English (Puritan) Submitted Names

These names are a subset of English names that were used more often by the Puritans. See also about Puritan names.
gender
usage
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Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Abstinence f English (Puritan, Rare)
From the English word abstinence, referring to the act of abstaining from sin. This name was used by the Puritans.
Abundance f English (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-not f English (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."
Accepted m English (Puritan)
Referring to being accepted into the Kingdom of God.
Acts-Apostles m English (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.
Agony m English (Puritan)
One of the rarer virtue names introduced by the Puritans, referring to Jesus' agony in the garden of Gethsemane.
Aholiab m Biblical Hebrew, English (Puritan)
In the Hebrew Bible, Aholiab son of Ahisamakh, of the tribe of Dan, worked under Bezalel as the deputy architect of the Tabernacle and the implements which it housed, including the Ark of the Covenant... [more]
Aid-on-high m English (Puritan)
Referring to our aid coming from God.
Aminadab m Mormon (Rare), English (Puritan), Biblical, Biblical Hebrew
From Hebrew meaning, "my kinsmen are noble." According to the genealogies of Genesis, he was born of Ram (also known as Aram) during the Israelite exile in Ancient Egypt. He was the father of Nahshon, chief of the tribe of Judah (Numbers 1:7; 2:3; 7:12, 17; 10:14)... [more]
Anammeriah f English (Puritan), English (British, Archaic)
Variant of Anna Maria recorded in 1715 in the parish register of Finchley Church, England, referring to Anne, Queen of Great Britain, and her elder sister, Queen Mary II of England.
Anger m English (Puritan)
From the English word anger meaning "a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility", given in reference to the wrath of God.
Antipas m Biblical, English (Puritan)
Form of Antipatros (see Antipater).
Aphrah f & m English, 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.
Approved m & f English (Puritan)
Archaic meaning is, "to prove; show."
Ashael m English (Puritan)
Puritan variant of Asahel.
Ashes m English (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]
Assurance m English (Puritan)
From old French assurer, eaning, "a positive declaration intended to give confidence; a promise." Referencing the promises of God in the Bible.
Atpeace f & m English (Puritan)
Meaning "at peace."
Azaliah m & f Biblical, 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]
Barabas m Hebrew (Rare), Literature, English (Puritan), Biblical
Variant form of Barabbas. In literature, this is the name of the main character in Christopher Marlowe's play "The Jew of Malta".
Bartelot m Medieval English, English (Puritan)
Diminutive of Bartholomew. Precursor to the surname Bartlett.
Barzilla f & m American, 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.
Bathshua f Biblical, English (Puritan)
Means "daughter of salvation" or "daughter of prosperity" in Hebrew. The first element is Hebrew בַּת (bat) 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]
Battalion m English (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-courteous m English (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-faithful m & f English (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."
Belief m English (Puritan)
Meaning, "trust, faith, or confidence in someone or something."
Believe f & m American (Rare), English (Puritan)
Late Old English belȳfan, belēfan, alteration of gelēfan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch geloven and German glauben, also to lief.
Beloved f & m English (Puritan), Literature
Meaning, "dearly loved."
Be-steadfast m English (Puritan)
Referring to being steadfast in one's faith.
Be-strong f English (Puritan)
Referencing being strong despite trials and tribulations.
Be-thankful f English (Puritan)
Referring to being thankful for God's blessings.
Bezaleel m Hebrew (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.
Blessed f & m English (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)".
Bread-of-life m English (Puritan)
Referring to the word of God as the only thing required for subsistence.
Called m & f English (Puritan)
Meaning, "to summon." Referring to the calling to the work of God.
Calybute m English (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.
Capability m English (Puritan)
From the English word, ultimately from Latin capabilis "able to take, able to understand".
Changed f English (Puritan, Rare)
Used in reference to a "change of heart."
Chatwynd f English (Puritan)
Transferred use of a surname which was a variant of Chatwin.
Cherubin m & f English (Puritan)
Referring to Cherubin, or angels.
Confidence f English (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.
Consider m & f English (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."
Constancy m & f English (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.
Contemplation m & f English (Puritan), Medieval English
Meaning, "deep, reflective thought." Referring to contemplation of the Biblical teachings.
Content m & f English (Puritan)
From the English word, meaning "in a state of peaceful happiness", ultimately from Latin contentus meaning "satisfied".
Continent f English (Puritan)
From the English adjective meaning "exercising self-restraint".
Cotton m English (Puritan)
Transferred use of the surname Cotton.
