California's most popular baby names in 1970

In the year 1970, the state of California saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names, with Jennifer, Michelle, and Lisa topping the list for baby girls. These names were chosen by parents from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, reflecting the multicultural nature of the state.

For baby boys, Michael, David, and Robert were the most popular names in California. These names were chosen for their traditional sound and strong meanings, and were favored by parents looking for classic names that would stand the test of time. Overall, the baby names of 1970 in California reflect the cultural and social trends of the time, and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1970

In 1970, the most popular baby girl names in California were Jennifer, Michelle, Lisa, Kimberly, and Julie. Jennifer was the most popular name with 4695 babies given that name, followed by Michelle with 3736, Lisa with 3704, Kimberly with 2702, and Julie with 1883. These names were all common choices for parents during that time period in California.

  1. Jennifer

    4695 baby girls born in California (1970) named Jennifer

    The name Jennifer is of Welsh origin and means "fair and smooth". It was first used as a given name in the United States in the 20th century and became very popular in the 1970s and 1980s.

  2. Michelle

    3736 baby girls born in California (1970) named Michelle

    Michelle is a feminine given name of French origin. The name means "who is like God" or "gift from God." It is a variation of the name Michael, which comes from Hebrew and means "who is like God." The name Michelle has been used in English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century and has gained popularity over time.

  3. Lisa

    3704 baby girls born in California (1970) named Lisa

    The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".

  4. Kimberly

    2702 baby girls born in California (1970) named Kimberly

    The name Kimberly means "from the wood of the royal forest" or "royal fortress meadow". It is of Old English origin and was first used as a given name in the 1940s.

  5. Julie

    1883 baby girls born in California (1970) named Julie

    The name Julie is a French name that means "youthful" or "full of energy". It is derived from the Latin name Julia, which means "soft-haired" or "youthful".

  6. Maria

    1711 baby girls born in California (1970) named Maria

    Maria is a name of Latin origin, derived from the name Mariam or Miriam, which means "bitterness" or "sorrow". It is a common name in many cultures and is often associated with the Virgin Mary in Christianity.

  7. Laura

    1680 baby girls born in California (1970) named Laura

    The name Laura is of Latin origin and means "bay laurel". It was a symbol of victory and honor in ancient Rome. The name has been popular in many countries and cultures throughout history.

  8. Shannon

    1650 baby girls born in California (1970) named Shannon

    The name Shannon is of Irish origin and is derived from the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland. The name means "wise river" or "old river". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.

  9. Christine

    1640 baby girls born in California (1970) named Christine

    The name Christine is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ".

  10. Heather

    1609 baby girls born in California (1970) named Heather

    The name Heather is of English origin and is derived from the name of a flowering plant that grows in Scotland. The name is often associated with the color purple and is said to symbolize admiration, good luck, and protection.

  11. Elizabeth

    1570 baby girls born in California (1970) named Elizabeth

    Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.

  12. Stephanie

    1548 baby girls born in California (1970) named Stephanie

    The name Stephanie is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a feminine name that has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 20th century.

  13. Cynthia

    1533 baby girls born in California (1970) named Cynthia

    The name Cynthia means "moon goddess" or "from Mount Kynthos" in Greek. It is also associated with the Greek mythological figure Artemis, who was known as the goddess of the hunt and the moon. The name Cynthia has been in use since ancient times and has remained relatively popular throughout history.

  14. Angela

    1523 baby girls born in California (1970) named Angela

    The name Angela is derived from the Greek word "angelos" which means "messenger of God". It is a feminine name that has been used in various cultures and languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, and German. Angela is often associated with qualities such as kindness, compassion, and grace.

  15. Christina

    1514 baby girls born in California (1970) named Christina

    The name Christina is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ". It is a feminine name and is commonly used in English-speaking countries.

  16. Melissa

    1368 baby girls born in California (1970) named Melissa

    The name Melissa is derived from the Greek word "melissa," which means "honey bee." It was a popular name in ancient Greece and is often associated with sweetness and industriousness.

