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 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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1 / 50Peter is a name of Greek origin meaning "rock".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,235
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 637 (#141 most common name, -48.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #55
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 62,361
Canva
2 / 50Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,350
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 134 (#509 most common name, -90.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475
Pixabay
3 / 50Bryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,360
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 392 (#223 most common name, -71.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 71,405
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4 / 50Nicholas is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,367
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 951 (#97 most common name, -30.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,095
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5 / 50Jesse is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "the Lord exists".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,379
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 599 (#147 most common name, -56.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #66
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,910
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Burst
6 / 50Jacob is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "to follow".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,379
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,846 (#14 most common name, +106.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #78
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 36,332
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7 / 50Shane is a name of Irish origin meaning "graced by God".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,437
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 208 (#368 (tie) most common name, -85.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #60
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 50,289
Canva
8 / 50Brandon is a name of English origin meaning "beacon hill" or "crow".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,581
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 855 (#113 most common name, -45.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,085
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9 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,600
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 458 (#193 most common name, -71.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
Pexels
10 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,604
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 165 (#429 most common name, -89.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
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11 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,687
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,586 (#45 most common name, -6.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
Pexels
12 / 50Nathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "given".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,700
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,803 (#35 most common name, +6.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #49
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,945
Canva
13 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,701
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 334 (#255 most common name, -80.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
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14 / 50Todd is a name of English origin meaning "fox".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,704
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 25 (#1098 most common name, -98.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,384
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15 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,783
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,432 (#54 most common name, -19.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
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Canva
16 / 50Travis is a name of French origin meaning "to cross".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,935
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 275 (#293 (tie) most common name, -85.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,139
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17 / 50Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,947
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,427 (#3 most common name, +76.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386
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18 / 50Sean is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,966
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 379 (#231 most common name, -80.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,945
Pixabay
19 / 50Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,990
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 981 (#92 most common name, -50.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,829
Canva
20 / 50Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,011
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 174 (#415 most common name, -91.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
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Canva
21 / 50Chad is a name of English origin meaning "from the warrior's town".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,179
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 33 (#1015 (tie) most common name, -98.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,598
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22 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,212
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 412 (#212 most common name, -81.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
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23 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,218
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,903 (#32 most common name, -14.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
Canva
24 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,347
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,488 (#51 most common name, -36.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
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25 / 50Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning "righteous".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,407
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 649 (#139 most common name, -73.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,581
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26 / 50Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,672
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,071 (#27 most common name, -22.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
Canva
27 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,747
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 777 (#118 most common name, -71.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
Canva
28 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,995
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 579 (#153 most common name, -80.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
PxHere
29 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,068
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 524 (#168 most common name, -82.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
Pixabay
30 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,135
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 447 (#195 (tie) most common name, -85.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
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Unsplash
31 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,268
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 962 (#95 most common name, -70.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
Canva
32 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,276
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,380 (#4 most common name, +3.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
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33 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,379
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,929 (#30 most common name, -42.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
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34 / 50Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,383
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,314 (#60 most common name, -61.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 101,539
Burst
35 / 50Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,494
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 335 (#253 (tie) most common name, -90.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
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Canva
36 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,545
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 654 (#138 most common name, -81.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
PxHere
37 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,773
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 163 (#435 most common name, -95.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
Canva
38 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,874
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 212 (#361 (tie) most common name, -94.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
Canva
39 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,972
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,795 (#36 most common name, -54.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
Pixabay
40 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,317
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,019 (#12 most common name, -30.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
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41 / 50Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,602
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,574 (#47 most common name, -65.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,756
Pexels
42 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,225
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,077 (#26 most common name, -60.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
Burst
43 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,394
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 441 (#199 (tie) most common name, -91.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
PxHere
44 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,426
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,618 (#42 most common name, -70.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
Pixabay
45 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,719
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,097 (#79 most common name, -80.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
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Canva
46 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,764
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,000 (#13 most common name, -48.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
Peakpx
47 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,114
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,462 (#21 most common name, -65.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
BaLL LunLa // Shutterstock
48 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,270
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,398 (#57 most common name, -80.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
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49 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,521
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 969 (#94 most common name, -89.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
PxHere
50 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Washington
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,121
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,515 (#20 most common name, -75.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
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