Finding Names
Before doing research in old records, it is a good idea to become
familiar with all the variants in letter formation. Many errors are made by
people who are not familiar with the handwriting styles of the colonial and
pioneer periods in our country.
There are some very common pitfalls
that I can comment on - even without illustration. The letters "s" and "f"
are often confused. Both the capital and lower case versions of these two
letters look the same in the handwriting of some of our ancestors.
In the colonial period you will find that a double "s" is written as though
it were an "fs" (Melifsa for Melissa).
Vowels are often hard to
distinguish, too. You may need to try exchanging the vowel for every other
vowel.
And, in the case of birth and death certificates, the
doctor's handwriting may have simply been illegible.
Look for ALL types of spellings when you search records. Keep in mind
that years ago, names were often spelled phonetically, embedding the
person's accent.
Given names were sometimes abbreviated using
superscripts (Danl for Daniel).
There was a time when the letters u
and v were interchangeable.
Many times the spelling changed (Hawley
to Holley).
Sometimes names are spelled so oddly that you may need
to browse through the records.
Younger children would be named after earlier ancestors, but the pattern
in their case was more varied.
One variation from the above was for the
eldest son to be named after the mother's father and the eldest daughter
after the father's mother. In this case the second son would be named after
the father's father and the second daughter after the mother's mother.
Occasionally the second son and daughter would be named after the father and
mother instead of the third son and daughter. Another variation was to name
the third daughter after one of the great-grandmothers instead of after the
mother. In such a case, the fourth daughter would usually be named after the
mother.
Another possible pitfall in looking for our ancestors is not being familiar with all the various nicknames that might have been used for a particular given name. One of my ancestors was named Mary Brandon. It wasn't until I learned that Polly was a nickname for Mary that I finally found her on the 1850 census in her father's household as Polly Brandon. Another nickname for Mary is Molly and another one is Mae. If you have an ancestor listed somewhere as Molly, you need to look for her as Mary too. Or, if you know your ancestor was Mary, be sure to check for the nicknames Molly, Polly and Mae. This principle applies to all names. Also, be sure to realize that some nicknames apply to more than one given name. -- Bob Brandon
| 3rd | Trey |
| 4th | Ivy (from IV) |
| 5th | Quince, Quint |
| Generic names for sons named for father | Chip, Skip, Sonny |
| Aaron | Erin, Ron, Ronnie |
| Abel | Ab, Abe, Eb, Ebbie |
| Abiah / Abijah | A.B., Ab, Biah |
| Abiel | Biel, Ab |
| Abraham / Abram | Abe |
| Abner | Ab |
| Adam | Ad, Ade |
| Adelbert | Ad, Ade, Albert, Bert, Del, Delbert, Elbert |
| Adolph / Adolphus | Ad, Dolph, Olph |
| Alan | Al |
| Alanson | Alan, Al, Lonson |
| Albert | Al, Bert, Elbert, see also Adelbert |
| Aldrich | Al, Rich, Richie |
