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 Washington D.C. 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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Burst
1 / 50Maurice is a name of Latin origin meaning "dark-skinned".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 405
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 23 (#293 most common name, -94.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #159
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,933
Pexels
2 / 50Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning "righteous".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 412
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 192 (#64 (tie) most common name, -53.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,581
Lipatova Maryna // Shutterstock
3 / 50Reginald is a name of Latin origin meaning "King".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 432
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#497 (tie) most common name, -98.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #149
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 16,881
PxHere
4 / 50Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 437
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 180 (#70 (tie) most common name, -58.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,829
Alena Vostrikova // Shutterstock
5 / 50Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 445
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 327 (#30 most common name, -26.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,756
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Roman Sorkin // Shutterstock
6 / 50Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 448
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 327 (#30 most common name, data not available compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
Yulia Sribna // Shutterstock
7 / 50Peter is a name of Greek origin meaning "rock".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 451
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 130 (#93 (tie) most common name, -71.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #55
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 62,361
Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock
8 / 50Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 491
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 552 (#7 most common name, +12.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386
Canva
9 / 50Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 507
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#497 (tie) most common name, -99.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
10 / 50Antonio is a name of Spanish origin meaning "priceless one".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 519
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 136 (#87 (tie) most common name, -73.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #84
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 33,023
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Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock
11 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 528
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 359 (#23 most common name, -32.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
Tetyana Kovyrina // Pexels
12 / 50George is a name of Greek origin meaning "farmer".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 532
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 253 (#45 most common name, -52.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #53
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,754
Pexels
13 / 50Marcus is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 536
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 104 (#122 most common name, -80.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #72
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 39,349
Unsplash
14 / 50Derrick is a name of Danish origin meaning "the people's ruler".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 541
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 25 (#283 (tie) most common name, -95.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #85
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 32,719
Pexels
15 / 50Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 583
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 214 (#58 most common name, -63.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 101,539
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Pixabay
16 / 50Andre is a name of French origin meaning "man".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 589
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 87 (#144 (tie) most common name, -85.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #129
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 20,904
Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock
17 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 602
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 143 (#84 most common name, -76.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
Andy Dean Photography // Shutterstock
18 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 629
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 143 (#84 most common name, data not available compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
19 / 50Keith is a name of Celtic origin meaning "wood, forest".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 638
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 47 (#202 most common name, -92.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #45
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,737
Pixabay
20 / 50Edward is a name of English origin meaning "prosperous".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 639
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 147 (#83 most common name, -77.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,515
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Unsplash
21 / 50Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 653
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 45 (#211 most common name, -93.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,778
Canva
22 / 50Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 746
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 22 (#299 most common name, -97.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
Pixabay
23 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 776
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 259 (#44 most common name, -66.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock
24 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 791
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 83 (#152 most common name, -89.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
Canva
25 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 812
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 86 (#146 most common name, -89.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
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Adrie Molco // Shutterstock
26 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 862
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 100 (#128 (tie) most common name, -88.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
27 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 877
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 70 (#168 (tie) most common name, -92.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
Canva
28 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 906
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 91 (#142 most common name, -90.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
Thammasak Lek // Shutterstock
29 / 50Sean is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 909
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 95 (#138 most common name, -89.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,945
Pexels
30 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 954
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 67 (#174 (tie) most common name, -93.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
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Canva
31 / 50Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 987
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 299 (#35 most common name, -69.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
Unsplash
32 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,011
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 53 (#196 most common name, -94.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
Canva
33 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,091
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 58 (#189 most common name, -94.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
PxHere
34 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,120
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 399 (#14 (tie) most common name, -64.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
Min An // Pexels
35 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,270
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 477 (#10 most common name, -62.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
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Unsplash
36 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,285
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 399 (#14 (tie) most common name, -68.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
FamVeld // Shutterstock
37 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,375
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 329 (#28 most common name, -76.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
Burst
38 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,442
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 136 (#87 (tie) most common name, -90.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
PxHere
39 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,448
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 361 (#21 most common name, -75.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
Mallmo // Shutterstock
40 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,496
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 360 (#22 most common name, -75.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
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Gorynvd // Shutterstock
41 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,532
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 199 (#61 (tie) most common name, -87.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
Canva
42 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,650
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 265 (#40 (tie) most common name, -83.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
PxHere
43 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,756
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 99 (#130 (tie) most common name, -94.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
PxHere
44 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,948
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 820 (#1 most common name, -57.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
FamVeld // Shutterstock
45 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,278
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 235 (#53 most common name, -89.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
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Canva
46 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,491
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 569 (#5 most common name, -77.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
Shutterstock
47 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,541
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 407 (#13 most common name, -84.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
rSnapshotPhotos // Shutterstock
48 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,724
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 395 (#16 most common name, -85.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
Falcona // Shutterstock
49 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,790
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 669 (#2 (tie) most common name, -76.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
Min An // Pexels
50 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,233
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 472 (#11 most common name, -88.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
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