Colonial Boy Names
by Team NameslistPosted on: January 28th, 2023Our ancestors' heritage and traditions captivate us, as we step back in time. One thing that brings us closer to history is naming practices during colonial times. Name selection in colonial America involved influences from religion, mythology, and history. Such names are unique, and each holds a meaningful story.
Choosing a child's name wasn't just about liking the sound of it in colonial times; it reflected personal values, beliefs, and goals. Culture and religion had a significant impact on naming traditions. Many parents opted for names found in religious texts or saints' names, honoring their faith. John, James, and Mary were popular choices back then.
Family tradition was also a huge player in name selection. It was common to name children after grandparents or relatives as a form of respect and keeping family continuity. Additionally, historical events of the era or respected historical figures inspired many parental name choices.
Exploring colonial boy names is an excellent way to understand America's colonial heritage. Ranging from timeless classics like William and Benjamin to more unique choices like Gideon and Ezekiel, each name holds a meaningful story. This list can provide naming inspiration for a newborn, or simply more insight into colonial naming practices. So, let's delve into the captivating colonial boy names and the timeless tales they tell.
- Karl
- Origin: German, French and Scandinavian
- Meaning: Free man, A variation of Charles and Carl's town
- Namesakes: Karl Lagerfeld (Fashion Designer) , Karl Malone (Basketball Player)
- Nathaniel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God has given
- Namesakes: TV Actor, Nathaniel Buzolic, TV Actor, Nathaniel Arcand
- Benjamin
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Son of my right hand
- Namesakes: Inventor, Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Netanyahu (World Leader)
- Kasper
- Origin: Polish, Persian and Spanish
- Meaning: Bringer of treasure and A treasured secret
- Namesakes: Kasper Schmeichel (Soccer Player) , Kasper Dolberg (Soccer Player)
- Demetrius
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Follower of Demeter and Goddess of the harvest
- Namesakes: Demetrius Andrade (Boxer) , Demetrius Flenory Jr. (TV Actor)
- Silas
- Origin: Latin, Greek and Aramaic
- Meaning: Prayed for, Woods and Of the forest
- Namesakes: TV Actor, Silas Weir Mitchell, Movie Actor, Silas Carson
- Ulysses
- Origin: Greek mythology name and Latin
- Meaning: The hateful one, Wrathful and Of Odysseus
- Namesakes: Ulysses Dove (American dancer) , Ulysses Fitzmaurice
- Darren
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Rocky hill and Little great one
- Namesakes: Darren Criss (TV Actor) , Director, Darren Aronofsky
- Sebastianus
- Meaning: August
- Stefan
- Origin: Polish, Scandinavian, German, Greek and Russian
- Meaning: Wreath and Crown
- Namesakes: Swedish, Tennis, Stefan Edberg, Stefan Zweig (Austrian writer)
- Lennox
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: From the field of elm trees and Amid the elms
- Namesakes: Lennox Lewis (Boxer) , Lennox Berkeley (English composer)
- Maximus
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: The greatest
- Namesakes: Maximus (comics)
- Merrick
- Meaning: Ruler of the sea, Fork in the road and Power
- Namesakes: Comedian, Merrick Watts, American judge, Merrick Garland
- Carson
- Origin: Scottish and English
- Meaning: Son of the marsh dwellers and Anointed one
- Namesakes: Carson Daly (TV Show Host) , Football Player, Carson Palmer
- Charleson
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Free man
- Joseph
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: He shall add and Jehovah increases
- Namesakes: Movie Actor, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Joseph Goebbels (Politician)
- Johnathan
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Gift of Jehovah
- Namesakes: Johnathan Thurston (Rugby Player) , TV Actor, Johnathan McClain
- Christopher
- Origin: Greek and Latin
- Meaning: Greek Khristophoros, Bearing Christ and Latin Christopherus
- Namesakes: Christopher Walken (Movie Actor) , Director, Christopher Nolan
- Nathan
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God's gift and Given
- Namesakes: TV Actor, Nathan Fillion, Nathan Kress (TV Actor)
- Abel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Breath
- Namesakes: Director, Abel Ferrara, Soccer Player, Abel Aguilar
- Marco
- Origin: Latin, Portuguese, Italian and Spanish
