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 Rhode Island using data from the Social Security Administration. Names are ranked by number of babies born.
[ICYMI –Most popular girl names in the 70s in Rhode Island]
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.
Pixabay
#50. Frank
Frank is a name of German origin meaning “free man”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 271
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 16 (#268 most common name, -94.1% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #64
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 46,891
Canva
#49. Marc
Marc is a name of Latin origin meaning “to be warlike”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 284
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 16 (#268 most common name, data not available compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #82
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 31,757
Tetyana Kovyrina // Pexels
#48. Nicholas
Nicholas is a name of Greek origin meaning “victory of the people”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 294
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 302 (#36 most common name, +2.7% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #50
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,095
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
#47. George
George is a name of Greek origin meaning “farmer”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 312
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 89 (#125 most common name, -71.5% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #52
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,754
Canva
#46. Dennis
Dennis is a name of Greek origin meaning “follower of Dionysius”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 317
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#379 (tie) most common name, -98.4% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #58
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 50,566
Pixabay
#45. Jeremy
Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning “appointed by God”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 346
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 121 (#99 most common name, -65.0% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #26
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock
#44. Donald
Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning “world ruler”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 351
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 121 (#99 most common name, data not available compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #41
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475
Canva
#43. Justin
Justin is a name of Latin origin meaning “righteous”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 371
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 179 (#70 most common name, -51.8% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #37
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,581
Canva
#42. Derek
Derek is a name of German origin meaning “the people’s ruler”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 373
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 59 (#164 most common name, -84.2% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #70
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 38,347
Roman Sorkin // Shutterstock
#41. Ronald
Ronald is a name of English origin meaning “counsel rule”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 398
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10 (#308 most common name, -97.5% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #42
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,778
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#40. Shawn
Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning “God is gracious”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 401
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 34 (#219 (tie) most common name, -91.5% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #33
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock
#39. Adam
Adam is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “earth”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 404
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 144 (#82 (tie) most common name, -64.4% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #35
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,829
Pshenina_m // Shutterstock
#38. Charles
Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning “free man”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 420
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 239 (#53 most common name, -43.1% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #23
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
Pixabay
#37. Patrick
Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning “nobleman”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 422
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 90 (#123 (tie) most common name, -78.7% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #36
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
Canva
#36. Ryan
Ryan is a name of Irish origin meaning “little king” or “illustrious”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 423
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 349 (#27 (tie) most common name, -17.5% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #25
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,756
Pexels
#35. Todd
Todd is a name of English origin meaning “fox”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 424
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 349 (#27 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #40
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,384
Unsplash
#34. Raymond
Raymond is a name of German origin meaning “protector”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 437
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 37 (#213 most common name, -91.5% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #60
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 49,366
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
#33. Sean
Sean is a name of Irish origin meaning “God is gracious”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 496
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 72 (#143 most common name, -85.5% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #38
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,945
PxHere
#32. Kenneth
Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning “handsome”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 508
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 65 (#152 (tie) most common name, -87.2% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #30
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
Iren_Geo // Shutterstock
#31. Andrew
Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning “brave”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 519
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 321 (#31 most common name, -38.2% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #28
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
Pixabay
#30. Edward
Edward is a name of English origin meaning “prosperous”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 523
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 92 (#121 most common name, -82.4% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #39
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,515
PxHere
#29. Keith
Keith is a name of Celtic origin meaning “wood, forest”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 546
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 92 (#121 most common name, data not available compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #44
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,737
Flashon // Shutterstock
#28. Gregory
Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning “watchful, alert”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 555
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 23 (#248 (tie) most common name, -95.9% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #29
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock
#27. Jonathan
Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “God has given”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 555
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 253 (#46 most common name, -54.4% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #31
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
Pixabay
#26. Joshua
Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “God Is my salvation”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 318 (#32 most common name, -45.3% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #24
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
Pixabay
#25. Peter
Peter is a name of Greek origin meaning “rock”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 688
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 65 (#152 (tie) most common name, -90.6% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #54
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 62,361
Min An // Pexels
#24. Anthony
Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning “praiseworthy”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 693
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 433 (#16 most common name, -37.5% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #22
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
Peakpx
#23. Timothy
Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning “honouring God”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 734
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 81 (#131 most common name, -89.0% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #21
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock
#22. Stephen
Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning “wreath, crown”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 751
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 50 (#181 most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #32
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
Pixabay
#21. Paul
Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning “humble”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 841
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 49 (#184 most common name, -94.2% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #27
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
Irisska // Shutterstock
#20. Mark
Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning “God of war”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 891
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 56 (#167 most common name, -93.7% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #18
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
Canva
#19. Jeffrey
Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning “pledge of peace”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 898
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 34 (#219 (tie) most common name, -96.2% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #15
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
Pexels
#18. Eric
Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning “sole ruler”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 960
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 80 (#133 (tie) most common name, -91.7% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #14
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
#17. Thomas
Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning “twin”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,011
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 290 (#38 most common name, -71.3% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #20
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
#16. Steven
Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning “crown”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,042
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 83 (#129 most common name, -92.0% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #19
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
Burst
#15. Kevin
Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning “noble”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,071
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 149 (#80 (tie) most common name, -86.1% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #13
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
Vasiuk Iryna // Shutterstock
#14. Daniel
Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “God is my judge”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,105
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 360 (#24 most common name, -67.4% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #12
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
Thammasak Lek // Shutterstock
#13. Richard
Richard is a name of German origin meaning “dominant ruler”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,111
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 95 (#116 most common name, -91.4% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #16
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
Canva
#12. William
William is a name of Germanic origin meaning “vehement protector”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,112
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 482 (#10 most common name, -56.7% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #9
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
Unsplash
#11. Scott
Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning “a Scotsman”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,121
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 12 (#285 (tie) most common name, -98.9% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #17
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
Unsplash
#10. Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “Gift of Yahweh”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,317
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 449 (#14 most common name, -65.9% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #10
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock
#9. Joseph
Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “he will add”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,522
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 465 (#12 most common name, -69.4% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #11
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
My Good Images // Shutterstock
#8. Brian
Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning “noble”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,531
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 79 (#136 most common name, -94.8% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #8
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
Fotonium // Shutterstock
#7. James
James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “supplanter”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,625
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 436 (#15 most common name, -73.2% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #5
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
Vasiuk Iryna // Shutterstock
#6. Robert
Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning “fame” or “bright”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,024
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 241 (#51 (tie) most common name, -88.1% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #7
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
pratan ounpitipong // Shutterstock
#5. John
John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “Yahweh has been gracious”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,096
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 394 (#20 most common name, -81.2% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #6
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
Alena Vostrikova // Shutterstock
#4. Jason
Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning “healer”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,264
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 196 (#63 most common name, -91.3% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #3
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
Unsplash
#3. Christopher
Christopher is a name of English origin meaning “Christ-bearer”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,270
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 338 (#30 most common name, -85.1% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #2
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
Falcona // Shutterstock
#2. David
David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “beloved”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,382
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 288 (#40 (tie) most common name, -87.9% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #4
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
PxHere
#1. Michael
Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “who is like God?”.
Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,862
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 619 (#5 most common name, -84.0% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #1
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
