The baby names below saw sudden changes in usage during the 1970s thanks to the influence of historical events. I’ve written explanatory blog posts about some of them — please click the links to learn more!
To check out history-influenced baby names from other decades, visit the baby name timeline main page.
1979
1979 News: Gelsey, Shaylyn, Johnpaul
1979 Politics: Ayatollah
1979 Movie characters: Jorel, Santini
1979 Movie: Ashanti
1979 TV characters: Starbuck, Tigh, Cassiopeia, Apollo, Athena, Serina, Random, Zebulon, Sulay, Mindy, Sindy, Pasquinel, Jana, Viviana
1979 TV contestants: Dilanjan, Risha
1979 TV personality: Kebrina
1979 Actors: Aarika, Shatonga, Brianne, Maren
1979 Literary character: Tamarisk
1979 Songs: Sharona, Roxanne, Amanda
1979 Singers: Geddy, Amii, Anacani, Taana
1979 Musician: Narada
1979 Musical group: Chanson
1979 Sports: Tekulve, Terdell
1979 Products: Chimere, Atari, Darci, Wondra
1979 Celebrity babies: Leiya, Shaherah, Anansa
1979 Celebrity related: Karac, Shanga, Kayatana
1979 Beauty queen: Kylene
1978
Here are the names for 1978.
1977
1977 Politics: Rosalynn
1977 Movie characters: Darth, Logan, Ammar, Hamza
1977 TV characters: Kunta, Kinte, Kuntakinte, Kizzy, Fanta, Jitu, Kairaba, Lamin, Omoro, Yaisa, Binta, Lucan, Sommers, Nakoma, Feather, Varian, Liana, Ibe, Shalon, Tpring, Shonski, Raven, Sabrina, Idania, Amin, Ross, Marlena
1977 TV show: Atlantis
1977 TV contestant: Davenia
1977 TV personalities: Sonceria, Shawnte, Yarnell
1977 Actors: Levar, Farrah, Jaclyn, Debraca, Mako, Marisa, Kris
1977 Literary characters: Meghann, Shanna
1977 Writer: Haley
1977 African-American magazines: Abimbola, Akwete, Chinue, Efia, Jamila, Kamilah, Layla, Naila, Rashida, Safiya, Sauda, Abdalla, Abubakar, Hasani, Hashim, Idi, Kamau, Kefentse, Khalfani, Kontar, Kwasi, Lateef, Makalani, Mensah, Nuru
1977 Songs: Rhiannon, Londie, Aisha, Sheena, Beth
1977 Singers: Loleatta, Champagne, Jarreau, Yolandita, Shaun
1977 Musician: Cerrone
1977 Sports: Bjorn, Wesley, Graig, Nelli
1977 Products: Cristalle, Jontue, Tamba, Khara, Civona
1977 Advertisement: Tristaca
1977 Celebrity related: Delinah
1977 Beauty queen: Janelle
1976
1976 News: Long
1976 Movie characters: Vulnavia, Josey, Sparkle, Brannigan
1976 TV characters: Delvecchio, Jaime, Draper, Jillian, Isis, Salathiel, Jadrien
1976 TV contestant: Bernnadette
1976 TV personalities: Charo, Thyais, Chevy
1976 TV director: Gerren
1976 Actors: Dwan, Lindsay, Aristotelis, Ronee, Tierre, Paulmichael
1976 Literary character: Kinte
1976 Songs: Tynisa, Rhiannon, Shannon, Sara
1976 Singers: Telma
1976 Sports: Comaneci, Nadia, Jenner
1976 Celebrity babies: Chudney, Kenisha, Shanga, Evin
1976 Beauty queen: Rina
1976 Model: Mesina
1975
1975 News: Tamika, Nekeidra, Jubilee
1975 Immigration: Chaffee, Viet, Hung, Nam, Huy, Long, Anh, Vu, Phuong, Tran, Duc, Dung, Hoang, My, Nguyen, Thu, An, Luan, Phong, Bich, Linh, Thao, Trang, Binh, Minh, Quoc, Chau, Hoa, Lien, Ngoc, Yen, Hai, Quang, Tien, Yun
1975 Politics: Yasser
1975 Movie characters: Breezy, Foxy, Sheba, Mahogany, January
1975 TV characters: Starsky, Hutch, Fonzie, Joyelle, Conchata, Trapper, Baretta, Benji, Pepper, Christie, Sooner, Taneha, Rhoda, Laura, Quanah
1975 TV show: Caribe
1975 TV contestants: Dareth, Chevi, Reiko, Tiana, Altovise, Nalani
1975 Actors: Thalmus, Durville, Janmichael, Udana
1975 Comics: Tchalla
1975 Literary character: Branwen
1975 Songs: Mandy, Azuredee, Azure, Rikki
