Most popular girl names in the 70s in Kentucky
Published 1:21 pm Saturday, June 12, 2021
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Most popular girl names in the 70s in Kentucky
While many women throughout history have achieved amazing things, most little girls’ names are popularized by the stars of the entertainment industry: a child actress who was a beacon of hope during the Great Depression; the title of a popular song; or the name fictional characters gave their baby in a sitcom.
Stacker compiled a list of the most popular baby names for girls in the 70s in Kentucky using data from the Social Security Administration. Names are ranked by number of babies born.
So why were so many parents drawn to a few popular names during this groovy decade? The answers vary from name to name but make total sense when you consider the context of the era—after all, names can tell the story of a generation. Radios blaring the melodies Fleetwood Mac may have inspired parents to name their daughters after the band’s keyboardist, Christine McVie, people who came of age during the peace-and-love counterculture revolution may have been attracted to nature-inspired baby names, like Crystal, April, or Heather. Other newborns of the 1970s may have gotten their names from some of the biggest stars of the decade, like Julie Andrews or Carrie Fisher.
Keep reading to see if any familiar girls’ names (or your own!) made our list.
Nolte Lourens // Shutterstock
#50. Tiffany
Tiffany is a name of Greek origin meaning “appearance of God”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,096
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 44 (#694 most common name, -96.0% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #42
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,151
lascot studio // Pexels
#49. Stacey
Stacey is a name of Greek origin meaning “resurrection”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,117
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
– Rank: #47
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 59,222
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock
#48. Tara
Tara is a name of Irish origin meaning “rocky hill”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,127
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 17 (#1001 (tie) most common name, -98.5% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #43
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,075
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#47. Dawn
Dawn is a name of English origin meaning “daybreak”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,167
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
– Rank: #26
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 92,443
Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
#46. Rachel
Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “ewe”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,177
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 268 (#168 most common name, -77.2% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #33
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,777
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
#45. Leslie
Leslie is a name of Scottish origin meaning “garden of holly”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,243
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 66 (#541 most common name, -94.7% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #70
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,816
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#44. Sherry
Sherry is a name of French origin meaning “dear”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,255
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
– Rank: #93
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 34,127
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#43. Robin
Robin is a name of German origin meaning “fame-bright”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,287
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1464 most common name, -99.6% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #67
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 45,944
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#42. Andrea
Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning “brave”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,325
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 189 (#233 (tie) most common name, -85.7% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #28
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
#41. Pamela
Pamela is a name of Greek origin meaning “all sweetness”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,329
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1464 most common name, -99.6% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #48
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,042
Tetiana Iatsenko // Shutterstock
#40. Carrie
Carrie is a name of German origin meaning “free man”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,330
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 22 (#906 most common name, -98.3% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #41
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 66,837
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
#39. Dana
Dana is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “God is my judge”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,375
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 12 (#1113 (tie) most common name, -99.1% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #57
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 51,292
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#38. Rhonda
Rhonda is a name of Welsh origin meaning “good lance”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,415
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
– Rank: #85
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 37,843
Kateryna Gurska // Shutterstock
#37. Teresa
Teresa is a name of Greek origin meaning “huntress”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,416
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 39 (#730 most common name, -97.2% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #52
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,001
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#36. Cynthia
Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning “moon goddess”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,421
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 56 (#603 most common name, -96.1% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #31
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 80,209
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#35. Donna
Donna is a name of Italian origin meaning “lady of the home”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,428
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
– Rank: #64
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,310
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#34. Jamie
Jamie is a name of Scottish origin meaning “supplanter”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,481
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 69 (#525 most common name, -95.3% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #40
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,812
Fuller Photography // Shutterstock
#33. Patricia
Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning “noble”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,558
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35 (#768 (tie) most common name, -97.8% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #30
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,118
Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock
#32. Misty
Misty is a name of English origin meaning “mist”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,593
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
– Rank: #75
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,284
Pixabay
#31. Stacy
Stacy is a name of Greek origin meaning “fruitful or productive”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,604
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
– Rank: #38
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 69,911
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#30. Lori
Lori is a name of English origin meaning “bay laurel”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,655
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 17 (#1001 (tie) most common name, -99.0% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #32
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,784
s_oleg // Shutterstock
#29. Karen
Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning “pure”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,735
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 52 (#638 (tie) most common name, -97.0% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #25
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#28. Christy
Christy is a name of Greek origin meaning “follower of Christ”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,749
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1464 most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #71
