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 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—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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1 / 50April is a name of Latin origin meaning "to open".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 323
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,935
Nolte Lourens // Shutterstock
2 / 50Maria is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "sea of bitterness".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 334
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 119 (#81 (tie) most common name, -64.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,102
Oleggg // Shutterstock
3 / 50Robin is a name of German origin meaning "fame-bright".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 338
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #66
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 45,944
photoDiod // Shutterstock
4 / 50Tanya is a name of Slavic origin meaning "fairy queen".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 343
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #62
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,834
Rob Marmion // Shutterstock
5 / 50Deborah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "bee".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 345
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#475 (tie) most common name, -98.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #61
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,839
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Canva
6 / 50Monique is a name of French origin meaning "advisor".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 345
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #157
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 17,214
Max Bukovski // Shutterstock
7 / 50Sharon is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "a fertile plain".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 346
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #63
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,718
Shyamalamuralinath // Shutterstock
8 / 50Kathleen is a name of Irish origin meaning "pure".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 354
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #68
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,851
Canva
9 / 50Lashawn is a name of American origin meaning "God is Gracious".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 358
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #335
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,220
Studio Romantic // Shutterstock
10 / 50Dana is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 366
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 51,292
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11 / 50Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 368
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 22 (#317 most common name, -94.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,777
Canva
12 / 50Yolanda is a name of Greek origin meaning "violet".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 378
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #112
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 26,786
Pexels
13 / 50Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 379
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 21 (#322 most common name, -94.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
Canva
14 / 50Danielle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 382
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 17 (#353 most common name, -95.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 60,915
Nina Buday // Shutterstock
15 / 50Pamela is a name of Greek origin meaning "all sweetness".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 384
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,042
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Canva
16 / 50Erica is a name of Norse origin meaning "eternal ruler".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 399
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#544 (tie) most common name, -98.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #59
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 49,581
Canva
17 / 50Catherine is a name of Greek origin meaning "pure".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 409
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 136 (#65 (tie) most common name, -66.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #72
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 43,840
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18 / 50Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 410
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,118
Pixabay
19 / 50Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 417
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
Natalia Kirichenko // Shutterstock
20 / 50Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning "moon goddess".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 419
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 80,209
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Canva
21 / 50Erin is a name of Irish origin meaning "peace".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 442
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 41 (#229 (tie) most common name, -90.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,911
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22 / 50Dawn is a name of English origin meaning "daybreak".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 447
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 92,443
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
23 / 50Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning "fighter".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 458
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
ucchie79 // Shutterstock
24 / 50Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 468
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#544 (tie) most common name, -98.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock
25 / 50Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 500
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
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Canva
26 / 50Tiffany is a name of Greek origin meaning "appearance of God".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 509
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 14 (#377 (tie) most common name, -97.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,151
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27 / 50Katherine is a name of Greek origin meaning "pure".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 511
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 210 (#29 most common name, -58.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #55
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 54,068
Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock
28 / 50Monica is a name of Greek origin meaning "solitary".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 514
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 17 (#353 most common name, -96.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #45
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 61,651
Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
29 / 50Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 515
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 93 (#113 most common name, -81.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock
30 / 50Crystal is a name of Latin origin meaning "Earth mineral".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 542
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 73,759
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31 / 50Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 573
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 60 (#175 (tie) most common name, -89.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
Canva
32 / 50Christine is a name of English origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 592
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 103,241
Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock
33 / 50Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning "bright-headed".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 605
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 16 (#365 (tie) most common name, -97.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
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34 / 50Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 614
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 16 (#365 (tie) most common name, -97.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock
35 / 50Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 667
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 143 (#60 (tie) most common name, -78.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
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Canva
36 / 50Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 674
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 43 (#222 (tie) most common name, -93.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
Black-Photogaphy // Shutterstock
37 / 50Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning "a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 711
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
38 / 50Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 719
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 143 (#60 (tie) most common name, -80.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
39 / 50Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 725
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10 (#423 (tie) most common name, -98.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
Canva
40 / 50Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 740
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 20 (#329 most common name, -97.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
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Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
41 / 50Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 798
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35 (#252 (tie) most common name, -95.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
Marko Poplasen // Shutterstock
42 / 50Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 842
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 103 (#102 (tie) most common name, -87.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock
43 / 50Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 902
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 51 (#197 most common name, -94.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
44 / 50Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 996
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 386 (#4 (tie) most common name, -61.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
s_oleg // Shutterstock
45 / 50Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,079
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 48 (#203 (tie) most common name, -95.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
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Tatyana Domnicheva // Shutterstock
46 / 50Nicole is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,172
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 65 (#161 most common name, -94.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 144,672
Darkdiamond67 // Shutterstock
47 / 50Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,191
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
DONUT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
48 / 50Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,369
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 53 (#191 most common name, -96.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
49 / 50Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,435
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 116 (#86 (tie) most common name, -91.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
Tatiana Katsai // Shutterstock
50 / 50Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".
Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,524
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 65 (#161 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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