Most popular girl names in the 70s in Washington, D.C.

Written by:
March 19, 2021
Aaron Amat // Shutterstock

Most popular girl names in the 70s in Washington D.C.

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 Washington D.C. 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.

1 / 50
Fuller Photography // Shutterstock

#50. April

April is a name of Latin origin meaning "to open".

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 323
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #34
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,935
2 / 50
Nolte Lourens // Shutterstock

#49. Maria

Maria is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "sea of bitterness".

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 334
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 119 (#81 (tie) most common name, -64.4% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #35
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,102
3 / 50
Oleggg // Shutterstock

#48. Robin

Robin is a name of German origin meaning "fame-bright".

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 338
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #66
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 45,944
4 / 50
photoDiod // Shutterstock

#47. Tanya

Tanya is a name of Slavic origin meaning "fairy queen".

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 343
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #62
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,834
5 / 50
Rob Marmion // Shutterstock

#46. Deborah

Deborah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "bee".

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 345
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#475 (tie) most common name, -98.3% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #61
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,839
6 / 50
Canva

#45. Monique

Monique is a name of French origin meaning "advisor".

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 345
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #157
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 17,214
7 / 50
Max Bukovski // Shutterstock

#44. Sharon

Sharon is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "a fertile plain".

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 346
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #63
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,718
8 / 50
Shyamalamuralinath // Shutterstock

#43. Kathleen

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 354
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #68
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,851
9 / 50
Canva

#42. Lashawn

Lashawn is a name of American origin meaning "God is Gracious".

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 358
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #335
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,220
10 / 50
Studio Romantic // Shutterstock

#41. Dana

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 366
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #57
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 51,292
11 / 50
Matva // Shutterstock

#40. Rachel

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 368
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 22 (#317 most common name, -94.0% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #33
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 77,777
12 / 50
Canva

#39. Yolanda

Yolanda is a name of Greek origin meaning "violet".

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 378
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #112
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 26,786
13 / 50
Pexels

#38. Amanda

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 379
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 21 (#322 most common name, -94.5% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #17
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 123,920
14 / 50
Canva

#37. Danielle

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 382
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 17 (#353 most common name, -95.5% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #46
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 60,915
15 / 50
Nina Buday // Shutterstock

#36. Pamela

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 384
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #48
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 58,042
16 / 50
Canva

#35. Erica

Erica is a name of Norse origin meaning "eternal ruler".

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 399
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#544 (tie) most common name, -98.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #59
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 49,581
17 / 50
Canva

#34. Catherine

Catherine is a name of Greek origin meaning "pure".

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 409
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 136 (#65 (tie) most common name, -66.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #72
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 43,840
18 / 50
Blend Images // Shutterstock

#33. Patricia

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 410
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #30
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 81,118
19 / 50
Pixabay

#32. Julie

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 417
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #18
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 121,949
20 / 50
Natalia Kirichenko // Shutterstock

#31. Cynthia

Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning "moon goddess".

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 419
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #31
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 80,209
21 / 50
Canva

#30. Erin

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 442
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 41 (#229 (tie) most common name, -90.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #39
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,911
22 / 50
phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock

#29. Dawn

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 447
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #26
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 92,443
23 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#28. Tracy

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 458
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #24
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,538
24 / 50
ucchie79 // Shutterstock

#27. Susan

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 468
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#544 (tie) most common name, -98.9% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #27
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 88,327
25 / 50
Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock

#26. Shannon

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 500
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #21
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 113,805
26 / 50
Canva

#25. Tiffany

Tiffany is a name of Greek origin meaning "appearance of God".

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 509
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 14 (#377 (tie) most common name, -97.2% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #42
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,151
27 / 50
Haywiremedia // Shutterstock

#24. Katherine

Katherine is a name of Greek origin meaning "pure".

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 511
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 210 (#29 most common name, -58.9% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #55
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 54,068
28 / 50
Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock

#23. Monica

Monica is a name of Greek origin meaning "solitary".

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 514
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 17 (#353 most common name, -96.7% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #45
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 61,651
29 / 50
Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock

#22. Andrea

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 515
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 93 (#113 most common name, -81.9% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #28
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 86,433
30 / 50
Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock

#21. Crystal

Crystal is a name of Latin origin meaning "Earth mineral".

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 542
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #37
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 73,759
31 / 50
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#20. Rebecca

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 573
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 60 (#175 (tie) most common name, -89.5% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #13
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 137,312
32 / 50
Canva

#19. Christine

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 592
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #22
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 103,241
33 / 50
Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock

#18. Kelly

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 605
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 16 (#365 (tie) most common name, -97.4% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #14
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 133,568
34 / 50
Durganand // Shutterstock

#17. Laura

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 614
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 16 (#365 (tie) most common name, -97.4% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #20
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,216
35 / 50
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

#16. Mary

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 667
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 143 (#60 (tie) most common name, -78.6% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #15
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 126,279
36 / 50
Canva

#15. Jessica

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 674
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 43 (#222 (tie) most common name, -93.6% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #11
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 143,488
37 / 50
Black-Photogaphy // Shutterstock

#14. Heather

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 711
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #8
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 203,939
38 / 50
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

#13. Sarah

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 719
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 143 (#60 (tie) most common name, -80.1% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #19
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 118,841
39 / 50
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock

#12. Christina

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 725
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10 (#423 (tie) most common name, -98.6% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #16
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 125,747
40 / 50
Canva

#11. Karen

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 740
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 20 (#329 most common name, -97.3% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #25
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 95,185
41 / 50
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock

#10. Melissa

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 798
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35 (#252 (tie) most common name, -95.6% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #3
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 253,291
42 / 50
Marko Poplasen // Shutterstock

#9. Amy

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 842
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 103 (#102 (tie) most common name, -87.8% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #2
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 269,009
43 / 50
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

#8. Stephanie

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 902
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 51 (#197 most common name, -94.3% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #9
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 160,470
44 / 50
DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock

#7. Elizabeth

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 996
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 386 (#4 (tie) most common name, -61.2% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #12
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 142,869
45 / 50
s_oleg // Shutterstock

#6. Angela

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,079
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 48 (#203 (tie) most common name, -95.6% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #7
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 225,222
46 / 50
Tatyana Domnicheva // Shutterstock

#5. Nicole

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,172
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 65 (#161 most common name, -94.5% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #10
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 144,672
47 / 50
Darkdiamond67 // Shutterstock

#4. Lisa

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,191
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
- Rank: #6
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 228,676
48 / 50
DONUT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock

#3. Michelle

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,369
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 53 (#191 most common name, -96.1% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #4
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 249,140
49 / 50
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

#2. Kimberly

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,435
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 116 (#86 (tie) most common name, -91.9% compared to the 70s)

National
- Rank: #5
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 229,112
50 / 50
Tatiana Katsai // Shutterstock

#1. Jennifer

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

Washington D.C.
- Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,524
- Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 65 (#161 most common name, -97.4% compared to the 70s)

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

Trending Now