Name ideas for a character
This is for an Amish girl who is in her late teens. For a surname, I have picked Schulz (if I'm being honest, any German surname could be used, no matter how common it is).
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I live near where there's a small but visible Amish and Mennonite community. I would say that not all German surnames are found on Amish people, the ones that are most associated with them are Stoltzfus, Yoder, Byler/Beiler/Biler, Stutzman, Miller, Fisher and Smucker.
Amish people are no longer exclusively using Biblical or very old-fashioned names, but you can't go wrong with Leah, Naomi, Rebecca or Mary.
Also Lena, Jessica, Linda, Annie, and Sophie are all names of young Amish and Mennonite women I've met over the years.
It does depend somewhat on what branch of the sect your character and her family are. Old Order or Swarzentruber Amish are the strictest sects. Many Mennonites, on the other hand, are not noticeably different at first glance from fairly conservative mainstream Christian people. I say at a glance though.
I work with a Mennonite man whose daughters are named Shayla, Alexia and Brianne. He has a little granddaughter named Lily.
Amish people are no longer exclusively using Biblical or very old-fashioned names, but you can't go wrong with Leah, Naomi, Rebecca or Mary.
Also Lena, Jessica, Linda, Annie, and Sophie are all names of young Amish and Mennonite women I've met over the years.
It does depend somewhat on what branch of the sect your character and her family are. Old Order or Swarzentruber Amish are the strictest sects. Many Mennonites, on the other hand, are not noticeably different at first glance from fairly conservative mainstream Christian people. I say at a glance though.
I work with a Mennonite man whose daughters are named Shayla, Alexia and Brianne. He has a little granddaughter named Lily.
I googled "Amish Naming traditions" and found an article written by an Amish woman named Saloma "Lomie". That's cute.
This message was edited 5/18/2025, 2:53 PM
Iva