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 North Carolina using data from the Social Security Administration. Names are ranked by the 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.
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#50. Billy
Billy is a name of English origin meaning “resolute protection”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,813
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 116 (#647 most common name, -93.6% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #83
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 33,077
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#49. Shawn
Shawn is a name of Irish origin meaning “God is gracious”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,847
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 324 (#319 (tie) most common name, -82.5% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #34
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 105,831
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#48. Phillip
Phillip is a name of Greek origin meaning “fond of horses”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,887
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 290 (#336 most common name, -84.6% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #71
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 39,785
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#47. Benjamin
Benjamin is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “son of my days”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,902
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,784 (#14 most common name, +98.9% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #44
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,386
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#46. George
George is a name of Greek origin meaning “farmer”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,921
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 803 (#150 most common name, -58.2% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #53
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,754
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#45. Tony
Tony is a name of Latin origin meaning “priceless one”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,923
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 260 (#364 most common name, -86.5% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #80
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 35,590
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#44. Terry
Terry is a name of German origin meaning “power of the tribe”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,958
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 163 (#508 (tie) most common name, -91.7% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #69
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 42,358
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#43. Edward
Edward is a name of English origin meaning “prosperous”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,977
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 674 (#180 most common name, -65.9% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #40
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 83,515
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#42. Patrick
Patrick is a name of Latin origin meaning “nobleman”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,021
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 659 (#184 most common name, -67.4% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #37
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 91,309
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#41. Bryan
Bryan is a name of Irish origin meaning “noble”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,044
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 833 (#144 (tie) most common name, -59.2% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #46
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 71,405
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#40. Bobby
Bobby is a name of German origin meaning “bright fame”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,108
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 173 (#476 most common name, -91.8% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #94
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 28,888
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#39. Rodney
Rodney is a name of English origin meaning “island near the clearing”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,184
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 143 (#559 most common name, -93.5% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #74
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 37,409
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#38. Gary
Gary is a name of English origin meaning “spearman”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,189
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 123 (#623 (tie) most common name, -94.4% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #47
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 68,301
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#37. Andrew
Andrew is a name of Greek origin meaning “brave”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,213
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,887 (#35 most common name, +30.5% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #28
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,096
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#36. Travis
Travis is a name of French origin meaning “to cross”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,292
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 485 (#244 most common name, -78.8% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #54
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 64,139
16 / 50Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
#35. Paul
Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning “humble”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,304
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 490 (#243 most common name, -78.7% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #27
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 136,498
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#34. Scott
Scott is a name of Scotland origin meaning “a Scotsman”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,416
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 179 (#464 most common name, -92.6% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #17
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,707
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#33. Jerry
Jerry is a name of English origin meaning “exalted of the Lord”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,440
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 181 (#459 (tie) most common name, -92.6% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #63
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 48,306
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#32. Ronald
Ronald is a name of English origin meaning “counsel rule”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,465
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 219 (#416 most common name, -91.1% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #43
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,778
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#31. Chad
Chad is a name of English origin meaning “from the warrior’s town”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,630
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 89 (#775 most common name, -96.6% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #30
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,598
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#30. Donald
Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning “world ruler”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,695
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 213 (#424 most common name, -92.1% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #42
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 82,475
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#29. Larry
Larry is a name of Latin origin meaning “from the place of the laurel leaves”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,763
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 225 (#405 (tie) most common name, -91.9% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #58
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,112
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#28. Joshua
Joshua is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “God Is my salvation”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,856
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,635 (#17 most common name, +27.3% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #24
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 140,406
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#27. Stephen
Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning “wreath, crown”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,080
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 498 (#235 most common name, -83.8% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #33
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,880
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#26. Gregory
Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning “watchful, alert”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,157
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 314 (#323 most common name, -90.1% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #29
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 115,646
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#25. Jeremy
Jeremy is a name of English origin meaning “appointed by God”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,276
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 651 (#191 most common name, -80.1% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #26
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 139,357
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#24. Kenneth
Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning “handsome”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,847
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 734 (#164 most common name, -80.9% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #31
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 111,551
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#23. Daniel
Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “God is my judge”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,987
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,515 (#22 most common name, -11.8% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #12
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,582
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#22. Mark
Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning “God of war”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,993
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 494 (#238 (tie) most common name, -87.6% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #18
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 194,442
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#21. Eric
Eric is a name of Norse origin meaning “sole ruler”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,354
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 833 (#144 (tie) most common name, -80.9% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #14
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 211,608
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#20. Steven
Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning “crown”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,377
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 784 (#152 most common name, -82.1% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #19
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 188,214
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#19. Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “Gift of Yahweh”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,393
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,125 (#30 most common name, -28.9% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #10
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 278,010
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#18. Thomas
Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning “twin”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,704
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,381 (#53 most common name, -49.4% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #20
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 186,901
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#17. Richard
Richard is a name of German origin meaning “dominant ruler”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,763
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 770 (#155 most common name, -83.8% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #16
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,920
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#16. Anthony
Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning “praiseworthy”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,843
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,687 (#37 most common name, -44.5% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #22
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 174,951
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#15. Jonathan
Jonathan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “God has given”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,870
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,569 (#45 most common name, -47.2% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #32
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 107,996
37 / 50Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock
#14. Jeffrey
Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning “pledge of peace”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,028
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 406 (#276 most common name, -91.9% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #15
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 202,965
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#13. Joseph
Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “he will add”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,338
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,208 (#28 most common name, -39.9% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #11
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 244,939
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#12. Timothy
Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning “honouring God”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,785
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,077 (#110 most common name, -81.4% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #21
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 181,367
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#11. Kevin
Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning “noble”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,800
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,513 (#81 most common name, -73.9% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #13
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 212,422
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#10. Charles
Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning “free man”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,333
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,518 (#46 most common name, -60.2% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #23
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 163,117
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#9. Brian
Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning “noble”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,648
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 730 (#166 most common name, -90.5% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #8
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 322,870
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#8. Jason
Jason is a name of Greek origin meaning “healer”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,750
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,451 (#85 most common name, -85.1% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #3
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 462,954
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#7. John
John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “Yahweh has been gracious”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,965
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,609 (#20 most common name, -63.8% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #6
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 402,879
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#6. Robert
Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning “fame” or “bright”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,386
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 2,116 (#59 most common name, -79.6% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #7
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 397,452
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#5. David
David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “beloved”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,283
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,432 (#24 most common name, -69.6% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #4
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 446,004
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#4. William
William is a name of Germanic origin meaning “vehement protector”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,474
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6,978 (#1 most common name, -39.2% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #9
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 283,588
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#3. Christopher
Christopher is a name of English origin meaning “Christ-bearer”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 15,067
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,628 (#19 most common name, -75.9% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #2
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 475,669
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#2. James
James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “supplanter”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 15,353
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5,147 (#5 most common name, -66.5% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #5
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 444,982
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#1. Michael
Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “who is like God?”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 17,291
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 4,112 (#10 most common name, -76.2% compared to the 70s)
National
– Rank: #1
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 707,737
