15 Baby Names That Were All The Rage In the 1970s and Onwards

With the intention of paying homage to the 1970s we’ve compiled a list of the 15 most popular names in the 1970s as has been confirmed by the Social Security Administration’s website. The 1970s were a time when it was especially popular to get out there and express yourself. What better way to do that than through naming your kids one of the most popular names or just changing your own name to match one of the names off this list. We also made sure to include some of the most notable celebrities that had these names that were around in the 1970s and onwards, just to provide that much broader of a picture.

1. Michael / Jennifer

Ah yes, of course we’ve got to kick things off with a couple absolutely all-star names, Michael and Jennifer. If you were a Michael back in the day (or are currently), you might’ve let those close to you call you Mike or Mikey. Yet, you could just stick to your full name like Michael Douglas and Michael Caine have. Then, you’ve got Jennifer, with a go-to shortened version being, Jenn.

2. Christopher / Amy

Next, we’re on to Christopher and Amy. If you were around in the 1970’s you likely met plenty of Chrises or Christopers as well as Amys. Those two names spread like wildfire. Of course we had Christopher Reeve and Christopher Walken, a couple of legends, making names for themselves in their impressive careers back then. Just as we had Amy Irvin and Amy Jo Johnson, a couple of very talented actresses.

3. Jason / Melissa

Jason to this day is a highly popular name thanks to modern actors like Jason Momoa. All the kids out there trying to be the next Aquaman, no doubt. But back in the day, there were Jasons running amok like two-time Academy Award and Tony Award winner Jason Robards. You also had Melissa McCarthy and Melissa Sue Anderson holding things down.

4. David / Michelle

David’s one of those names that seems like it’s always been in style. There’s just something about it. It’s also understandably the fourth ranked baby name on this list for the 1970s. You had popular celebrities like David Cassidy and David Steinberg contributing to its fame as well. Then, Michelle was also a popular pick. There were the likes of Michelle Phillips, a popular singer, songwriter, and an actress who was a part of the musical group The Mamas & the Papas. There was also Michele Lee, an American actress, as well as Michele Clark, a journalist who worked was the first Black woman network reporter for CBS Television.

5. James / Kimberly

Of the names covered thus far, we’re honestly surprised that James didn’t come in ranking higher on this list. But, here we are. Some of the most popular James’ that were roaring around during the 70s were Rick James, James Taylor, James Earl Jones, and James Brolin. Then some of the most recognizable Kimerblys back in the day were Kim Richards, Kim Alexis, Kim Basinger, and Kim Carnes.

6. John / Lisa

Next we’ve got John and Lisa coming in at number 6 on the list. You’ll probably remember some of these guys, but we’ve got John Travolta, John Waters, Elton John, and John Lennon. Then, a couple of the famous celebs holding it down for the Lisas were Lisa Robin Kelly on That ’70s Show and also Lisa Marie Presley.

7. Robert / Angela

Next, we’ve got the Roberts and the Angelas. You’ve likely met a cool dude named Robert at one point or another in your life that might’ve even gone so far as to have gone by Robert. Of the celebrities named Robert, some notables were/are Robert Wagner, Robert Evans, Bobby Sherman, and Robert Conrad. As for Angelas we’ve got Angie Bowie, Angela Mao, and Angela Davis

8. Brian / Heather

Moving on, we have Brian and Heather. Of the Brians that came into this world during the 1970s, some of the notable figures were Brian Cox, a Scottish actor who gained an especial amount of attention during his time playing the role of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter. There was also Brian May, a co-founder of the rock band Queen (kind of a big deal), and then Brian Keith, an actor who appeared in films like Parent Trap and The Wind and the Lion.

9. William / Stephanie

The 70s were a great time for all the Williams (or Billies out there). You had some notable Williams like William Marshall, a fiercely talented American actor, director, and opera singer. Also, William Katt, an American actor and musician, as well as William Demarest, an American actor who would appear in over 140 films and television shows. That is no small feat at all right there. Then we have the Stephanies of the world, with some celeb Stephanies being, Stephanie Beacham, an English actress, Stephanie Steele, and actress and producer who made her big performances in Arnie and Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama.

10. Matthew / Nicole

Next, we’ve got the famous Matthews of the 70s. This crew includes the likes of Matthew Marsden, an English actor who was born in 1973, Matthew McEwen, an Australian decathlete born in 1971, and Matthew Morrison, an American actor, singer-songwriter, and a dancer who was born in 1978. We just missed the boat on Matthew McConaughey here who was born in 1969. As for Nicoles, we have Nicole C. Mullen, an American actress and singer-songwriter, Nicole Scherzinger, an American dancer, songwriter, and the lead singer of The Pussycat Dolls.

11. Joseph / Jessica

Then, we move on to Joseph and Jessica. Joseph’s a great name in that you can always opt for a cool Joe or Joey, and with Jessica, the world’s your oyster. Maybe you’ll end up feeling like going by Jessie, or Jess. Really just see where the wind takes you.

12. Daniel / Elizabeth

Next, we’ve got the Daniels of the world. There are an astounding number of Daniels that have gone on to achieve unprecedented levels of fame. You’ve got Daniel Kaluuya, Daniel Radcliffe, Daniel Craig, and Daniel Day-Lewis. That’s quite the all-star cast there. As for the famous Elizabeths of the world, we’ve got Elizabeth Banks, Elizabeth Daily, Elizabeth Debicki, Elizabeth Olsen, and many more.

13. Kevin / Rebecca

Then we’ve got the celebrity Kevins of the world, and it’s quite frankly that Kevin isn’t ranked higher in this list based on some of the celebrities we see here. We’re talking of a legend named Kevin Bacon, and then you’ve got Kevin James, Kevin Durant, and Kevin Costner. As for Rebecca, and some of the most recognizable Rebeccas we’ve seen hit stardom, we’ve got Rebecca Ferguson (seriously, what an otherworldly performance in the Dune movies), Rebecca Hall (another wildly talented actress), and then just couldn’t help ourselves, but yes, Rebecca Black. She made that viral song that one time. Can’t ever forget it.

14. Eric / Kelly

Eric’s one of those names that however brief in letters, carries with it some power. You’ve got the likes of Eric Clapton, Eric Burdon, Eric Church, and then Eric Bana as well. Some serious acting and musical chops in that crew alone. Then, for the famous Kellies we’ve got Kelly Preston, Kelly Slater, and of course, the larger-than-life, slayer of shadows, Kelly Osbourne. What a life she has lived.

15. Jeffrey / Mary

Last, but certainly not least on our list here, we have Jeffrey and Mary. Take your pick in terms of your favorite celeb named Jeffrey between Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Jeffrey Goldblum. Seriously, Goldblum brought the heat in that recent Netflix TV series, Kaos as well. Then, for celebs named Mary that you’ve probably heard of, you have the likes of Mary J. Blige, Mary Ellen Trainor, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead.