335+ Colonial Names from the 1700s

Along with Dobbin, Dob was medieval nickname for Robert.

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

An old-timey nickname for Derrick that has since been forgotten.

This Puritan virtue name is unstylish, but sympathetic and appealing, in these largely uncomfortable times.

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

Cuthbert is unlikely to make a comeback anytime soon, so Cuddy too may be lost to history.

Ancient nickname that sounds cuter than its modern alternatives -- but be aware that in the days of the horse and buggy, it was most often used for the horse.

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."

A bit too elephantine for a modern child.

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!

A vintage addition to the Riley/Miley/Wiley/Kylie brigade.

In the Plymouth Colony of the seventeenth century, Thankful was the third most popular of the abstract word names. It disappeared after 1700 and has virtually no chance of returning.

Relief was a name used by the Puritans in reference to the relief of Christ. Leafy was the common nickname.

An old-school nickname for a rare biblical gem. Hetty is a more favorable option.