Names of US

California's most popular baby names in 1974

In the year 1974, California saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Jennifer, Michelle, and Heather were among the top choices for baby girls, while Michael, Jason, and David were the most popular names for baby boys.

Jennifer, meaning "white wave" or "fair phantom," was the clear favorite for baby girls in California, with over 8,000 babies given the name in that year alone. Michelle, meaning "who is like God," was a close second, followed by Heather, a name derived from the plant with purple flowers. For baby boys, Michael, meaning "who is like God," was the top choice, with over 11,000 babies given the name. Jason, meaning "healer," and David, meaning "beloved," were also popular names for baby boys in California in 1974.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1974

In 1974, the most popular baby girl name in California was Jennifer, with 5673 babies given that name. Michelle was the second most popular name with 2593 babies. Heather and Maria were tied for the third most popular name with 1921 babies each, while Amy rounded out the top five with 1855 babies given that name.

  1. Jennifer

    5673 baby girls born in California (1974) 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

    2593 baby girls born in California (1974) 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. Maria

    1921 baby girls born in California (1974) 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.

  4. Heather

    1921 baby girls born in California (1974) 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.

  5. Amy

    1855 baby girls born in California (1974) 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.

  6. Lisa

    1838 baby girls born in California (1974) named Lisa

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

  7. Kimberly

    1674 baby girls born in California (1974) 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.

  8. Melissa

    1520 baby girls born in California (1974) 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.

  9. Christina

    1465 baby girls born in California (1974) 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.

  10. Elizabeth

    1453 baby girls born in California (1974) 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.

  11. Stephanie

    1407 baby girls born in California (1974) 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.

  12. Angela

    1276 baby girls born in California (1974) 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.

  13. Veronica

    1225 baby girls born in California (1974) named Veronica

    The name Veronica is of Latin origin and its meaning is "true image" or "she who brings victory". It is derived from the name Berenice, which means "bearer of victory". In Christian tradition, Veronica is the name of the woman who wiped the face of Jesus on his way to crucifixion and his image was miraculously imprinted on her veil.

  14. Nicole

    1204 baby girls born in California (1974) named Nicole

    Nicole is a feminine given name of Greek origin, meaning "victory of the people". It is a popular name in English-speaking countries and has been in use since the 1930s.

  15. Rebecca

    1199 baby girls born in California (1974) named Rebecca

    Rebecca means "captivating" or "knotted cord" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau in the Old Testament.

  16. Julie

    1133 baby girls born in California (1974) 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".

  17. Jessica

    1129 baby girls born in California (1974) named Jessica

    The name Jessica is of Hebrew origin and means "God beholds" or "God sees". It is derived from the name Yiskah in the Old Testament, which was the name of a daughter of Haran and sister of Milcah and Iscah. The name Jessica has been in use since the 16th century and became popular in the 20th century.

  18. Shannon

    1127 baby girls born in California (1974) 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.

  19. Laura

    1051 baby girls born in California (1974) 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.

  20. Monica

    1027 baby girls born in California (1974) named Monica

    The name Monica is of Latin origin and means "advisor" or "counselor".

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1974

In California, 1974, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, Jason, David, Christopher, and Robert. Michael was the most popular name with 6060 babies being given that name. Jason came in second with 4781 babies, followed by David with 4350 babies. Christopher and Robert rounded out the top five with 3770 and 3453 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends at the time.

  1. Michael

    6060 baby boys born in California (1974) 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. Jason

    4781 baby boys born in California (1974) named Jason

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

  3. David

    4350 baby boys born in California (1974) 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.

  4. Christopher

    3770 baby boys born in California (1974) named Christopher

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

  5. Robert

    3453 baby boys born in California (1974) 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.

  6. John

    3017 baby boys born in California (1974) 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.

  7. Brian

    2938 baby boys born in California (1974) 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.

  8. Daniel

    2912 baby boys born in California (1974) named Daniel

    The name Daniel means "God is my judge".

  9. James

    2892 baby boys born in California (1974) named James

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

  10. Matthew

    2531 baby boys born in California (1974) named Matthew

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

  11. Eric

    1973 baby boys born in California (1974) 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.

  12. Richard

    1957 baby boys born in California (1974) named Richard

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

  13. Jose

    1940 baby boys born in California (1974) named Jose

    The name Jose is a Spanish variant of the name Joseph, which means "God will increase" or "God will add".

  14. Joseph

    1810 baby boys born in California (1974) named Joseph

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

  15. Jeffrey

    1773 baby boys born in California (1974) named Jeffrey

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

  16. Steven

    1767 baby boys born in California (1974) named Steven

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

  17. William

    1725 baby boys born in California (1974) 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.

  18. Joshua

    1663 baby boys born in California (1974) named Joshua

    The name Joshua means "God is salvation" or "Yahweh is salvation" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name and was the name of one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan. Joshua later became the successor to Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land.

  19. Mark

    1650 baby boys born in California (1974) 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.

  20. Anthony

    1646 baby boys born in California (1974) named Anthony

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