Top 100 Popular Names in 1975 for Boys and Girls

Between 1974 and 1975, the most popular baby names stayed very stable. In the US, the top three girls’ names were Jennifer, Amy, and Heather, and the top three boys’ names were Michael, Jason, and Christopher. In the UK, the top girls were Nicola, Karen, and Susan, and the top boys were David, John, and Paul. This shows that people liked the same names for several years.

Some changes happened in the US girls’ top 10. Melissa moved up from 7th to 4th, Michelle dropped from 3rd to 6th, and Elizabeth slowly moved up from 12th to 15th. Many popular girls’ names ended with “a” or soft sounds, like Jennifer, Angela, Melissa, and Lisa. Names ending with an ‘ee’ sound, like Amy, Kimberly, and Stephanie, were also popular.

For US boys, the top 10 hardly changed. Michael, Jason, Christopher, James, David, Robert, John, Brian, and Matthew stayed in the same spots, and William stayed in 10th. Many top boys’ names came from the Bible. Timothy dropped a little from 22nd to 23rd.

Looking at both the US and UK, girls’ names often ended with soft vowel sounds, while boys’ names were mostly traditional, including biblical and royal names. Two-syllable names were very common for both boys and girls. Some names were popular in both countries, like David and John for boys and Jennifer for girls, but some were unique to each country, like Nicola, which was the top girls’ name in the UK but not in the US.

The Mid-Seventies Naming Consensus

The 1970s were a time of change and fun new styles. This decade also brought baby names that many people still recognize today. Names from the 1970s often reflect a feeling of freedom and creativity. They were usually inspired by music, TV, books, and the culture of the time.

Now, people like to look back at these old favorites. Some adults today were given these names at birth. Others may choose them for a baby because they feel special and different. These mid-1970s names are full of history and charm.

Did you know that in 1975, many parents in the United States chose the same names for their babies? This made the top lists look very steady from year to year. For boys, names like Michael, Jason, and Christopher were at the very top. For girls, names like Jennifer, Amy, and Heather were most common. The Social Security records and decade lists show these names clearly.

This shows that people in that era picked names that many others also liked. When this many parents choose the same names, we say there was a “naming consensus.” It means parents agreed, without talking, on which names sounded good for babies. These shared preferences helped shape what names were well-known during the mid-1970s.

The Unwavering Strength of Male Names in the United States

In 1975, popular boys’ names were largely influenced by traditional and biblical sources. Many of the top choices felt classic and familiar, reflecting long-standing naming preferences of the era.

Popular boy names in 1975 were led by Michael. Other strong boys’ names that year were Jason, Christopher, James, and David. These names were short and easy to say. They were also used by many families across the country. Because they were so common, many boys in school would share the same name. The top boy names in 1975 reflect how parents liked classic and simple sounds.

1. Michael comes from Hebrew and means “gift from God.” It was the most popular boys’ name from the early 1960s through the 1990s, including all of the 1970s.
2. Christopher has Greek origins and means “bearer of Christ.” It became very popular in the late 1970s and peaked from 1979 to the mid-1990s.
3. Jason comes from Greek and means “healer.” It rose in popularity during the 1970s and peaked around 1978.
4. David is a Hebrew name that means “beloved.” It peaked in popularity around 1960 and remained common throughout the 1970s.
5. James comes from Hebrew and means “supplanter.” It peaked between 1940 and 1952 and stayed popular through the 1970s.
6. John is a Hebrew name meaning “God is gracious.” It peaked in the early 1920s but was still widely used in the 1970s.
7. Robert has German roots and means “bright fame.” It peaked in 1953 and remained a strong choice during the 1970s.
8. Brian comes from Irish and means “high” or “noble.” It peaked in 1977, making it a true late 1970s favorite.
9. William is a German name that means “strong willed warrior.” It peaked in the early 1900s and stayed popular through the 1970s.
10. Matthew comes from Hebrew and means “gift from God.” It began rising in the 1970s and peaked in the mid-1990s.

Emerging and Enduring: Female Names in the United States

Girls’ top names in 1975 show a mix of new favorites and steady choices. Jennifer was the number one girl's name that year. Amy and Heather were also very popular. Close behind were Melissa, Angela, Michelle, Kimberly, Lisa, Stephanie, and Nicole. These names became very familiar on TV, in songs, and in magazines. Many of them stayed popular for years after 1975. That is why you still meet people with these names today.

Some of these names have soft and pleasant sounds, which many people liked at that time. Even though there were many strong, classic boy names, girl names tended to change more quickly as new names became fashionable.

1. Jennifer comes from Welsh roots and means “fair one.” It ruled the girls' name charts from the 1970s into the 1980s.
2. Amy is a French name, meaning “beloved.” It peaked in popularity in 1976.
3. Michelle has French origins, with a meaning of “resembles God.” It was most popular in the early 1970s.
4. Melissa is a Greek name that means “honeybee.” It reached its highest use in the late 1970s.
5. With English origins, Kimberly means “meadow.” Its popularity peaked in the late 1960s.
6. Lisa comes from Hebrew and means “God’s promise.” The name was most popular in the 1960s and early 1970s.
7. Angela is Greek in origin and means “messenger from God.” It peaked during the mid-1970s.
8. Heather is a British name named after a “flowering plant.” It reached peak popularity in 1975.
9. The Greek name Stephanie means “crown” or “garland.” It was most popular in the mid-1980s.
10. Nicole comes from French and Greek roots and means “victory of the people.” Its peak year was 1982.

1975's Naming Legacy

In 1975, baby names were strongly shaped by pop culture and public life. Television, music, and famous people had a big influence on what parents chose. Popular shows like Happy Days and The Brady Bunch introduced names such as Marcia and Greg. Movies also mattered. Star Wars made names like Luke and Leia exciting and new.

Music played an important role as well. Parents were inspired by songs they loved. Names like Layla from Eric Clapton’s hit and Caroline from Neil Diamond’s music became more common. These names felt modern and meaningful at the time.

Many popular names in 1975 reflected what was happening in society. Space exploration encouraged interest in space-themed names. Social movements pushed names that suggested freedom, peace, or hope. Some parents wanted names that felt different, so they chose unique or uncommon options. Celebrities, TV characters, and public figures also shaped naming trends. Books and stories inspired some parents, too, leading to names taken from literature.

Names were also used to honor people and history. Many families named children after grandparents to keep family traditions alive. Others chose names to remember admired leaders. Names like Martin became more popular as a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. These choices helped families express respect and values.

Popular names in 1975 reflected culture, history, and personal meaning. They showed what people cared about during that time. Many of these names stayed popular for years. Even today, they are easy to recognize. The naming trends of 1975 created a lasting legacy that continues to connect people to that decade.

Top baby names of 1975