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Colonial Names for Girls

  1. Mellie

    • Origin:

      Short form of Melissa, Amelia, Melanie and related names

    • Description:

      Mellie is not Millie and it's not Nellie, though it will forever be confused with those too more familiar nicknames. It's cute, too, and while some of the names it's usually short for may be sailing into the sunset (so long, Melody!), others like Amelia are rising through the ranks and may give Mellie a new chance to shine as a cute girls' nickname. Just be prepared for endless confusion.
  2. Winnet

    • Origin:

      American diminutive of Winifred, Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "blessed peacemaking"

    • Description:

      Winnet is a long-forgotten nickname for Winifred that was used in the US in the 18th and 19th centuries. These days, it's more often found in South Africa.
  3. Patty

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Patricia

    • Meaning:

      "patrician"

    • Description:

      Replaced Patsy as the midcentury's popular, peppy babysitter.
  4. Silence

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      The Puritans used it as a virtue name -- but today it would just be considered weird: silence is no longer golden.
  5. Melvina

    • Origin:

      Celtic

    • Meaning:

      "chieftain"

    • Description:

      Melvina ranked in the Top 1000 for over 65 years in the US, coinciding to a large extent with the years its much more popular masculine counterpart Melvin ranked in the Top 100. Today, Melvin is still hanging on in the Top 1000 for boys, but Melvina hasn't been given to more than 20 babies in a year since 1991.
  6. Sibella

    • Description:

      Sibella is a feminine name of Latin origin derived from Sibyl or Sibylla, referring to female prophets or oracles in ancient Greek and Roman culture. The name carries an air of mysticism and ancient wisdom, while its melodic quality gives it an elegant, sophisticated sound. Sibella was occasionally used during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, particularly among nobility, though it has always remained uncommon. The name experienced brief periods of minor popularity in the 19th century but remains rare today. Its classical roots combined with its lyrical sound appeal to parents seeking a name with historical depth that maintains a distinctive quality. A child named Sibella would likely appreciate having a name that is recognizable but seldom encountered.

  7. Kizzie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Keziah, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "cassia tree"

    • Description:

      Kizzy remains the most popular spelling of the Keziah short form, at least in some part thanks to its appearance in the 1977 television show Roots.
  8. Abiah

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God is my father"

    • Description:

      Abiah is a Biblical name that appears for both female and male figures. It may be considered the same as the name Abijah in the Bible; one female Abijah was a queen and ancestor of Christ. Abiah may also be considered a relative of the Arabic name Abia. However you spell or pronounce it -- a - BY -a or a - BEE - a -- this name can be an original way to the nickname Abi.
  9. Aurinda

    • Origin:

      American invented name

    • Meaning:

      "gold"

    • Description:

      The Early Americans invented names too, sometimes variations of classical or biblical favorites. This one appears in Colonial rosters; the Aur beginning is Latin and means "gold."
  10. Gussie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Augusta, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "great, magnificent"

    • Description:

      Gussie fits the growing trend of boyish nicknames for girls - alongside Charlie and Frankie. But Gussie is a bit fussy — try Gus.
  11. Sukey

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Susan

    • Description:

      Eighteenth-century nickname that still appears occasionally as an alternative to Suzy.
  12. Abitha

    • Origin:

      Variation of Tabitha

    • Meaning:

      "gazelle"

    • Description:

      If Abigail's too popular and Tabitha is too...."Bewitched."
  13. Delphia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "the womb"

    • Description:

      Feminization of the Greek place name Delphi (of oracle fame), Delphia could also be used as a nod to American city Philadelphia. Delphine and Delphinia are similar names.
  14. Keturah

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "incense"

    • Description:

      Keturah, the Old Testament name of Abraham's second wife, is a possibility for anyone seeking a truly unusual and interesting biblical name; certainly a lot more distinctive than that of Abraham's first wife, Sarah.
  15. Antionette

    • Description:

      Antionette is a variation of Antoinette, the feminine diminutive form of Antoine, which is the French version of Anthony. The name ultimately derives from the Roman family name Antonius, possibly meaning 'priceless' or 'praiseworthy.' This spelling variant with 'ion' instead of 'oin' gives the name a slightly more modern and distinctive look while maintaining its elegant French character. Most famously associated with Marie Antoinette, the last Queen of France before the Revolution, the name carries an air of aristocratic refinement. Though less common than the traditional spelling, Antionette remains an appealing choice for parents drawn to classic feminine names with a slight twist.
  16. Experience

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Experience was used by the Puritans but probably too joke-worthy for a modern child...or teenager.
  17. Biddy

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "strength or exalted one"

    • Description:

      A once very common Irish diminutive of Bridget that has unfortunately been associated since the 18th century with a pejorative slang term for an old or fussy woman.
  18. Hatty

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Harriet

    • Meaning:

      "estate ruler"

    • Description:

      Hatty is an old school nickname for Harriet, itself an old-fashioned choice. The more usual spelling historically is Hattie, with was given to more than 750 baby girls last year in the US, three times as many as were named Harriet. Hatty, by contrast, was used for fewer than five babies -- quite a contrast!
  19. Obedience

    • Origin:

      Virtue name

    • Description:

      It may have been used by the Puritans, but any modern child would chafe under this name.
  20. Bethia

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "daughter of Jehovah"

    • Description:

      Long forgotten Old Testament name with modern potential.