| Alexander | Al, Alex, Eleck, Sandy |
| Alfred | Al, Fred |
| Alonzo | Al, Lon, Lonzo |
| Anderson | Ander, Andy, Sonny |
| Andrew | Andy, Drew |
| Anthony | Tony |
| Archibald | Archie, Baldo |
| Arthur | Art |
| Asaph | Asa |
| Asahel | Asa |
| Azariah | Aze, Riah |
| Augustus / Augustine | August, Austin, Gus |
| B.F. | Often for Benjamin Franklin |
| Barnabas | Barney |
| Bartholomew | Bart, Bartel, Bat, Mees, Meus |
| Benedict | Ben, Bennie |
| Benjamin | Ben, Bennie, Benjy, Jamie |
| Bernard | Barney, Berney |
| Bradford | Brad, Ford |
| Broderick | Ricky, Brady, Brody |
| Calvin | Cal, Vin, Vinny |
| Cameron | Cam, Ronny, Ron |
| Carl | see Charles |
| Casey, Kasey | K.C. |
| Cedric | Ced, Rick, Ricky |
| Charles | Carl, Charlie, Chick, Chuck |
| Chauncey | Chan |
| Chester | Chet |
| Christopher / Christian | Chris, Kit |
| Clarence | Clair, Clare |
| Clement | Clem |
| Clifford | Cliff, Ford |
| Clifton | Cliff, Tony |
| Columbus | Clum |
| Conrad | Con, Conny |
| Cornelius | Con, Conny, Corny, Niel |
| Courtney | Court, Curt |
| Cyrenius | Cene, Cy, Renius, Serene, Swene |
| Curtis | Curt |
| Dalton | Dahl / Dal |
| Daniel | Dan, Danny |
| David | Dave, Davey, Day |
| Delbert | Bert, Del |
| Dennis | Denny, may be short for Dennison |
| Derrick | Eric, Rick, Ricky |
| Donald | Don, Donny |
| Ebenezer | Eben, Eb, Ebbie |
| Edmund | Ed, Ned, Ted |
| Edward | Ed, Eddie, Eddy, Ned, Ted, Teddy |
| Edwin | Ed, Ned, Win |
| Elbert | see Adelbert, Albert |
| Eleazer | Lazar |
| Elias | Eli, Lee, Lias |
| Elijah | Eli, Lige |
| Eliphalet | Left |
| Elisha | Eli, Lish |
| Ellswood / Elswood | Elsey / Elze / Elsie |
| Elwood | Woody |
| Emanuel | Manny, Manuel |
| Ephraim | Eph |
| Epaphroditius | Dite, Ditus, Dyce, Dyche, Eppa |
| Eric | Rick, Ricky, may be nickname for Derrick |
| Ernest | Ernie |
| Eugene | Gene |
| Ezekiel | Ez, Zeke |
| Ezra | Ez |
| Ferdinand | Ferdie |
| Francis | Frank, Fran |
| Franklin | Frank, Fran |
| Frederick | Fred, Freddy, Fritz |
| G.W. | often George Washington |
| Gabriel | Gabe, Gabby |
| Geoffrey / Jeffrey | Geoff, Jeff |
| Gerald | Jerry, Gerry |
| Gilbert | Gil, Bert, Wilber |
| Harold | Hal, Harry |
| Henry | Hal, Hank, Harry |
| Herbert | Herb, Bert |
| Hezekiah | Hez, Hy, Kiah |
| Hiram | Hy |
| Hopkins | Hop, Hopp |
| Horace | Horry |
| Hubert | Hugh, Bert, Hub |
| Ignatius | Iggy, Nace, Nate, Natius |
| Isaac | Ike, Zeke |
| Isidore | Izzy |
| Jacob | Jaap, Jake, Jay, could be short for Jacobus. |
| James | Jamie, Jem, Jim, Jimmy |
| Jay | see Jacob |
| Jedidiah | Jed |
| Jefferson | Jeff, Sonny |
| Jehiel | Hiel |
| Jeremiah | Jereme, Jerry |
| John | Jack, Jock, Johnny, occasionally a nickname |
| for Jonathan | |
| Jonathan | Nathan, possibly John / Jon |
| Joseph | Joe, Joey, Jos, Jody |
| Joshua | Josh, Jos |
| Josiah | Jos |
| Judson | Jud, Sonny |
| Julias / Julian | Jule |
| Junior | JR, June, Junie |
| K.C. | sometimes for Kasey / Casey |
| Kenneth | Ken, Kenny, also for Kendall, Kendrick, |
| Kent, etc. | |
| King | may be short for Kingston or Kingsley |
| Lafayette | Fate, Laffie |
| Lamont | Monty |
| Lawrence / Laurence | Larry, Lon, Lonny, Lorne, Lorry |
| Lemuel | Lem |
| Leonard | Leo, Leon, Len, Lenny, Lineau |
