18th Century Names

By morley · Updated July 2020

Names20

Total Names20

Single page list

About this list

A collection of names that I find cool or interesting from North America in the 1700s.

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Classic Baby Names Historic and Vintage Names

The names

Showing 1–20 of 20

Oliver
Germanic, Latin
"elf army; ancestor's relic; olive tree"
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…
Eleanor
English variation of French Provencal Alienor, meaning unknown
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. Big plus:…
Lucy
English variation of Lucia, Latin
"light"
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…
Abigail
Hebrew
"my father is joyful"
Abigail has been in for so long -- the name has ranked in the US Top 100 since the late 1980s -- it's amazing that it isn't more out by now. But Abigail's biblical and historic roots make it a…
Catalina
Spanish variation of Catherine
"pure"
This name of a touristed island in sight of Los Angeles makes an attractive and newly stylish variation on the classic Catherine or overused Caitlin. Santa Catalina of Siena was, along with Saint…
Eliza
Hebrew
"pledged to God"
Eliza is a name with a wonderful combination of streamlined zest and Eliza Doolittle charm and spunk. It's a classic that's popular right now -- but not too popular. Eliza has not been in the Top 100…
Jasper
Persian
"bringer of treasure"
Jasper originated as a variation of the Latin Gaspar, which ultimately derived from the Persian word ganzabara , meaning "bringer of treasure." As a given name, Jasper’s etymology is unrelated to…
Eva
Latin form of Eve, Hebrew
"life"
Eva is a simple, classic Hebrew name for girls that recently slipped out of the US Top 100 for the first time in more than a decade. Pronounced either like her more popular sister Ava or less popular…
Helena
Latinate form of Helen, Greek
"torch; shining light"
Helena is one of those classic names that just misses making the US Top 1000 girl names for its entire history, falling off for a single year in 1992. Since then it's been drifting lazily up the…
Angelica
Italian, Polish, Russian diminutive of Angela
"angel or angelic"
Angelica is by far the choicest form of the angelic names -- more delicate than Angelina, more feminine than Angel, more modern than Angela. But though Angelica is so lacy and poetic, it lags behind…
Ambrose
Latin
"immortal"
Gentle but grandiose and beloved by British novelists including Evelyn Waugh and P. G. Wodehouse, Ambrose was a fast rising name in 2022. Entering the UK Top 1000 for the first time and proving…
Benedict
Latin
"blessed"
Parents who like Ben and Benjamin but find those forms too popular sometimes consider Benedict as a more distinctive choice. Unlike the Old Testament Benjamin, Benedict is the name of the saint who…
Jeremias
German, Portuguese and Finnish variation of Jeremiah, Hebrew
"appointed by God"
This international variant of the popular Jeremiah refreshes the Old Testament name by lending it the stylish -s ending of Silas, Ozias, and Amias. Popular in Czechia and Puerto Rico, Jeremias…
Harriet
English variation of French Henriette
"estate ruler"
Harriet has long been considered a stylish, upscale name in England, but it's still waiting to be revived in the US—though some parents seeking a solid, serious semi-classic are beginning to consider…
Cornelius
Latin
"horn"
Cornelius, the New Testament name of a third century Pope and saint, is one of those venerable Latin names on the edge of consideration, despite the corny nickname alert. Cornelius has some magical…
Hendrick
Variation of Hendrik, Dutch and Scandinavian
"estate ruler"
Unless you're a gin aficionado, we prefer Hendrik. Or better yet, Henrik.
Adelia
Variation of Adela, German
"noble, nobility"
The super-success of Adele, both the singer and the name, has brought attention to all her cousins — Adela, Adeline, Adelina — and the lovely Adelia. An undiscovered gem just waiting to be…
Cornelia
Feminine variation of Cornelius, Latin
"horn"
In ancient Rome, Cornelia was considered the paragon of womanly virtue, making it a handsome name with an excellent pedigree. It's rare today, so if you want a name no one else is using, somewhat…
Hercules
Greek
"glory of Hera"
Any boy with this name, a synonym for power via the Greek mythology figure, better be strong of body, and of psyche.
Catharina
Catharina is a feminine name with deep European roots, particularly common in Germanic, Scandinavian, and Dutch-speaking regions. It derives from the Greek name Aikaterine, later Latinized to…

18th Century Names

About this list

The names

Oliver

Eleanor

Lucy

Abigail

Catalina

Eliza

Jasper

Eva

Helena

Angelica

Ambrose

Benedict

Jeremias

Harriet

Cornelius

Hendrick

Adelia

Cornelia

Hercules

Catharina