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 Rhode Island 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.

Tatiana Katsai // Shutterstock

#50. Bethany

Bethany is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “house of figs”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 271
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #171
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,949

Nolte Lourens // Shutterstock

#49. Holly

Holly is a name of English origin meaning “the clearing by the hollow”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 277
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #58
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 50,467

Canva

#48. Amanda

Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning “worthy of love”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 282
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#377 most common name, -97.9% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #17
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920

photoDiod // Shutterstock

#47. Andrea

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

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 12 (#314 most common name, -95.8% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #28
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433

Shyamalamuralinath // Shutterstock

#46. Angela

Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning “messenger of God”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 19 (#259 (tie) most common name, -93.3% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #7
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222

PxHere

#45. Rachel

Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “ewe”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 284
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 27 (#224 most common name, -90.5% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #33
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,777

Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock

#44. Kristin

Kristin is a name of Latin origin meaning “follower of Christ”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 286
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #72
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,381

Canva

#43. Pamela

Pamela is a name of Greek origin meaning “all sweetness”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 286
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #48
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,042

Canva

#42. Michele

Michele is a name of Italian origin meaning “Who is like God?”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 294
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #51
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,541

Bodler // Shutterstock

#41. Wendy

Wendy is a name of English origin meaning “friend”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 295
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #36
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 74,188

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#40. Stacey

Stacey is a name of Greek origin meaning “resurrection”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 295
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #47
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 59,222

Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock

#39. Jill

Jill is a name of English origin meaning “child of the gods”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 297
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #54
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,073

Coy_Creek // Shutterstock

#38. Sandra

Sandra is a name of Greek origin meaning “defender of man”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 314
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #44
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,310

Canva

#37. Donna

Donna is a name of Italian origin meaning “lady of the home”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 315
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #64
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,310

Natalia Kirichenko // Shutterstock

#36. Kathleen

Kathleen is a name of Irish origin meaning “pure”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 321
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#377 most common name, -98.1% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #68
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,851

Oleggg // Shutterstock

#35. Gina

Gina is a name of German origin meaning “farmer”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 321
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #80
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 38,068

Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#34. Tara

Tara is a name of Irish origin meaning “rocky hill”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 325
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #43
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,075

Canva

#33. Patricia

Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning “noble”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 334
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #30
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,118

Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#32. Tina

Tina is a name of English origin meaning “river”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 334
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #29
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 84,757

pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

#31. Laura

Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning “bay laurel plant”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 342
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 13 (#302 most common name, -96.2% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #20
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216

Blend Images // Shutterstock

#30. Danielle

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

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 346
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #46
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 60,915

Dasha Muller // Shutterstock

#29. Shannon

Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning “wise river”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 356
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #21
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805

Mcimage // Shutterstock

#28. Melanie

Melanie is a name of Greek origin meaning “black, dark”

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 357
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 60 (#138 (tie) most common name, -83.2% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #56
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 53,326

lascot studio // Pexels

#27. Mary

Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “drop of the sea”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 381
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 55 (#147 (tie) most common name, -85.6% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #15
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279

Tetiana Iatsenko // Shutterstock

#26. Tammy

Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “palm tree”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 428
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #23
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 98,830

Maria Evseyeva // Shutterstock

#25. Tracy

Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning “fighter”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 447
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #24
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538

George Rudy // Shutterstock

#24. Christina

Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning “follower of Christ”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 448
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 15 (#287 (tie) most common name, -96.7% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #16
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747

Canva

#23. Kerri

Kerri is a name of Irish origin meaning “mysterious”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 474
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #154
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 14,226

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#22. Lori

Lori is a name of English origin meaning “bay laurel”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 524
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #32
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,784

Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock

#21. Karen

Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning “pure”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 538
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #25
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185

Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock

#20. Sarah

Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “princess”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 543
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 130 (#61 (tie) most common name, -76.1% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #19
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841

Malakhova Ganna // Shutterstock

#19. Susan

Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “lily”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 543
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #27
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327

FreelySky // Shutterstock

#18. Kelly

Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning “bright-headed”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 555
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #14
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568

Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

#17. Erin

Erin is a name of Irish origin meaning “peace”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 559
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #39
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,911

Tatyana Domnicheva // Shutterstock

#16. Julie

Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning “youthful”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 564
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11 (#328 most common name, -98.0% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #18
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949

Nitin Kumar // Pexels

#15. Kristen

Kristen is a name of Latin origin meaning “follower of Christ”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 679
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #70
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,205

ucchie79 // Shutterstock

#14. Stephanie

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

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 682
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#431 most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #9
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470

Pixabay

#13. Rebecca

Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “servant of God”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 690
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 16 (#279 most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #13
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312

Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock

#12. Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “god is my oath”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 704
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 272 (#16 most common name, -61.4% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #12
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869

Aaron Amat // Shutterstock

#11. Dawn

Dawn is a name of English origin meaning “daybreak”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 755
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #26
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 92,443

Canva

#10. Nicole

Nicole is a name of Greek origin meaning “victory of the people”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 823
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 19 (#259 (tie) most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #10
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 144,672

pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

#9. Christine

Christine is a name of English origin meaning “follower of Christ”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 902
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #22
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 103,241

Max Bukovski // Shutterstock

#8. Jessica

Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “God beholds”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 997
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 25 (#232 most common name, -97.5% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #11
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488

FamVeld // Shutterstock

#7. Heather

Heather is a name of Scottish origin meaning “a variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,001
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #8
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939

Marko Poplasen // Shutterstock

#6. Kimberly

Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning “from the wood of the royal forest”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,037
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35 (#200 (tie) most common name, -96.6% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #5
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112

Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock

#5. Amy

Amy is a name of French origin meaning “beloved”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,071
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 20 (#254 most common name, -98.1% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #2
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009

Canva

#4. Michelle

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

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,251
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 24 (#235 most common name, -98.1% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #4
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#3. Lisa

Lisa is a name of English origin meaning “God’s promise”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,316
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #6
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676

Red Light Films // Pexels

#2. Melissa

Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning “honey bee”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,662
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 12 (#314 most common name, -99.3% 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”.

Rhode Island
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,927
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 20 (#254 most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #1
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 581,791

This story was written by Stacker and has been re-published pursuant to a CC BY-NC 4.0 License.

This post was originally published on this site

Stacker

This story was written by Stacker and has been re-published pursuant to a CC BY-NC 4.0 License.

Founded in 2017, Stacker combines data analysis with rich editorial context, drawing on authoritative sources and subject matter experts to drive storytelling.