Indiana's most popular baby names in 1974

In 1974, the state of Indiana saw a surge in popular baby names for both boys and girls. Topping the list for baby girls were the classic names Jennifer, Amy, and Angela. These names were chosen by parents who wanted to give their daughters strong, timeless names that would never go out of style.

For baby boys, the names Jason, Michael, and Christopher were the most popular choices. These names were chosen by parents who wanted to give their sons strong, masculine names that would help them stand out from the crowd. Whether you're a parent looking for inspiration for your own baby's name, or simply interested in the trends of the past, the top baby names of 1974 in Indiana are a fascinating window into the world of baby names.

Most popular baby girl names in Indiana in 1974

In 1974, the most popular baby girl names in Indiana were Jennifer, Amy, Angela, Michelle, and Heather. Jennifer was the most popular name with 1903 babies being named Jennifer that year. Amy and Angela were the second and third most popular names with 1092 and 1040 babies being named respectively. Michelle and Heather rounded out the top five with 845 and 785 babies being named each. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time, as well as traditional family names.

  1. Jennifer

    1903 baby girls born in Indiana (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. Amy

    1092 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  3. Angela

    1040 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  4. Michelle

    845 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  5. Heather

    785 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  6. Melissa

    760 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  7. Kimberly

    633 baby girls born in Indiana (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. Lisa

    541 baby girls born in Indiana (1974) named Lisa

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

  9. Stephanie

    536 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  10. Rebecca

    412 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  11. Julie

    410 baby girls born in Indiana (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".

  12. Christina

    395 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  13. Shannon

    357 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  14. Dawn

    343 baby girls born in Indiana (1974) named Dawn

    The name Dawn means "the first appearance of light, daybreak" and is often given to girls born at or around sunrise. It is derived from the Old English word "dagian" which means "to become day".

  15. Kelly

    337 baby girls born in Indiana (1974) named Kelly

    The name Kelly is of Irish origin and means "bright-headed" or "warrior". It is a unisex name, meaning it can be given to both boys and girls. The name has been popularized by its use as a surname and has been used as a given name since the 20th century.

  16. Amanda

    333 baby girls born in Indiana (1974) named Amanda

    The name Amanda is of Latin origin, meaning "lovable" or "worthy of love". It was first used as a name in the 17th century and became popular in the 19th century. The name is often associated with kindness, compassion, and a friendly personality.

  17. Nicole

    332 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  18. Mary

    313 baby girls born in Indiana (1974) 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.

  19. April

    304 baby girls born in Indiana (1974) named April

    April is a feminine given name that is derived from the name of the fourth month of the year. The name April has no specific meaning beyond being associated with the spring season in which the month of April falls.

  20. Lori

    287 baby girls born in Indiana (1974) named Lori

    The name Lori is a short form of the name Lorraine or Laurence. Its origin and meaning are uncertain, but it is believed to have French or Latin roots. Some sources suggest that it may mean "crowned with laurel" or "victorious." However, the exact meaning of the name Lori remains unknown.

Most popular baby boy names in Indiana in 1974

In Indiana, 1974, the top 5 most popular baby boy names were Jason with 1923 occurrences, Michael with 1803 occurrences, Christopher with 1352 occurrences, James with 1164 occurrences, and Brian with 1112 occurrences. These names were very common and popular among parents in Indiana during that year.

  1. Jason

    1923 baby boys born in Indiana (1974) named Jason

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

  2. Michael

    1803 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  3. Christopher

    1352 baby boys born in Indiana (1974) named Christopher

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

  4. James

    1164 baby boys born in Indiana (1974) named James

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

  5. Brian

    1112 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  6. David

    1104 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  7. Robert

    1028 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  8. Matthew

    941 baby boys born in Indiana (1974) named Matthew

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

  9. John

    901 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  10. William

    714 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  11. Scott

    645 baby boys born in Indiana (1974) 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.

  12. Chad

    607 baby boys born in Indiana (1974) named Chad

    The name Chad means "warrior" or "battle" and has Old English origins.

  13. Daniel

    602 baby boys born in Indiana (1974) named Daniel

    The name Daniel means "God is my judge".

  14. Eric

    588 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  15. Ryan

    585 baby boys born in Indiana (1974) named Ryan

    The name Ryan is of Irish origin and means "little king" or "illustrious". It is a popular name for boys in English-speaking countries.

  16. Mark

    567 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  17. Jeremy

    564 baby boys born in Indiana (1974) named Jeremy

    The name Jeremy is of Hebrew origin and means "appointed by God" or "God will uplift".

  18. Jeffrey

    560 baby boys born in Indiana (1974) named Jeffrey

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

  19. Kevin

    511 baby boys born in Indiana (1974) 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".

  20. Steven

    502 baby boys born in Indiana (1974) named Steven

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