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When the first settlers arrived in what is now the United States, they brought their own culture -- and names -- with them. As the pioneers spread westward through the country, this evolved into a culture all its own, one of hardship and pride, of heavy work and reward and of home and hearth. Many of the names of the early American pilgirms, pioneers and settlers are classic and traditional names still in use today, while others are truly unique. We've gathered the top early American baby names for you -- check them out!
 American Names from the 1600s
The Mayflower, that legendary ship so important to American history, left England in September of 1620. Half of its 102 passengers were separatists escaping religious persecution in England. The arrived on the hook of cape Cod in November.
It was a difficult voyage -- one baby was born and given the appropriate name Oceanus, and one person died. There was even more hardship upon their arrival as the winter was harsh and disease ran rampant.
Biblical names were very popular during this time peroid in addition to Puritan names. This trend continued for years after and often many names that are popular today are also Biblical in origin.
Check out the following notable boy names and girl names from the passengers of the Mayflower.
Early American Boy Names
Bartholomew
Christopher
Degory
Edward
Elias
Francis
Giles
Henry
Isaac
James
Jasper
John
Love
Moses
Myles
Oceanus
Resolved
Richard
Robert
Samuel
Thomas
William
Wrestling
Early American Girl Names
Alice
Ann
Constance
Damarus
Desire
Dorothy
Eleanor
Elizabeth
Ellen
Humility
Joan
Katherine
Mary
Priscilla
Remember
Rose
Sarah
Susanna
Get more biblical or spiritual baby names here.
Virtue or Puritan Names
Also popular in the 17th century were virtue, or Puritan names. Many of these names were unisex in nature and equally given to both boys and girls. Some examples are: Charity, Constance, Deliverance,Grace, Mercy, Prudence, Silence, Submitt, Temperance and Thankfull. There are virtue names still popular today but those tend to be feminine, such as Faith and Hope.
Get more Virtue Baby Names here.
American Names from the 1700s
In the 18th century, names with Biblical origins continued to be popular as did the practice of naming children for their parents and grandparents. Some names were more popular than others, just like today. Some of the most-used names in the 1700s for boys were: Charles, David, John, Jonathan, Joseph, Samuel and Stephen. For girls, these names came in tops: Abigail, Anna, Elizabeth, Hannah, Lydia, Mary, Molly, Rebecca and Sarah.
It was also during this time that newer, more "modern" names started to appear, such as Jonas, Josiah, Oliver and Thaddeus. For girls, newer names were Allis (Alice), Anna, Beulah, Helen, Isabella, Keziah, Lucy, Mehitable, Molly, Ruhamah and Sophia.
American Names from the 1800s
Names in the 1800s became even more modern and distinctly American. In the first part of the century, names for girls came about such as Augusta, Betsy, Caroline, Charlotte, Eliza, Maria and Polly. For boys, some of the newer names were Augustus, Darius, Elbridge, George, Henry and Horace.
In the latter portion of the century, records were kept for names given in the United States. Even though these records aren't complete (many people born before 1937 did not apply for a social security card) it does give us a glimpse into the popularty of names at in 19th century America.
Top 20 Popular Boy Names of the 1800s
John William
James
Charles
George
Frank
Joseph
Thomas
Henry
Robert
Edward
Harry
Walter
Arthur
Fred
Albert
Samuel
David
Louis
Joe
Top 20 Popular Girl Names of the 1800s
Mary
Anna
Emma
Elizabeth
Minnie
Margaret
Ida
Alica
Bertha
Sarah
Annie
Clara
Ella
Florence
Cora
Martha
Laura
Nellie
Grace
Carrie
More Baby Name Ideas:
Old Fashioned Baby Names
Top American Baby Names for Girls and Boys
Popular American Baby Names by State
Top 100 Baby Names from Social Security Administration
Unique Baby Names and Meanings
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