Looking for a name with deep meaning and historical strength? Puritan names are famous for their powerful virtues and unique sound. This quick guide will show you the best Puritan names for boys, girls, and characters.

Puritan names come from the 1600s. The Puritans were a religious group who chose names to reflect pure virtues and faith. These names are not like common ones today. They are meaningful, strong, and often unique. People love them for book characters, baby names, or just to learn history.

You might care about these names if you are a writer, a parent, or love history. They give a sense of purpose and old-world charm. This article will explore many types, from strong boy names to gentle girl names. Let’s dive into the world of these special historical names.

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Virtue-Focused Puritan Names

These names are direct expressions of moral qualities. They were the most common type of Puritan name, chosen to inspire the child and declare a family’s values.

Faith (FAYTH)
Meaning: Complete trust and belief, from English. The core of a steadfast character.
Best for: A believer against all odds, a loyal companion, or a symbol of hope.

Endurance (en-DYOOR-ens)
Meaning: The ability to last through hardship, from English. A resilient survivor.
Best for: A character who overcomes immense struggles, or one with incredible stamina.

Wisdom (WIZ-dum)
Meaning: Good judgment and knowledge, from English. The mark of a true guide.
Best for: an elder, a mentor, a judge, or the smartest person in the room.

Courage (KER-ij)
Meaning: The ability to face fear, from English. The heart of a hero.
Best for: The protagonist who must find bravery, or a naturally fearless leader.

Humility (hyoo-MI-li-tee)
Meaning: Modesty and lack of pride, from English. A rare and powerful quiet strength.
Best for: A secretly powerful character, a humble hero, or a genuinely good soul.

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Biblical Puritan Names

While Puritans favored virtue names, they also used powerful names from the Old Testament, often skipping over the more common saints’ names from the New Testament.

Abigail (A-bi-gayl)
Meaning: “My father’s joy,” from Hebrew. A wise and beautiful peacemaker.
Best for: A clever diplomat, a trusted advisor, or a strong, compassionate woman.

Ebenezer (E-ben-EE-zer)
Meaning: “Stone of help,” from Hebrew. A solid, thankful, and memorializing quality.
Best for: A character who turns their life around after being helped, or a dependable friend.

Jedidiah (Je-di-DYE-ah)
Meaning: “Beloved of the Lord,” from Hebrew. A blessed and favored son.
Best for: A destined leader, a character with a special purpose, or a cherished child.

Obadiah (O-ba-DYE-ah)
Meaning: “Servant/worshipper of the Lord,” from Hebrew. A devout and faithful servant.
Best for: A loyal follower, a humble prophet, or a character defined by their service.

Jeremiah (Jair-e-MY-ah)
Meaning: “The Lord will raise up,” from Hebrew. A prophetic and often sorrowful character.
Best for: A reluctant prophet, a lamenting poet, or a visionary who warns others.

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Compound Puritan Names

These names combine two words or concepts, creating a mini-sermon or a specific religious statement.

Fight-the-Good-Fight
Meaning: To persevere in faith, from English phrase. An epic and enduring character.
Best for: A mythical hero, a determined underdog, or a steadfast leader.

Grace-of-God (GRAYS-uv-GOD)
Meaning: Unmerited divine favor, from English phrase. A blessed and fortunate soul.
Best for: A survivor of great odds, a miraculously saved character, or one who is deeply thankful.

Stand-fast (STAND-fast)
Meaning: To remain firm and resolute, from English phrase. An unmovable and stubborn quality.
Best for: A sentinel, a defender of a cause, or someone with unshakeable convictions.

Free-gift (FREE-gift)
Meaning: A gift given without payment, from English phrase. A sense of grace and generosity.
Best for: A foundling, a character who feels they don’t deserve love, or a symbol of pure kindness.

Reformed (re-FORMD)
Meaning: Changed for the better, from English. A redeemed and transformed character.
Best for: A former sinner, a character who has a major change of heart, or a self-made person.

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Nature-Inspired Puritan Names

Though less common, some Puritan names drew from the natural world, seeing God’s creation as a source of meaningful names.

Rose (ROZE)
Meaning: The flower, from English. A symbol of beauty and love.
Best for: A gentle yet strong character, a romantic lead, or someone with inner beauty.

