Colonial Names for Girls

  1. Abitha
    • Origin:

      Variation of Tabitha
    • Meaning:

      "gazelle"
    • Description:

      If Abigail's too popular and Tabitha is too...."Bewitched."
  2. Antionette
    • Origin:

      Variation of Antoinette, French feminine form of Anthony, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "from Antium"
    • Description:

      There may be some parents who deliberately transpose the i and the o in this name, pronouncing it an-tee-oh-net. And then there are those parents who are just spelling Antoinette differently.
  3. Hepzibah
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "my delight is in her"
    • Description:

      This is a streamlined spelling of the biblical Hephzibah. Hephzibah is an Old Testament name that came into use in the 17th century, but is not often used today. It does have less formal nicknames Eppie and Hepsie, which seem revivable. Hephzibah "Eppie" Cass/Marner is the heroine of George Eliot's novel Silas Marner and Hepzibah Smith is a witch in the Harry Potter series.
  4. Delphia
    • Origin:

      Variation of Delphi, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "of Delphi, 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.
  5. Mehetabel
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God makes happy"
    • Description:

      A name mentioned in the Old Testament as the wife of a king of Edom. A curious blend of clunky biblical style, and a "bel" ending that mirrors the feminine sound of names like Isabel and Annabel. Hettie and Belle / Bella are nickname possibilities.
  6. Philadelphia
    • Origin:

      Greek place-name
    • Meaning:

      "brotherly love"
    • Description:

      Place-name mentioned in the New Testament and not yet on the name map. Philadelphia Thursday was the character played by Shirley Temple in John Ford's 1948 "Fort Apache."
  7. Fronie
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Sophronia, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "sensible, prudent"
    • Description:

      These days Sophie would be the most likely nickname for Sophronia, but back in Colonial times, Fronie was a common diminutive.
  8. Hecuba
    • Origin:

      Greek literary name
    • Description:

      Queen Hecuba was the legendary queen of King Priam of Troy, mother of Hector, Paris, Cassandra and others. Euripedes' tragedy Hecuba depicts Hecuba's grief over the death of her daughter Polyxena, and the revenge she takes for the murder of her youngest son Polydorus.
  9. Clarinda
    • Origin:

      Literary elaboration of Clara
    • Meaning:

      "bright, clear"
    • Description:

      A poetic name first used in Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene" in 1596, it had a literary vogue in the 18th century, especially favored by Robert Burns. "inda" names--Melinda, Belinda, Linda" are not particularly in right now.
  10. Donia
    • Origin:

      Scottish, feminine variation of Donald
    • Meaning:

      "proud chief"
    • Description:

      Donia is a name with many possible origins. Besides a short female form of Donald, it may also be a form of the Italian Donna meaning lady, a variation on the Arabic Donya meaning world, or a Celtic name of the Don family, which all have meanings related to dark or darkness.
  11. Dosia
    • Origin:

      Short form of Theodosia, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "giving to God"
    • Description:

      Dosia is rare but not foreign, especially since the antiquated name Theodosia was highlighted in the play Hamilton.
  12. Comfort
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "comfort"
    • Description:

      This Puritan virtue name may be unstylish, but it is also sympathetic and appealing in these largely uncomfortable times.
  13. 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.
  14. Tace
    • Origin:

      Short form of Tacita, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "silence"
    • Description:

      Tace is a cute, cool short form of the rather august-sounding Tacita.
  15. Relief
    • Origin:

      Virtue name
    • Meaning:

      "relief"
    • Description:

      Relief was a name used by the Puritans in reference to the relief of Christ. Leafy was the common nickname.
  16. Patty
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Patricia
    • Meaning:

      "patrician"
    • Description:

      Replaced Patsy as the midcentury's popular, peppy babysitter.
  17. Azuba
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "forsaken"
    • Description:

      Azuba is a form of Azubah, the Old Testament wife of Caleb. The name was used among early African-Americans.
  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. 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.
  20. Betsey
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      This playful variation of Elizabeth became popular in its own right during the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in England and America. Betsey offers a sweet, vintage quality with a touch of whimsy that distinguishes it from more formal versions like Elizabeth or even Betsy. While its popularity has declined since its peak, it maintains appeal for parents seeking a name with historical charm and nostalgic value. The name received renewed attention through American fashion designer Betsey Johnson, known for her playful and eccentric designs.

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