100 Colonial Baby Names That Were Popular in the 1700s That Deserve More Attention Today

Colonial baby names were used by the colonizers of Early America and in the Georgian Era in England in the 18th century. Most of these appellations, including George and Elizabeth, are still in use today. In fact, the most popular appellations in what would become the United States were John and Mary. But, plenty of names that sound dated to us today that new parents are no longer using. It’s those unique names that we want to explore for this piece.

The Puritans and Pilgrims had a profound impact on 1700s baby names. Many names they chose were found in the Bible and steeped in religious tradition. There were many girls named Sarah, Jane, and Martha, but also Hester, Lavinia, and Mercy. There were countless boys named James, Joseph, and Thomas, but also Amias, Hezekiah, and Philomon. It’s the “forgotten” appellations that we think you will find most interesting and inspiring if you’re searching for a name for your baby. Take a look and prepare to be wowed by these Colonial baby names.

Unique Colonial Baby Names for Girls That Were Popular in the 1700s

Appellations Starting with A

• Abiah – A unisex Biblical name or Hebrew origin, meaning “God is my Father”
• Amity – A classic virtue name of Latin origin, meaning “friendship”
• Aphra – A form of Aphrah, from Hebrew, meaning “dust”
• Aurinda – A name invented in Colonial America, meaning “gold”

Names Starting with C

• Cilla – A diminutive form of Priscilla, from Latin, meaning “ancient”
• Clarinda – A literary invention, an elaboration of Clara, meaning “bright”
• Cleda – A name of Greek origin, meaning “illustrious”
• Comfort – A Puritan virtue name

Appellations Starting with D or E

• Delphia – A name of Greek origin, meaning “womb”
• Donia – A Scottish name and feminine form of Donald, meaning “proud chief”
• Dosia – A name of Greek origin, related to Dorothea, meaning “gift of God”
• Emeline – A French name from the German root that gives us Amelia, meaning “work”

Names Starting with H

• Hatty – An English short form of Harriet, meaning “estate ruler”
• Hester – A Medieval form of Esther, from Persian, meaning “star”
• Hetty – A short form of Henrietta, meaning “estate ruler”
• Honora – A Latin virtue name, meaning “honorable woman”

Appellations Starting With K

• Keturah – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “incense”
• Keziah – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “cassia tree”
• Kitty – Once popular short form of Katherine, meaning “pure”
• Kizzie – A short form of Keziah

Names Starting with L

• Lavinia – A name of Latin origin, meaning “from Lavinium”
• Leonora – An Italian form of Eleanor, meaning unknown
• Lottie – A short form of Charlotte, meaning “free man”
• Lucinda – A Spanish form of Lucia, meaning “light”

Appellations Starting with M

• Mahala – A name found in Native American, Hebrew, and Arabic naming traditions, meaning “tender”
• Mehetabel – A name of Hebrew origin that means “God brings happiness”
• Melvina – A name of Celtic origin, meaning “chief”
• Mercy – A name that has staged a mini-comeback in recent years, Mercy is of English origin and means “compassion”

Names Starting with N or O

• Nettie – A short form of many names, potential for Neta, meaning “plant”
• Neva – A name of Spanish origin, meaning “white snow”
• Nonie – A Colonial-era short form of Joan, meaning “God is gracious”
• Obedience – An unlikely choice for parents today, but this name was all the rage

Appellations Starting with P

• Parthenia – A name of Greek origin, meaning “chaste maiden”
• Patience – An English virtue name
• Phila – A name of Greek origin, meaning “friend” or “lover”
• Prue – A short form of the virtue name Prudence, meaning “caution”

Names Starting with R

• Rebekah – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “to tie”
• Remember – A word name that traveled on the Mayflower
• Relief – A virtue name and reference to the relief of Christ, back in the day, Leafy was the nickname for this one
• Rosanna – A combination of Rose and Anna (Anna comes from a Hebrew root, meaning “grace)

