AbstinencefEnglish (Puritan, Rare) From the English word abstinence, referring to the act of abstaining from sin. This name was used by the Puritans.
AbundancefEnglish (Puritan, Rare) From the English word, ultimately from Latin abundantia "fullness, plenty". This name was used in the 17th century by Puritans, referring to the abundance of God's blessings.
Abuse-notfEnglish (Puritan) In reference to 1 Corinthians 9:18, "What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my right in the gospel."
Acts-ApostlesmEnglish (Puritan) From Acts of the Apostles, the title of the fifth book of the New Testament. A man named Acts-Apostles Pegden (1795-1865), nicknamed 'Actsy', had four older brothers named Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
AgonymEnglish (Puritan) One of the rarer virtue names introduced by the Puritans, referring to Jesus' agony in the garden of Gethsemane.
AholiabmBiblical, English (Puritan) Means "father's tent", derived from the Hebrew nouns אֹהֶל ('ohel) meaning "tent" and אָב (ʾav) meaning "father". In the Old Testament, Aholiab or Oholiab son of Ahisamakh, of the tribe of Dan, worked under Bezalel as the deputy architect of the Tabernacle (also known as the Tent of Meeting) and the implements which it housed, including the Ark of the Covenant... [more]
AminadabmEnglish (Puritan), Mormon Variant of Amminadab. According to the Book of Mormon this was the name of a Nephite who fell away from the church and became associated with the Lamanites... [more]
AngermEnglish (Puritan) From the English word anger meaning "a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility", given in reference to the wrath of God.
Aphrahf & mEnglish, English (Puritan) From the biblical place Aphrah in the Book of Micah, meaning "dust." This name was used by Puritans, but has since become rare.
AshesmEnglish (Puritan) Simply from the English word, given in reference to the biblical story of Job (see Job-rakt-out-of-the-ashes) and/or the phrase ashes to ashes, dust to dust, also considered a vernacular form of Hebrew Aphrah (a place name taken from Micah 1:10).... [more]
AssurancemEnglish (Puritan) From old French assurer, eaning, "a positive declaration intended to give confidence; a promise." Referencing the promises of God in the Bible.
Azaliahm & fBiblical, English (Puritan, Rare) English form of Atsalyahu via its latinized form Aslia. This was the name of a character from the Old Testament, who appeared in 2 Kings 22:3 (also known as 4 Kings 22:3)... [more]
BarabasmTheatre, English (Puritan) Variant of Barabbas. In literature, this is the name of the main character in Christopher Marlowe's play The Jew of Malta (ca. 1590).
Barzillaf & mAmerican, English (Puritan) Variant of Barzillai. In the United States it was introduced by the Puritans as a masculine name, and first (?) used for girls in the mid-18th century.
BathshuafBiblical, English (Puritan) Means "daughter of salvation" or "daughter of prosperity" in Hebrew. The first element is Hebrew בַּת (bat 2) meaning "daughter"; the second element could be derived from the verb יָשַׁע (yasha') "to save, to deliver", which is related to the verb שוע (shawa') meaning "to cry out (for salvation)" and the nouns שוע (shua'), שוע (shoa') and שועה (shawa) all of which mean "a cry (for salvation)", or it could be derived from a noun שוע which has been interpreted as meaning "riches, wealth".... [more]
BattalionmEnglish (Puritan) Meaning, "a large, organized group of people pursuing a common aim or sharing a major undertaking." Referring to the army of God (believers).
Be-courteousmEnglish (Puritan) Referring to Ephesians 4:32, "And be ye courteous to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Be-faithfulm & fEnglish (Puritan) Referring to Revelation 2:10, "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
Believef & mAmerican (Rare), English (Puritan) Late Old English belȳfan, belēfan, alteration of gelēfan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch geloven and German glauben, also to lief.
BezaleelmHebrew (Anglicized), English (Puritan) Anglicized form of Hebrew Betsalel, meaning "in the shadow." In the bible, this is the name of a son of Uri who was one of the architects of the tabernacle, and the name of an Israelite.
Blessedf & mEnglish (Puritan), African From the English word "blessed" meaning "having divine aid, or protection, or other blessing; held in veneration; revered", ultimately from Old English blētsian, blēdsian "to consecrate (with blood)".
Calledm & fEnglish (Puritan) Meaning, "to summon." Referring to the calling to the work of God.
