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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

Corey

Meaning: from the hollow

Origin:Irish
1414
Tara

Meaning: rocky hill

Origin:Irish
888
Erin

Meaning: from the island to the west

Origin:Irish
1022
Teresa

Meaning: to harvest

Origin:Spanish
503
Tammy A diminutive of the name Tamara, the meaning...
Origin:English, diminutive of Tamara
1539
Angela

Meaning: angel

Origin:Latin
802
Crystal The meaning of Crystal is 'earth mineral' or...
Origin:Gem name
815
Shannon

Meaning: old and wise

Origin:Irish
1521
Karen

Meaning: pure

Origin:Danish variation of Katherine
504
Jeremy

Meaning: appointed by God

Origin:English form of Jeremiah
581
Bryan

Meaning: strong, virtuous, and honorable

Origin:Variation of Brian, Irish
679
Rodney

Meaning: island near the clearing

Origin:English
1542
Tony

Meaning: priceless one

Origin:Diminutive of Anthony
2302
Chad

Meaning: battle warrior

Origin:English
773
Jeffrey

Meaning: pledge of peace

Origin:Spelling variation of Geoffrey
660
Craig

Meaning: from the rocks

Origin:Scottish
959
Tracy

Meaning: of Thracia

Origin:French
3237
Michele

Meaning: who is like God

Origin:Feminine variation of Michael
5915
Stacey The meaning of Stacey is ‘resurrection’ and ...
Origin:Greek
5565
Tina The biblical meaning of Tina is ‘river’, ‘ho...
Origin:Diminutive of Christina et al
1343