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Most popular boy names in the 70s in Kentucky

Names can tell the story of a generation. To learn more about the culture of the 1970s, Stacker compiled a list of the most popular baby names for boys 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.

Bob Dylan’s hits certainly put a spotlight on the name Dylan. Fans of Corey Baker on the late 1960s to early 1970s sitcom “Julia” might have been compelled to put Corey (or the other popular variation, Kory) on their son’s birth certificates. People who came of age during the peace-and-love counterculture revolution may have been attracted to nature-inspired baby names, like Micah, while other newborns of the 1970s may have gotten their names from some of the biggest stars of the decade such as Jamey Sheridan or Ricky Nelson.

Keep reading to see if any familiar boys’ names (or your own!) made our list.

Adrie Molco // Shutterstock

#50. Bobby

Bobby is a name of German origin meaning “bright fame”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,295
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 86 (#443 most common name, -93.4% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #93
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 28,888

Lopolo // Shutterstock

#49. Brandon

Brandon is a name of English origin meaning “beacon hill” or “crow”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,306
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 586 (#95 most common name, -55.1% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #51
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,085

Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#48. Patrick

Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning “nobleman”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,318
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 295 (#185 most common name, -77.6% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #37
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309

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#47. Phillip

Phillip is a name of Greek origin meaning “fond of horses”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,343
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 131 (#327 (tie) most common name, -90.2% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #70
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 39,785

Canva

#46. Benjamin

Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “son of my days”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,365
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,686 (#20 most common name, +23.5% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #44
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386

Unsplash

#45. Jeffery

Jeffery is a name of German origin meaning “pledge of peace”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,376
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 108 (#385 most common name, -92.2% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #66
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,551

Jeremy Bishop // Unsplash

#44. Terry

Terry is a name of German origin meaning “power of the tribe”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,418
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 85 (#445 (tie) most common name, -94.0% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #68
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,358

Min An // Pexels

#43. Bryan

Bryan is a name of Irish origin meaning “noble”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,454
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 220 (#237 most common name, -84.9% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #46
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 71,405

Pshenina_m // Shutterstock

#42. Andrew

Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning “brave”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,455
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,334 (#36 most common name, -8.3% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #28
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096

Pexels

#41. Aaron

Aaron is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “high mountain”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,457
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 643 (#91 most common name, -55.9% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #35
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 101,539

Serenko Natalia // Shutterstock

#40. Adam

Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “earth”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,458
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 469 (#118 (tie) most common name, -67.8% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #36
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,829

Unsplash

#39. Bradley

Bradley is a name of English origin meaning “woodland clearing”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,554
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 343 (#166 (tie) most common name, -77.9% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #56
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,688

Canva

#38. Jerry

Jerry is a name of English origin meaning “exalted of the Lord”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,671
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 112 (#374 most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #62
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 48,306

Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock

#37. Billy

Billy is a name of English origin meaning “resolute protection”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,744
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 93 (#424 (tie) most common name, -94.7% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #82
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 33,077

Irisska // Shutterstock

#36. Ronald

Ronald is a name of English origin meaning “counsel rule”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,765
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 101 (#406 most common name, -94.3% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #43
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,778

Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#35. Shawn

Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning “God is gracious”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,915
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 190 (#257 (tie) most common name, -90.1% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #34
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831

Canva

#34. Gary

Gary is a name of English origin meaning “spearman”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,025
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 108 (#385 most common name, -94.7% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #47
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 68,301

PxHere

#33. Larry

Larry is a name of Latin origin meaning “from the place of the laurel leaves”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,031
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 102 (#403 (tie) most common name, -95.0% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #57
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,112

Canva

#32. Chad

Chad is a name of English origin meaning “from the warrior’s town”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,050
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 33 (#663 most common name, -98.4% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #30
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,598

Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock

#31. Scott

Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning “a Scotsman”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,086
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 52 (#563 (tie) most common name, -97.5% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #17
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707