CalybutemEnglish (Puritan) In the case of Calybute Downing, D.D. (1606-1643), whose father was also named Calybute Downing, it appears to be a slight variation of his paternal grandmother's maiden name, Calybut. There was a similar name recorded in Domesday Book: Calebot.
CapabilitymEnglish (Puritan) From the English word, ultimately from Latin capabilis "able to take, able to understand".
CenturianmEnglish (Puritan) From a frequent misspelling of the English noun centurion, which refers to a Roman army officer that commanded a century (i.e. a group of one hundred). This was recorded as a Puritan given name, presumably used in reference to the centurion who was present at the crucifixion according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke (who is widely considered to be the first Christian), or due to other occurrences of centurions in the New Testament.
ConfidencefEnglish (Puritan), South African Meaning, "the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust." From late Middle English, from Latin confidentia, from confidere ‘have full trust.' Referring to the confidence one may have in God.
Considerm & fEnglish (Puritan) Late Middle English from Old French considerer, from Latin considerare "examine", perhaps based on sidus, sider- "star". Possibly referring to Hebrews 10:24, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works" or Matthew 6:28, "And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin."
Constancym & fEnglish (Puritan) From the English word constancy meaning "the quality of being constant; faithfulness, steadiness" (derived from Latin constantia). This was used by the Puritans as a vocabulary name, along with the related names Constance and Constant, in reference to the constancy of God in one's life.
DeliverancefEnglish (Puritan) From the English word deliverance meaning "action of setting free" in physical or spiritual senses. An especially common name given in regard to the perils of child birth.
Desiref & mEnglish (Puritan) Derived from Latin desidero "to long for; to wish for; to desire" (via Old French desir). This name was first used in the 16th century by the Puritans, probably with the intended meaning of "desire the Lord"... [more]
DiffidencefEnglish (Puritan) From late Middle English (in the sense ‘lacking confidence or trust in someone or something’) from Latin diffident- ‘failing in trust’, from the verb diffidere, from dis- (expressing reversal) + fidere ‘to trust’.
DisciplinemEnglish (Puritan) Middle English (in the sense ‘mortification by scourging oneself’) via Old French from Latin disciplina ‘instruction, knowledge’, from discipulus. Referring to Hebrews 12:11.
DonationmSouth African, English (Puritan) From the word donation, meaning "an act or instance of presenting something as a gift, grant, or contribution."
DustfEnglish (Puritan) Simply from the English word, apparently used as an English translation of Hebrew Aphrah (see Aphra) from the biblical passage: 'Declare ye it not at Gath, weep ye not at all: in the house of Aphrah roll thyself in the dust' (Micah 1:10)... [more]
Earthf & mEnglish (Rare), English (Puritan) From the English word earth, referring to the planet, the soil, or the alchemical element. Ultimately from Old English eorthe.
ElephmEnglish (Puritan) From a place name mentioned briefly in the Old Testament, namely in Joshua 18:28, where the town of Eleph (or Haeleph in newer translations) near Jerusalem is listed among the lot or inheritance of the Tribe of Benjamin, one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel... [more]
Eli-lama-sabachthanimEnglish (Puritan) From an Aramaic phrase meaning "my God, why have you forsaken me?" It is likely taken from Matthew 27:46 in the New Testament: 'And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?'
ExercisefEnglish (Puritan) Simply from the English word exercise, occasionally used as a given name in early New England. The only biblical text upon which it can be based is I Timothy 4:7, "Exercise thyself rather unto godliness."
Experiencem & fEnglish (Puritan, Rare), Literature From the English word "experience", from the Latin experientia, from experīrī meaning "to try, test". A name occasionally used by Puritans.
Faith-my-joyfEnglish (Puritan) Referring to the joy of faith in God. Also, derived from the Purefoy motto, 'Pure Foi ma Joi' meaning "pure faith is my joy."
Fearm & fEnglish (Puritan) Referring to reverance toward God. A notable bearer was Fear Brewster (1606-1634), who was one of the passengers aboard the Mayflower.
Fidelitym & fEnglish (Puritan) From the English word fidelity, ultimately from the Latin word fidelis, a derivative of fidere "to trust". This is one of the virtue names coined by the Puritans in the 17th century.
