​
​
Advanced Search

Colonial Names from the 1700s

Pamela Redmond
By Pamela Redmond
Updated Sun May 04 2025
Colonial Names from the 1700s

Colonial names from the 1700s are the names that were used in Early America and Georgian England. These 18th century names range from classic names still used widely today, such as George and Elizabeth, and unique names as antiquated as the Colonial flag.

1700s names in general are in the spotlight again thanks to television's Bridgerton. 18th century names popular again due to Bridgerton include Daphne, Eloise, Penelope, Benedict, Henry, and Colin.

Names popular in 18th century America and England are names that would not be out of place in the 21st century world. John and Mary were the Number 1 baby names in the 1700s....and in the 1800s and much of the 1900s too.

Other top 1700s girl names include Sarah, Jane, Martha, Alice, and Susan. Top 1700s boy names include Thomas, James, Joseph, and Henry.

Unique 18th century names for girls include Hester, Mercy, Lavinia, Sophronia, and Theodosia. Unique Colonial names for boys include Amias, Hezekiah, Nehemiah, and Philomon.

Pilgrim names had their heyday in the 18th century. Names from the 1700s that were Pilgrim virtue names include Reason, Prosperity, Increase, and Experience, along with the more familiar Faith, Hope, and Charity.

Here is our full collection of Colonial Names from the 1700s, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.

RELATED:

Colonial Names for Girls

Colonial Names for Boys

  1. Amias

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "loved"

    • Description:

      Amias or Amyas is a unique name with an attractive sound and feel and a lovely meaning. Though it might sound like a Biblical name, it is not, but is a surname that may be related to Amadeus or even be a male version of Amy--which would make it one of the few boys' names to be derived from a girls'.
  2. Phoebe

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "radiant, shining one"

    • Description:

      Bubbly, bright, and versatile, Phoebe is a name with mythological, biblical, and literary ties. Used since the 17th century, it fell out of fashion in the US during the '60s, only to be revived after it appeared in the 90's TV favorite, Friends.
  3. Eleanor

    • Origin:

      English variation of French Provencal Alienor, meaning unknown

    • Description:

      Eleanor's straightforward feminine image combined with its royal medieval history is striking just the right note for parents in search of a girls' name that combines substance and style.
  4. August

    • Origin:

      German form of Latin Augustus

    • Meaning:

      "great, magnificent"

    • Description:

      The name August is at its highest point since the 1890s, when it ranked among the Top 100 boy names in the US – and deservedly so. With its great meaning, historic roots, and cool nicknames, 2024 saw August officially re-enter the Top 100.
  5. Oliver

    • Origin:

      Germanic, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "elf army; ancestor's relic; olive tree"

    • Description:

      Oliver is an international star, ranking near the top of the charts throughout the English-speaking world and in a host of European and Latin American countries, from Norway to Chile, Slovenia to Switzerland. Why? Because Oliver is energetic and good-natured, stylish but classic, with a meaning symbolizing peace and fruitfulness.
  6. Henry

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "estate ruler"

    • Description:

      Henry is well and truly back in style. The classic returned to the Top 10 in the US in 2021 for the first time in over a century, and as of 2024, sits at Number 6. Like James and Theodore, Henry is a strong, traditional name that also manages to feel stylish and gentle.
  7. Lucy

    • Origin:

      English variation of Lucia, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "light"

    • Description:

      A versatile classic, Lucy is both sweet and solid, a saint's name, and the heroine of several great novels. First fashionable in England and Wales, Lucy is now a popular choice in the US, The Netherlands, and New Zealand.
  8. Caroline

    • Origin:

      French, feminine variation of Charles

    • Meaning:

      "free man"

    • Description:

      Caroline is a perennial classic, one of the elite group of girls' names that's ALWAYS ranked among the Top 1000 and that's been in the Top 100 since 1994. Elegant yet strong, Caroline calls to mind the Kennedy Camelot years and Princess Caroline of Monaco.
  9. Alice