Olive (OL-iv)
Meaning: The olive tree, symbolizing peace, from English. A peaceful and fruitful vibe.
Best for: A peacemaker, a healer, or a character who brings calm after conflict.

Joy-in-Sorrow (JOY-in-SOR-oh)
Meaning: Finding happiness despite sadness, from English phrase. A resilient and hopeful spirit.
Best for: A character who copes with grief, an optimist in dark times, or a symbol of hope.

Bashfulness (BASH-ful-nes)
Meaning: Shyness and modesty, from English. A demure and reserved quality.
Best for: A shy character who grows into their strength, or one with a quiet, observant nature.

Harbor (HAR-ber)
Meaning: A safe place for ships, from English. A protective and secure feeling.
Best for: A protector, a safe haven for others, or a character who provides shelter.

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Puritan Names About Divine Will

These names directly reference God’s actions, plans, or relationship with humanity, emphasizing submission to divine providence.

Mercy (MER-see)
Meaning: Compassion and forgiveness, from English. A gentle and kind vibe.
Best for: A healer, a peaceful diplomat, or a nurturing soul.

Providence (PRO-vi-dens)
Meaning: Divine guidance, from English. A destined and protected feeling.
Best for: A character guided by fate, a leader of a colony, or one who feels watched over.

The-Lord-is-Near (thuh-LORD-iz-NEER)
Meaning: A statement of God’s presence, from English phrase. A comforting and faithful quality.
Best for: A devout character in crisis, a comforter, or one with unwavering spiritual confidence.

Godspeed (GOD-speed)
Meaning: A wish for success and protection, from English phrase. A blessed and fortunate journey.
Best for: A traveler, an adventurer setting out, or a character on a dangerous mission.

Sanctified (SANK-ti-fyde)
Meaning: Made holy, from English. A pure and set-apart character.
Best for: A priest, a chosen one, or a character who lives by a strict, pure code.

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Puritan Names of Abstinence

A unique category where names were warnings or reminders to flee from sin and worldly temptations.

Fly-fornication (FLY-for-ni-KAY-shun)
Meaning: To flee from sin, from English phrase. A dramatic and moralistic vibe.
Best for: A fantasy character with a strict code, or a symbolic figure in a story.

Kill-sin (KIL-SIN)
Meaning: To destroy sinfulness, from English phrase. An intense, purifying character.
Best for: A warrior-priest, a zealot, or a character on a rigid moral journey.

Flee-debauchery (FLEE-de-BAUCH-er-ee)
Meaning: To run from wild living, from English phrase. A character resisting temptation.
Best for: A reformed rogue, someone in a corrupt environment, or a strict moralist.

Abstinence (AB-sti-nens)
Meaning: The act of refraining, from English. A disciplined and self-controlled person.
Best for: A monk, a character with great willpower, or one who denies themselves for a cause.

Mortify (MOR-ti-fye)
Meaning: To subdue the body or desires, from English. An ascetic and severe character.
Best for: A penitent, a flagellant, or a character who practices extreme self-denial.

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Puritan Names of Thanksgiving

These names express gratitude for life, salvation, or specific blessings, focusing on a positive aspect of faith.

Thanks (THANKS)
Meaning: Expression of gratitude, from English. A simple and grateful character.
Best for: A humble character, someone saved from misfortune, or a person who appreciates small things.

Rejoice (re-JOYS)
Meaning: To feel great joy, from English. A happy and celebratory spirit.
Best for: A joyful artist, a musician, or someone who spreads happiness.

Blessing (BLEH-sing)
Meaning: A gift of divine favor, from English. A cherished and fortunate soul.
Best for: A long-awaited child, a character who brings good luck, or a positive influence.

Gifted (GIF-ted)
Meaning: Endowed with a talent, from English. A skilled and blessed individual.
Best for: A prodigy, an artist, or someone whose talent is central to their identity.

Restored (re-STORED)
Meaning: Brought back to a good state, from English. A healed and redeemed character.
Best for: A character recovering from trauma, a rebuilt community, or a second chance.

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Rare and Lengthy Puritan Names

The most extreme examples, often full sentences. They were meant as constant declarations of faith but are very rare even historically.

If-Christ-had-not-died-for-thee-thou-hadst-been-damned
Meaning: A statement of salvation, from English phrase. An extreme, historical name.
Best for: A historical fiction character (often shortened to “Damned”), showing strict beliefs.

