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Top 1970s Baby Names

The top baby names popular in the 1970s are more likely to be the names of today's parents, not their children. Some of these names, such as Karen and Susan, Todd and Chad, have taken on new meaning from being associated with current memes.

Along with Karen, other 1970s baby names that remain in the US Top 1000 include Brian, Gregory, Heather, Jennifer, Kevin, Kimberly, Melissa, and Sean. Names that have fallen the farthest since their decade in the Sun include Misty, Tonya, Dawn, and Brandy.

These Gen-X names are on the fast-track to becoming grandparent names, as people born in the ‘70s are turning fifty this decade. Sourced from the 1970s Top 100, here is a list of popular baby names then which are relatively rare today.

Top Baby Names 1970s

Dawn

Meaning: dawn, sunrise

Origin:English
812
Rebecca

Meaning: to tie, bind

Origin:Hebrew
350
Laura

Meaning: from Laurentum or bay laurel

Origin:English from Latin
113
Cynthia

Meaning: moon goddess or, woman from Kynthos

Origin:Greek
197
Wendy

Meaning: friend or white

Origin:English, Celtic, Welsh
623
April

Meaning: to open

Origin:Latin
209
Amy

Meaning: beloved

Origin:French
229
Stephanie

Meaning: garland, crown

Origin:Greek, feminine variation of Stephen
330
Andrea

Meaning: strong and manly

Origin:Feminine variation of Andrew, Greek
799
Joel

Meaning: Jehovah is his God

Origin:Hebrew
254
Kenneth

Meaning: born of fire, handsome

Origin:Scottish and Irish
113
Jason

Meaning: to heal

Origin:Greek
305
Edward

Meaning: wealthy guardian

Origin:English
235
Brian

Meaning: strong, virtuous, and honorable

Origin:Irish
417
Sean

Meaning: God is gracious

Origin:Irish variation of John
1007
Ryan

Meaning: little king

Origin:Irish
396
Misty

Meaning: mist

Origin:English
1092
Michelle

Meaning: who is like God

Origin:French variation of Michael
529
Danielle

Meaning: God is my judge

Origin:French feminine variation of Daniel, Hebrew,"God is my judge"
582
Lisa

Meaning: pledged to God

Origin:English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Italian
928