The 1970s featured contrasting cultural styles, and baby naming reflected a similar shift. Naming moved from tradition and conformity toward fashion and individuality. Names that seem traditional today were historically unusual, with names such as Brian and Heather growing faster than older choices like William and Mary. Popular boy names in the decade included Jason, Chad, Brian, Eric, and Shawn, characterized by laid-back confidence. Popular girl names were either punchy, such as Stacy and Amy, or longer with full, soft sounds, such as Jennifer, Heather, and Michelle. Earlier styles like Donald, Gerald, Joan, and Joyce declined sharply, as parents rejected the ultra-conservative naming of their own parents’ generation.
"“The late 1960s were a time of social revolution, including baby name revolution,” says Laura Wattenberg, naming expert, tells TODAY.com. “Our culture's whole approach to naming started to change: from tradition to fashion, from conformity to individuality. The 1970s were the first decade of this new name world.”"
"“From the perspective of today, it looks like baby steps - the names of the '70s still seem traditional,” says Wattenberg. “But from a historical perspective, names like Brian and Heather outpacing William and Mary was unprecedented.”"
"Wattenberg says that popular boy names of the decade - like Jason, Chad, Brian, Eric and Shawn - all have a “laid-back confidence.” Meanwhile, popular girl names were either “punchy,” like Stacy and Amy, or “longer names with full, soft sounds,” like Jennifer, Heather and Michelle."
"“The hot sounds of the 1930s like Donald and Gerald, Joan and Joyce plummeted out of fashion,” says Wattenberg. “Remember that the parents of the '70s all grew up in a world of ultra-conservative naming, so these styles felt fresher and more daring than we may think. They were definitely rejecting the names of their own parents' generation.”"
Read at TODAY.com
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