Damned m English (Puritan)
Diminutive of If-Christ-had-not-died-for-thee-thou-hadst-been-damned. Meaning, "condemned by God to suffer eternal punishment in hell."
Darcas f English (Puritan)
Archaic variant of Dorcas.
Deliverance f English (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.
Delivery m & f English (Puritan)
Referring to being delivered from evil.
Depend m English (Puritan)
Meaning, "to rely on." Referring to our dependence on God.
Dependance m English (Puritan)
Referring to one's dependance on God.
Desire f & m English (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]
Die-well m English (Puritan)
Referring to living, and ultimately dying, a godly life.
Diffidence f English (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’.
Diligence f & m English (Puritan)
Meaning, "careful and persistent work or effort."
Discipline m English (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.
Discretion f English (Puritan), Literature
Used in reference to Proverbs 2:11, "Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee."
Divine-authority m English (Puritan)
derived from the authority of God, referring to the Scripture. Popular with Puritans
Do-good m English (Puritan, Rare)
An exhortatory puritanical name, hence it is very rarely seen.
Donation m South African, English (Puritan)
From the word donation, meaning "an act or instance of presenting something as a gift, grant, or contribution."
Do-right m English (Puritan)
An exhortatory puritanical name, thus rarely used. See Do-good.
Do-well m English (Puritan)
An exhortatory puritanical name, hence it is used rarely. See also Do-good.
Dust f English (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]
Earth f & m English (Rare), English (Puritan)
From the English word earth, referring to the planet, the soil, or the alchemical element. Ultimately from Old English eorthe.
Elected m English (Puritan)
Referring to the Doctrine of Election.
Eleph m & f Biblical (Rare, Archaic), English (Puritan)
Meaning, "the ox." A place in the lot of Benjamin not far from Jerusalem (Joshua 18:28). The name is omitted by Septuagint, unless, indeed, it is combined with that of Zelah. It may be identical with Lifta, a village W. of Jerusalem.
Eli-lama-sabachthani m English (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?'
Endure m & f English (Puritan)
Menaing, "to suffer patiently." Referring to enduring the trials and tribulations of life.
Enecha f English (Puritan)
Feminization of Enoch.
Epenetus m Ancient Greek (Latinized), Biblical, English (Puritan)
Variant of Epaenetus, which is the latinized form of the Greek name Epainetos.
Essex m & f English, English (Puritan)
From the place name Essex, or a transferred use of the surname (see Essex)... [more]
Exercise f English (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."
Experience m & f English (Puritan, Rare), Literature
From the English word "experience", from the Latin experientia, from experīrī meaning "to try, test". A name occasionally used by Puritans.
Faint-not f & m English (Puritan)
Referring to Galatians 6:9, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
Faithful m & f English (Archaic), English (Puritan), Literature, Nigerian
Virtue name meaning "loyal" or "having faith (in God)" that has been in use since the 16th century, initally mostly for boys, later also for girls.... [more]
Faith-my-joy f English (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."
Famous m English (African), English (Archaic), English (Puritan)
Simply from the English word famous, meaning "well-known".
Favor f English (Puritan)
Meaning, "to feel or show preference for someone or something."
Fear m & f English (Puritan)
Referring to reverance toward God. A notable bearer was Fear Brewster (1606-1634), who was one of the passengers aboard the Mayflower.
Feare-god m English (Puritan)
Used in reference to the reverence one must have toward God.
Fear-god m English (Puritan)
Referring to a reverence toward God.
Fearing m English (Puritan)
Referring to reverencing God.
Fear-not m & f English (Puritan)
Referring to Isaiah 41:10, "Fear not for I am with you."
Fear-the-lord m English (Puritan)
Referring to the reverence of God.
Fidelity m & f English (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.
Fight-the-good-fight-of-faith m & f English (Puritan)
Referring to the trials and tribulations one might endure while living out faith in God.
Flee-debate m English (Puritan)
Referring to staying away from argument.
Flee-fornication m English (Puritan)
Name given to 'bastard' children.
Flye-debate m English (Puritan)
Referring to fleeing from argument.
Fly-fornication m English (Puritan)
Puritan name given after the first two words of 1 Corinthians 6:18 "Fly fornication", i.e. "avoid sexual inmorality".
Forsaken m English (Puritan)
Meaning, "abandoned; deserted." Name given to 'bastard' children.
Freedom m & f English (Puritan)
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.