- Meaning: Warlike, Defender and Warring
- Namesakes: Chef, Marco Pierre White, Soccer Player, Marco Reus
- Oscar
- Origin: Irish and English
- Meaning: Divine spear, Deer-lover and Champion warrior
- Namesakes: Boxer, Oscar de la Hoya, Runner, Oscar Pistorius
- Laurence
- Origin: Latin and English
- Meaning: Laurel crown, From Laurentum and Glorified
- Namesakes: Movie Actor, Laurence Fishburne, Laurence Harvey (Movie Actor)
- Harrison
- Origin: English and British
- Meaning: Army ruler and Son of Harry
- Namesakes: Movie Actor, Harrison Ford, Basketball Player, Harrison Barnes
- Osbert
- Origin: English and British
- Meaning: Inspired, Divinely brilliant and Bright god
- Namesakes: British politician, Osbert Peake, 1st Viscount Ingleby, Natural history, Osbert Salvin
- Corwin
- Origin: Gaelic and English
- Meaning: Heart's friend or companion, Raven and Leather worker
- Namesakes: American actor, Corwin C. Tuggles, Printmaker, Corwin Clairmont
- Nicodemus
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: People's victory
- Namesakes: Nicodemus Tessin the Elder (Swedish architect)
- Abraham
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Father of nations
- Namesakes: Abraham Lincoln (US President) , Pop Singer, Abraham Mateo
- Riordan
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Royal poet and Bard
- Dimitri
- Origin: Russian and Greek
- Meaning: Lover of the earth and Follower of Demeter
- Namesakes: Soccer Player, Dimitri Payet, Dimitri Tiomkin (Composer)
- Hubert
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Shining intellect and Bright
- Namesakes: Hubert De Givenchy (Fashion Designer) , Hubert Laws (Flute Player)
- Kermit
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Freeman and Without envy
- Namesakes: Kermit Gosnell (Criminal) , Kermit Roosevelt (American, Writer)
- Sebastian
- Origin: Latin, Greek, French and Spanish
- Meaning: Revered one and Venerable
- Namesakes: Sebastian Vettel (Race Car Driver) , Sebastian Stan (Movie Actor)
- Elbert
- Origin: English, German and British
- Meaning: Famous, Bright and Noble
- Namesakes: Delaware politician, Elbert N. Carvel, American politician, Elbert Lee Trinkle
- Richard
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Powerful, Dominant ruler and Hardy
- Namesakes: Richard Gere (Movie Actor) , Richard Madden (Movie Actor)
- Garrett
- Origin: Irish and German
- Meaning: Bravery, Strong and Spear strength
- Namesakes: Garrett Hedlund (Movie Actor) , Garrett Morris (Comedian)
- Isaias
- Origin: Hebrew and Latin
- Meaning: Salvation of the Lord
- Namesakes: World Leader, Isaias Afwerki
- Jonathan
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God has given and God's gift
- Namesakes: Jonathan Rhys Meyers (TV Actor) , Stage Actor, Jonathan Groff
- Miles
- Origin: English and Latin
- Meaning: Merciful, Soldier and Servant of Jesus
- Namesakes: Movie Actor, Miles Teller, Miles Heizer (TV Actor)
- Gabriel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God is my strength
- Namesakes: Gabriel Byrne (Movie Actor) , Gabriel Macht (TV Actor)
- Martinez
- Origin: Spanish
- Meaning: WarringSon of Martin
- Valerian
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Health, Strength and Strong
- Namesakes: Valerian Kuybyshev (Soviet politician) , Valerian Zorin (Soviet diplomat)
- Langston
- Origin: British and English
- Meaning: Long stone and A tall man
- Namesakes: Langston Hughes (Poet) , Basketball Player, Langston Galloway
- Merlin
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: The fort by the sea, Falcon and Blackbird
- Namesakes: Merlin Olsen (Football Player) , Merlin Santana (TV Actor)
- Jonas
- Origin: Hebrew and Greek
- Meaning: Dove and Gift of God
- Namesakes: World Leader, Jonas Gahr Støre, Jonas Salk (Virologist)
- Daniel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God is my judge
- Namesakes: Movie Actor, Daniel Radcliffe, Movie Actor, Daniel Craig
- Colin
- Origin: Irish, Greek, Scottish and Gaelic
- Meaning: Whelp, Victorious people and Short form of Nicholas
- Namesakes: Movie Actor, Colin Farrell, Movie Actor, Colin Firth
- Tarquin
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Ruler
- Namesakes: Tarquin Gotch (English, Producer) , Tarquinia
- Reginald
- Origin: English and Latin
- Meaning: Ruler's advisor and Powerful one
- Namesakes: TV Actor, Reginald VelJohnson, Reginald Fessenden (Inventor)
- Stephen
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Garland and Crown
- Namesakes: Stephen King (Novelist) , Stephen Amell (TV Actor)