Choosing a name for your child is a deeply personal decision. Many parents get started by reading baby name books to spark ideas. Another common option is selecting a name that runs in your family or speaking with a baby naming consultant who can guide you through the process. But parents also like to switch it up sometimes and get inspired by the latest name trends.
For instance, Millennials grew up surrounded by certain ’70s baby names, and experts say they’re now ready for a comeback.
To learn more about this groovy name trend, Parade consulted two baby naming pros: Taylor A. Humphrey, author of Baby Name Mourning, and Colleen Slagen, the author of Naming Bebe: An Interactive Guide to Choosing a Baby Name You Love.
The pros walked us through the 50-year naming cycle and explained why some Millennials are reclaiming their parents’ era and embracing a variety of names that were popular in the ’70s.
In case you’re getting ready to name your own bundle of joy, we asked Humphrey and Slagen to share the top 1970s boy and girl names that are making a cool comeback. The pros also offer some tips for styling a ’70s name for a modern baby.
Related: These 11 Baby Names From the 1950s Are Suddenly Becoming Popular Again, Experts Say
Why 1970s Baby Names Are Poised for a Major Comeback
Have you ever wondered why names from a certain decade tend to come back into fashion after a while? Humphrey says parents are often seeking names that feel “distinctive without sounding strange.”
“They’re uncommon enough to stand out, but still familiar to the ear,” she shares.
Names from the 1970s fall into this category.
The 50-year naming cycle: Why Millennials are reclaiming their parents’ era
You’ve likely heard of the 100-year naming cycle, which Humphrey describes as a “phenomenon in which certain names cycle back into popularity roughly a century after their peak.”
This is often the case since parents sometimes pass down the names of their grandparents and great-grandparents.
“Once enough time has passed, names that were previously considered antiquated, stuffy or passé begin to feel charming, well-established and fresh again,” Humphrey explains.
Since many parents are waiting longer to start families, the 100-year timeline has given way to a 50-year naming cycle in some instances.
“Where previous generations might have looked to their grandparents or great-grandparents for meaningful family names, today’s parents may be naming children for their own parents, bringing names from the 1960s and 1970s back into consideration after only 50 or 60 years,” she states.
Related: These 11 ‘Groovy’ Gems Were the Most Popular Baby Names of the 1960s
Top 1970s Girl Names Ready for a Modern Revival
These girl names were out of sight in the ’70s, and they’re making a comeback now.
1. April
What it means: To open or bud
Why it’s making a comeback: “I think this name fits so well with other nature-adjacent names and the surge in month names like August and June. April feels familiar but unexpected, artsy and creative,” Slagen says.
2. Carrie
What it means: Pure or beloved
Why it’s making a comeback: “It’s giving effortlessly cool and confident. Pair it with something short and unisex in the middle like Carrie Blake or Carrie James,” Slagen tells Parade.
3. Holly
What it means: Protection, fertility and eternal life
Why it’s making a comeback: “It’s fun, spirited and a fresh take on Hailey, which has been very popular the last several decades,” Slagen states.
4. Jill
What it means: Youthful or downy
Why it’s making a comeback: “Four-letter names are huge right now, and Jill was a name that was never overdone, so it doesn’t feel ‘too ’70s.’ “It feels a little nostalgic and ripe for revival,” Slagen says.
5. Jacqueline
What it means: Supplanter, one who follows
Why it’s making a comeback: “It’s classic, feminine and elegant. Plus, there’s [an] unisex nickname option in Jac,” Slagen notes.
Related: 125 Weird Baby Names for Parents Who Think Outside the Box
Top 1970s Boy Names Making a Cool Comeback
Want to make a far-out statement? Consider one of these ’70s boy names.
1. Scott
What it means: From Scotland; a Scotsman
Why it’s making a comeback: “We used to see a name drop in popularity for boys when it started being used by girls, but it seems like the surge in Scottie for girls is actually improving Scott’s stock, and I think Scottie for a little boy is so adorable,” Slagen tells Parade.