| LeRoy | L.R., Lee, Roy |
| Leslie | Les |
| Lester | Les |
| Levi | Lee |
| Lincoln | Link |
| Lorenzo | Loren |
| Louis | Lou, Louie |
| Lucias / Lucas | Luke |
| Luther | Luke |
| Lyndon | Lynn, Lindy |
| Marcus | Mark |
| Martin | Marty |
| Marvin | Marv |
| Matthew / Matthias | Matt, Thias, Thys |
| Maurice / Morris | Morey |
| Mervyn | Merv |
| Micah | somes short for Michael |
| Michael | Mike, Micah, Mick, Micky |
| Mitchell | Mitch |
| Montgomery | Monty, Gum |
| Morris | Morry, Morrie |
| Morton | Mort, Morty |
| Napoleon | Nap, Nappy, Leon |
| Nathan | Nate, sometimes short for Nathaniel or Jonathan |
| Nathaniel | Nathan, Nate, Nat, Natty, Than |
| Nicholas | Nick, Claas, Claes |
| Norbert | Bert, Norby |
| Obadiah | Diah, Dyer, Obed, Obie |
| Oliver | Ollie |
| Oswald | Ossy, Ozzy, Waldo |
| Patrick | Paddy, Pat, Patsy, Pate, sometimes Peter |
| Pelegrine | Perry |
| Percival | Percy |
| Peter | Pete, Pate |
| Philetus | Leet, Phil |
| Phillip | Phil |
| Prescott | Scott, Scotty, Pres |
| Ralph | sometimes for Raphael |
| Randolph | Randy, Dolph |
| Raymond | Ray |
| Reginald | Reg, Reggie, Naldo, Renny |
| Reuben | Rube |
| Richard | Dick, Dickon, Rich, Rick, Ricky |
| Robert | Bob, Dob, Dobbin, Hob, Hobkin, Rob, Robby, Bobby, Robin, Rupert |
| Roger / Rodger | Roge, Hodge, Rod |
| Roland | Lanny, Rollo, Rolly, variant of Orlando |
| Ronald | Ron, Ronny, Naldo |
| Rudolph / Rudolphus | Dolph, Olph, Rolf, Rudy |
| Rupert | varient of Robert |
| Russell | Russ, Rusty |
| Samuel | Sam, Sammy |
| Seymour | Morey, See |
| Shelton | Shelly, Shel, Tony |
| Sheridan | Dan, Danny, Sher |
| Sidney | Sid, Syd |
| Silas | Si |
| Simon / Simeon | Si, Sion |
| Smith | Smitty |
| Solomon | Sal, Salmon, Saul, Sol, Solly, Zolly |
| Stephen / Steven | Steve, Steph |
| Sullivan | Sully, Van |
| Sylvester | Si, Sly, Sy, Syl, Vester, Vet, Vessie |
| Terence | Terry |
| Thaddeus | Thad |
| Theodore | Ted, Teddy, Theo |
| Thomas | Tom, Thom, Tommy |
| Timothy | Tim, Timmy |
| Tobias | Toby, Bias |
| Uriah | Riah |
| Valentine | Felty / Feltie |
| Vincent / Vinson | Vince, Vin, Vinny |
| Wallace | Wally |
| Washington | Wash, often for George Washington |
| Wilber / Wilbur | Will, variant of Gilbert |
| Wilfred | Will, Willie, Fred |
| William | Will, Willie, Bill, Billy, sometimes Bell or Bela |
| Winfield | Win, Winny, Field |
| Woodrow | Wood, Woody, Drew |
| Zachariah | Zach, Zachy, Zeke |
| Zebedee | Zeb |
| Zedediah | Zed, Diah, Dyer |
| Zephaniah | Zeph |
| Abigail | Abby, Nabby, Gail |
| Adaline / Adeline | Ada, Addy, Dell, Delia, Lena |
| Adelaide | Addy, Adele, Dell, Della, Heidi |
| Adelphia | Adele, Addy, Dell, Delphia, Philly |
| Agatha | Aggy |
| Agnes | Aggy, Inez, Nessa |
| Aileen | Allie, Lena |
| Alberta | Allie, Bert, Bertie |
| Alexandra | Alex, Alla, Sandy |
| Alfreda | Alfy, Freda, Freddy, Frieda |
| Alice / Alicia | Allie, Elsie, Lisa |
| Almena | Allie, Mena |
| Amanda | Manda, Mandy |
| Amelia | Emily, Mel, Millie, Amy |
| Ann / Anne | Annie, Nan, Nanny, Nana, Nancy (and Ann is sometimes a nickname for Antoinette, Christiana,Roseanne, etc.) |
| Antoinette / Antonia | Ann, Tony, Netta |
| Arabella / Arabelle | Ara, Arry, Belle, Bella |
