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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.

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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

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#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