335+ Colonial Names from the 1700s

A sweet (literally) and rare nickname for Charlotte. Lollie would also work as a short form of other names with a strong L sound, such as Elizabeth, Lauren, Lola, Lorelei, and Louisa.

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?

In the 18th century, Tiah was seen as a nickname for the biblical name Azariah. Nowadays it's used a variation of the feminine names Thea and Tia.

Little-used name borne by several biblical figures including a king. It would make an unexpected way to get the nickname Eli - or Kim.

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.

Prince of the tribe of Zebulon in the Exodus, everyone will misunderstand this as Elias, with a stuffed nose.

Young rocker Tennessee Thomas has brought this former one-person name over to the girls' side -- though the census roles of North Carolina in 1850 included a female named Tennessee and called Tincy.

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.

Also written as Philemon, this New Testament character was a recipient of Paul's epistles.

Along with Shem and Japheth, a son of Noah with a name that's almost never used -- for more obvious reasons than those of his brothers.

An Early American name undoubtedly related to the Greek mythological name Electra, the version we prefer.

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.

A New Testament tax collector was called Zaccheus, the freshest spin on this biblical favorite.

Greek name found in the New Testament makes for one of the unique baby names still undiscovered from the Bible.

Zophar is a friend of Job in the Bible, the most impassioned of the three who visit him during his trials.

Elbridge is an uncommon last name used as first. It sounds rather forbidding, but Bridge would be a cute, modern nickname.

Feline nickname for Tabitha — a bewitching vintage choice.

Long forgotten Old Testament name with modern potential.

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

Back in the day, Con was a nickname for Cornelius and Conrad. Today it feels like a pet form of Connor.