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 Georgia 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.
#15. Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “god is my oath”.
Georgia
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,202
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,362 (#8 most common name, +5.0% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #12
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
#14. Shannon
Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning “wise river”.
Georgia
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,356
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 76 (#1075 most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #21
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
#13. April
April is a name of Latin origin meaning “to open”.
Georgia
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,511
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 178 (#583 (tie) most common name, -94.9% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #34
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,935
#12. Tammy
Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “palm tree”.
Georgia
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,569
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 23 (#1860 most common name, -99.4% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #23
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 98,830
#11. Michelle
Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “who is like God?”.
Georgia
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,633
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 528 (#203 most common name, -85.5% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #4
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
#10. Mary
Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “drop of the sea”.
Georgia
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,265
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,414 (#56 most common name, -66.8% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #15
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
#9. Heather
Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning “a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers”.
Georgia
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,308
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 86 (#1000 most common name, -98.0% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #8
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
#8. Lisa
Lisa is a name of English origin meaning “God’s promise”.
Georgia
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,869
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 92 (#949 (tie) most common name, -98.1% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #6
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
#7. Amanda
Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning “worthy of love”.
Georgia
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,119
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 257 (#398 most common name, -95.0% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #17
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
#6. Stephanie
Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning “crown”.
Georgia
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,566
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 421 (#257 most common name, -92.4% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #9
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
#5. Melissa
Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning “honey bee”.
Georgia
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,080
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 400 (#273 (tie) most common name, -93.4% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #3
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
#4. Amy
Amy is a name of French origin meaning “beloved”.
Georgia
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,291
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 567 (#185 most common name, -91.0% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #2
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
#3. Angela
Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning “messenger of God”.
Georgia
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,015
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 385 (#281 (tie) most common name, -94.5% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #7
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
#2. Kimberly
Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning “from the wood of the royal forest”.
Georgia
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,686
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 847 (#117 most common name, -89.0% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #5
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
#1. Jennifer
Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning “white shadow, white wave”.
Georgia
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,262
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 499 (#217 (tie) most common name, -95.9% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #1
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791
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