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "noble"

    • Description:

      Alice is a classic literary name that's both strong and sweet, ranking in the US Top 100 and popular throughout the Western world. Alice is derived from the Old French name Aalis, a diminutive of Adelais that itself came from the Germanic name Adalhaidis, which is composed of the Proto-Germanic elements aþala, meaning "noble," and haidu, "kind, appearance, type."
  10. Phineas

    • Origin:

      English, Egyptian

    • Meaning:

      "the Nubian"

    • Description:

      Phineas is the English variation of Phinehas, a Hebrew name likely derived from the Egyptian name Pa-nehasi. Pa-nehasi, meaning "the Nubian" can also be translated as "the bronze-colored one." The Egyptians distinguished themselves from their Nubian neighbors through differences in skin tone.
  11. Jude

    • Origin:

      Latin diminutive of Judah, Hebrew, Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "praised; to be generous, to be good to others"

    • Description:

      Jude is a modern star, maintaining a steady level of popularity -- but not TOO much popularity, in the US at least. Thank Jude Law and the great Lennon-McCartney song "Hey Jude", double-handedly responsible for propelling Jude up the charts.
  12. Penelope

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "weaver"

    • Description:

      Penelope is an unlikely 21st century baby name success story. Off the Top 1000 for 25 years, Penelope jumped back on in 2001 and has been heading uphill ever since, propelled by the trend for mythological names, Spanish actress Penelope Cruz, and some high-profile celebrity babies.
  13. Amelia

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "work"

    • Description:

      Amelia is one of the hottest girls' names, a successor to the megapopular Emma and Emily. Amelia, the Number 2 choice in England, is now also comfortably ensconced in the US Top 10, where it ranked as the third most popular name for girls in 2024.
  14. William

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection"

    • Description:

      William is one of the most enduring of classic names for boys. It's also among the most popular boys' names, as American parents see it as being ideally conservative yet contemporary, and hands-down the most popular baby name beginning with W of all time.
  15. Charlotte

    • Origin:

      French, feminine diminutive of Charles

    • Meaning:

      "free man"

    • Description:

      Charlotte, the name of the young Princess of Cambridge, is the latest classic name to join Sophia, Emma, Olivia, and Isabella at the top of the popularity list. It is now among the most popular girl names in many English-speaking and European countries.
  16. Jane

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      Simple, classic, strong, and versatile, Jane has shrugged off her plain associations to become a short, punchy name with plenty of literary significance. Calling to mind Jane Austen and Jane Eyre, this charming choice is in the Top 300 in the US and The Netherlands, but a currently underused option elsewhere.
  17. Mabel

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Amabel, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "lovable"

    • Description:

      Mabel is cuddly Victorian favorite rising in popularity in the US, after a 50-year nap If you love offbeat old-fashioned names like Violet or Josephine, only sassier and bubblier, Mabel is one for you to consider. It is currently in the US Top 200 and the UK Top 50.
  18. Hannah

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "grace"

    • Description:

      Hannah is one of the nation's top biblical girls' names — it surpassed Sarah in 1998, and ranks in the Top 100 along with Elizabeth, Abigail, Chloe, and Naomi. Hannah is a name with many sources of appeal: Old Testament roots, soft and gentle sound, and a homey yet aristocratic image.
  19. Genevieve

    • Origin:

      English from French

    • Meaning:

      "tribe woman"

    • Description:

      Genevieve is derived from the Germanic medieval name Genovefa, or Kenowefa, which consists of the elements kuni, meaning "kin", and wefa, meaning "woman." The medieval saint Genevieve, patroness of Paris, defended the city against Attila the Hun through her rational thinking, courage and prayer.
  20. Elizabeth

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      Elizabeth is one of the most popular girls' names of all time, the female equivalent of James or William. Yet Elizabeth has so much going for it—rich history, broad appeal, and timeless style—that no matter how many little girls are named Lizzie, Eliza, and Beth, you can still make Elizabeth your own.