Fly-fornicationmEnglish (Puritan) Puritan name given after the first two words of 1 Corinthians 6:18 "Fly fornication", i.e. "avoid sexual inmorality".
Freedomm & fEnglish (Puritan), English (African) From Old English frēodōm, used in reference to the Biblical verse 2 Corinthians 3:17, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." The name found a resurgence in usage during the American centennial of 1876 and bicentennial of 1976... [more]
FreelovefEnglish (American, Archaic), English (Puritan, ?) Likely one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans in the 17th century, referring to God's free love for his believers. It also coincides with an English surname that was derived from the Old English given name Friðulaf meaning "peace-survivor" (see Freelove).
Givenf & mEnglish (Puritan), African From the English word given, meaning "A condition that is assumed to be true without further evaluation.".... [more]
Good-giftmEnglish (Puritan, Rare) Referring to James 1:17, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
GracefulfEnglish (Puritan) The physical characteristic of displaying "pretty agility", in the form of elegant movement, poise, or balance. The etymological root of grace is the Latin word gratia from gratus, meaning "pleasing."
Graciousm & fEnglish (Puritan), English (African), English From the English word gracious, ultimately from Latin gratiosus, a derivative of gratia "esteem, favor". This was one of the virtue names coined by the Puritans in the 17th century, possibly inspired by Psalm 145:8: 'The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.'
HamathmEnglish (Puritan) The word signifies a defense or citadel, and such designation was very suitable for this chief royal city of the Hittites, situated between their northern and southern capitals, Carchemish and Kadesh, on a gigantic mound beside the Orontes... [more]
HandforthfEnglish (Puritan) Probably from an English surname that was originally from the name of Handforth, a town in Cheshire, England. Also compare the variant Handford.
HandmaidfEnglish (Puritan) Possibly referring to, in the Hebrew Bible, the term handmaid applied to a female slave who serves her mistress, as in the case of Hagar being described as Sarai's handmaid.
HariphmBiblical, English (Puritan) Derived from the Hebrew verb חרף (harap) which means "to gather, pluck, harvest", "to spend the harvest season" or "to reproach, taunt, scorn". In the Old Testament this name belongs to two male characters.
Hate-evilfEnglish (Puritan) Referring to Psalm 97:10, "Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked."
Have-mercyf & mEnglish (Puritan) Referring to a prayer for mercy if the life of the child or mother was endangered.
HearsaymEnglish (Puritan) Meaning, "information received from other people that one cannot adequately substantiate; rumor." Referring to the sin of gossip.
Heavenly-mindmEnglish (Puritan), Literature Refers to keeping one's mind toward heavenly things rather than worldly things. This is the name of a character in John Bunyan's novel The Holy War (1682).
Helplessm & fEnglish (Puritan) Meaning, "unable to defend oneself or to act without help." Referring to the helplessness of man without God.
Honestm & fEnglish (Puritan), African From the English word meaning "honorable, virtuous". This was one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans around the 17th century.
HonestyfEnglish (Puritan) From the English word "honesty" referring to "fairness and truthfulness". Also the name of a plant with purple flowers, Lunaria annua, also known as 'money plant'. Ultimately from Latin honōrāre 'honor, repute'.
Hopefulf & mEnglish (Puritan), Literature Meaning, "feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event." Referring to the hope in Christ for eternal life.
HumiliationmEnglish (Puritan, Rare) From the English word humiliation, ultimately from the Latin verb humiliare meaning "to humble". This was a rare Puritan virtue name, given in reference to the humility one must have before God... [more]
Hymnm & fEnglish (Puritan) From the English word hymn meaning a song of praise or worship, ultimately derived from Ancient Greek ὕμνος (hymnos) "song, hymn, ode (in praise of heroes or gods)".
Increasem & fEnglish (Puritan) Derives from Middle English 'encrease' with the meaning "to turn greater in number". A famous bearer was Increase Mather, the president of Harvard University in 1685, who was a Puritan minister involved with the Salem witch trials... [more]
IndependencefEnglish (Puritan) Means "freedom from control or influence," partly on the pattern of French indépendance. Used much more commonly during the times of the pilgrims (Puritans) who settled in New England in America... [more]
InwardmEnglish (Puritan) From Old English inweard, inneweard, innanweard. Referring to Psalm 51:6, "Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom."
