Baby Girl Names From The '70s That Are Making A Comeback

At one point, millennials were naming their babies whatever sounded cool, trendy, and unique. Whether that meant naming your child after a fruit, picking descriptive adjectives like Rocky, or adding Leigh to every traditional name, people were clearly trying to stray far away from anything remotely traditional. But just like the fashion trends from the '70s that have made a major comeback, today's parents are trading the novelty for a cozy wave of retro nostalgia. 

We all know California is where trends are born, explode, and eventually fade away, and a Reddit post in the r/namenerds subreddit revealed that a revival of effortless '70s-era girl names might just be a thing again in the Golden State. And here at Glam, we couldn't be happier! Back in June 2026, we highlighted a few standout names from the 1970s that deserved a resurgence and seeing parents embrace these cozy retro classics proves we were right on track.

While it seems that the three most popular baby girl names of 2025 still stand as Olivia, Charlotte, and Emma, according to the Social Security Administration, if you're a parent-to-be and you're hoping to skip the hyper-popular picks and find something a little more distinctive, there are some retro favorites that offer the perfect balance of vintage charm and understated elegance. So, let's go back in time and revisit some classic and cool baby girl names from the 1970s that are making a major comeback.

Given to more than half a million baby girls in the '70s, Jennifer was perhaps the defining name of the decade (via Social Security Administration). There are many rumors as to how the name became the most popular pick of the era, but the most plausible one might be that the hit tragic romance movie "Love Story" was centered around a lead character named Jennifer in 1970. Just taking a look at the celebs born around the era, like Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jennifer Lopez, and Jennifer Garner, it's easy to see just how many parents loved the name. 

The name looks to be making a comeback, as the most liked comment in the r/namenerds discussion thread pointed out that there is at least one Jennifer in the commenter's son's class at school, and many people agreed that they were seeing a lot of babies named Jennifer around them. Jennifer, which means "white wave" or "fair one," might be perfect for your baby girl if you love having the option of a variety of easygoing nicknames like Jen, Jenny, or even sleek modern options like Jena or Jem. 

The name is versatile and you'd be naming your girl after some of the most iconic women in pop culture. While some may believe the moniker feels dated, many parents are realizing that even when it comes to names, history has a habit of repeating itself in the best way possible. 

Not every name that was popular seems to be making a comeback in 2026, but alongside Jennifer, Melissa seems to be fresh again. The third most popular name given to baby girls born in the '70s, according to the Social Security Administration, literally means "honeybee," which gives it that sweet, nature-inspired root that is so perfectly aligned with today's trends. Plus, it's the name of a 2026 Olivia Rodrigo song! Melissa was one of the names with the most mentions in the r/namenerds discussion thread about names from the '70s and '80s that have begun to resurface. 

For millennials, Melissa Joan Hart, who has undergone a complete transformation, might be one of the first celebs that come to mind when you think of this name, but longtime Gen X rock fans will instantly be taken back to the very first time they heard "Melissa" by The Allman Brothers Band. It's another '70s name that brings a warm wave of nostalgia without feeling tired. Melissa also has so many cute nickname options like Mel, Mellie, and Lissa, making it just as lovingly adaptable as it is charming. 

Many of the names on this list had their fair share of debate before earning their place back in the spotlight by moms who were eager to return to the classics. Our research indicated that among online discussions about baby girl names, the vast majority of names from the '70s carry a distinct generational split, with people weighing nostalgia against feeling dated. However, the name Sabrina, also on the Social Security Administration's '70s list, managed to bypass the hesitation entirely, which alone is quite impressive.

Moms seeking advice on whether or not they should name their daughter Sabrina were met with overwhelming enthusiasm by communities like r/namenerds. An expectant mother asked for feedback on opting for the name Sabrina for her daughter, and there was nothing but positive replies with many moms sharing that their daughters were named Sabrina as well. 

One user replied, "My daughter is a Sabrina! We get so many compliments, especially from the older crowd who think of Audrey Hepburn's movie," and another added, "That's one of my 'if I ever have a baby' names. It does evoke a witchy vibe in my mind, but I love that." Of course, the iconic Sabrina Carpenter, who has had a stunning style transformation, is only adding fuel to the comeback of this beautiful name that means "patience."

According to the Social Security Administration, Jessica fell just outside the top 10 most popular names for girls of the '70s, but it surged straight into the number one spot by the '80s after building massive momentum throughout the decade. Invented by legendary playwright William Shakespeare for "The Merchant of Venice," the name carries a rich and dramatic pedigree that makes it so much more than a retro name. 

From Jessica Lange to Jessica Simpson, iconic stars across generations have given the name Hollywood glam and some serious star power. When an unsure mom-to-be asked whether Jessica seemed fitting for the times, the most liked Reddit reply wrote, "Pretty name, and a breath of fresh air from all the weird and/or misspelled names that seem popular right now." Not everyone may agree, but Jessica has all the elements of an enduring favorite. 

The tie to Shakespeare along with its easily recognizable flow, the name has a unique balance of literary prestige and everyday warmth. It also doesn't hurt that due to the release of "Toy Story 5" in 2026, the name Jessie might just get a fresh boost, which is one of the most common nicknames for anyone named Jessica.