2. Jamie
What it means: Supplanter or one who follows.
Why it’s making a comeback: “The name Jamie is warm, approachable and has classic roots. You could use James or Jameson as the formal name, or just use Jamie on its own,” Slagen shares.
3. Mark
What it means: Dedicated to Mars, the Roman god of war
Why it’s making a comeback: “Why are Matthew, John and Luke all still popular? What happened to Mark? If you want a hidden classic, Mark is ripe for the taking,” Slagen notes.
4. Jeremy
What it means: Appointed by God
Why it’s making a comeback: “One way to freshen up a ‘dated name’ is through nicknames. Jeremy with the nickname Remy is the perfect modern take,” Slagen shares.
5. Russell
What it means: Red-haired or reddish
Why it’s making a comeback: “This reminds me a lot of Wyatt: ruggedly handsome and classic yet not overdone,” Slagen states.
Related: Go Ahead and Toss Out Your Old List—Here Are 300+ Unique Baby Names From the Last Decade
Are There Certain ’70s Names To Avoid Since They Still Feel Too Dated?
Some names feel quite distinct for any given decade, but Humphrey says that’s not necessarily a bad thing. For instance, she cites the following popular boys’ names from 1975 as an example:
- Boys: Michael, Jason, Christopher, James, David, Robert, John, Brian, Matthew and William
“Any of these names would make lovely first or middle names for a baby born in 2026 and beyond,” she says. “Rather than thinking of these names as ones to avoid, I’d reframe it as how commonly associated these names are with the era. Many of the boys’ names on this list—James, William, Michael, John, Matthew and David, in particular—have a timeless quality that allows them to be easily passed down from one generation to the next.”
The girls’ list of names, on the other hand, is more distinctly ’70s:
- Girls: Jennifer, Amy, Heather, Melissa, Angela, Michelle, Kimberly, Lisa, Stephanie and Nicole
“If you’re trying to capture the essence of the decade, names like Jennifer, Heather, Amy and Nicole do it beautifully,” she explains. “But if you love the spirit of these names and want something that feels a little less tied to the era, you can also look for modern parallels, unexpected variations, or names that share their sounds.”
For instance, if you love the bolded ’70s names below, consider these more modern alternatives:
- Jennifer: Jen(n), Geneva, Genevieve, Ginevra, Genesis
- Amy: Bellamy, Amelie, Amelia, Amalia
- Heather: Thea for girls; or Heath as a gender-neutral name
- Melissa: Melrose
- Angela: Angelina, Evangeline
- Michelle: Mickie, Michaela, Elle
- Kimberly: Kimber, Kimbra
- Lisa: Liesl, Elise, Elisa, Eliza
- Stephanie: Stevie, Estafania, Stephania
- Nicole: Nico, Nicola, Nicolette or Colette for girls; Nico or Cole for boys
Related: 75 Most Popular Baby Names in the Midwest Right Now
How To Style a ’70s Name for a Modern Baby
Looking to get the best of both worlds? Consider combining a ’70s first name with a more modern middle name (or vice versa). Below, Humphrey shares a few potential options.
’70s girls’ first names with a modern middle name:
- Denise Eliana
- Jodi Sophia
- Brandy Valentina
- Foxy Matilda
- Regina Rosalie
Modern girls’ first names with ’70s middle names:
- Scarlett Renee
- Penelope Dawn
- Millie Michelle
- Gemma Jacqueline
- Ellie Jeanette
’70s boys’ first names with a modern middle name:
- Cory Grayson
- Ross Bennett
- Todd Maverick
- Sean Waylon
- Frank Moses
Modern boys’ first names with ’70s middle names:
- Wesley Brett
- Leo Jesse
- David Shane
- Thiago Tyrone
- Beckham Dennis
Up Next:
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Sources:
- Taylor A. Humphrey is a baby naming expert and the author of Baby Name Mourning.
- Colleen Slagen is a baby naming expert and the author of Naming Bebe: An Interactive Guide to Choosing a Baby Name You Love.