Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1974

In the year 1974, Massachusetts witnessed a surge in the popularity of some of the most iconic baby names. The state saw a rise in the number of baby girls being named Jennifer, Amy, and Michelle. These names were not only popular in Massachusetts but also across the United States, making them some of the most sought-after names of the year.

Similarly, the top baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1974 were Michael, Christopher, and Jason. These names were a reflection of the cultural and social trends of the time, and they continue to be popular even today. The names Michael, Christopher, and Jason have stood the test of time and are still among the most popular names for baby boys, not only in Massachusetts but also across the United States.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1974

In 1974, the most popular baby girl name in Massachusetts was Jennifer, with 1843 babies given that name. The next four most popular names were Amy (794), Michelle (752), Melissa (641), and Heather (622). These names were all quite popular and likely reflected the trends of the time.

Jennifer

1843 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Amy

794 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Michelle

752 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Melissa

641 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Heather

622 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Lisa
611 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1974) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Kimberly
522 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Nicole
473 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Christine
453 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1974) named Christine
The name Christine is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ".
Jessica
425 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Elizabeth
424 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Rebecca
397 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Kristen
371 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1974) named Kristen
The name Kristen is of Scandinavian origin and is a variation of the name Christine. It means "follower of Christ" or "anointed one".
Julie
362 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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".
Karen
331 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1974) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Sarah
327 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1974) named Sarah
The name Sarah means "princess" in Hebrew. It is a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with grace, beauty, and kindness.
Stephanie
308 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Susan
301 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1974) named Susan
The name Susan means "lily" or "graceful lily" in Hebrew. It was a popular name in the 1940s and 1950s, but has since declined in popularity.
Kelly
296 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Tara
288 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1974) named Tara
The name Tara is of Irish origin and means "hill" or "tower". It is also associated with the Buddhist concept of a pure land or paradise. The name has been used for both boys and girls but is more commonly given to girls.

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1974

In Massachusetts in 1974, the most popular baby boy name was Michael, with 2063 babies given that name. The second most popular name was Christopher, with 1304 babies named that. Jason came in third place with 1264 babies given that name, followed by David with 1222 babies named that. Finally, John was the fifth most popular name with 1079 babies given that name.

Michael

2063 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Christopher

1304 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1974) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Jason

1264 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1974) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
David

1222 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
John

1079 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Robert
973 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
James
965 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1974) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Brian
944 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Matthew
897 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1974) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Daniel
755 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1974) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Joseph
709 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1974) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Mark
647 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Jeffrey
635 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1974) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
William
616 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Scott
615 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Eric
589 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Richard
569 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1974) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Kevin
555 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1974) named Kevin
The name Kevin is of Irish origin and means "handsome" or "gentle birth". It is derived from the Irish name Caoimhín, which is composed of the Gaelic words "caomh" meaning "kind" or "gentle" and "gin" meaning "birth".
Thomas
550 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1974) named Thomas
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.
Paul
503 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1974) named Paul
The name Paul is of Latin origin and means "small" or "humble". It was originally derived from the Roman family name Paulus, which was a common name in ancient Rome. The name has been popularized by various saints and biblical figures, including the apostle Paul, who was a significant figure in the early Christian church.