| Arlene | Arly, Lena |
| Armena | Arry, Mena |
| Asenath | Assene, Natty, Sene |
| Augusta / Augustina | Aggy, Gatsy, Gussie, Tina |
| Barbara | Bab, Babs, Barby, Bobbie |
| Beatrice | Bea, Trisha, Trix, Trixie |
| Belinda | Belle, Linda |
| Bernice | Bunny |
| Bertha | Birdie, Bert, Bertie |
| Bridget | Biddie, Biddy, Bridgie, Bridie |
| Camille | Cammie, Millie |
| Cornelia | Cornie, Nelia |
| Carol / Caroline / Carolyn | Carrie, Cassie, Lynn |
| Cassandra | Cassie, Sandra, Sandy |
| Catherine / Cathleen / Katherine / Kathleen | Cathy, Kathy, Katy, Cassie, Kay, Kit, Kittie, Trina, Lena |
| Cecilia | Celia, Cissy |
| Charlotte | Char, Lottie, Lotta, Sherry |
| Christine / Christina / Christiana / Kristine, etc. | Chris, Kris, Crissy, Christy, Kristy, Tina |
| Clarinda | Clara |
| Clarissa | Clara, Cissy |
| Constance | Connie |
| Cordelia | Cordy, Delia |
| Cornelia | Corny, Nelle, Nelly, Nelia |
| Cynthia | Cindy, Cintha |
| Darlene | Lena, Darry |
| Deborah / Debora | Debby, Debbie, Deb |
| Deliverance | Della, Delly, Dilly |
| Delores | Dell, Lola, Lolly, Della, Dee |
| Dicey | Dicie |
| Dorcus | Darkey |
| Dorothy | Dolly, Dot, Dortha, Dotty. Note: Dolly can also be a name that simply means "baby girl" sometimes given when the name was undecided; it often stuck. |
| Edith | Edie |
| Elaine | see Eleanor |
| Eleanor | Elaine, Ellen, Ellie, Lanna, Lenora, Nelly, Nora |
| Elizabeth | Eliza, Bess, Bessie, Beth, Betsy, Betty, Lib, Libby, Liza, Lisa, Liz, Lizzie |
| Ellen | see Eleanor and Helen |
| Elmira | Elly, Ellie, Mira |
| Elouise | Louise, see Heloise |
| Elsie | see Alice |
| Emily | Emmy, Millie, Emma, see Amelia and Emeline |
| Emeline | Em, Emily, Emma, Emmy, Milly |
| Estelle / Estella | Essy, Stella |
| Esther | see Hester |
| Evaline | Eva, Eve, Lena |
| Faith | Fay |
| Fidelia | Delia |
| Florence | Flo, Flora, Flossy |
| Frances | Fanny, Fran, Cissy, Frankie, Sis |
| Fredericka | Freda, Freddy, Ricka, Frieda |
| Gabrielle / Gabriella | Gabby, Ella |
| Gail | see Abigail |
| Genevieve | Eve, Jean, Jenny |
| Georgia | Georgie, Georgy |
| Geraldine | Dina, Gerry, Gerrie, Jerry |
| Gertrude | Trudy, Gert, Gertie |
| Gwendolyn | Gwen, Wendy |
| Hannah | Nan, Nanny, Anna, also may be a nickname for Johannah, Susannah. |
| Harriet | Hattie |
| Heidi | see Adelaide |
| Helen / Helene | Ella, Ellen, Ellie, Lena |
| Heloise | Eloise, Lois |
| Henrietta | Etta, Etty, Hank, Nettie, Retta |
| Hermione | Hermie |
| Hepsibah / Hephsibah | Hipsie |
| Hester | Hessy, Esther, Hetty |
| Ina | see Lavina |
| Inez | see Agnes |
| Irene | Rena |
| Isabel / Isabelle / Isabella | Bella, Belle, Ib, Issy, Nib, Nibby, Tibbie |
| Isadora | Dora, Issy |
| Jane | Janie, Jean, Jennie, Jessie |
| Janet | Jessie, Jan |
| Jean / Jeanne | Jane, Jeannie |
| Jeanette | Janet, Jean, Jessie, Nettie |
| Jemima | Mima |
| Jennifer | Jennie |
| Jessica | Jessie |
| Joan | Nonie, sometimes short form of Joanna / Johannah |
| Joanna / Johannah | Joan, Jody, Hannah |
| Josephine | Jody, Jo, Joey, Josey, Fina |
| Joyce | Joy |
| Juanita | Nettie, Nita |
| Julia | Julie, Jill |
| Keziah | Kizza, Kizzie |
| Lavina / Lavinia | Ina, Vina, Viney |
| Lenora | Nora, Lee, see Eleanor |
