Five vintage baby names from the 1970s ready for a comeback including one with Scottish link
The 1970s was a time of rising inflation, the end of the Vietnam War, and the Watergate scandal, but the decade also marked the rise of disco, Star Wars, and video games. This inadvertently ushered in a whole new set of popular baby names.
Parents searching for what to name their wee one might be looking back over the decades to see what monikers were having their moment in the sun at certain times. After all, baby name trends always come back around.
Names that were on a roll during the '70s may be the perfect choice for more retro parents-to-be. With this in mind, Good Housekeeping compiled a list of the most popular names of the decade so you don't have to sift through the baby name books.
The list is US- specific, with figures taken from The United States Social Security Administration. However, parents on this side of the ocean can still benefit from a bit of transatlantic inspiration.
In fact, one of the names has a very endearing Scottish link, and may be a great option for mums and dads-to-be up here.
Lisa
SSA ranking in the 1970s: 1SSA ranking today: 98
The name Lisa may seem quite common, but back in the '70s, it really took off. Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, was born in the '60s which catapulted it into the spotlight. Celebrity baby names always do.
Lisa Taylor was also a popular supermodel in the '70s. A couple of decades later, Lisa Kudrow brought the name back round again for her famous role as Phoebe Buffay in beloved sitcom Friends, with Lisa Simpson a near ever-present on our screens for over 30 years.
The name also has a religious link, as it means 'God's promise'. The name fell 134 spots between last year and the year before, but Lisa is somewhat of a classic, and should not be underestimated in its potential for another spike.
Angela
SSA ranking in the 1970s: 7SSA ranking today: 282
Meaning 'angel,' Angela enjoyed its most successful decade in the '70s. The name stayed in the top 10 between 1965 and 1979, and hit its peak in 1976.
The name has been going back and forth in popularity since 2020. Angela is regarded as an older person's name in the UK today, but it could be a sweet title for a newborn.
Brian
SSA ranking in the 1970s: 8SSA ranking today: 301
Brian, meaning 'noble,' is a popular Irish name, derived from the Old Irish word "brígh," which translates to "hill" or "high". The name stands at No. 301 on the SSA list, but close behind it at No. 305 is Bryan.
Brian is still far from its 1970s peak, when it was the No. 8 name from 1972 to 1977, but the death of Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson last month might change that. The legend died aged 82 and music fans might be moved to name their new arrivals after such an industry giant.
Jason
SSA ranking in the 1970s: 3SSA ranking today: 148
Jason does typically sound like a very American name, but there is nothing to suggest it couldn't be used in the UK. The name has a very caring and poignant meaning - 'to heal'. Maybe this could be one for future doctors or nurses?
The name peaked in 1978 but saw a decline in the '80s, perhaps due to the film Friday the 13th where Jason Voorhees is the scary, fictional antagonist. Could this have frightened parents into not using it?
Heather
SSA ranking in the 1970s: 8SSA ranking today: 97
Last but not least, we have our Scottish contender. Heather was a blockbuster name back in the '70s and '80s but sadly, today, Heather, meaning 'small shrub,' barely makes the SSA's list of the Top 1000 names.
Could the Scots bring it back owing to our connection with it? The name Heather originates in Scotland from the heather plant, an evergreen shrub with pink or white flowers that thrives in rocky, peaty areas.
Scottish heather grows across the wild and rugged hills of our beautiful country, and is included in the traditional song 'Wild Mountain Thyme/Go Lassie Go' as well as 'Heather on the Hill' by Nathan Evans.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
41 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Real reason behind Harry and Meghan's charm offensive with King Charles revealed
Prince Harry and King Charles' most senior aides have come together for a secret meeting in a major shift towards reconciliation - and it appears to be part of a wider strategy for the Sussexes A reunion between Prince Harry and his estranged father King Charles is on the cards, and it seems there's been plenty of work behind the scenes to try and improve relations. Their teams came together for a top secret meeting last week, marking the first significant shift towards reconciliation since the Duke infuriated his family with numerous public smears against them. And it has now been revealed that the meeting between Charles and Harry's most senior aides, held at a swanky London members club, came amid a "charm offensive" by the Sussexes to transform their public image on the prince's home soil. Harry and Meghan's new chief of communications, Meredith Maines, met with Charles' communication secretary Tobyn Andreae. The secret summit was held at Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL) club, a mere stone's throw away from Clarence House, the monarch's London residence. Ironically, the members club prides itself on "championing international friendship across the world". A source told said of the meet: "There's a long road ahead, but a channel of communication is now open for the first time in year. There was no formal agenda, just casual drinks. There were things both sides wanted to talk about." But the Sussexes' new communications guru was already busy schmoozing UK connections before the historic meeting, as she reportedly flew in from California days before the summit for a host of meetings and events with British businesses, charities and