50 baby names that totally rocked the 1970s

Many major events that changed the cultural landscape occurred during the 1970s: Apollo 13 made it back to Earth safely, The Beatles broke up, Walt Disney World opened and the Vietnam War ended. If you spent the 1970s rocking bell-bottoms and polyester -- or at least wish you did -- it's only fitting that you give your child one of the grooviest names from this time period.

The experts at genealogy research site MooseRoots used data from the Social Security Administration to find the most far-out names of the '70s. First, they calculated the average annual frequency for all decades — 1920s, '30s, '40s, etc. Then they found the average annual frequency for all names in the 1970s. Names that were two standard deviations above the inter-decade average during the 1970s were recognized as having a higher performance relative to all other decades. Can you dig it?

Find out which 50 names were the most righteous among boys and girls — 25 for each gender — during the 1970s.

Holly

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 3,040
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 724

Derived from the word for the evergreen shrub or tree, Holly is a name of English origin that had an average rank of No. 59 during the 1970s.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 523
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 164

Cedric had an average rank of No. 244 during the 1970s, but the name peaked in 1974 when it ranked No. 230.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 3,075
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 807

A name of Greek, Hebrew and Slavic origin, Dana had an average rank of No. 57 in the 1970s.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 549
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 165

Clint, the short form of Clinton, saw its highest inter-decade popularity in the 1970s, when it had an average rank of No. 237. But the name actually peaked in 1980, at the rank of No. 195.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 3,224
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 886

Defined as "black and dark," Melanie is an English name that ranked No. 42 in 1972.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 598
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 133

Toby, a name with English roots, realized its highest level of popularity in 1975, when it climbed to the rank of No. 190.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 3,483
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 621

Tonya is a Russian name that held the average rank of No. 53 during the 1970s.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 614
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 193

Joey, often used as a nickname for Joseph or Joe, is an English name that peaked at the rank of No. 193 in 1976.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 3,557
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 560

During the 1970s, Stacey had an average rank of No. 48. In 1973, the name soared to the rank of No. 41, serving as its highest popularity yet.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 656
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 120

Originally a term for someone who lived on a patch of heathland, the name Heath held the average rank of No. 210 throughout the 1970s.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 3,711
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 875

Meaning "counsel," the name Monica secured its highest level of popularity in 1977, when it ranked No. 39.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 828
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 167

Jermaine had its best year in 1973, when it ranked No. 127.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 3,928
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 806

Tara, meaning "hill and star," is a name with English, Irish and Scandinavian roots. At its peak in the 1970s, it held the average rank of No. 42, but climbed to its highest-ever point in 1977, when it ranked No. 35.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 984
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 290

A name of English origin, Clinton reached its pinnacle in 1981 at No. 124.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 4,043
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 761

Carrie, historically a nickname for Caroline and other similar names, reached peak popularity during the 1880s, when it held the average rank of No. 22.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 1,074
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 302

From the name of a county in Ireland and a city in Pennsylvania, Tyrone was the No. 132 most common name among boys born in 1970 -- a rank it has yet to surpass.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 4,202
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 641

The name Stacy has Greek roots and was most widespread during the 1970s, serving as the No. 37 most popular name among girls born in the decade.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 1,147
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 248

Shaun, the anglicized spelling of the Irish name Sean, climbed to its highest point of popularity in 1978, when it ranked No. 51.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 4,444
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 887

At its peak in 1970, Wendy, a name meaning "friend," was the No. 28 most popular name among baby girls.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 1,218
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 246

A derivative of the classic Greek name meaning "to tame, subdue," Damon rocked the 1970s with an average rank of No. 134 among boys.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 4,653
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 943

April is likely a form of the Latin word for "open," denoting the month of the year when buds open and flowers appear. It held the average rank of No. 38 during the 1970s, but the name peaked in 1970, when it ranked No. 23.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 1,291
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 394

Lance, defined as "lance, land and territory," was most common in 1970, when it ranked No. 76 among male newborns.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 5,197
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 1,469

The English, German, Italian, Scandinavian and Spanish name Andrea dates back to the 17th century, but it was most common during the 1970s, when it secured the average rank of No. 29.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 1,364
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 371

Frequently used as a nickname for Bradford and Bradley, the Irish name Brad peaked in 1975, when it ranked No. 98.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 5,517
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 1,110

