Best Baby Names of the 1970s

Lava lamps. Polyester. Disco. Watergate. The ‘70s was a decade all its own; it’s where the Star Wars franchise began, where punk music found its roots, feminism became a force to be reckoned with, and lots of Michaels, Christophers, Jennifers, and Amys were born.

Many of the top baby names of the 1970s mirror the top baby names of the ‘80s and ‘90s, especially for boys; once again, Michael and Christopher reigned supreme, though popular girls’ names experienced a shake-up. Jennifer, Amy, Michelle, and Melissa would continue their streak during the ‘80s.

If you’re looking for some throwback baby name inspo or are just curious about prior baby name trends, pull on your bell-bottom jeans and turn on the Bee Gees, because we’re going back in time to the grooviest decade: the 1970s.

Ahead, discover the most popular baby names of the ‘70s.

Popular '70s Names for Boys

Michael

Michael was the number-one name for boys for most of the 1950s through 1990s, and claimed the top spot for all of the ‘70s.

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: Gift from God
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Micheal, Mike, Mykal, Mikel
• Famous Namesakes: Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan, Michael Caine, Michael J. Fox
• Peak Popularity: 1998

Christopher

Christopher is a classic name that continued throughout the '80s and '90s.

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Bearer of Christ
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kristofer, Kristoffer, Cristofer, Chris
• Famous Namesakes: Christopher Plummer, Christopher Meloni, Christopher Walken, Chris Pine, Chris Evans
• Peak Popularity: 1994

Jason

Jason made an appearance in the top 10 during the ‘70s and would be a top pick for boys, peaking in the mid-’90s.

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Healer
• Alternate Spellings & Variations: Jase, Jasen 
• Famous Namesakes: Jason Statham, Jason Schwartzman, Jason Sudeikis 
• Peak Popularity: 1978

David

David Bowie is arguably the most famous David of the 1970s; his classic The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars came out in 1972.

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: Beloved
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Dave, Davey 
• Famous Namesakes: David Letterman, David Bowie, David Duchovny, David Schwimmer
• Peak Popularity: 1960

James

James is an enduring classic baby name; it hasn’t left the top 20 most popular names since 1900. 

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: Supplanter
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jamie, Jamey, Jaymes, Jim, Jimmy 
• Famous Namesakes: James Earl Jones, James Marsden, James Spader, James Dean
• Peak Popularity: 1952

John

John Travolta popularized the name John during this period when he captured hearts in the ‘70s as the star of TV’s Welcome Back Kotter and two huge ‘70s films, Saturday Night Fever and Grease.

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: God is gracious/Graced by God
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jon, Jonathan, Johnny
• Famous Namesakes: John Travolta, John Cena, John Krasinski
• Peak Popularity: 1923

Robert

Robert held the number-one spot from 1924 to 1939 and kept up its popularity for many more decades. However, it was ranked at number 89 in 2023.

• Origin: German
• Meaning: Bright fame
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Roberto, Bob, Bobby, Rob, Robbie 
• Famous Namesakes: Robert DeNiro, Robert Downey, Jr., Robert Plant, Robert Pattinson, Robert Redford 
• Peak Popularity: 1953

Brian

While this name peaked in 1977, it has since disappeared from the top 100 list entirely.

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: High, noble 
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Bryan, Bryon, Brien 
• Famous Namesakes: Brian Wilson, Brian Austin Green, Brian McKnight, Bryan Cranston
• Peak Popularity: 1977

William

William is one of the most popular boys’ names of all time, so it’s not a surprise to see it ranking in the ‘70s.

• Origin: German
• Meaning: Strong-willed warrior
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Bill, Billy, Willie, Liam
• Famous Namesakes: William Shakespeare, William Shatner, Bill Clinton, Prince William
• Peak Popularity: 1920

Matthew

Another longtime go-to, Matthew just made the top 10 in the 1970s. After peaking as a popular baby name in the ‘90s, its popularity would wane a bit, though it still ranks in the top 50.

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: Gift from God
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Mathew, Matt
• Famous Namesakes: Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Broderick, Matthew Perry, Matt Damon, Matt LeBlanc
• Peak Popularity: 1996

More '70s Names for Boys

• Joseph: Another enduring fave for baby boys everywhere, Joseph was a top 20 choice in the ‘70s.
• Daniel: Daniel is the kind of name that never leaves the top 20, and for good reason! One of the most notable Daniels of the ‘70s was Danny Torrance, a.k.a. the little boy from the film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Shining, which was published in 1977.
• Kevin: Kevin is an Irish baby name that means “handsome,” which could be why it was such a popular pick from ‘60s to the ‘80s. It first debuted on the top 100 list in the 1920s.
• Eric: This boys’ name has roots in Norse mythology and means “ruler.” It was most popular during the ‘60s through the ‘80s.
• Jeffrey: Jeffrey snagged a spot on the top 20 list for most of the decade, but it would vanish shortly after. Geoffrey is a cool alternative today.
• Richard: Richard was another popular name in the 1970s that would experience a dip in popularity in subsequent decades.
• Scott: It probably won’t surprise you to know that the name Scott is an English name meaning “Scotsman” or “from Scotland.”
• Mark: While Mark ranked in the top 10 from the ‘50s to the ‘70s, it left the top 100 in the early ‘00s and hasn’t been popular since. Actor Mark Hamill rose to fame in the ‘70s as the one and only Luke Skywalker.
• Steven: Steve, Stephen, Stefan—this classic name has tons of possibilities, and could be due for a comeback post-’70s.
• Thomas: Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady was born in 1977, one of many people with the name Thomas born in the ‘70s.

