Baby Names Inspired by the First Thanksgiving

Regardless of your feelings on the way we teach the first Thanksgiving in schools, one must admit that the names of the 17th century were ones for the record books. From Puritan virtue names like Temperance to Peregrine, a baby born on the anchored Mayflower, you’ll find plenty of naming inspiration from the roaring '20s — the 1620s, that is.

Origin: English

Meaning: the fifth month

Where would the pilgrims be today without the ship that brought them over — the Mayflower? May is a short and sweet version of the name that serves as a nod to the ship, the springtime month, or beloved actress Mae West.

Origin: Latin

Meaning: maiden

The first child to be born in the settled Plymouth colony was long believed to be Virginia Dare in 1597 — so this one’s perfect for the little girl who wants to be first in everything.

Origin: English

Meaning: humble

Baby Humility was a mere year old when she set off with her aunt and uncle on the Mayflower. She was the youngest passenger on the ship — maybe a good name for the littlest one in your family?

Origin: Greek and Latin

Meaning: calf, “to tame,” gentle

Damaris Hopkins was another young child on the first Mayflower voyage — and a name you don’t hear that often today. Damaris is also in the Bible as an educated woman who hears Paul speak at Mar’s Hill, the supreme court of Athens.

Origin: Latin

Meaning: constant, steadfast

Damaris’ older sister Constance was also aboard the Mayflower. Constance survived the difficult first winter and went on to marry Nicholas Snow, who would become town clerk of Eastham, Massachusetts. Her name is still in use today — especially over Constant and Constancy, other variants back in older times.

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: lily

Susan Constant was the name of the largest of the ships that eventually founded Jamestown in the Virginia colony, along with Godspeed and Discovery ... yeah, we’ll stick with Susan.

Origin: English

Meaning: moderation, self-control

Temperance was a Puritan virtue name that was likely popular with the passengers aboard the Mayflower. The name also encourages moderate consumption of food or drink — perfect if you’re hoping Temperance will be the lone teetotaler at high school keggers.

Origin: English

Meaning: cautious, intelligent

Aside from having a built-in Beatles song reference, Prudence is a virtue name that was popular with Thanksgiving-era Puritans at the time — it may still sound old-fashioned today, but it could be the right pick for parents with a flair for the vintage.

Origin: Middle English

Meaning: town by the woods

While “Massachusetts Bay Colony” might be a little long to put on that birth certificate, the historical city it would become is a fine alternative for boys or girls. The colony first celebrated Thanksgiving 10 years after the Plymouth celebration.

Origin: Latin

Meaning: star of the sea

For the tough cookie in your family: Mary Allerton arrived from Leiden in the Netherlands to the Plymouth colony at four years old. She lived there until her death at age 83 and was the last surviving member of the passengers of the Mayflower.

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: lily, rose

Although Mayflower passenger Susanna White was widowed during the first winter in Plymouth, she remarried in what is the first wedding in the new world — a pretty cool legacy!

Origin: Latin

Meaning: ancient

Mayflower passenger Priscilla Alden is best remembered for her starring role in the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem, The Courtship of Myles Standish. While there is no solid evidence to suggest that the story is true, it has secured Priscilla the title of most interesting female pilgrim!

Origin: Greek

Meaning: the ocean

In Greek mythology, Oceanus was the father of rivers and water nymphs — and also the only baby born on the Mayflower’s maiden voyage to New England. Oceania is an alternative for girls.

Origin: Latin

Meaning: peaceful

Myles Standish was an English military officer who later became military advisor for the settled Plymouth Colony. He probably wore those frilly collars that were inexplicably in fashion during the 1600s — something to remember when you’re wondering why toddler Myles has paired neon pink cowboy boots, a raincoat, and a winter hat for an outfit.

Origin: English

Meaning: blacksmith

Smith may be one of the most popular last names in America — but it makes for a fresh-sounding boys name, as well as a tribute to explorer John Smith, who helped found the settlement of Jamestown.

Origin: Dutch

Meaning: unknown

Wrestling Brewster was just six years old when he crossed the Atlantic on the Mayflower. If you think his name’s a little unconventional, consider his brother’s name, Love — try defending that one on the one-room schoolhouse playground.

Origin: Latin

Meaning: foreigner, traveler

While Oceanus took the title for only baby born on Mayflower’s voyage, little Peregrine was born on the ship when it was anchored in Provincetown harbor. His name comes from the Latin peregrinus, a word from which “pilgrim” is also derived.

Origin: Native American

Meaning: walking over much

A member of the Wompanoag tribe, Samoset is believed to be the first Native American to make contact with the settlers. Having learned English from Englishmen who had arrived earlier in today’s Maine, he was able to communicate with the pilgrims.

Origin: Native American

Meaning: unknown

Squanto, born Tisquantum, was a member of the Native American tribe of Patuxet, and is known for helping the settlers cultivate the land and survive after the first difficult winter in Plymouth.

Origin: English

Meaning: firm, determined

Resolved White was just five years old aboard the Mayflower but survived the difficulties of settlement life and went on to live a long life in Marshfield, Massachusetts until his death in 1687. Perhaps it was his strong, Puritan name that kept him going.

Origin: Old English

Meaning: broad ford

A good choice if you want your son to go into local politics: William Bradford was the first governor of the Plymouth colony and sat at the first Thanksgiving.

Origin: Greek, Hebrew

Meaning:the lord is my God

Little is known about Elias Story, a passenger on the Mayflower’s first voyage — he wasn’t old enough to sign the Mayflower Compact (the first set of laws for Plymouth Colony), and he is one of the 45 passengers who didn’t make it through the first winter. But naming your baby after him just might ensure that his er, story, is still told.

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: God is gracious

With 15 Johns aboard the Mayflower, John is a name whose popularity has stood the test of time. Even in 2011, it ranked as the 27th most popular baby name in the U.S.

Origin: French

Meaning: strong power

Mayflower passenger Richard Warren was one of just 19 of the 41 signers of the Mayflower Compact who survived the first winter. Any baby with this name is sure to be just as much of a trooper!