| Letitia | Lettie, Lettice, Titia, Tish |
| Lillah | Lily, Lilly, Lil, Lolly |
| Lillian | Lil, Lilly, Lolly |
| Linda | Lindy, Lynn, may be a short form of Belinda, Melinda, Philinda, etc. |
| Lisa | may be a short form of Elizabeth, Alice, Melissa |
| Lois | see Heloise, Louise |
| Loretta | Etta, Lorrie, Retta |
| Lorraine | Lorrie |
| Louise / Louisa | Lou, Eliza, Lois |
| Lucille | Lu, Lou, Cille, Lucy |
| Lucinda | Cindy, Lu, Lou, Lucy |
| Luella | Ella, Lu, Lula |
| Lydia / Lidia | Lyddy |
| Lynn | may be short form of Carolyn, Madeline, Linda, etc. |
| Madeline | Lena, Maddy, Madge, Magda, Maggie, Maida, Maud |
| Magdelina | Lena, Madge, Magda |
| Mahala | Hallie |
| Margaret / Margaretta | Daisy, Gretta, Madge, Maggie, Meg, Midge, Peg, Peggy, Rita, Margery, Marge, Margie |
| Martha | Marty, Mat, Mattie, Patsy, Patty |
| Mary | Molly, Polly, Mae, Mamie, Mitzi |
| Matilda | Tilly, Matty, Maud |
| Mehitabel | Hetty, Hitty, Mabel, Mitty |
| Melinda | Linda, Lindy, Mel, Mindy |
| Melissa | Lisa, Lissa, Mel, Milly, Missy |
| Michelle | Mickey |
| Mildred | Milly |
| Millicent | Milly, Missy |
| Minerva | Minnie |
| Miranda | Mandy, Mira, Randy |
| Miriam | Mimi, Mitzi |
| Nancy | Nan, see also Ann |
| Natalie | Natty, Nettie |
| Olive / Olivia | Ollie, Nollie, Livia |
| Parmelia | Amelia, Melia, Milly |
| Patience | Pat, Patty |
| Patricia | Pat, Patty, Patsy, Tricia |
| Paula / Paulina | Polly, Lina |
| Penelope | Penny |
| Philinda | Linda |
| Priscilla | Cissy, Cilla, Prissy |
| Prudence | Prudy, Prue |
| Rachel | Shelly |
| Rebecca | Reba, Becca, Becky, Beck |
| Regina | Reggie, Gina |
| Relief | Leafa |
| Roberta | Bobbie, Robbie, Bert, Bertie or Birdie |
| Rosabel / Rosabella | Belle, Rosa, Rose, Roz |
| Rosalyn / Rosalinda | Rosa, Rose, Linda, Roz |
| Roseann / Roseanna | Rose, Ann, Roz, Rosie |
| Roxanne / Roxanna | Ann, Rose, Roxie |
| Sabrina | Brina |
| Sandra | Sandy, see Cassandra, Alexandra |
| Sarah | Sally, Sadie |
| Selina (Celina) | Lena |
| Serena | Rena |
| Shirley | Lee, Sherry, Shirl |
| Sonia | Sonie |
| Submit | Mitty |
| Susan / Susannah | Sue, Sukey, Susie, Hannah |
| Tabitha | Tabby |
| Theresa | Terry, Tess, Tessie, Tessa, Thirza, Thursa, Tracy |
| Tryphena | Phena |
| Valerie | Val |
| Vanessa | Nessa, Essa, Vanna |
| Veronica | Franky, Frony, Ron, Ronnie, Ronna, Vonnie |
| Victoria | Vicky |
| Virginia | Ginger, Ginny, Jane, Jennie, Virgy |
| Wilhelmina | Mina, Willie, Wilma, Minnie |
| Winifred | Winnie |
Some additional common nicknames were contributed 2023 Jun 22 by Susan Urban
Alois for Louis
Aloisie for Louise
Alzbeta for Elizabeth
Apolina for Pauline
Arnost for Ernest
Barbora for Barbara
Bedrich for Frederick
Cenek for Vincent
Emaus for Emanuel
Frantisek for Francis
Frantiska for Frances
Jakub for Jacob
Jan for John
Jaroslav for Jerry
Jerolim for Jerry
Jindrich for Henry
Jiri for George
Josef for Joseph
Karel for Charles
Kajetin for Guy
Ludvik for Louis
Marije for Mary and Marie
Matej for Matthew
Metedij for Matthew
Mikulas for Nicholas
Ondrej for Andrew
Pavel for Paul
Stanislav for Stanley
Vaclav for James
Vavrinec for Lawrence
Vilem for William
Vojtech for Albert
Compiled from several old dictionaries and contributed by Joy Fisher.
