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 Wisconsin 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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Photopin
1 / 50Shane is a name of Irish origin meaning "graced by God".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,572
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 139 (#378 (tie) most common name, -91.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #60
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 50,289
Pshenina_m // Shutterstock
2 / 50Keith is a name of Celtic origin meaning "wood, forest".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,614
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 100 (#474 (tie) most common name, -93.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #45
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,737
Todd Trapani // Unsplash
3 / 50Douglas is a name of Scottish origin meaning "black water".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,654
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 53 (#667 most common name, -96.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #50
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,212
Canva
4 / 50Jesse is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "the Lord exists".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,683
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 265 (#233 (tie) most common name, -84.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #66
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,910
Pixabay
5 / 50Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,729
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 284 (#221 (tie) most common name, -83.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
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Pexels
6 / 50Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning "righteous".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,901
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 413 (#164 most common name, -78.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,581
Canva
7 / 50Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,943
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,428 (#34 most common name, -26.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #23
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
Unsplash
8 / 50Travis is a name of French origin meaning "to cross".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,997
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 178 (#312 (tie) most common name, -91.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,139
Vasiuk Iryna // Shutterstock
9 / 50Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God has given".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,076
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 957 (#74 (tie) most common name, -53.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
Unsplash
10 / 50Troy is a name of Irish origin meaning "foot soldier".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,078
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 123 (#417 (tie) most common name, -94.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #62
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 48,851
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Canva
11 / 50Peter is a name of Greek origin meaning "rock".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,295
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 376 (#182 most common name, -83.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #55
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 62,361
Canva
12 / 50Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,345
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 380 (#180 (tie) most common name, -83.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
FamVeld // Shutterstock
13 / 50Nathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "given".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,360
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,111 (#62 most common name, -52.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #49
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,945
PxHere
14 / 50Bradley is a name of English origin meaning "woodland clearing".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,411
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 244 (#252 most common name, -89.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,688
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
15 / 50Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,487
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 138 (#381 most common name, -94.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
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yifanjrb // Shutterstock
16 / 50Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,500
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 125 (#410 (tie) most common name, -95.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #29
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
17 / 50Nicholas is a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,539
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 785 (#94 most common name, -69.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #51
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,095
Pixabay
18 / 50Craig is a name of Scottish origin meaning "rocky".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,557
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 56 (#648 (tie) most common name, -97.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #56
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,823
Pexels
19 / 50Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of my days".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,688
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,296 (#11 most common name, -14.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #44
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386
Canva
20 / 50Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "earth".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,821
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 625 (#116 most common name, -77.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #36
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,829
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Canva
21 / 50Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,011
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,340 (#44 most common name, -55.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
Tetyana Kovyrina // Pexels
22 / 50Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "high mountain".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,110
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,088 (#65 most common name, -65.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 101,539
Min An // Pexels
23 / 50Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,149
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 315 (#205 most common name, -90.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
Ramona Heim // Shutterstock
24 / 50Todd is a name of English origin meaning "fox".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,474
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 19 (#958 (tie) most common name, -99.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,384
Unsplash
25 / 50Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God Is my salvation".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,808
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,150 (#58 (tie) most common name, -69.8% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
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Pixabay
26 / 50Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,035
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 284 (#221 (tie) most common name, -93.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
Canva
27 / 50Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning "appointed by God".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,067
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 237 (#255 most common name, -94.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
Pixabay
28 / 50William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,119
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,846 (#3 most common name, -30.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock
29 / 50Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,350
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,135 (#60 most common name, -73.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
30 / 50Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,083
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,560 (#28 most common name, -69.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
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PxHere
31 / 50Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,210
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 265 (#233 (tie) most common name, -94.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
Mallmo // Shutterstock
32 / 50Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,281
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 448 (#152 most common name, -91.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
Unsplash
33 / 50Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,322
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 486 (#143 (tie) most common name, -90.9% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
Canva
34 / 50Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning "little king" or "illustrious".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,382
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,172 (#54 most common name, -78.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,756
PxHere
35 / 50Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,395
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,447 (#32 most common name, -73.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
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Canva
36 / 50Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,411
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 202 (#284 (tie) most common name, -96.3% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
Pexels
37 / 50Chad is a name of English origin meaning "from the warrior's town".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,434
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35 (#788 (tie) most common name, -99.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,598
Canva
38 / 50Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,753
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 194 (#295 (tie) most common name, -96.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
Canva
39 / 50Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning "sole ruler".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,899
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 345 (#191 most common name, -94.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
40 / 50Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,560
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 751 (#99 most common name, -88.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
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Burst
41 / 50John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,967
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,224 (#50 most common name, -82.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
PxHere
42 / 50James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,364
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,127 (#16 most common name, -71.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
Falcona // Shutterstock
43 / 50Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,422
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,407 (#35 most common name, -81.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
Katrina Elena // Shutterstock
44 / 50Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning "a Scotsman".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,527
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 107 (#454 (tie) most common name, -98.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
45 / 50Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of Yahweh".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,411
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,342 (#43 most common name, -84.0% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
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Serenko Natalia // Shutterstock
46 / 50Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,788
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 243 (#253 most common name, -97.2% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
Adrie Molco // Shutterstock
47 / 50David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,841
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,292 (#47 most common name, -85.4% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
Samuel Borges Photography // Shutterstock
48 / 50Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,071
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 940 (#76 most common name, -89.6% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
Canva
49 / 50Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning "healer".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,826
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 501 (#137 most common name, -96.1% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
Philippe Put // Flickr
50 / 50Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Wisconsin
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,550
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,824 (#23 most common name, -87.5% compared to the 70s)
National
- Rank: #1
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
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