What were parents naming their children 100 years ago?
These famous namesakes were derived from the prominent figures from the current events of the long ago. Some names are of famous people, some honored history’s notables, while others honored founders of their faith.
Famous Namesakes for Girls
Clementine is derived of French origins and was widely used in America, resulting in the song “My Darling, Clementine”.
Cordelia was the dutiful and beloved daughter in Shakespear’s “King Lear”, Cordelia was a favorite name choice for a parent to anticipate a devoted child.
Inez. Gained popularity as a girl’s name during and immediately after the Spanish-American War. Spanish for “Agnes”, thus the Santa Inez Mission in California.
Keturah (var. Ketura) – Biblical. Keturah was the name of the woman Abraham took as his wife after Sarah died. She was the mother of the sons who formed the Arabic tribes.
Sarah – Biblical. The wife of Abraham, the Jewish patriarch.
Susannah – Biblical. The wife of Joachim. the name was widely used in America, resulting in the song “Oh, Susannah.”
Victoria The long-reigning Queen of England (1819-1901).
Famous Namesakes for Boys
Albert, Prince Consort (1819-1861). Husband of Queen Victoria. Credited with keeping the English out of the Civil War on the Southern Side during the Trent Affair. (Wikipedia.org)
Andrew Jackson (1767 – 1845), general in War of 1812 and seventh President of US. (Wikipedia.org)
Barton W. Stone (1772 – 1844). One of the leaders of the reform movement that lead to formation of the Disciples of Christ.
Benjamin Franklin (1706 – 1790). Author, publisher of the Poor Richard Almanac, American founding father, and U.S. ambassador to France.
Charles Wesley (1707-1788). Co-founder of Methodism with brother John Wesley.
Cotton Mather (1663 – 1728)
politically connected puritain minister and author who resided in Boston, MA.
Creed Taylor (d. 1836) Chancellor of Virginia and founder of the Law School of VA.
Dewit Clinton (1769-1828). Governor of New York who spurred the construction of the Erie Canal.
Ebenezer Erskine. (1680-1754) Leader of a dissident branch of Presbyterians.
Elmer Elsworth (or Ellsworth) (d. 1861). First Union soldier killed in the Civil War. Died in Northern Virginia at the age of 24.
Eli Whitney (1765 – 1825) Although a Connecticut native, Whitney invented the cotton gin which molded the economy of the Southern United States.
Francis Asbury (1745-1816) Methodist Bishop who worked with John Wesley.
Francis Marion (1732 – 1795), nicknamed “The Swamp Fox”, a Lieutenant Colonel in the American Revolutionary War.
George Washington (1732 – 1797) American Revolutionary War general and first President of the US. (Wikipedia.org)
Horace Greeley (1811-1872). New York newspaper editor who said, “Go west, young man.” Strongly Pro Union.
John Calhoun (1782-1850). Vice president and later U.S. Senator from South Carolina. Leading exponent of States rights by advocating the right of states to nullify laws they opposed.
John Calvin (1509-1564) Protestant Reformation leader, founder of Calvinism and the Presbyterian church.
John Knox (1510 – 1572) Scottish minister who led the Protestant Reformation and founded the Presbyterian Church.
John Wesley (1703-1791). Founder of Methodism.
Lorenzo Dow (1777- 1837). Traveling minister. His autobiography was once the second most best-selling book in the United States.
(Wikipedia.org)
Paul Revere (1734 – 1818) silversmith and noted for involvement in American Revolutionary War.
Pleasant Richard Henderson (1735-1785). A land promoter from North Carolina. He name spurred widespread use of the name “Pleasant” for sons of families n the South. He is noted for organizing the Transylvania Company which sent Daniel Boone to Kentucky.
Robert E. Lee (1807 – 1870) Confererate Civil War general.
Robert Fulton (1765 – 1815), deveoper of the steamboat which was a boon to American commerce and settling the West.
Scipio Africanus (235 – 183 B.C.E) Roman general who defeated Hannibal in the Punic War.
Sterling Price (1809 – 1867), one-time governor of Missouri, he joined the Confederate cause and in 1862 was appointed a major general.
Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826). Founding father and third President of the United States. (Wikipedia.org)
Winfield Scott (1786-1866). General in the Mexican War and Civil War. Whig candidate for president.
Pryor Lea (1794 – 1879) US Congressman, states rights advocate, railroad promoter.