Sorry-for-sin (SOR-ee-for-SIN)
Meaning: Expressing repentance, from English phrase. A penitent and sorrowful quality.
Best for: A character seeking redemption, or a historically accurate figure in a novel.

Search-the-Scriptures (SERCH-thuh-SKRIP-chers)
Meaning: To study the Bible diligently, from English phrase. A scholarly and devout seeker.
Best for: A scribe, a theologian, or a character on a quest for spiritual truth.

Fear-God (FEER-GOD)
Meaning: To have reverence for God, from English phrase. A solemn and devout vibe.
Best for: A stern elder, a devout monk, or a character defined by their faith.

The-Peace-of-God (thuh-PEES-uv-GOD)
Meaning: A state of spiritual calm, from English phrase. A serene and untouchable character.
Best for: A mystic, a pacifist in a war zone, or a character with profound inner peace.

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Modern-Friendly Puritan Names

These are the Puritan virtue names that have seamlessly entered modern use. They feel fresh, positive, and are widely accepted today.

Felicity (fe-LI-si-tee)
Meaning: Intense happiness, from Latin/English. A bright and lively vibe.
Best for: A cheerful protagonist, a successful modern professional, or a joyful child.

Honor (ON-er)
Meaning: Integrity and respect, from English. A dignified and strong quality.
Best for: A noble leader, a person of great integrity, or a classic, strong name.

Constance (KON-stens)
Meaning: Steadfastness, from English. A reliable and loyal character.
Best for: A loyal friend, a steady partner, or a character who never gives up.

Charity (CHA-ri-tee)
Meaning: Generous love, from English. A warm and giving heart.
Best for: A caregiver, a philanthropist, or a truly selfless friend.

Patience (PAY-shens)
Meaning: Calm endurance, from English. A serene and steady vibe.
Best for: A teacher, a counselor, or anyone who waits wisely.

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Gender-Neutral Puritan Names

These virtue names work beautifully for any gender, offering powerful meaning without a masculine or feminine leaning.

Justice (JUS-tis)
Meaning: Fairness and law, from English. A strong and principled vibe.
Best for: A judge, a lawyer, a rebel, or anyone who fights for what’s right.

Grace (GRAYSS)
Meaning: Elegant kindness, from English. A graceful and blessed quality.
Best for: A dancer, a diplomat, a gentle leader, or an artist.

Truth (TROOTH)
Meaning: Honesty and reality, from English. An honest and bold character.
Best for: An investigator, a journalist, or a fiercely honest friend.

Liberty (LIB-er-tee)
Meaning: Freedom and independence, from English. A free and bold vibe.
Best for: A revolutionary, an explorer, or an independent thinker.

Journey (JER-nee)
Meaning: A travel or life path, from English. An adventurous and seeking spirit.
Best for: A traveler, an explorer, or someone on a big life quest.

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Conclusion

Puritan names are more than just old words. They are capsules of meaning, history, and strength. Whether you find a strong name like Valiant, a virtuous name like Mercy, or a unique name like Fly-fornication, each one tells a story.

For writers, these names can define a character instantly. For parents, they offer a classic choice with deep, positive meaning. And for history lovers, they are a fascinating window into the past.

We hope this guide to Puritan names helps you find the perfect meaningful name, full of character and pure intention.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why did Puritans give such strange names?
A: They wanted to move away from saints’ names and give names that taught a moral lesson or expressed their faith every time the name was said.

Q2: Are Puritan names still used today?
A: Yes! Many are very popular, like Grace, Hope, and Felicity. The longer, phrase-based names are rare but used in historical fiction.

Q3: What is the most famous Puritan name?
A: “Praise-God” is famous because Praise-God Barebone was a man in English history. His son had an even longer name: “If-Christ-had-not-died-for-thee-thou-hadst-been-damned Barebone.”

Q4: Were all Puritan names so serious?
A: Most were, but they also used classic Biblical names like John, Mary, Samuel, and Elizabeth along with the virtue names.

Q5: Can I use a long Puritan name for a real child?
A: You can, but it’s very unusual. It’s kinder to use a shorter virtue name or use the long one as a meaningful middle name. Always consider the child’s future.