Popular '70s Names for Girls

Jennifer

Jennifer was the queen bee of the ‘70s, ranking as the number-one most popular girls’ name of the decade and continuing its streak as a go-to in the ‘80s.

• Origin: Welsh
• Meaning: Fair one
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 
• Famous Namesakes: Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Lawrence, Jennifer Coolidge 
• Peak Popularity: 1984
• Fun Fact: The name Jennifer is derived from Guinevere.

Amy

Amy was the number-two name of the decade, and while it appeared in the top 20 for the ‘80s, it dropped significantly shortly thereafter.

• Origin: French
• Meaning: Beloved
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Aimee, Amie, Ami 
• Famous Namesakes: Amy Winehouse, Amy Adams, Amy Poehler 
• Peak Popularity: 1976

Michelle

The Beatles broke up in the early ‘70s, but their song “Michelle” is an enduring fave — and so was the name Michelle! 

• Origin: French
• Meaning: Resembles God
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Michele, Mechelle
• Famous Namesakes: Michelle Obama, Michelle Kwan, Michelle Williams, Michelle Pfeiffer
• Peak Popularity: 1972

Melissa

Melissa had a moment in the ‘70s and ‘80s, whether she went by her full name or the nicknames Mel or Missy.

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Honeybee
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Missy, Mel
• Famous Namesakes: Melissa Etheridge, Melissa McCarthy
• Peak Popularity: 1979
• Fun Fact: Melissa is also the name of an herb.
  

Kimberly

Kimberly held its place in the top 50 most popular girls’ names until 1998!

• Origin: English
• Meaning: Meadow
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kimberlee, Kim, Kimmy, Kimberley 
• Famous Namesakes: Kim Kardashian, Kim Basinger, Kim Cattrall
• Peak Popularity: 1967

Lisa

Though Lisa ranked high in the ‘70s, the name is nearly out of the top 1000 today!

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: God’s promise
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Leesa, Lise
• Famous Namesakes: Lisa Leslie, Lisa Vanderpump, Lisa Loeb, Lisa Rinna
• Peak Popularity: 1969

Angela

There were a lot of Gen X Angelas, but the name dipped in popularity after the ‘80s. 

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Messenger from God, angel
• Famous Namesakes: Angela Bassett, Angela Lansbury, Angela Davis
• Peak Popularity: 1976

Heather

Heather was one of the most popular names of the ‘70s and ‘80s, but has since had a dramatic drop —as in, dropped completely out of the top 500 names in the 2010s. 

• Origin: British
• Meaning: Evergreen flowering plant
• Famous Namesakes: Heather Locklear 
• Peak Popularity: 1975
• Fun Fact: Heather is a flowering shrub with pretty pink and purple flowers.

Stephanie

Like Heather, Stephanie was super popular in the ‘70s and ‘80s, but dipped significantly after the early ‘90s.

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Crown, garland
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Stephany, Stefani 
• Famous Namesakes: Lady Gaga (Stefani Germanotta), Stephanie Seymour 
• Peak Popularity: 1986

Nicole

If you like the name Nicole but it feels a little dated to you, you could consider one of its alternatives, like Nicola, Nico, or Nicolette.

• Origin: French, Greek
• Meaning: Victory of the people
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Nichole, Nikole, Nikki, Nicky, Necole, Nicola, Nicolette, Niko, Nico
• Famous Namesakes: Nicole Ari Parker 
• Peak Popularity: 1982

More '70s Names for Girls

• Jessica: Jessica would rise dramatically in popularity during the ‘80s and snag the crown from Jennifer. 
• Elizabeth: Elizabeth was at peak popularity all the way back in 1905, but continued to be a fave generations later.
• Rebecca: One famous Rebecca, model/actress Rebecca Romijn, was born in 1972. 
• Kelly: Kelly is unique in that it’s a gender-neutral name, the name of a color, and a common surname. It has it all! 
• Mary: Mary was the most popular name for girls from the late 1800s to the early 1960s, and is still one of the most common first names, though its popularity as a baby name has faded.
• Christina: Christina offers a plethora of customization options, from swapping the “C” for a “K” to shortening it to Chris, Christie, or Chrissy.
• Amanda: Amanda would rise in popularity from the ‘70s to the ‘80s. Was Barry Manilow’s 1974 hit “Mandy” the cause? Maybe! 
• Julie: Julie had a moment in the ‘70s, but her sister name Julia is more consistently popular over time.
• Sarah: Simple, classic, and versatile, Sarah ranked in the top 20 for the ‘70s. It’s a Hebrew name meaning “princess” or “woman of high rank.”
• Laura: Actress Laura Prepon would eventually play Donna in Fox’s massively popular That ‘70s Show. Was it fate?