Historic and Vintage Names · Classic Baby Names
Colonial Names from the 1700s
Across 17 pages
of 17
Winsome
English
"agreeable, lighthearted"
A sweet, modern descriptive name, with a wholesome and winning feel, Winsome means "appealing, fresh, simple, innocent" or "cheerful and lighthearted." Some may find it a little too cutesy, but with…
Abe
Diminutive of Abraham. Hebrew
"father of multitudes"
Old-time nickname that's following in the fashionable footsteps of cronies Jake and Sam. Abe feels both fresher and cuter -- which is maybe the same thing? -- than those choices right now. You can…
Zipporah
Variation of Tziporah, Hebrew
"bird"
There are many variations of this name, with or without the initial T and the final h, with one p or two. In the Bible she was the wife of Moses.
Abiel
Hebrew
"God is my father"
Abiel is a biblical name (he was the grandfather of Saul) that was used by Puritans, particularly in Massachusetts, so it has a long pedigree. Parents are increasingly looking for underused…
Abijah
Hebrew
"God is my father"
Abijah is a truly unusual, truly unisex, truly appealing biblical name. There were several male Abijahs in the Bible, one of them, known as Abijah of Judah, was the fourth king of the House of David,…
Abimael
Hebrew
"my father is God"
Colonial Americans used many Biblical names forgotten by modern baby namers; this is an Old Testament descendant of Shem. If Moses and Noah can come back, why not Abimael and brethren?
Absalom
Hebrew
"father of peace"
Absalom, because of its biblical and literary associations, just might appeal to the daring namegiver. In the Old Testament, Absalom was the handsome, favored but rebellious son of King David. In…
Adonijah
Hebrew, 'my lord is Yahweh"
Adonijah was one of King David's sons in the Old Testament; this name (the accent is on the "ni" syllable) is waiting to be rediscovered.
Amiel
Hebrew
"God is with my people"
Amiel is a biblical name with lots of connections to those with a creative spirit, including director Jon Amiel, French pop singer Thierry Amiel, and medieval troubadour Gaubert Amiel. Ami (which…
Ammiras
Arabic
"commander"
Related to Amir and Amira, an antiquated name that holds some modern appeal.
Amzi
Hebrew
"strong"
The name of several minor Biblical characters, Amzi seems streamlined and modern and has the potential to catch on. Meaning "strong", it may appeal to parents who enjoy Azariah, Aziel, and Amias.…
Aquilla
Latin
"eagle"
Aquilla appears in the New Testament. The name carries powerful symbolism through its association with eagles, conveying qualities of strength, vision, and nobility. Despite its classical origins,…
Archibald
Scottish from German
"truly brave"
The short form Archie is so open and friendly --and very trendy in the British Isles--that some parents are now beginning to consider the formerly fusty Archibald as well. SNL comedians Amy Poehler…
Asahel
Hebrew
"created by God"
A biblical character who was one of David's most valiant warriors and was known for being fast. But in the modern English-speaking world, this name may be too close to an insulting anatomical word.
Balthasar
Greek
"God protects the king"
Balthasar was one of the biblical Three Kings who visited the infant Jesus, also used by Shakespeare and in the oil-rich Getty family; offbeat and intriguing. Balthazar is another, equally…
Barnabas
Aramaic
"son of consolation"
Barnabas, whose birth name was Joseph, was one of the earliest Christian disciples in Jerusalem, who undertook missionary journeys with Paul the Apostle, His name is a bit Old World compared to the…
Bart
Diminutive of Bartholomew, Hebrew
"son of the earth"
Permanent property of that devilish little Simpson kid.
Bartholomew
Aramaic
"son of the furrow"
Bartholomew is an apostle's name that's been out of favor for centuries but might appeal again to the parent in search of an old but rare choice. The challenge could be to avoid the Simpson-ish…
Bazel
Slavic variation of Basil
"regal"
Gives a good boy name a bad boy feel.
Benajah
Hebrew
"God has built"
Benajah, the name of several minor Old Testament figures, is also written as Benaiah. Benajah might make a great Benjamin update or name for the son of a builder or architect.