Dutch and Frisian are two completely different languages, so the given names will often be completely different, as will the surnames. If you can determine that your ancestor had a Frisian name, you have narrowed your search to the province of Friesland--or if you can determine that it is Dutch, you have probably eliminated the province of Friesland. Example: My Grandfather was from Friesland. His name was Jenneke; this translated to John. But if he had come from one of the other provinces of the Netherlands his name would have been Johannes or Jan and translated to John. Surname endings are often big clues. Examples: If a name ends with "ma", such as Douwma, or "stra", such as Leenstra, it is probably Frisian. If you aren't sure what part of the Netherlands your ancestors came from, I recommend that you do some study on Dutch and Frisian names. It may help you to narrow your search.
Below you will find a list of Dutch/Frisian given names and their English translations. I have used two lists compiled by others and some additions from my own research to come up with this list. I am not an expert on Dutch/Frisian names so there could be errors. The Dutch/Frisian translations include full names as well as nicknames. In some cases I have mixed the masculine and feminine forms. There are, of course, lots of Dutch/Frisian names that don't seem to have any English translation.
Abel - Abel
Abigail, Abigal - Abeltje (fem. of Abel)
Abraham - Abraham, Bram
Adam - Adam, Daam
Adeline - Letje
Adolph, Adolphus - Dolf
Adrian, Hadrian, Adrienne - Adriaen, Arien, Adriaantje, Ariaan, Ariaantje, Arie, Adriana, Adriance
Agatha - Aaghie, Aahie, Aagt, Agt,Aechtie
Agnes - Agnietje, Angeniete, Agneta, Anghe, Eike, Ikee, Oetje, Oeycke, Outie, Yke
Albert, Albertina - Aldert, Albertus, Bertus, Tietje, Tientje, Tiletje,Tit
Alban - Albinus
Alexander - Sander
Alice - Aaltje, Aeltje, Aeltie, Adda, Alerta, Daatje
Alida - Alta
Ambrose - Ambrosius, Abros
Andrew - Andreas, Andries, Dries
Angelica, Angel, Angelina - Engel, Engelina, Engeltje Ann, Anna, Annie, Anna, Anneken, Annetje, Tanneken, Tanna,
Annachet - Antie, En, Entje, Eyntje
Anthony - Antheunis, Anthonis, Antonius,Theunis, Teunis, Tonjes, Tonnes, Tool, Toon
Antoinette, Antonia - Toontje, Teuntje
Arabella - Beletje
Arnold - Arnoldus, Arent, Arendt, Nol, Aernoudt
Arthur - Aart, Aert, Arte
Audrey - Ethilrede
Augustine, Austin - Augustyn
Baldwin - Boldwijn, Boudeweyn, Boudje, Boele, Bauduyn
Balthazar - Balt, Baltje, Balthazar, Baltrus
Barbara - Barber, Bartje, Berber, Barbel, Barbara
Barent - Barent
Bartholomew - Bartholomeus, Bart, Bartel, Bartelmus, Maas, Meewes
Beatrice - Badeloch, Beatrice
Benjamin - Benjamin
Bernard - Barend, Bernd, Barendt
Bernardina - Dientje, Dina
Bertha - Baertie, Beartie
Beverly - Baefje
Boniface - Bonifaas
Bridget - Brigje, Brecktje, Brechtie, Bregitta
Caesar - Caesar, Casar
Casper - Caspar, Casparus
Catherine, Katherine - Catrijn, Kaat, Katrijn, Tryntje, Trijn, Catharina, Catharyn, Catalyn, Cataline, Catalina, Catalyntie
Cecilia, Celia - Celetje, Celitje, Celia, Seletje, Selie
Charity - Sierrity, Tjaatje, Zjarritjen
Charles, Carl, Karl - Carel, Ceerles, Cheerelz, Karel, Kareltje
Charlotte - Lotje, Tjarels, Sjarel
Christian - Christiaen, Kersten, Korsten, Kris, Krischan, Kruschen, Shaan, Tsassen, Tzisso
Christina, Christine - Christina, Christine, Christyntie, Christyn, Chrescyntie, Styntje, Styntie, Stijntje, Krisje, Kristel, Kristijntje
