3 days ago
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Five vintage baby names from the 1970s ready for a comeback including one with Scottish link
One particular name has fallen out of favour since the '70s and '80s, but maybe we Scots could bring it back
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.
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