Most popular girl names in the 70s in Pennsylvania

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March 19, 2021
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Most popular girl names in the 70s in Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania 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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Canva

#50. Pamela

Pamela is a name of Greek origin meaning "all sweetness".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,034
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 29 (#1603 (tie) most common name, -99.0% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,042
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Studio Romantic // Shutterstock

#49. Carrie

Carrie is a name of German origin meaning "free man".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,243
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 49 (#1303 most common name, -98.5% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #41
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 66,837
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Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

#48. Holly

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

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,265
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 217 (#490 most common name, -93.4% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #58
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 50,467
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phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock

#47. Beth

Beth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "house".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,355
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #110
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 28,766
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Canva

#46. Kristen

Kristen is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,432
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 88 (#941 most common name, -97.4% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #72
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,205
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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#45. Kathleen

Kathleen is a name of Irish origin meaning "pure".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,634
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 195 (#535 most common name, -94.6% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #69
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,851
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Canva

#44. Rachel

Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,675
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,119 (#101 most common name, -69.6% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,777
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Red Light Films // Pexels

#43. Dana

Dana is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,741
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 96 (#889 most common name, -97.4% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 51,292
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Amalia Zilio // Shutterstock

#42. Megan

Megan is a name of Welsh origin meaning "pearl".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,759
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 471 (#253 most common name, -87.5% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #89
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 37,258
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pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

#41. Stacy

Stacy is a name of Greek origin meaning "fruitful or productive".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,764
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 36 (#1481 most common name, -99.0% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #38
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 69,911
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Impact Photography // Shutterstock

#40. Sarah

Sarah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "princess".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,801
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,997 (#38 most common name, -47.5% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
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Oleggg // Shutterstock

#39. Stacey

Stacey is a name of Greek origin meaning "resurrection".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,837
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 11 (#2152 most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #47
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 59,222
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Aaron Amat // Shutterstock

#38. Andrea

Andrea is a name of Greek origin meaning "brave".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,844
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 424 (#274 most common name, -89.0% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
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Shyamalamuralinath // Shutterstock

#37. Jill

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

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,857
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #54
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,073
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DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock

#36. Wendy

Wendy is a name of English origin meaning "friend".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,039
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 50 (#1290 (tie) most common name, -98.8% compared to the 70s)

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

#35. Denise

Denise is a name of Greek origin meaning "to be devoted to Bacchus".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,069
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 49 (#1303 most common name, -98.8% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #53
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 55,860
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#34. Patricia

Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,077
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 99 (#861 (tie) most common name, -97.6% compared to the 70s)

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

#33. Jamie

Jamie is a name of Scottish origin meaning "supplanter".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,086
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 195 (#535 most common name, -95.2% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #40
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,812
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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#32. Tina

Tina is a name of English origin meaning "river".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,336
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 27 (#1640 most common name, -99.4% compared to the 70s)

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

#31. Erin

Erin is a name of Irish origin meaning "peace".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,404
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 497 (#242 most common name, -88.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,911
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#30. Amanda

Amanda is a name of Latin origin meaning "worthy of love".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,700
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 570 (#208 most common name, -87.9% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
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Malakhova Ganna // Shutterstock

#29. Tara

Tara is a name of Irish origin meaning "rocky hill".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,705
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 100 (#854 (tie) most common name, -97.9% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #43
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,075
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#28. Laura

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

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,892
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 560 (#212 most common name, -88.6% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
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#27. Danielle

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

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,092
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 400 (#301 most common name, -92.1% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 60,915
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Marko Poplasen // Shutterstock

#26. Shannon

Shannon is a name of Irish origin meaning "wise river".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,200
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 160 (#624 (tie) most common name, -96.9% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
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Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock

#25. Tracy

Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning "fighter".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,355
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#2450 (tie) most common name, -99.9% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#24. Julie

Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,364
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 279 (#398 most common name, -94.8% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
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Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#23. Michele

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

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,584
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 23 (#1729 most common name, -99.6% compared to the 70s)

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

#22. Tammy

Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "palm tree".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,589
- 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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Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock

#21. Dawn

Dawn is a name of English origin meaning "daybreak".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,098
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 18 (#1857 (tie) most common name, -99.7% compared to the 70s)

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

#20. Susan

Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,149
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 256 (#420 (tie) most common name, -95.8% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
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Nolte Lourens // Shutterstock

#19. Lori

Lori is a name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,205
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 57 (#1208 most common name, -99.1% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #32
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,784
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Darren Brode // Shutterstock

#18. Karen

Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,254
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 170 (#597 most common name, -97.3% compared to the 70s)

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

#17. Elizabeth

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

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,304
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,424 (#14 most common name, -45.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#16. Mary

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

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,350
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,239 (#86 most common name, -80.5% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
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Maria Evseyeva // Shutterstock

#15. Christina

Christina is a name of Latin origin meaning "follower of Christ".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 6,370
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 349 (#330 (tie) most common name, -94.5% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
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Tatyana Domnicheva // Shutterstock

#14. Jessica

Jessica is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God beholds".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,488
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 558 (#213 most common name, -92.5% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
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Black-Photogaphy // Shutterstock

#13. Rebecca

Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "servant of God".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,520
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 827 (#141 (tie) most common name, -89.0% compared to the 70s)

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

#12. Stephanie

Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,648
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 276 (#402 most common name, -96.4% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
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DONUT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock

#11. Angela

Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning "messenger of God".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 7,683
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 400 (#301 most common name, -94.8% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
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Max Bukovski // Shutterstock

#10. Christine

Christine is a name of English origin meaning "follower of Christ".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,364
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 100 (#854 (tie) most common name, -98.8% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 103,241
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Matva // Shutterstock

#9. Kelly

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

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 9,908
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 227 (#468 (tie) most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
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Blend Images // Shutterstock

#8. Nicole

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

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 10,736
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 517 (#233 (tie) most common name, -95.2% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 144,672
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Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock

#7. Kimberly

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

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 11,657
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 379 (#314 most common name, -96.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
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Tetiana Iatsenko // Shutterstock

#6. Michelle

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

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,237
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 323 (#354 most common name, -97.6% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
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CroMary // Shutterstock

#5. Lisa

Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,273
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 121 (#755 (tie) most common name, -99.1% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
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Krystyna Taran // Shutterstock

#4. Heather

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

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 13,680
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 117 (#773 most common name, -99.1% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
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Darren Brode // Shutterstock

#3. Melissa

Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning "honey bee".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 15,049
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 268 (#411 most common name, -98.2% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
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Pixabay

#2. Amy

Amy is a name of French origin meaning "beloved".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 16,133
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 370 (#317 most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)

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

#1. Jennifer

Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".

Pennsylvania
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 34,209
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 346 (#332 most common name, -99.0% compared to the 70s)

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

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