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,559
FamVeld // Shutterstock
#27. Susan
Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “lily”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,814
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 37 (#749 (tie) most common name, -98.0% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #27
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
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#26. Sarah
Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “princess”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,873
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 613 (#66 most common name, -67.3% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #19
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
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#25. Julie
Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning “youthful”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,989
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 73 (#510 most common name, -96.3% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #18
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
Nina Buday // Shutterstock
#24. April
April is a name of Latin origin meaning “to open”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,006
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 28 (#834 (tie) most common name, -98.6% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #34
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,935
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
#23. Tracy
Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning “fighter”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,112
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
– Rank: #24
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock
#22. Christina
Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning “follower of Christ”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,150
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 106 (#407 (tie) most common name, -95.1% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #16
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
javi_indy // Shutterstock
#21. Laura
Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning “bay laurel plant”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,193
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 191 (#231 most common name, -91.3% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #20
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
Oleggg // Shutterstock
#20. Tina
Tina is a name of English origin meaning “river”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,266
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
– Rank: #29
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 84,757
Pixabay
#19. Kelly
Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning “bright-headed”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,284
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 47 (#675 (tie) most common name, -97.9% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #14
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
Canva
#18. Jessica
Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “God beholds”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,284
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 200 (#221 most common name, -91.2% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #11
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
Haywiremedia // Shutterstock
#17. Tonya
Tonya is a name of Russian origin meaning “praiseworthy”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,316
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
– Rank: #49
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 57,768
Lopolo // Shutterstock
#16. Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “god is my oath”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,485
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,381 (#15 most common name, -44.4% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #12
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
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#15. Crystal
Crystal is a name of Latin origin meaning “Earth mineral”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,666
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35 (#768 (tie) most common name, -98.7% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #37
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 73,759
Surne1shots // Shutterstock
#14. Shannon
Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning “wise river”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,832
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
– Rank: #21
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock
#13. Tammy
Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “palm tree”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,201
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available
National
– Rank: #23
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 98,830
Canva
#12. Amanda
Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning “worthy of love”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,325
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 107 (#403 (tie) most common name, -96.8% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #17
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
Red Light Films // Pexels
#11. Michelle
Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “who is like God?”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,520
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 78 (#492 most common name, -97.8% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #4
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
Pixabay
#10. Rebecca
Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “servant of God”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,544
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 252 (#182 (tie) most common name, -92.9% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #13
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
#9. Heather
Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning “a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,544
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 29 (#824 (tie) most common name, -99.2% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #8
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock
#8. Mary
Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “drop of the sea”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,556
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 548 (#75 most common name, -84.6% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #15
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
Canva
#7. Lisa
Lisa is a name of English origin meaning “God’s promise”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,001
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 48 (#667 most common name, -98.8% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #6
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
Studio Romantic // Shutterstock
#6. Stephanie
Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning “crown”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,110
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 117 (#380 (tie) most common name, -97.2% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #9
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
Natalia Kirichenko // Shutterstock
#5. Kimberly
Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning “from the wood of the royal forest”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,182
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 183 (#244 most common name, -96.5% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #5
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
Canva
#4. Amy
Amy is a name of French origin meaning “beloved”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,708
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 135 (#330 most common name, -97.6% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #2
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
Darren Brode // Shutterstock
#3. Angela
Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning “messenger of God”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,795
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 106 (#407 (tie) most common name, -98.4% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #7
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock
#2. Melissa
Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning “honey bee”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,805
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 90 (#455 most common name, -98.7% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #3
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
Canva
#1. Jennifer
Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning “white shadow, white wave”.
Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,885
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 125 (#358 (tie) most common name, -98.7% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #1
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791