Dawn, derived from the word for "daybreak," is a name of Old English origin. During the 1970s, it held the average rank of No. 30 among girls, and reached its pinnacle in 1971, when it ranked No. 14.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 1,902
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 498

Marc is a French name that soared to its highest level of popularity in 1970, when it ranked No. 60 among baby boys.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 5,681
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 1,060

Tracy reached its peak in 1970, when it was the 10th most popular name among girls, and it continued to maintain high popularity throughout the decade, as it secured the average rank of No. 29.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 1,972
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 554

A variant of Derek, the name Derrick was popular among boys during the 1970s, but became even more common during the 1980s, when it held the average rank of No. 83.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 6,829
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 1,201

Shannon, the name of a river in Ireland, reached the inter-decade average as the No. 20 most popular name among female newborns in the 1970s.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 2,124
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 536

Brent is a transferred use of the surname derived from the Celtic and Old English term for a hill. It was most prominent during the 1970s, when it earned the average rank of No. 79.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 7,304
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 1,795

A name with English and French roots, Julie saw its best year ever in 1971, when it ranked No. 10 among girls.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 2,911
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 678

Troy, a name often associated with the ancient city in Asia Minor, was quite popular during the 1970s, but it still couldn't usurp its record-setting average rank of No. 67, attained during the 1960s.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 7,583
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 1,589

Christina is a name with English, Greek, Hebrew, Latin and Roman roots that was very popular during the 1970s, but even more so in the 1980s, when it secured the average rank of No. 18.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 3,040
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 653

Shane, a name of Irish origin, realized the average rank of No. 59 in the 1970s, serving as its most prominent decade yet.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 8,002
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 1,862

Kelly is a name of English origin that reached its highest point in 1977 when it ranked No. 10 among female newborns.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 6,377
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 1,155

Shawn, another anglicized spelling of the Irish name Sean, held the average rank of No. 33 throughout the 1970s -- a record it has yet to surpass.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 12,366
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 2,252

Rooted in the word for the plant, Heather is an English name. It ranked No. 3 among girls born in 1975 and served as the No. 7 most popular girl name for the entire decade.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 6,893
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 1,048

Chad is a name of English origin that rose to prominence during the 1970s, when it realized the average rank of No. 31 among male newborns.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 13,542
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 2,379

Angela, a name of English, Greek, Latin and Roman origin, nearly topped the charts during the 1970s, as it was the sixth most common name among baby girls.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 8,457
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 1,509

Jeremy, the anglicized form of the Biblical name Jeremiah, saw its highest level of popularity in 1976, when it ranked No. 14.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 13,697
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 2,860

The 1970s was the most popular era for Kimberly, as it held the average rank of No. 6, but this English name actually secured its peak rank in 1967, when it took the No. 2 spot.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 11,618
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 2,742

Scott, originally a nickname for someone from Scotland, is a name with Celtic and Scottish roots. In 1971, it secured its highest-ever rank of No. 10.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 14,924
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 2,783

Michelle, the French form of Michael, held the average rank of No. 5 during the 1970s, but topped out in 1972, when it was the second most popular name among girls.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 12,718
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 2,955

Defined as "alone, always, ever, one and ruler," Eric is a name of English, Scandinavian and Swedish origin. During the 1970s, it held the average rank of No. 15.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 15,219
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 2,776

Derived from the Greek word for "honey bee," Melissa has English, Greek and Italian roots. It secured the average rank of No. 4 throughout the 1970s, and peaked in 1979, when it was the second most popular name among girls.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 19,473
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 3,960

Brian, an English, French and Irish name meaning "high and noble," earned the average rank of No. 8 during the 1970s.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 16,272
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 2,349

An English name, Amy, meaning "beloved and to love" was the third most popular name among girls born in the 1970s.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 28,101
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 3,897

Jason, an English and Greek name defined as "to heal," was most common during the 1970s, when it held the average rank of No. 3 among boys.

Gender: Female
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 35,173
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 5,133

The English name Jennifer dominated the 1970s, serving as the single-most common name among girls born in the decade.

Gender: Male
1970s Frequency per 1M Babies: 28,681
Inter-Decade Average Frequency per 1M Babies: 6,862

Christopher is an English and Greek name that translates to "Christ." It was notably popular in the 1970s, but achieved its highest level of prominence during the 1980s, when it held the average rank of No. 2 among newborn boys.