Most popular girl names in the 70s in Washington, D.C.

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June 25, 2022
Aaron Amat // Shutterstock

Most popular girl names in the 70s in Washington D.C.

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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Fuller Photography // Shutterstock

#50. April

April 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

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Nolte Lourens // Shutterstock

#49. Maria

Maria 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

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Oleggg // Shutterstock

#48. Robin

Robin 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

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photoDiod // Shutterstock

#47. Tanya

Tanya 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

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Rob Marmion // Shutterstock

#46. Deborah

Deborah 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

#45. Monique

Monique 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

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Max Bukovski // Shutterstock

#44. Sharon

Sharon 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

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Shyamalamuralinath // Shutterstock

#43. Kathleen

Kathleen 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

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Canva

#42. Lashawn

Lashawn 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

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Studio Romantic // Shutterstock

#41. Dana

Dana 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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Matva // Shutterstock

#40. Rachel

Rachel 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

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Canva

#39. Yolanda

Yolanda 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

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Pexels

#38. Amanda

Amanda 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

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Canva

#37. Danielle

Danielle 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

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Nina Buday // Shutterstock

#36. Pamela

Pamela 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

#35. Erica

Erica 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

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Canva

#34. Catherine

Catherine 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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#33. Patricia

Patricia 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

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Pixabay

#32. Julie

Julie 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

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Natalia Kirichenko // Shutterstock

#31. Cynthia

Cynthia 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

#30. Erin

Erin 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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phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock

#29. Dawn

Dawn 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

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#28. Tracy

Tracy 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

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ucchie79 // Shutterstock

#27. Susan

Susan 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

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Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock

#26. Shannon

Shannon 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

#25. Tiffany

Tiffany 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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Haywiremedia // Shutterstock

#24. Katherine

Katherine 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

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Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock

#23. Monica

Monica 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

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Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock

#22. Andrea

Andrea 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

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Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock

#21. Crystal

Crystal 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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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#20. Rebecca

Rebecca 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

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Canva

#19. Christine

Christine 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

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Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock

#18. Kelly

Kelly 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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Durganand // Shutterstock

#17. Laura

Laura 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

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pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

#16. Mary

Mary 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

#15. Jessica

Jessica 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

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Black-Photogaphy // Shutterstock

#14. Heather

Heather 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

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Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

#13. Sarah

Sarah 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

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Dasha Muller // Shutterstock

#12. Christina

Christina 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

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Canva

#11. Karen

Karen 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

#10. Melissa

Melissa 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

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Marko Poplasen // Shutterstock

#9. Amy

Amy 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

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pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

#8. Stephanie

Stephanie 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

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DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock

#7. Elizabeth

Elizabeth 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

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s_oleg // Shutterstock

#6. Angela

Angela 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

#5. Nicole

Nicole 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

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Darkdiamond67 // Shutterstock

#4. Lisa

Lisa 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

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DONUT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock

#3. Michelle

Michelle 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

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Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

#2. Kimberly

Kimberly 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

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Tatiana Katsai // Shutterstock

#1. Jennifer

Jennifer 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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