Colonial American Names Generator: 310+ 17-18th Century Names

Name your colonial American before the first ship docks. This colonial American names generator pulls 310+ names across three pools (male, female, family surname) drawn from Mayflower passenger lists, early Boston and Plymouth records, Salem witch trial documents, and 17th-18th century colonial naming conventions.

Whether you need a name for historical fiction set in colonial America, an ancestry project, a tabletop campaign drawing on early America, or original colonial-era character, the pools below produce names that fit the era 1620-1776.

Best colonial American names by use case

Historical fiction set in colonial America: authentic period names.
Salem witch trial fiction: documented Salem-era names.
Mayflower descendant ancestry: original passenger names.
D&D colonial fantasy: colonial-inspired Puritan character.

FAQ

What are real Mayflower passenger names?

Mayflower passengers: William Bradford, Myles Standish, John Carver, William Brewster, Edward Winslow, John Alden, Mary Allerton, Susanna White. The pool draws on these and other documented Mayflower roster names.

Can I use these names for Salem witch trial fiction?

Yes. Salem-era names (Cotton Mather, Tituba, Bridget Bishop, Sarah Good, Rebecca Nurse) come from documented trial records. Pool includes period-appropriate names.

What's the difference between Pilgrim and Puritan names?

Pilgrims were a specific group on the Mayflower. Puritans were a broader religious movement. Both used biblical and virtue names but Puritans tended toward more extreme virtue names.

What surnames work for a colonial American character?

Authentic Mayflower and early colonial surnames. Adams, Bradford, Carver, Standish, Winslow, Alden, Allerton, Brewster. Plus broader English surnames common in colonial records.

Are there names suitable for the American Revolution era?

Yes. Late colonial pool covers 1750-1776 names. Combines traditional biblical with emerging American identity names. Suitable for Revolutionary War-era fiction.

Can I use these names for ancestry/genealogy research?

Yes. The pool reflects genuine 17th-18th century American naming patterns. Useful for understanding what names appear in genealogical records of that era.

How do I name a Salem witch trial era character?

Use biblical and virtue names from the pool. Bridget, Sarah, Rebecca, Cotton, Increase. Pair with documented colonial surname. Match the 1690s setting.

Can I use these names commercially?

Yes. Names are free for commercial use including historical fiction, indie games, tabletop products. Authentic colonial names from documented sources are public domain.