journalists, the Daily Mail reports. Maines, who heads up Harry's household on Monetico, California, was joined by Liam Maguire, the couple's new UK PR lead, for the meetings. It has been claimed that their busy itinerary indicates a fresh plan to reinvent the Sussex image in the UK, as the couple's move to America and subsequent attacks on the royal household has left a sour taste in the mouth of many Brits. Last month, Harry and Meghan said goodbye to six members of staff in a complete overhaul of their communications team. Those who got the boot included UK-based Charlie Gipson, their director of communications in Europe, and US-based Kyle Boulia, their deputy press secretary. Another was Lianne Cashin, the former head of operations at Archewell, just weeks after she was promoted to a senior consultant and praised by sources close to the Sussexes. Also cut was Meghan Markle 's social media manager. The shake-up is thought to have come before Meghan posted her viral twerking video on Instagram to mark her daughter Lilibet's fourth birthday. There has been a notable shift in the Duchess' social media strategy since she returned to the platform, including regular photos of her children. Previously, the couple hadn't shown Archie and Lilibet's faces online but now personal family snaps are often shared by Meghan. The PR overhaul comes after Harry and Meghan were savaged by a Vanity Fair article earlier this year, which delved into their life in California and even labelled them 'local villains'. The brutal takedown also made numerous allegations of mistreatment from former staff. According to the Times, Harry and Meghan dismissed the allegations at the time, with a source close to them describing them as 'distressing'. Harry is due to head back to the UK in September for the annual WellChild events, an opportunity which could see him reunite with his dad for the first time in 18 months. But Prince William doesn't appear to have any plans to see his brother, despite the peace talks. It is understood that the historic meeting did not cover Harry returning to a formal royal role, but both teams discussed avoiding any media clashes and conflicts in the calendar.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
John Torode's rocky love life from speedy divorce to 'cowardly' Lisa Faulkner letter
John Torode and Lisa Faulkner have one of the strongest marriages in showbiz. The MasterChef presenter has stood strong by his wife as she made her own allegation against Gregg Wallace The hit TV show he presents might be in complete chaos, but one thing that John Torode can count on is his loyal wife's support. The TV chef has found himself embroiled in the scandal engulfing his shamed MasterChef co-star Gregg Wallace, who has been sacked by the BBC after multiple allegations of misconduct were upheld following a seven-month investigation. Now Torode has confirmed he is the subject of an allegation of using racist language, which came out during the review into Wallace's conduct on the programme. On Instagram, the presenter confirmed he is the accused individual in the report but professed "no recollection of the incident" and expressed being "shocked and saddened". Questions remain over the future of the show as Wallace's behaviour has rocked the industry, after nearly 20 years of presenting with Torode. Away from the scandal hitting the much-loved series, John has one of the strongest marriages in showbiz - but it wasn't always plain sailing. John, 59, is married to actress Lisa Faulkner, 53, with the couple presenting John and Lisa's Weekend Kitchen on ITV. While John has remained mostly tight-lipped on his former co-star Wallace's behaviour on-set, his wife has spoken out about what she witnessed on the show. Last December, she claimed that the presenter made 'rude joke after rude joke' during her time on MasterChef. Wallace was said to be deeply upset that John and Lisa didn't support him when allegations first surfaced, and has since unfollowed the couple on Instagram. But John and Lisa's bond doesn't appear to have been shaken by the disaster unfolding behind the scenes of MasterChef, as they focus on their own joint television project which recently launched its tenth series. Both of them have been married before; Lisa to Chris Coghill, who played Tony King in EastEnders. They share adopted daughter, Billie. John was previously married to a woman called Jessica and they have a son and daughter together. John and Lisa, 52, met when she was a contestant on Celebrity MasterChef in 2010, first becoming firm friends before love blossomed. John and Jessica separated in 2011 but they didn't initially divorce until 2014, when their union was reportedly dissolved in a matter of seconds at the High Court. While John and Lisa hit it off immediately, remaining friends after filming, Lisa insists there was nothing romantic between them at first. "He was a judge on a show I loved and I was petrified of him. He was brilliant and gave us all tips so you didn't want to let him down," she said. "All I could think was, 'That sauce hasn't worked'. I didn't see anything but food for three months. After I won, we did The Good Food Show and stuff. John and I always got on, but I never thought about me and him." Revealing how they eventually got together, Lisa told the Daily Mail in 2013 that everything changed after John wrote her a letter and asked her out to dinner. "John and I were friends. Neither of us thought of it as anything else until..." she said. "I don't know how things change, but something does. He asked me on a date. We went out for dinner. Then it was slightly different. I'm really, really happy. John and I are having such a nice time but we're taking things slowly. There are lots of other people to consider." John has since confessed that his letter for Lisa was 'cowardly' but it meant that