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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

Douglas

Meaning: black water

Origin:Scottish
755
Jamie

Meaning: supplanter

Origin:Diminutive of James
764
Jamie

Meaning: supplanter

Origin:Diminutive of James
686
Russell

Meaning: redhead, fox-colored

Origin:French
384
Raymond

Meaning: wise protector

Origin:German
398
Mark

Meaning: warlike

Origin:Latin
496
Scott

Meaning: from Scotland

Origin:English
501
Stephen

Meaning: garland, crown

Origin:Greek
534
Anthony

Meaning: from Antium

Origin:Latin
186
Robert

Meaning: bright fame

Origin:English from German
542
Shane

Meaning: God is gracious

Origin:Anglicized variation of Sean
1307
Derek

Meaning: the people's ruler

Origin:English from German form of Theodoric
459
Justin

Meaning: fair, righteous

Origin:Latin
513
Steven

Meaning: garland, crown

Origin:English variation of Stephen
893
Randy This is a common name used for both boys and...
Origin:Diminutive of Randall, Randolph
1879
Terry An abbreviation of Terrance, the meaning of ...
Origin:Diminutive of Terence
2908
Todd

Meaning: fox

Origin:English
908
Carlos

Meaning: free man

Origin:Spanish variation of Charles
991
Gregory

Meaning: vigilant, a watchman

Origin:Greek
491
Keith

Meaning: wood

Origin:Scottish
358