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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

Shawn

Meaning: God is gracious

Origin:Spelling variation of Sean
1627
Timothy

Meaning: honoring God

Origin:Greek
558
Monica

Meaning: advisor

Origin:Latin
978
Maria

Meaning: drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved

Origin:Hebrew or Egyptian
1003
Jill

Meaning: youthful

Origin:Diminutive of Gillian or Juliana
1075
Nicole

Meaning: people of victory

Origin:French feminine variation of Nicholas, Greek
421
Patricia

Meaning: noble, patrician

Origin:Latin
437
Julie

Meaning: youthful, sky father

Origin:French from Latin
1001
Christine

Meaning: Christian

Origin:French variation of Christina
850
Christina

Meaning: a Christian

Origin:Greek
435
Heather Named after the plant Heather, which are a v...
Origin:English botanical name
524
Melissa

Meaning: honeybee

Origin:Greek
541
Denise

Meaning: god of Nysa

Origin:French, feminine variation of Denis
1421
Kelly

Meaning: war

Origin:Irish
1573
Kimberly

Meaning: Cyneburga's meadow

Origin:English surname
1590
Sandra

Meaning: defending men

Origin:Diminutive of Alessandra, Italian from Greek
1625
Lori

Meaning: bay laurel

Origin:English spelling variation of Laurie; diminutive of Laura
2018
Melanie

Meaning: black, dark

Origin:Greek
650
Carrie

Meaning: free man

Origin:Diminutive of Carol or Caroline
1620
Troy

Meaning: of Troyes

Origin:Greek, French
2107