  17. Tracy

    1354 baby girls born in California (1970) named Tracy

    The name Tracy is of Irish origin and means "warrior" or "fighter". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.

  18. Amy

    1342 baby girls born in California (1970) named Amy

    The name Amy means "beloved" or "dearly loved" in French and Latin. It is a popular name for girls and has been used since the Middle Ages.

  19. Patricia

    1329 baby girls born in California (1970) named Patricia

    The name Patricia is derived from the Latin word "patricius," meaning "noble" or "aristocratic." It was a popular name in the Roman Empire and later spread throughout Europe. The name is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, kindness, and leadership.

  20. Mary

    1277 baby girls born in California (1970) named Mary

    Mary is a feminine given name that has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history. The meaning and origin of the name are uncertain, but it is believed to derive from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "bitter" or "rebellious". The name Mary is popular in Christian cultures due to its association with the mother of Jesus Christ.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1970

According to records from 1970, the most popular baby boy names in California were Michael, David, Robert, John, and James. Michael was the most popular name, with 8197 babies given that name. David came in second place with 6376 babies, followed by Robert with 5668 babies. John and James rounded out the top five with 5186 and 4611 babies given those names, respectively.

  1. Michael

    8197 baby boys born in California (1970) named Michael

    The name Michael means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that is often associated with the archangel Michael, who is considered to be a protector and warrior in many religious traditions. The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.

  2. David

    6376 baby boys born in California (1970) named David

    The name David is of Hebrew origin and means "beloved" or "friend". It is a popular name in many cultures and religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Bible, David was the second king of Israel and is known for his bravery, leadership, and devotion to God. People with the name David are often described as confident, charismatic, and loyal.

  3. Robert

    5668 baby boys born in California (1970) named Robert

    The name Robert means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobility.

  4. John

    5186 baby boys born in California (1970) named John

    The name John is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a very common name and has been used for centuries. People with this name are often known for their kindness and generosity.

  5. James

    4611 baby boys born in California (1970) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  6. Jason

    4052 baby boys born in California (1970) named Jason

    The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".

  7. Christopher

    3602 baby boys born in California (1970) named Christopher

    The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."

  8. Richard

    3251 baby boys born in California (1970) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  9. Eric

    2817 baby boys born in California (1970) named Eric

    The name Eric is of Scandinavian origin and means "eternal ruler" or "ruler of all". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures.

  10. Mark

    2805 baby boys born in California (1970) named Mark

    The name Mark is derived from the Latin name "Marcus" which means "dedicated to Mars", the Roman god of war. It is a popular name among Christians as it is the name of one of the four Gospel writers in the New Testament. The name Mark is also associated with qualities such as courage, strength, and leadership.

  11. Steven

    2755 baby boys born in California (1970) named Steven

    The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.

  12. Brian

    2663 baby boys born in California (1970) named Brian

    The name Brian is of Irish origin and means "strong, virtuous, and honorable". It is a popular name for boys in Ireland and has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages.

  13. William

    2645 baby boys born in California (1970) named William

    The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.

  14. Daniel

    2574 baby boys born in California (1970) named Daniel

    The name Daniel means "God is my judge".

  15. Jeffrey

    2563 baby boys born in California (1970) named Jeffrey

    The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.

  16. Scott

    2466 baby boys born in California (1970) named Scott

    The name Scott is of Scottish origin and means "from Scotland" or "wanderer". It is a common surname that has been used as a first name since the 19th century.

  17. Kevin

    2351 baby boys born in California (1970) named Kevin

    The name Kevin is of Irish origin and means "handsome" or "gentle birth". It is derived from the Irish name CaoimhĂ­n, which is composed of the Gaelic words "caomh" meaning "kind" or "gentle" and "gin" meaning "birth".

  18. Joseph

    2120 baby boys born in California (1970) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  19. Anthony

    2106 baby boys born in California (1970) named Anthony

    The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".

  20. Matthew

    2099 baby boys born in California (1970) named Matthew

    Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".