Christopher - Christoffel, Stoffel, Toff, Toffels
Clara, Claire - Klaar, Klaartje, Clara, Claertje, Claertie
Claud, Claude - Claude
Conrad - Coenraedt, Coenraet, Coenradus, Coenraadt, Coenraad
Constance - Stans
Cornelia - Cheiltje, Kee, Keetje, Neeltje, Cornelia
Cornelius - Case, Cornellis, Cornelis, Kees, Keesje, Koris, Krelis, Krelius, Kors
Crispin - Crispijn
Curt - Coert
Cynthia - Seytie, Sitske, Sytje
Daniel - Daniel
David - David, Daaf, Douwe
Debora, Deborah - Diewertje, Divertje, Dievertje, Diever, Diver
Dennis - Denys
Dirk, Derek - Dirck
Dominic - Dominicus
Dora - Dortchen
Dorothy - Door, Doortje, Dort, Dorothea, Dorathee, Dorothe
Edward - Eduart, Eduwart, Eeltje
Egbert - Egbert, Epje
Elbert - Elbert
Eleanor - Eleanoor, Lenoor
Elise - Lezart
Elizabeth - Elisabeth, Lysbeth, Lysbethje, Beth, Betje
Elsie - Elsje, Uilkje, Oeke
Emily, Emma - Emmmetje, Emmetie
Emmanuel - Emmanuel
Enoch - Enoch
Ephraim - Frem
Eustace - Staats
Eva/Eva - Aetje, Aefje, Eefje, Ifje
Ezekiel - Ezechiel
Fernando - Fernande
Florentina - Floortje, Florentijntje
Florian - Floris
Frances, Fanny, Francine - Femmetje, Francijntje, Fransje, Francina,
Francis - Frans, France, Francois, Francoys, Frnaciscus, Francyntie
Frederic, Frederick - Fritz, Freek, Frerk, Friko, Fredrick
Gabriel - Gabriel
George - Goris, Joris, Jurgen, Jurian, Jurn
Geral - Geurt
Geraldine - Geert, Gerritje
Gerard, Gerarda, Gerardina - Garret, Geert, Gerrit, Geesje, Desin
Gertrude - Geertie, Geertje, Geertrui, Geertruida, Geertruyd, Trul, Truitje
Gilbert - Bert, Gijs, Gijsbertus, Gysbert, Byslbert
Giles - Geleyn, Gellis, Gelles
Godfrey - Godfried
Goeffrey, Jeffrey - Govert
Gustave - Gustavus
Guy - Guido
Hannah - Hanna
Harry - Haricken, Harrick
Helen, Helena - Eelet, Heyltje, Helena
Henriette, Henrietta, Harriet - Hendrickje, Hendrica, Hentje, Jetje
Henry - Enrik, Hein, Hientje, Hendrick, Hendricus, Hentrick
Hercules - Herkel, Herck, Harck, Henk
Herman - Harman, Harmen, Manus, Harmanus
Hester - Hester
Hezekiah - Hiskia, Smiaa
Hilda - Hilletje, Hilligond
Hubert - Huybert
Hugo, Hugh - Huigen, Huyck, Huyge, Huyg
Ida - Eytic, Ydtje, Ida
Isaac - Yzaak, Isaac, Isacq, Isac
Isabella, Isobel - Isabel, Ibel, Bell, Bella
Jacob, James, Jim - Jacob, Jacobus, Jaap, Jaapie, Jacobje, Jaepje, Jobje, Japic, Joaptie, Jacoba, Koosje, Koba,
Chime (includes feminine forms which do not exist for this name in English.)
Jacques - Jacques
Jacqueline - Jacomyntje, Jacomyntie
Janet, Jane - Jaantje, Janneken,
Jannetje, Janotje, Jansje, Jantina
Jasper - Casper
Jemima - Jacomyntje
Jenny - Justje, Jenne
Jeremiah - Jeremias
Jerome - Hieronimus, Jeronimus
Joachim - Jochem
Joan, Johanna, Joanne - Hansje, Johanne
Job - Job
John, Jack, Johnny - Jan, Joannes, Johannes, Hans, Hannes, Jenneke
Jonas, Jonah - Jonas
Joseph - Joost, Joseph
Josephine - Josyntje, Josyntie
Judith - Judith, Judick
Juliana - Juliaantje
Julia - Jeltje
Julius - Jelke
Jurgen - Jorgen
Justin - Justin
Kathleen, Kate, Kitty - Katryntje, Kaatje, Kesia, Kaatje
Lambert - Lambert, Lambrecht
Lawrence, Laurence - Urens, Louw
Lenore - Leonora
Leo - Lieve
Leonard - Leen, Leendert
Leticia - Tietje, Tytie
Lewis, Louis, Ludwig - Lodewijk, Loures, Ludovicus, Lolle, Liewe, Lieuwe
Lisa - Lijsje, Lysje
Lisbeth - Lijsbert, Lys, Lysbet
Lucretia - Lucretie
Lucy - Lucia, Lucie
Luke, Lucas - Lukas, Luytje, Luycas
