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Most popular girl names in the 70s in Alabama

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 Alabama 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. Melanie

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,143
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 261 (#176 most common name, -77.2% compared to the 70s)

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

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#49. Jamie

Jamie is a name of Scottish origin meaning “supplanter”.

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,157
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 91 (#483 most common name, -92.1% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #40
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 67,812

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#48. Tara

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,163
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10 (#1332 (tie) most common name, -99.1% compared to the 70s)

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

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#47. Stacey

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,177
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock

#46. Rachel

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,191
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 246 (#191 (tie) most common name, -79.3% compared to the 70s)

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

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#45. Lori

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,192
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

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

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#44. Leslie

Leslie is a name of Scottish origin meaning “garden of holly”.

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,208
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 102 (#440 (tie) most common name, -91.6% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #70
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,816

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#43. Tiffany

Tiffany is a name of Greek origin meaning “appearance of God”.

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,216
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 50 (#712 (tie) most common name, -95.9% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #42
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 65,151

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#42. Patricia

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,242
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 35 (#842 most common name, -97.2% compared to the 70s)

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

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#41. Monica

Monica is a name of Greek origin meaning “solitary”.

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,257
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 49 (#719 most common name, -96.1% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #45
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 61,651

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#40. Stacy

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,265
– 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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#39. Crystal

Crystal is a name of Latin origin meaning “Earth mineral”.

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,317
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 20 (#1040 most common name, -98.5% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #37
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 73,759

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#38. Christina

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,321
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 121 (#371 (tie) most common name, -90.8% compared to the 70s)

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

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#37. Brandy

Brandy is a name of Dutch origin meaning “burnt wine”.

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,341
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1637 (tie) most common name, -99.6% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #81
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 39,953

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#36. Andrea

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,367
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 192 (#246 most common name, -86.0% compared to the 70s)

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

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#35. Teresa

Teresa is a name of Greek origin meaning “huntress”.

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,368
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 45 (#755 most common name, -96.7% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #52
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 56,001

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#34. Donna

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,371
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 9 (#1366 (tie) most common name, -99.3% compared to the 70s)

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

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#33. Ashley

Ashley is a name of English origin meaning “ash tree meadow”.

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,371
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 296 (#151 most common name, -78.4% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #138
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 20,835

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#32. Dana

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,455
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 19 (#1060 (tie) most common name, -98.7% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #57
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 51,292

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#31. Sharon

Sharon is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “a fertile plain”.

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,481
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 25 (#967 most common name, -98.3% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #63
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 47,718

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#30. Jessica

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,493
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 187 (#254 (tie) most common name, -87.5% compared to the 70s)

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

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#29. Julie

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,540
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 94 (#470 most common name, -93.9% compared to the 70s)

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

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#28. Susan

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,544
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 22 (#1008 most common name, -98.6% compared to the 70s)

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

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#27. Misty

Misty is a name of English origin meaning “mist”.

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,595
– 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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#26. Karen

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,680
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 68 (#592 most common name, -96.0% compared to the 70s)

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

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#25. Kelly

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,688
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 75 (#550 (tie) most common name, -95.6% compared to the 70s)

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

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#24. Laura

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,699
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 188 (#252 (tie) most common name, -88.9% compared to the 70s)

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

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#23. Tina

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,747
– 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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#22. Rebecca

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,772
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 238 (#198 most common name, -86.6% compared to the 70s)

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

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#21. Wendy

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,900
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 43 (#775 most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)

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

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#20. Cynthia

Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning “moon goddess”.

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,915
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 63 (#621 most common name, -96.7% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #31
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 80,209

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#19. Pamela

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 1,974
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10 (#1332 (tie) most common name, -99.5% compared to the 70s)

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

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#18. Tonya

Tonya is a name of Russian origin meaning “praiseworthy”.

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,043
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #49
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 57,768

PxHere

#17. Shannon

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,044
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 5 (#1637 (tie) most common name, -99.8% compared to the 70s)

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

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#16. Michelle

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,093
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 116 (#383 most common name, -94.5% compared to the 70s)

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

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#15. Elizabeth

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,104
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,852 (#4 most common name, -12.0% compared to the 70s)

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

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#14. Christy

Christy is a name of Greek origin meaning “follower of Christ”.

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,174
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: data not available

National
– Rank: #71
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 44,559

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#13. Tracy

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,197
– 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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#12. April

April is a name of Latin origin meaning “to open”.

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,543
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 42 (#784 most common name, -98.3% compared to the 70s)

National
– Rank: #34
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 76,935

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#11. Tammy

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,575
– 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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#10. Lisa

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,686
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 13 (#1180 most common name, -99.5% compared to the 70s)

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

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#9. Heather

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 2,863
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 41 (#791 (tie) most common name, -98.6% compared to the 70s)

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

s_oleg // Shutterstock

#8. Mary

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,275
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,300 (#16 most common name, -60.3% compared to the 70s)

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

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#7. Melissa

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,340
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 132 (#344 most common name, -96.0% compared to the 70s)

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

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#6. Stephanie

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,797
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 115 (#387 most common name, -97.0% compared to the 70s)

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

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#5. Amanda

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 3,855
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 87 (#502 most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)

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

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#4. Amy

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 4,700
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 154 (#304 most common name, -96.7% 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”.

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,215
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 122 (#368 (tie) most common name, -97.7% compared to the 70s)

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

Pixabay

#2. Kimberly

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 5,383
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 280 (#165 most common name, -94.8% compared to the 70s)

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

Pixabay

#1. Jennifer

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

Alabama
– Number of babies from 1970 to 1979: 8,420
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 203 (#234 (tie) most common name, -97.6% compared to the 70s)

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