Riveris's list "Oregon Trail era names - boys" of 20 great name ideas: Tillotson - Zavitz!

Oregon Trail era names - boys

Found from some baptism records from around this time.  For if you're playing oregon trail and need names for some reason.

Tillotson

Tisdale

Torquel

Trafton

Umphrey

Valerius is an ancient Roman family name turned first name. While Valerius is more familiar as its derivatives Valerie and Valerian, the rise of Roman names ending in S for boys may inspire a revival of this strong choice.

Valerius

Volney

Lincoln, Tyler, Taylor, Jackson, Jefferson, Harrison, McKinley, Grant, Kennedy, Carter -- yes. Washington -- probably not. 

Washington

Wealthy was used for girls in the late 19th and early 20th century, with a meaning that implied a wealth of blessings. Today, it's difficult to see Wealthy and not think cash, but luckily <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/661/rich-names-that-mean-wealth">names that mean wealth</a> are currently en vogue. We see it as a new unisex possibility that's likely to reemerge on the charts.

Wealthy

Wilfrid is a distinguished masculine name of Anglo-Saxon origin, combining the elements "will" (determination or desire) and "frid" (peace), creating the meaningful combination "desires peace" or "peaceful resolution." This traditional name was borne by several saints and bishops in medieval England, contributing to its historical significance. 

While more common in Britain than America, Wilfrid has maintained a steady if modest presence throughout the centuries. The name carries an air of dignity and scholarly refinement, evoking images of wisdom and contemplation. 

Various spelling variations exist, including Wilfred and Wilfried, but this version preserves its Old English roots most authentically. Parents choosing Wilfrid often appreciate its historical depth, gentle strength, and the friendly nickname options like Will or Fred.

Wilfrid

Energetic Willoughby is a familiar last name, but, as yet, makes for a unique choice in the first spot. An unexpected way to get to popular short forms Will and Billy, Willoughby could make an interesting alternative to William.
 
Despite its similarities to the popular classic, Willoughby has a different meaning and origin to the Germanic William. Derived from Old English and Old Norse, it means "farm near the willows" or perhaps "willow town" if you interpret the second element of the name as meaning "settlement". Outdoorsy and nature-connected, Willoughby may appeal to those who like Barnaby and Zebedee. 
 Willoughby Patterne is the protagonist of the George Meredith novel, The Egotist, while Willoughby Sharp was a contemporary artist, curator, critic and founder of the seminal art magazine, Avalanche. There is a classic 1962 British children's novel titled The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken that was made into a film in 1989.
 
The name was also selected by British reality TV star, Lucy Watson, for her son born in 2023.

Willoughby

Wilmot has the sort of old-school bookish charm of other surname-sounding names like Beckett, Everett, Griffith and Weston. This could be a good choice for families wanting to honor that special William in a creative way, 

Wilmot

Wentworth

Wiltis

Zacheus is a masculine name with ancient biblical roots, being a variant spelling of Zacchaeus, who appears in the New Testament as a tax collector who encountered Jesus. The name derives from Hebrew, meaning 'pure' or 'innocent.' This spelling variation maintains the historical and religious connections while slightly simplifying the traditional form. Zacheus offers parents a way to honor biblical tradition while using a somewhat less common variant than the popular Zachary, which shares the same Hebrew root. Though never widely used, Zacheus has maintained consistent, if minimal, usage throughout history, particularly in religious communities. The name carries connotations of spiritual transformation and redemption based on its biblical associations.

Zacheus

Zenas is a masculine name with ancient Greek origins, appearing in the New Testament as a Christian convert mentioned by Paul. The name derives from Zeus, the supreme deity in Greek mythology, essentially meaning 'gift of Zeus' or 'living from Zeus.' Despite its biblical presence, Zenas has remained quite rare throughout history. It carries a distinctive combination of religious significance and classical Greek heritage. The name has a strong, masculine quality with its decisive 'Z' beginning and 's' ending, creating a symmetrical sound. While uncommon, Zenas might appeal to parents seeking a name with historical depth, biblical connections, and a distinctive sound that stands out from more conventional choices while still being relatively straightforward to pronounce.

Zenas

Zenos is a masculine name with Greek origins, derived from the word 'xenos' meaning 'stranger' or 'foreigner.' It shares roots with the more common Zenon or Zeno, names associated with ancient Greek philosophers. In the Bible, Zenos appears as an ancient prophet mentioned in the Book of Mormon, giving the name religious significance for some communities. While relatively uncommon in modern usage, Zenos offers a distinctive alternative to more popular Z-names like Zane or Zachary. The name carries connotations of wisdom, uniqueness, and an exotic quality that appeals to parents seeking something rare yet historically grounded.

Zenos

The Biblical Zerah is etymologically related to such names as Zora, which also means dawn.  While the vowel sound at the end of the name does not sound as feminine to our modern ear as it once did, thanks to such popular choices as Noah and Joshua, but the downside of Zerah is that it is quite similar to such girls' names as Zara and Sarah.  