Free-gift m & f English (Puritan)
Referring to the free gift of salvation.
Freelove f English (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).
From-above m & f English (Puritan)
Referring to something coming from God.
Giant-despair m English (Puritan), Literature
Character in Pilgrim's Progress.
Given f & m English (Puritan), African
From the English word given, meaning "A condition that is assumed to be true without further evaluation.".... [more]
Give-thanks m & f English (Puritan)
Referring to giving thanks to God.
God-help m & f English (Puritan)
Referring to a prayer for help if the life of the child or mother was endangered.
Godly f & m English (Puritan)
Referring to being in a state of grace, i.e. "godly."
Godlye m English (Puritan)
Meaning, "religious or pious."
Godsgift m & f English (Puritan)
Blend of the phrase 'God's gift' into one word.
Good-gift m English (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."
Good-work m English (Puritan)
An exhortatory puritanical name, thus rarely used.
Graceful f English (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."
Gracious m & f English (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.'
Haggas m English (Puritan)
Puritanical variation of Haggai.
Hamath m English (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]
Handforth f English (Puritan)
Probably from an English surname that was originally from the name of Handforth, a town in Cheshire, England. Also compare the variant Handford.
Handmaid f English (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.
Hariph m Biblical, 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-evil f English (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-mercy f & m English (Puritan)
Referring to a prayer for mercy if the life of the child or mother was endangered.
Hearsay m English (Puritan)
Meaning, "information received from other people that one cannot adequately substantiate; rumor." Referring to the sin of gossip.
Heavenly-mind m English (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).
Helpless m & f English (Puritan)
Meaning, "unable to defend oneself or to act without help." Referring to the helplessness of man without God.
Help-on-high m English (Puritan)
Referring to the help we receive from God.
Honest m & f English (Puritan), African
From the English word meaning "honorable, virtuous". This was one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans around the 17th century.
Honesty f English (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'.
Hope-for m & f English (Puritan)
Possible variant of Hope-still and Waitstill.
Hopeful f & m English (Puritan), Literature
Meaning, "feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event." Referring to the hope in Christ for eternal life.
Hope-still f & m English (Puritan)
Variant of the name Waitstill
Humanity f & m English (Puritan)
Meaning, "humaneness; benevolence."
Humble m & f English (Rare), English (Puritan)
From an English surname Humble or from the word humble, from Middle English (h)umble, humel meaning "humble, meek".... [more]
Humiliation m & f English (Puritan)
Humiliation comes from the Latin word humiliare, which means "to humble." Referring to the humility one must have before God.
Humility f English (Puritan), History (Ecclesiastical, Anglicized)
English form of Humilitas, or directly from the English word humility, which is ultimately from Latin humilitas "lowness" (in Church Latin "humbleness; meekness").
Hymn m & f English (Puritan)
From the base word hymn, meaning a song unto God.
If-Christ-had-not-died-for-thee-thou-hadst-been-damned m English (Puritan)
An English Puritan name, a variant of If-Jesus-Christ-had-not-died-for-thee-thou-hadst-been-damned, referring to Jesus Christ's death and resurrection... [more]
If-Jesus-Christ-had-not-died-for-thee-thou-hadst-been-damned m English (Puritan)
Means "if Jesus Christ had not died for your sins, you shall be confined to damnation". This was the baptismal name of the English economist, physician and financial speculator Nicholas Barebone (or Barbon; ca... [more]
Imagination m & f English (Puritan), Medieval English
Referring to the puritan fear of the imagination and its ability to have free reign beyond scripture.
Increase m & f English (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]
Increased f & m English (Puritan)
Referring to the Biblical command to increase in number.
Independence f English (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]
Inward m English (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."
Jackcock m English (Puritan)
Diminutive of John. Transferred use to the surname Jacox in modern times.
Jeduthan m Biblical, 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]
Jesus-christ-came-into-the-world-to-save m English (Puritan)
Referencing 1 Timothy 1:15, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."
Jobe m English (Australian), English (Puritan)
Transferred use of the surname Jobe. Famous namesakes includes Australian Rules football star Jobe Watson, and soccer player Jobe Wheelhouse.... [more]
Job-rakt-out-of-the-ashes m English (Puritan)
Referencing the book of Job in the Christian Bible, particularly Job 2:8.
Joy-again f English (Puritan)
Referencing a birth after a previous loss.
Joy-againe m & f English (Puritan)
Given to a child after a pregnancy or infant loss.
Joy-in-sorrow f English (Puritan)
A name given to children born to mother's who died during or after childbirth.