1975 Singers: Chakakhan, Tennille, Gloryvee, Emmanuelle
1975 Sports: Tiant, Pele, Jamaal
1975 Products: Aviance, Azuree, Cerissa
1975 Celebrity babies: Taryll, Turkessa
1975 Celebrity related: Khalilah
1974
1974 News: Abeni, Habibah, Halima, Hasina, Salama, Shani, Charnissa
1974 Politics: Sirica
1974 Movie character: Marjoe, Santee
1974 TV characters: Nakia, Makesha, Kojak, Willona, Jobina, Dayanara, Ticey, Jimbob, Pashen, Jill
1974 TV show: Sunshine
1974 TV contestant: Scoey
1974 Literary character: Rhiannon
1974 Songs: Jolene, Angie, Sundown, Kalimba
1974 Musician: Turiya
1974 Musical group: Tavares
1974 Sports: Condredge, Jaworski
1974 Product: Ciara
1974 Celebrity babies: Kidada, Shalawn, Seandra, Courtney
1973
1973 News: Morningstar, Sacheen, Abdu, Bakari, Dalila, Fatima, Hasani, Jabari, Jelani, Kamilah, Yaminah, Zahra
1973 Movie characters: Season, Coffy, Jory, Regan
1973 TV characters: Toma, Snapper, Caine, Hec, Alethea, Bridget, Kiona, Contessa, Gage
1973 TV personality: Cavett
1973 Actors: Cicely, Mackenzie, Yajaira, Vonetta, Tatum
1973 Literary characters: Eowyn, Strider
1973 Comics: Analuisa
1973 Writer: Xaviera
1973 African-American magazines: Loukisha
1973 Song: Aubrey
1973 Singers: Ralna, Airrion
1973 Musical groups: Cymande, Mandrill
1973 Sports: Cedeno, Billiejean
1973 Celebrity babies: Yohance, Taj, Tracee
1972
1972 News: Mieke, Tonnica
1972 Movie characters: Chato, Sancho, Billyjack, Cable, Jacy
1972 TV characters: Katina, Vashon, Delta, Demond, Cade
1972 TV show: Trek
1972 TV personality: Chastity
1972 Actors: Cybill, Akili, Amitabh
1972 Literary character: Erendira
1972 Songs: Sossity, Brandy, Nikki
1972 Singers: Carly, Melanie, Adaryll, Marlon, Lasalle
1972 Musicians: Manu, Bayete
1972 Sports: Kipchoge, Keino, Kareem, Abdul, Jabbar, Erubey, Keena
1972 Products: Ciara, Cachet, Mitchum
1972 Celebrity baby: Krisinda
1971
1971 News: Doria, Janis
1971 Movie characters: Shaft, Bree, Sundance, Tristana, Zachariah, Trinity, Jennifer, Ginger
1971 TV characters: Uhura, Cissy, Jody, Chad, Yesenia, Bracken, Jamie
1971 TV shows: Alias, Anzio
1971 Actors: Brando, Yaphet, Heshimu, Veleka, Damu, Ali, Ryan
1971 African-American magazines: Shango, Kwabene, Kwame, Diallo, Sekou, Jaja, Azikiwe, Nkenge, Lumumba, Lawanika, Corrice
1971 Songs: Layla, Amoreena, Scotty, Tomorrow, Dindi, Candida
1971 Singers: Jermaine, Lajuane, Sigmund, Shelbra
1971 Musical group: Santana
1971 Musical albums: Abraxas, Thembi
1971 Sports: Unseld, Vida
1971 Celebrity babies: Ayanna, Shangaleza
1971 Celebrity related: Altovise
1970
1970 News: Turi, Donzaleigh, Juandalynn, Alprentice, Reeshemah, Celia
1970 Politics: Arafat
1970 Movie characters: Cresta, Shalako, Cassidy
1970 TV characters: Mcgarrett, Mano, Dodie, Tara, Jolyon, Nyree, Loey, Kinita, Erica, Sabrina
1970 TV contestant: Alisande
1970 Actors: Falana, Tatanisha, Brandon, Dyan, Shakira, Saby, Ahna, Marki
1970 Literary characters: Aragorn, Gandalf
1970 Songs: Shilo, Fancy, Cherie, Aquarius, Tracy, Prudence, Cecilia
1970 Singers: Bobbie, Gentry, Toriano, Jermaine, Massiel, Sacha
1970 Musicians: Rahsaan, Pharoah
1970 Musical album: Karma
1970 Products: Torino, Embra, Doral, Malaika
1970 Brands: Shindana, Pepsi, Loreal
1970 Celebrity baby: Rasheda
1970 Celebrity related: Syreeta
1970 Beauty queen: Rewa
More Names
Other historically significant baby names bestowed in the U.S. during the 1970s include Antares, Era, and Skylab.