there would be no awkwardness for him if she didn't want to date him. He told the Daily Mail:"I'd separated from my wife [Jessica] which was awful, and I was reluctant to approach Lisa face to face as I didn't fancy the prospect of her saying no, so I wrote her a letter. If I'd got no response, it wouldn't matter. Cowardly? S***, yeah. I'm as cowardly as they get." But things worked out in his favour and they began dating. The couple tied the knot in October 2019 and previously shared the secret to a happy marriage, insisting that it is a properly made bed. Asked what makes their marriage work, John, 57, said: "A really well-made bed. You spend lots of time in it! Honestly, the bedroom – having that sanctuary of a place to go to, I think that's really important. And nice towels... Looking after yourself is as important as looking after each other." Although it probably helps that the pair have undeniable chemistry - as Lisa said in an interview: "We really like and fancy each other!" And Lisa previously shared how proud she is of her husband, who last year accepted his MBE from the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace, before celebrating with a fancy meal. "I was really proud of John," she told OK Magazine. "It's an amazing achievement and the fact he got to meet Prince William! Out of everybody in the royal family, that's who I'd have liked to have met!" And earlier this month, John gave rare insight into the "changes" that have happened in their relationship after six years of marriage. Opening up in a joint interview to The Herald Magazine, the couple were asked how their dynamic has "evolved over the years". John revealed: "Lisa and I learn from each other all the time. As we have been cooking and working together for many years, I am sure things have changed, but as it's been a constant and consistent journey, it's not something that we feel is noticeable. "What is evident is that we love cooking, food and travel as much as, if not more than, we did when we first met," he added. Lisa then chipped in to say: "We're always learning from each other […] We often do things differently, so I know I'm always learning something new from John, and I'm sure he would say the same."
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Lidl teams up with Alan Cumming in search for new Scottish self-service voice
Lidl has brought a Hollywood touch to its competition that aims "to champion the quirks of the Scottish accent." Lidl has been on the hunt for a Scottish voice for its new self-service checkouts. To help find the winner, the supermarket has teamed up with Hollywood royalty Alan Cumming. The budget German grocer recently unveiled a nationwide search that encouraged Scots to submit a recording of themselves reciting popular phrases from the bagging area in a competition that aims to "champion the quirks of the Scottish accent." The search, which saw 5,000 hopeful Scots enter, has now been narrowed down to 10 entrants, with voices from the likes of Aberdeen, Cupar, Kinross and Oban. Ahead of of the public vote that is now open, the supermarket giant has teamed up with the host of The Traitors US and his trusty pet companion Lala in a tongue-in-cheek video that offers hilarious critique on the finalist's. Taking place in a Traitors-esque style castle based in the Scottish Highlands, the Perthshire -born actor, who has also starred in the likes of X-Men and The Good Wife, brings his noted charm when listening to all the voices that are up for the coveted title. And now the people of Scotland can have their own say on who to crown as the winner, as they can choose the best voice by casting their vote on the Lidl website here before voting ends at 5pm on July 29. Speaking about the Lidl hopefuls, Alan said: "It's high time our self-checkouts had a bit more character and Scottish flair - and let's be honest, who doesn't want to be told that they've got an unexpected item in the bagging area by someone who sounds like their favourite cousin from Fife or sassy auntie from Glasgow? "I had an utterly delightful time listening to the 10 auditionees give it laldy; some were bold, some were bizarre, others would have me scanning in an instant! It's a proper rollercoaster of accents, intonations and glorious Scottishness. "But now the power is in your hands. This isn't just about picking a winner - it's a celebration of who we are, how we speak and our ability to have a bit of a laugh while we do it. So don't dilly dally and get voting!' Marco Ivone, Regional Director of Lidl GB in Scotland added: "We're incredibly proud to be investing almost £3 million to bring self-checkouts to every Lidl store in Scotland by the end of the year. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "This is part of our commitment to continuously improving the shopping experience for our customers, including enhanced choice on which checkout they use. "What's truly brilliant, though, is the response to our 'Unexpected Scottish Voice' competition. Over 5,000 people from every corner of Scotland have stepped up to the mic, which just shows how much pride people take in their local dialects - and how game we are to have a bit of fun with it too. "We can't wait to give the winner their moment on our self-checkouts; adding further Scottish flavour to the Lidl shopping experience." The nationwide search came after YouGov research found that 81 percent of Scottish shoppers prefer the choice between a staffed till and a self-service checkout. In response, Lidl began adding self-service checkouts to all its stores across Scotland in a staggering £3million investment that also rolled the convenient tills out across England and Wales. Scottish shoppers can officially choose the next voice of Scotland's self-service checkouts by casting their vote on the Lidl website. Voting ends at 5pm on Tuesday, July 29.
