock
21 / 50Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 847
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 22 (#934 (tie) most common name, -97.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
Pixabay
22 / 50Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 893
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 320 (#138 (tie) most common name, -64.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
FamVeld // Shutterstock
23 / 50Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 909
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 127 (#353 most common name, -86.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
PxHere
24 / 50Holly is a name of English origin meaning "the clearing by the hollow".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 920
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 108 (#405 most common name, -88.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #58
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 50,467
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
25 / 50Wendy is a name of English origin meaning "friend".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,006
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 45 (#690 (tie) most common name, -95.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 74,188
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Canva
26 / 50Melanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "black, dark"
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,015
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 304 (#145 most common name, -70.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #56
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 53,326
Canva
27 / 50Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,037
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 449 (#86 most common name, -56.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,777
Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock
28 / 50Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,127
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,401 (#10 most common name, +24.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
Coy_Creek // Shutterstock
29 / 50Natalie is a name of French origin meaning "birthday of the Lord".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,127
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 529 (#71 most common name, -53.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #104
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 29,732
Darren Brode // Shutterstock
30 / 50Tiffany is a name of Greek origin meaning "appearance of God".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,190
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 53 (#625 most common name, -95.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,151
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Canva
31 / 50Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,223
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 228 (#199 most common name, -81.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
Canva
32 / 50Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,249
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 647 (#50 most common name, -48.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
Kateryna Gurska // Shutterstock
33 / 50Amber is a name of Persian origin meaning "ambergris”, a fragrant material extracted from a type of whale.
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,309
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 138 (#326 most common name, -89.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #65
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,013
Haywiremedia // Shutterstock
34 / 50Jamie is a name of Scottish origin meaning "supplanter".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,313
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 57 (#601 (tie) most common name, -95.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,812
Canva
35 / 50Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,323
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 107 (#408 most common name, -91.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
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Canva
36 / 50Nicole is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,342
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 211 (#221 most common name, -84.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 144,672
Tatiana Katsai // Shutterstock
37 / 50Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,346
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 219 (#214 most common name, -83.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
Max Bukovski // Shutterstock
38 / 50Emily is a name of Latin origin meaning "to strive".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,416
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,159 (#20 most common name, -18.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #66
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 46,803
Canva
39 / 50Heidi is a name of German origin meaning "nobility".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,449
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 161 (#277 (tie) most common name, -88.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #76
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,214
CroMary // Shutterstock
40 / 50Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,546
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 92 (#449 most common name, -94.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
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Lopolo // Shutterstock
41 / 50Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,791
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 111 (#394 most common name, -93.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
George Rudy // Shutterstock
42 / 50Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,874
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 278 (#157 most common name, -85.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
43 / 50Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,980
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 307 (#143 most common name, -84.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
Rob Marmion // Shutterstock
44 / 50Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,988
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 31 (#822 (tie) most common name, -98.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
riggleton // Shutterstock
45 / 50Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,256
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 137 (#328 most common name, -93.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
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Darkdiamond67 // Shutterstock
46 / 50Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,306
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 123 (#361 (tie) most common name, -94.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
Unsplash
47 / 50Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,438
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 132 (#340 most common name, -94.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
48 / 50Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,856
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 60 (#582 (tie) most common name, -97.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
Black-Photogaphy // Shutterstock
49 / 50Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,139
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 238 (#186 (tie) most common name, -92.4% 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".
Utah
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,792
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 151 (#294 most common name, -97.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791
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