Colonial Names for Boys | 1700s Names

These days Finney is most likely a pet form of Finn, but it was once a standard nickname for the biblical Phineas.

A biblical character who was one of David's most valiant warriors and was known for being fast. But in the modern English-speaking world, this name may be too close to an insulting anatomical word.

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

Seems destined to be the preferred short form of this old French name, with its brief, modern, word name feel.

Sounds a bit like a nickname in a Dickens novel, but this short form was used in New England a few centuries ago, back when names like Micajah were popular. Both short and long forms are now ripe for revival.

Whether it's an Asian surname-name or short for Channing, has a sound and feel that's both simple and stand-out.

A rare Old Testament name that, although short, is resoundingly biblical. It belonged to name the tenth king of Israel, who seized power violently and reigned from about 841 to 814 BCE.

Adonijah was one of King David's sons in the Old Testament; this name (the accent is on the "ni" syllable) is waiting to be rediscovered.

A noble surname from northern England that has occasionally been used as a first name.

Abijah is a truly unusual, truly unisex, truly appealing biblical name. There were several male Abijahs in the Bible, one of them, known as Abijah of Judah, was the fourth king of the House of David, and also a couple of females.

A traditional French male name that could, with American pronunciation, become an admirable word name.

The Biblical Abijah might be temporarily lost to time, but this antiquated short form could move with it into the modern era.

Experience is a word name used by the New England Puritans but probably too joke-worthy for a modern child...or teenager. It does not have as direct a biblical reference as most Puritan names.

With Lazarus heating up, this slimmer Eastern European form will likely see an uptick in use.

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

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

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?

One Puritan virtue name unlikely to thrive in the 21st century.

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.