Judas-not-Iscariot m English (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-sin m English (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:"
Knowledge f & m English (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]
Lament f English (Puritan)
Meaning, "a passionate expression of grief or sorrow." Referring to being sorry for sin. Name given to 'bastard' children.
Lamentations m English (Puritan)
From the Old Testament book, a translation of Hebrew אֵיכָה‎. Referring to having sorrow for sin. Name given to 'bastard' children.
Learn-wisdom f English (Puritan)
Referring to Proverbs 1:2, "To learn wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;"
Learn-wysdome f English (Puritan)
Used in reference to the many entries about wisdom in the Bible.
Lechery m & f English (Puritan)
Meaning, "excessive or offensive sexual desire; lustfulness." A puritanical name used as a warning.
Life f & m English (Puritan, Rare)
Directly taken from the English word life.... [more]
Lively m & f English (Puritan)
Meaning, "Full of life, energy." Referring to spiritual manifestations.
Live-well m English (Puritan)
Referring to living a godly life.
Lovejoy f & m English (Puritan)
A combination of Love 2 and Joy, which possibly originated as a given name with the Puritans.... [more]
Loyal m & f English (Puritan)
From the English word "loyal" meaning "firm in allegiance, faithful, to a person, cause, or institution". From the Old French loial, leal, from the Latin lēgālis 'legal, law'.
Magnify m & f English (Puritan)
Meaning, "to extol; glorify." Referring to the magnification of the name of God.
Magnyfye m English (Puritan)
From the English word magnify meaning "to praise, to glorify".
Mahershalalhashbaz m Biblical, 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]
Meek f & m English (Puritan)
Meaning, "quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on; submissive." Referring to Matthew 5:5.
Melchisedek m Biblical Greek, English (Puritan)
Greek form of Melchizedek, as it first appeared in the Septuagint.
Merciful m & f English (Puritan), Literature
Meaning, "showing or exercising mercy."
Milcom m Biblical, 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]
Mindwell f & m English (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.”
Mistakes m & f English (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.
Mitty f English (Puritan), English
Diminutive of names such as Mehitabel and Submit.
More-fruit m & f English (Puritan)
Referring to the fruit of the Holy Spirit and/or increasing in number.
Moreover m English (Puritan)
Referring to Luke 16:21.
Much-mercy f English (Puritan)
Referring to the overwhelming mercy of God.
My-sake m & f English (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."
Nazareth f & m English (Puritan)
Biblical place name, now an Arabic city in northern Israel. In the New Testament it is referred to as the home town of Jesus Christ, and is used as one of his titles: Jesus of Nazareth. The meaning is uncertain; it may be from Hebrew neser, meaning "branch", or Hebrew nasar, meaning "watch, guard, keep".
No-merit m English (Puritan)
Referring to undeserved mercies from God.
Normal m & f English (Puritan)
Simply from the English word normal, meaning "according to an established rule".
Obed-Edom m English (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]
Obededom m English (Puritan)
Variant of Obed-Edom. Zaphnaphpaaneah Isaiah Obededom Nicodemus Francis Edward Clarke was baptized on 14 October 1804 in Beccles Church, Suffolk, England.
Obedience f English (Puritan), Romani (Archaic)
From the English word obedience, the act of obeying.
Obey m & f English (Puritan)
Meaning, "behave in accordance with (a general principle, natural law, etc.)." Referring to fearing and obeying God.
Patient m French (African), History (Ecclesiastical, Gallicized), English (Puritan)
From the Late Latin name Patiens. It was also used by the Puritans as a vocabulary name, from the English word patient.
Peaceable m English (Puritan)
From Anglo-Norman pesible, peisible, Middle French paisible, from pais (“peace”) + -ible; Meaning, "free from argument or conflict; peaceful."
Pentecost f & m English (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]
Persecution m English (Puritan)
Meaning, "hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race or political or religious beliefs."
Perseverance f English (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.
Phennana f Biblical Greek, English (Puritan)
Greek form of Peninnah, as it first appeared in the Septuagint. Also see Phenenna.... [more]
Phillips m English (Puritan)
Transferred use of the surname Phillips.
Pilate m Biblical, 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]
Pilgrim m Medieval German, English (Rare), English (Puritan)
Medieval German form of both Biligrim and Peregrinus (see Peregrine), as these names were conflated with each other in the Middle Ages... [more]
Placidia f Late Roman, English (African, Rare), English (Puritan)
Feminine form of Placidius, which was a derivative of the Latin cognomen Placidus.
