VICTORIAN ERA NAMES circa 1840's-1890's Being a compilation drawn from old census and vital statistic records. A large part of creating a good set of characters in fiction writing is giving your imaginary populace good names. The right name resonates on the tongue and lingers in the mind, as just the right "fit" for who that heroic - or despicable - person was. Who can forget "Captain Ahab" and his manic pursuit of the Great White Whale, or the plain-spoken, earthy spirit of "Tom Sawyer," or the stern lyricism of "Sherlock Holmes?" The same holds true for writing stories set in the 1800's. It is a simple fact that names change in use and popularity, over time, and the names we give our kids today are probably not what our great-grandmothers used. The Ambers and Wendys and Brandons of today were the Netties and Elizas and Philips of yore. It is my humble opinion that using period-correct names can add a certain "ring" to a story. During the Victorian era, Biblical names probably saw the most prevalent and common use, both for boys and girls, to include the familiar names from the New Testaments, and also the tongue-tanglers from the Old. However, their child-naming practices also borrowed heavily from prominent sources including national and political leaders, notable religious leaders, and celebrated military heroes. It was common find children named for famous figures in contemporary and ancient history, great literature, (authors and characters,) or sometimes even ancient mythology, such as Achilles or Hector. Likewise with names of royalty, such as William, George, Victoria, etc. Nor was it unusual for parents to look closer to home, borrowing from close friends or people they admired. (I have a Captain Henley and a Doctor Harvey in my family tree - those were their names, not their occupations!) Not uncommonly they recycled family surnames, for instance inserting the mother’s maiden name as a child’s middle name. This applied to both boys and girls, which meant you might be named along the lines of John Butterfield Smith or Louisa Jefferson Jones. Sometimes those family surnames were used as given names, as well, so a boy might be named something like Fitzhugh Smith. Girls were also given virtuous names, such as Hope or Charity. Names were often handed down, too, so you might see an extended family tree with a Christopher Columbus Jones found in each of three or four consecutive generations. Likewise you might see a middle name reoccurring time and again, which was often an ancestor’s name or surname. In a few places on this list, I have enumerated certain first and middle names together, (such as Sarah Ann,) because I find them joined thus so many times on old public records, that it is apparent those name-pairings enjoyed great popularity. Where common nicknames were often used, those are indicated, as well. Plus, I have included a few appellations which are so odd and obscure that I can only guess as to their origins, but they were popular in their day. All of these have been found countless times on census, marriage, and other public records during my own genealogical travels, dating back to the early 1800's. These were certainly not the only names used, but they are among the most commonly-seen. Thus it is with some confidence that I can present this list as a fair example of child-naming practices of the Victorian era. Names have changed in popularity, over time, and while many old standbys are still used and loved today, others of this epoch are certainly antiquated in their sound, and all but forgotten in application. I present this compilation in the hopes that fiction writers will be able to make use of it, and so perhaps add a little extra color and atmosphere to their work. FEMALE Abigale / Abby Ada Adella Agnes Allie Almira / Almyra Alva America Amelia Ann ~ (also nickname for Nancy) / Annie Arrah Beatrice Becky ~ (see Rebecca) Bernice Bess, Bessie, Beth, Betsy ~ (for Elizabeth) Charity Charlotte Chastity Claire Constance Cynthia Dorothy ~ (also Dot) Edith Edna Edwina Ella Eleanor Ellie Elizabeth ~(also Eliza, Liza, Lizzy; see Bess.) Elvira Emma Esther Ethel Ettie ~ (see Henrietta) Eudora Eva Fidelia Frances Fanny ~ (usually nickname for Frances) Flora Florence Geneve Genevieve Georgia Gertrude / Gertie Gladys Grace Hannah Hattie Helen Helene Henrietta / Hettie ~ (also Ettie) Hester Hope Hortence Isabell / Isabella Jane Jennie Jessamine Josephine Judith Julia Juliet Katherine / Kate Laura Leah Lenora Letitia Lila Lilly Lorena Lorraine Lottie Louise / Louisa Lucy Lulu Lydia Mahulda Margaret ~ (see Peggy) Mary Mary Elizabeth Mary Frances Martha Matilda / Mattie Maude Maxine /Maxie Mercy Mildred Minerva Missouri Molly ~ (nickname for Mary) Myrtle Nancy ~ (see Ann) Natalie Nellie / Nelly Nettie Nora Orpha Patsy Parthena Peggy ~ (nickname for Margaret) Permelia Phoebe Philomena Polly ~ (nickname for Mary) Preshea Rachel Rebecca ~ (see Becky) Rhoda / Rhody Rowena Rufina Ruth Samantha Sally Sarah Sarah Ann Sarah Elizabeth Savannah Selina Sophronia Stella Theodosia Vertiline ~ (also Verd) Victoria Virginia / Ginny Vivian Winnifred / Winnie Zona Zylphia MALE Aaron Abraham / Abe Alan / Allen Albert Alexander Alonzo Ambrose Amon Amos Andrew / Drew / Andy Aquilla Archibald / Archie Arnold Asa August / Augustus Barnabas / Barney Bartholomew / Bart Benjamin Bennet Benedict Bernard Bertram / Bert Buford Byron Calvin Charles / Charley / Charlie Christopher Christopher Columbus Clarence Clement / Clem Clinton / Clint Cole Columbus (also Lom or Lum) Commodore Perry Daniel / Dan David Dick ~ (see Richard) Edmund Edward Edwin Eldon Eli Elijah ElishaEmmett Enoch Ezekiel ~ (also Z
Nor was it unusual for parents to look closer to home, borrowing from close friends or people they admired. (I have a Captain Henley and a Doctor Harvey in my family tree - those were their names, not their occupations!) Not uncommonly they recycled family surnames, for instance inserting the mother’s maiden name as a child’s middle name. This applied to both boys and girls, which meant you might be named along the lines of John Butterfield Smith or Louisa Jefferson Jones. Sometimes those family surnames were used as given names, as well, so a boy might be named something like Fitzhugh Smith. Girls were also given virtuous names, such as Hope or Charity. Names were often handed down, too, so you might see an extended family tree with a Christopher Columbus Jones found in each of three or four consecutive generations. Likewise you might see a middle name reoccurring time and again, which was often an ancestor’s name or surname.
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