JeduthanmBiblical, English (Puritan), Biblical Hebrew Meaning, "praising." Jeduthun was one of the chiefs of the temple choir during the time of David. Jeduthun belonged to the Merari family of the tribe of Levi. He is considered to be the same person as Ethan... [more]
JobemEnglish (Australian), English (Puritan) Transferred use of the surname Jobe. Famous namesakes includes Australian Rules football star Jobe Watson, and soccer player Jobe Wheelhouse.... [more]
Judas-not-IscariotmEnglish (Puritan) From the biblical Greek Ἰούδας οὐχ ὁ Ἰσκαριώτης (Ioudas ouch ho Iskariotes) meaning "Judas not Iscariot", from John 14:22 in the New Testament, which is assumed to refer to Jude the Apostle, son of James (also called Judas Thaddaeus)... [more]
Kill-sinmEnglish (Puritan) Referring to Leviticus 14:13, "And he shall slay the lamb in the place where he shall kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the holy place: for as the sin offering is the priest's, so is the trespass offering: it is most holy:"
Knowledgef & mEnglish (Puritan), Literature, English (African) From Middle English (originally as a verb in the sense ‘acknowledge, recognize’, later as a noun) from an Old English compound based on cnāwan meaning "know."... [more]
LamentfEnglish (Puritan) Meaning, "a passionate expression of grief or sorrow." Referring to being sorry for sin. Name given to 'bastard' children.
LamentationsmEnglish (Puritan) From the Old Testament book, a translation of Hebrew אֵיכָה. Referring to having sorrow for sin. Name given to 'bastard' children.
Loyalm & fEnglish, English (Puritan) From the English word meaning "firm in allegiance, faithful, to a person, cause, or institution", ultimately from Latin lēgalis meaning "legal, law".
Magnifym & fEnglish (Puritan) Meaning, "to extol; glorify." Referring to the magnification of the name of God.
MahershalalhashbazmBiblical, English (Puritan) From the Hebrew name מַהֵר שָׁלָל חָשׁ בַּז (Maher-shalal-hash-baz) which is variously interpreted as meaning "quick to plunder and swift to spoil" or "he has made haste to the plunder!" It is a prophetic name or title which occurs in Isaiah 8:1 in the Old Testament and is a reference to the impending plunder of Samaria and Damascus by the king of Assyria.... [more]
Meekf & mEnglish (Puritan) Meaning, "quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on; submissive." Referring to Matthew 5:5.
MilcommBiblical, Near Eastern Mythology, English (Puritan) In the Old Testament, Milcom was the highest of the Ammonite gods. It is generally accepted that this name is a form of the common Semitic noun meaning "king" (Hebrew melek), and became an epithet of the head of the Ammonite pantheon... [more]
Mindwellf & mEnglish (Puritan) Used in reference to the scripture, “A silent and louing woman is a gift of the Lord, and there is nothing so much worth, as a mind well instructed.”
Mistakesm & fEnglish (Puritan, Archaic, ?) From Middle English mistaken, from Old Norse mistaka (“to take in error, to miscarry”); equivalent to mis- + take. This name was believed to free the Puritans of sins against actions.
My-sakem & fEnglish (Puritan) Referring to Matthew 5:11, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner. of evil against you falsely, for my sake."
Obed-EdommEnglish (Puritan), Biblical Means "servant of Edom" in Hebrew, from the verb עבד ('abad) meaning "to work, to serve" and the name Edom, or possibly the word אדם ('adom) "red"... [more]
ObededommEnglish (Puritan) Variant of Obed-Edom. Zaphnaphpaaneah Isaiah Obededom Nicodemus Francis Edward Clarke was baptized on 14 October 1804 in Beccles Church, Suffolk, England.
PeaceablemEnglish (Puritan) From Anglo-Norman pesible, peisible, Middle French paisible, from pais (“peace”) + -ible; Meaning, "free from argument or conflict; peaceful."
Pentecostf & mEnglish (Puritan, Archaic) From the name of the Christian festival which commemorates the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the apostles, celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter, ultimately deriving from Greek pentekoste (hemera) "fiftieth (day)"... [more]
PersecutionmEnglish (Puritan) Meaning, "hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race or political or religious beliefs."
PerseverancefEnglish (Puritan) From the English word meaning "steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success", referring to persevering through the trials and tribulations that may come as a believer of Christ.