Pleasant m & f English (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]
Potter m English, English (Puritan)
Transferred use of the surname Potter.
Praise-God m English (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]
Preserved m & f English (Puritan)
Name given to a child when spared from certain death during childbirth.
Pride f English (Puritan, Modern)
From late Old English prȳde ‘excessive self-esteem’, variant of prȳtu, prȳte, from prūd. Referring to "pride cometh before the fall."
Proverb m & f English (Puritan), African
Referring to the book of Proverbs in the Bible.
Providence f English (Puritan), English (African), Romani (Archaic)
Derived from the English word denoting "a manifestation of divine care or direction; an instance of divine intervention".
Public-universal-friend m & f English (Puritan)
Name of 1700s Quaker preacher, originally known as Jemima Wilkinson they changed it after they suffered a severe illness. They claimed to have died and been reanimated as a genderless evangelist.
Purifie m & f English (Puritan)
Meaning, "to make ceremonially clean." Referring to being purified from sin through Christ's death and resurrection.
Purify m English (Puritan), Romani (Archaic)
Used in reference to purification from sin.
Ramoth-gilead m English (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]
Reason m & f English (Puritan)
Puritanical name.
Redeemed m & f English (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.
Rediviva f English (Puritan)
Derived from Latin rediviva meaning "restored to life; renewed, renovated". Compare Renovata and Renata.
Reformation m & f English (Puritan)
Referring to the protestant reformation and/or the reformation of the heart.
Refrain f English (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.
Refrayne f English (Puritan)
Used in reference to refraining from sin.
Regard m English (Puritan)
In addition to the puritan usage, it has also seen usage as a diminutive of Beauregard.
Rejoice f English (Puritan), English (African)
From the English word rejoice meaning "feel or show great joy or delight".
Rejoyce f & m English (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.
Reliance m & f English (Puritan)
Meaning, "dependence on or trust in someone or something." Referring to one's reliance on God.
Relicta f English (Puritan)
Referring to relinquishing.
Relief f English (Puritan)
Referring to the relief of Christ.
Remarkable m English (Puritan)
Meaning, "worthy of attention; striking."
Remember f & m English, English (Puritan)
From the English word "remember", ultimately from the Latin rememorārī, to remember again, containing the root memor, mindful. A rare Puritan virtue name.
Renewed f & m English (Puritan, Anglicized)
Referring to being "born again." See also Renata, the Latinized form originally used by Puritans before switching to the Anglicized variant.
Renovata f English (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.
Repent m & f English (Puritan)
Meaning, "feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin." Name given to 'bastard' children.
Repentance f & m English (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]
Replenish f English (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]
Resolute m English (Puritan)
From the English word resolute meaning "determined, unwavering".
Resolved m English (Puritan)
Meaning, "firmly determined to do something."
Restore m & f English (Puritan)
Meaning, "return (someone or something) to a former condition, place, or position." Referring to a restoration of faith.
Restraint m English (Puritan)
Meaning, "unemotional, dispassionate, or moderate behavior; self-control."
Return m English (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]
Returne m English (Puritan)
Referring to our bodies returning to the earth.
Revolt m English (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.
Riches m English (Puritan)
Referring to the spiritual riches found in faith in God.
Rizen m English (Puritan)
My husband has a forefather whose first name was Rizen. As I didn't see this in your list of virtue names, I'm adding it.
Sabbath f & m English (Puritan, Rare), Literature
From the word "sabbath," referring to the day of rest (Saturday).
Safe-deliverance m & f English (Puritan)
Referring to being delivered from evil by God.
Safe-on-high m & f English (Puritan)
A name given to children when expected that they would die, in reference to being safe with God in heaven.
Safe-on-highe m English (Puritan)
Often given to children expected to perish. References the safety of a child in Heaven versus earth.
Seaborn m English (Puritan)
Transferred use of the surname Seaborn, though in the case of many Puritans, it was given to children born at sea.
Sea-mercy m English (Puritan)
Possibly given to a child who was spared during a sea journey.
Search-the-scriptures m & f English (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."
Sehon m Biblical, English (Puritan)
Form of Sihon used in the Douay-Rheims Bible (1582-1610).
Seraphim m English, Greek, English (Puritan)
Directly from the biblical word seraphim which meant "fiery ones" from Hebrew and referred to an order of angels described in the Book of Isaiah (see Seraphina)... [more]
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