Canva

#30. Donald

Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning “world ruler”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,130
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 123 (#342 (tie) most common name, -94.2% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #42
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475

Canva

#29. Kenneth

Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning “handsome”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,327
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 376 (#154 (tie) most common name, -83.8% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #31
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551

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#28. Paul

Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning “humble”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,363
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 261 (#203 most common name, -89.0% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #27
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498

PxHere

#27. Stephen

Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning “wreath, crown”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,365
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 289 (#189 most common name, -87.8% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #33
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880

My Good Images // Shutterstock

#26. Jonathan

Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “God has given”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,494
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 880 (#66 most common name, -64.7% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #32
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996

PxHere

#25. Gregory

Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning “watchful, alert”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,503
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 170 (#274 most common name, -93.2% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #29
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646

Unsplash

#24. Joshua

Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “God Is my salvation”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,510
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,357 (#33 most common name, -45.9% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #24
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406

Unsplash

#23. Daniel

Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “God is my judge”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,904
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,141 (#48 most common name, -60.7% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #12
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582

morrowlight // Shutterstock

#22. Thomas

Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning “twin”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,051
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 968 (#58 most common name, -68.3% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #20
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901

Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock

#21. Richard

Richard is a name of German origin meaning “dominant ruler”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,098
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 340 (#168 most common name, -89.0% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #16
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920

Gorynvd // Shutterstock

#20. Eric

Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning “sole ruler”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,200
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 296 (#184 most common name, -90.8% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #14
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608

Roman Sorkin // Shutterstock

#19. Jeffrey

Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning “pledge of peace”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,269
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 182 (#265 most common name, -94.4% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #15
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965

Canva

#18. Jeremy

Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning “appointed by God”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,369
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 227 (#233 most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #26
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357

Burst

#17. Anthony

Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning “praiseworthy”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,397
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 924 (#61 most common name, -72.8% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #22
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951

noBorders – Brayden Howie // Shutterstock

#16. Mark

Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning “God of war”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,428
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 254 (#209 most common name, -92.6% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #18
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442

Yulia Sribna // Shutterstock

#15. Steven

Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning “crown”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,667
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 411 (#137 most common name, -88.8% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #19
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214

Canva

#14. Matthew

Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “Gift of Yahweh”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,754
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,326 (#38 most common name, -64.7% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #10
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010

Pixabay

#13. Timothy

Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning “honouring God”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,153
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 537 (#107 most common name, -87.1% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #21
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367

Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock

#12. Kevin

Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning “noble”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,357
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 449 (#123 most common name, -89.7% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #13
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422

Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#11. Joseph

Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “he will add”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,536
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,536 (#28 most common name, -66.1% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #11
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939

Canva

#10. Charles

Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning “free man”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,925
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,282 (#41 most common name, -74.0% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #23
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117

Falcona // Shutterstock

#9. Brian

Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning “noble”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,256
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 268 (#200 most common name, -95.7% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #8
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870

Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock

#8. John

John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “Yahweh has been gracious”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,520
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,833 (#10 most common name, -75.6% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #6
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879

Pixabay

#7. Robert

Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning “fame” or “bright”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,598
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,009 (#55 most common name, -86.7% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #7
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452

Canva

#6. William

William is a name of Germanic origin meaning “vehement protector”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,839
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,309 (#1 most common name, -57.8% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #9
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#5. David

David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “beloved”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,254
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,273 (#43 most common name, -84.6% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #4
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004

Canva

#4. Jason

Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning “healer”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,136
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 552 (#104 most common name, -94.0% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #3
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954

Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock

#3. Christopher

Christopher is a name of English origin meaning “Christ-bearer”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,924
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,375 (#32 most common name, -87.4% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #2
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669

Unsplash

#2. Michael

Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “who is like God?”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,222
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,711 (#18 most common name, -86.0% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #1
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737

MIA Studio // Shutterstock

#1. James

James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “supplanter”.

Kentucky
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 12,352
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,628 (#4 most common name, -78.7% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #5
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982