PilatemBiblical, English (Puritan), English (African, Rare) English form of the Roman cognomen Pilatus, which meant "armed with a javelin" from Latin pila "javelin". This was most famously borne by Pontius Pilate, the prefect of the Roman province of Judaea ca... [more]
PityfEnglish (Puritan, Rare) From the English word meaning "the feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the suffering and misfortunes of others", which is a cognate of Piety, ultimately from Latin pietas "piety" (via Old French pite "compassion"; also compare Pietas).
Pleasantm & fEnglish (Puritan, Rare), Romani (Archaic) Derived from the English word, which is derived from Anglo-Norman plaisant "delightful" and ultimately from Latin placens "pleasing; agreeable".... [more]
Praise-GodmEnglish (Puritan) From the English phrase praise God, referring to giving God glory. A known bearer was Praise-God Barebone (or Barbon; c. 1598-1679), an English preacher and Fifth Monarchist after whom Barebone's Parliament of 1653 was named... [more]
PridefEnglish (Puritan, Modern) From late Old English prȳde ‘excessive self-esteem’, variant of prȳtu, prȳte, from prūd. Referring to "pride cometh before the fall."
Ramoth-gileadmEnglish (Puritan) Meaning "heights of Gilead," it was a Levitical city and city of refuge east of the Jordan river in the Hebrew Bible, also called "Ramoth in Gilead" (Deuteronomy 4:43; Joshua 20:8; 21:38) or "Ramoth Galaad" in the Douay-Rheims Bible... [more]
Redeemedm & fEnglish (Puritan, Anglicized) Meaning, "compensate for the faults or bad aspects of (something)." Referring to being redeemed from sin. See also Redemptus, the Latinized variation used by Puritans prior to evolving to the use of the Anglicized variation.
RefrainfEnglish (Archaic), English (Puritan) From the English word refrain meaning "restrain, repress", which ultimately derives from Latin refrenare "bridle, hold in with a bit". This was one of the rarer virtue names adopted by the Puritans, akin to the more popular Temperance.
Rejoycef & mEnglish (Puritan) Unaware of the puritanical history of the name, modern users tend to consider it an alternate spelling of Rejoice influenced by the name Joyce.
Reliancem & fEnglish (Puritan) Meaning, "dependence on or trust in someone or something." Referring to one's reliance on God.
Rememberf & mEnglish (African), English (Puritan) From the English word remember, ultimately from the Latin rememorārī, "to remember again", containing the root memor, "mindful".
Renewedf & mEnglish (Puritan, Anglicized) Referring to being "born again." See also Renata, the Latinized form originally used by Puritans before switching to the Anglicized variant.
RenovatafEnglish (Puritan) Derived from Latin renovata meaning "renewed, restored, revived". Its use as a given name during the Reformation was possibly inspired by the renovation of the Church.
Repentm & fEnglish (Puritan) Meaning, "feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin." Name given to 'bastard' children.
Repentancef & mEnglish (Puritan), Romani Middle English: from Old French repentir, from re- (expressing intensive force) + pentir (based on Latin paenitere ‘cause to repent’). Meaning, " the activity of reviewing one's actions and feeling contrition or regret for past wrongs." Referring to being sorry for one's sins... [more]
ReplenishfEnglish (Puritan) From late Middle English (in the sense ‘supply abundantly’) from Old French repleniss-, lengthened stem of replenir, from re- ‘again’ (also expressing intensive force) + plenir ‘fill’ (from Latin plenus ‘full’)... [more]
ReturnmEnglish (Puritan, Rare, Archaic) From the English word meaning "to come back" (itself from Old French re- "back" and torner "to turn"), which was given to a boy born in 1708 in Guilford, Connecticut, supposedly in memory of an incident from his parents' courtship; it is popularly claimed that his mother, Hannah Willard (1674-1749) - after repeatedly rejecting his father, Janna Meigs (1672-1739) - finally relented, crying to him as he rode away "Return, Janna, return!" The name has since been borne by more than a dozen of Return Meigs' descendants, including his son, Return Jonathan Meigs (1740-1823), and grandson, Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr... [more]
RevoltmEnglish (Puritan) Derived from the English noun revolt, which is a term used to refer to an act of rebellion. This word was used as a given name by Puritans who had arrived in what is nowadays the United States of America.
Search-the-scripturesm & fEnglish (Puritan) Referring to John 5:39, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."