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 Texas 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 / 50George is a name of Greek origin meaning "farmer".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,418
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,293 (#179 most common name, -48.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #53
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,754
Canva
2 / 50Johnny is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,490
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,519 (#262 most common name, -66.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #88
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 31,836
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3 / 50Jerry is a name of English origin meaning "exalted of the Lord".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,582
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 698 (#440 (tie) most common name, -84.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #63
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 48,306
Unsplash
4 / 50Billy is a name of English origin meaning "resolute protection".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,659
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 453 (#592 (tie) most common name, -90.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #83
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 33,077
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5 / 50Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,677
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 788 (#401 (tie) most common name, -83.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
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6 / 50Larry is a name of Latin origin meaning "from the place of the laurel leaves".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,688
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 571 (#499 most common name, -87.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #58
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,112
Canva
7 / 50Edward is a name of English origin meaning "prosperous".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,929
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,474 (#169 most common name, -49.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,515
Pixabay
8 / 50Bryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,168
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,033 (#104 most common name, -22.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 71,405
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9 / 50Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,218
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,905 (#49 most common name, +51.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,756
Canva
10 / 50Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,248
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 9,732 (#37 most common name, +85.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 101,539
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11 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,310
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,772 (#225 most common name, -66.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
Canva
12 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,363
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10,054 (#35 most common name, +87.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
Canva
13 / 50Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,393
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10,161 (#33 most common name, +88.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
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14 / 50Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning "righteous".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,475
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,254 (#97 most common name, -22.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,581
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15 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,530
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 809 (#390 most common name, -85.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
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16 / 50Carlos is a name of Spanish origin meaning "free man".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,873
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 7,565 (#52 most common name, +28.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #76
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 36,750
Canva
17 / 50Brandon is a name of English origin meaning "beacon hill" or "crow".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,096
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,524 (#61 most common name, +7.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #52
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,085
Pexels
18 / 50Chad is a name of English origin meaning "from the warrior's town".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,250
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 238 (#883 (tie) most common name, -96.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,598
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19 / 50Jesus is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "to deliver".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,322
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 8,648 (#43 most common name, +36.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #146
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 18,427
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20 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,528
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 445 (#599 (tie) most common name, -93.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
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Canva
21 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,669
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,919 (#217 most common name, -71.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
PxHere
22 / 50Joe is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Jehovah increases".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,049
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,561 (#253 most common name, -77.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #110
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 24,759
PxHere
23 / 50Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,086
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,320 (#292 most common name, -81.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
Canva
24 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,289
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11,851 (#20 most common name, +62.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
PxHere
25 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,468
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,120 (#198 most common name, -71.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
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26 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,741
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,837 (#221 most common name, -76.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
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27 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,926
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 12,095 (#18 most common name, +52.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
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28 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,182
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,958 (#80 most common name, -39.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
PxHere
29 / 50Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,197
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,372 (#174 most common name, -71.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
Canva
30 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,172
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 866 (#375 most common name, -90.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
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31 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,088
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10,093 (#34 most common name, +0.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
Unsplash
32 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,241
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,495 (#168 most common name, -75.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
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33 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,615
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 14,214 (#9 most common name, +33.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
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34 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,737
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,590 (#117 (tie) most common name, -66.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
Canva
35 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,902
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,854 (#84 most common name, -55.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
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36 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,435
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,350 (#176 most common name, -79.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
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37 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,511
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,550 (#60 most common name, -43.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
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38 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,382
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,650 (#159 most common name, -78.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
Canva
39 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,344
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,125 (#197 most common name, -84.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
PxHere
40 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,787
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 15,813 (#3 most common name, +14.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
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41 / 50Juan is a name of Spanish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,315
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10,374 (#28 most common name, -27.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #68
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 43,179
Canva
42 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,874
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 12,857 (#15 most common name, -13.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
Pexels
43 / 50Jose is a name of Spanish origin meaning "God will increase".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 17,156
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 14,936 (#7 most common name, -12.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 66,116
Canva
44 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 24,126
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,862 (#67 most common name, -75.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
45 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 26,506
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 9,843 (#36 most common name, -62.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
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46 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 27,307
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,533 (#73 most common name, -79.7% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
Canva
47 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 27,937
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11,353 (#21 most common name, -59.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
Burst
48 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 28,214
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 14,401 (#8 most common name, -49.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
Serenko Natalia // Shutterstock
49 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 30,732
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 12,270 (#17 most common name, -60.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
50 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Texas
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 40,116
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 13,392 (#13 most common name, -66.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
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