Appellations Starting with S

• Selah – A name of Hebrew origin that’s on the rise today, meaning “praise”
• Sibella – A name of Greek origin, meaning “oracle”
• Sophronia – A name of Greek origin, meaning “sensible”
• Sukey – A diminutive form of Susan, meaning “lily”

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Final Names for Girls

• Temperance – An English virtue name
• Verity – A Latin virtue name, meaning “truth”
• Winnet – An American invention, a short form of Winifred
• Zipporah – A Biblical name of Hebrew origin, meaning “bird”

Unique Colonial Baby Names for Boys That Were Popular in the 1700s

Appellations Starting with A

• Abiel – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “God is my father”
• Absalom – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “father of peace”
• Amias – A name parents are rediscovering today, from Latin, meaning “beloved”
• Amzi – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “strong”

Names Starting with C

• Cager – A short form of Micajah, from Hebrew, meaning “Who is like God?”
• Clement – A name of Latin origin, meaning “merciful”
• Constant – A name of French and Latin origin, meaning “steadfast”
• Cuddy – A diminutive form of Cuthbert, meaning “famous”

Appellations Starting with D or E

• Dirch – An old diminutive form of Derrick, meaning “the people’s ruler”
• Dob – A Medieval short form of Robert, meaning “bright fame”
• Elbridge – A name of English origin, meaning “old bridge”
• Eleazar – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “God helps”

Appellations Starting with E Continued

• Eliab – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “God is father”
• Eliakim – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “God will rise up”
• Elisha – A unisex name of Hebrew origin, meaning “God is my Salvation”
• Experience – A unisex Puritan word name

Names Starting with H

• Hannibal – An ancient name of Punic and Assyrian origin, meaning “grace of Baal”
• Hiley – A diminutive form of Hiram, from Hebrew, meaning “brother of the exalted one”
• Homer – A storied name of Greek origin, meaning “pledge”
• Hosea – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “salvation”

Appellations Starting with I or J

• Increase – A Puritan virtue name
• Isham – A name of English origin, meaning “from the Iron One’s estate”
• Jehu – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “God is he”
• Jothan – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “God is upright”

Names Starting with K or L

• Kiah – A short form of Hezekiah, from Hebrew, meaning “God gives strength”
• Lazar – A short form of Lazarus, from Hebrew, meaning “God is my helper”
• Lemuel – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “devoted to God”
• Lige – A diminutive form of Elijah, from Hebrew, meaning “Yahweh is God”

Appellations Starting with M or N

• Ned – An English short form of Edward, meaning “wealthy protector”
• Micajah – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “who is like God?”
• Nehemiah – A Biblical name of Hebrew origin, meaning “comforted by God”
• Newton – A name of English origin, meaning “new town”

Names Starting with O or P

• Obediah – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “servant of God”
• Philomon – A name of Greek origin, meaning “affection”
• Phineas – An English name from Hebrew and Egyptian, meaning “the Nubian”
• Prosperity – An English virtue name for both boys and girls, meaning “flourishing”

Appellations Starting with Q or R

• Quill – A name of Irish origin, a form of Quillan or Quiller, meaning “cub”
• Reason – A unisex Puritan virtue name
• Riah – A diminutive form of Zacariah, from Hebrew, meaning “The Lord has remembered”
• Rufus – A name of Latin origin, meaning “redhead”

Names Starting with S and T

• Salmon – A word name that indeed refers to the fish
• Thaddeus – A name of Aramaic origin, unknown meaning
• Theophilus – A name of Greek origin, meaning “friend of God”
• Truth – A virtue name that works for both boys and girls

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Final Appellations for Boys

• Virgil – A name of Latin origin, meaning “bearer of the staff”
• Wiley – A Scottish form of William or an English name meaning “resolute protector” or “from Wylye”
• Zebulon – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “exaltation” or “little dwelling”
• Zophar – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “to leap”

Clearly, the appellations chosen in the 1700s were similar and very different compared to today. While many of the names are still popular and in use, many have fallen to the wayside. Many are ripe for the picking today. Give one of these Colonial baby names a shot, and you won’t regret it.