Pregnancy can be one of the most amazing experiences a woman goes through. During this time, everything might be changing internally and externally. But this is also a preparation time. Parents use these months to prepare for the baby as much as they can. That includes a large list of things such as painting the nursery, stocking up on diapers and getting in things they’ve always wanted to do before their little bundle of joy arrives. Another step? Choosing a baby name. Although some parents wait until birth to pick a name for their little boy or girl, they still do the research before. That way, the soon-to-be parents can narrow down their options.
While baby-naming books can be great, sometimes they’re too long and overwhelming. Instead of flipping through pages, try taking it back a couple of decades for inspiration.
Here are some of the most popular baby names of the ’70s.
The top 10 names for boys and girls
Back in the ’70s, many parents named their little ones traditional names, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration. For moms and dads who want a name that’s timeless and most likely won’t be mispronounced, the lists of the top 10 boy and girl names from the ’70s are a great place to browse. However, nowadays, some of these names may be considered uncommon or even vintage. Take the No. 2 boy and girl slots from the ’70s , which are Christopher and Amy, respectively. By 2014, Christopher moved all the way down to the No. 30 slot, and Amy didn’t even make it in the top 100 for most popular girls’ names.
Interestingly, adopting a popular name from the ’70s could be a combination of something classic and new for your little one.
Here are the top 10 most popular girls’ name in the ’70s.
Here are the top 10 most popular boys’ name in the ’70s
Trending endings
During the ’70s, many parents gave their little girls names that ended in the letter “a.” An “a” is seen as feminine, and many of these options could be great for your little princess. For instance, there are three that made the top 10: Melissa, Lisa and Angela. However, there are others further down on the list that may catch your attention, such as Rebecca (No. 13), Christina (No. 16), Laura (No. 20) and Andrea (28). These names work great with a middle name that also ends in a vowel. For instance, Laura Marie or Rebecca Anne.
For boys, many names ended in a “y,” like Jeffrey (No. 15), Timothy (No. 21) and Gregory (No. 29), among others. These names are easy to shorten too, like Jeff, Tim and Greg. That way, your little boy can have a cute nickname inside or outside of the house.
Pop culture
During the ’70s and the ’80s, the name Jennifer dominated the charts for girls. Some have attributed it to the hit movie “Love Story,” which was released in 1970. It starred Ali McGraw and Oliver Barrett IV and warmed everyone’s hearts with its beautiful tale.
However, this name has persisted over the years, gaining momentum lately. There are plenty of famous movie stars who have the name Jennifer. For example, Jennifer Aniston was on the ’90s-’00s hit show “Friends” and is still one of Hollywood’s most famous actresses. Jennifer Lopez is also a singer/dancer/actor hybrid who people love and adore. More recently, Jennifer Lawrence has won the hearts of the public with her quirky personality and role as Katniss Everdeen in “The Hunger Games” trilogy. Although famous people come and go, some names stay the same, which can be why there are certain baby names that have lasted over the years.