Lydia - Lydia, Lydea, Lidia
Madge - Griet
Magdalena, Madelaine - Magdaleentje, Leentje, Lena, Marregante
Marcus, Mark - Marcus
Margaret, Meg, Peg, Peggy - Margit, Margriet, Margrietje, Griet, Grietje, Margarietje, Margarietie
Maria, Mary, Marie - Maria, Marye, Marijken, Maritie, Mayken, Marritje,
Maritje, Marij, Maybe, Marytje
Martha - Metjen, Marttha
Martin - Maarten, Martijn, Marten, Martinus
Martina - Maartje, Martijntje
Mathilda, Matilda - Machteld, Magtelt
Matthew, Matthias - Mattheus, Matthys, Teeuw, Teeuwis, Thys, Mathias, Tijs
Maurice, Morris - Morice, Marritius
Michael - Giel, Machiel, Micheltjen, Michiel
Mimi - Mijntje, Wimpje, Wyntje
Monica - Monika
Nancy - Na
Nicholas, Nick - Claes, Klaas, Klaasje, Nicolas, Nicolaas
Nicole - Claesje
Obadiah - Obadja
Oliver - Olivier
Paul - Pouw, Powles, Paulus
Paulina - Paultje, Paylyntie,
Peter - Pier, Piet, Pieter, Petrus, Pieetr
Petronella - Petronella, Pietje,
Pieternelly, Nelly
Phillip - Phlip, Philip
Phillipa - Philippe
Rachel - Gepje, Rachel
Ralph, Rolph - Roelof, Rolfe
Randall - Randolph
Raymond - Reimond
Rebecca - Rebecca
Regina - Regina
Resolved - Resolveert
Reuben - Ruben
Reynold - Reindert, Reinier, Reinoud
Richard - Rijkaard, Rijkerd, Ritsert, Rutsjert, Rykaa, Ritsgert
Robert - Robbert
Roger - Rutger, Rutgert, Rut
Rosamund - Rozemond
Rosetta - Roosje
Rosina - Resyntje
Rowland, Roland - Roeland
Rudolph, Rudy - Roedolf, Rudolphus, Ruudt, Ruud
Rupert - Rip
Sabastian - Sebastiaen
Samson - Simson
Samuel - Saam, Samuel
Sarah, Sally - Saartje, Seer, Sasze, Taatje, Selitje
Simeon, Simon - Simon, Simen, Sijmen
Solomon - Saal, Salomon
Sophia, Sophie - Fick, Fletje, Futje, Sefia, Sophie, Fytie
Stephen, Steven - Stephen, Stephanus
Susan, Susanna - Zanneke, Sanna, Sanneke, Sannertje, Santje
Theobold - Tiebout
Theodore, Theodoric - Dorus, Derick, Dierderick, Dirk, Dirkje
Theodosia - Doostie
Theresa - Tressje, Tjitske
Thomas - Thomas
Timothy - Goverd, Tijmen, Tomatius, Tymen, Timotheus
Titus - Titus
Toby - Tobias
Tracy - Tressje (see Theresa)
Ursula - Orselina, Urseltje
Valentine - Valentijn, Veltje
Victor - Victoor
Victoria - Victorie
Walter - Wout, Wouter
Wilhelmina - Mijntje, Mimmi, Wyntje, Willemintje, Wellemtje, Willemyn, Wimpje, Willemke, Wim
William, Willy - Willem, Wim, Willempje, Wiebe
Winifred - Wiepkje, Wyntie
Contributed by Dan Burrows
Dutch and Frisian are two completely different languages, so the given names
will often be completely different, as will the surnames. If you can determine
that your ancestor had a Frisian name, you have narrowed your search to the
province of Friesland - or if you can determine that it is Dutch, you have
probably eliminated the province of Friesland. Example: My Grandfather was from
Friesland. His name was Jenneke; this translated to John. But if he had come
from one of the other provinces of the Netherlands his name would have been
Johannes or Jan and translated to John. Surname endings are often big clues.
Examples: If a name ends with "ma", such as Douwma, or "stra", such as Leenstra,
it is probably Frisian. If you aren't sure what part of the Netherlands your
ancestors came from, I recommend that you do some study on Dutch and Frisian
names. It may help you to narrow your search.
Below you will find a list
of Dutch/Frisian given names and their English translations. I have used two
lists compiled by others and some additions from my own research to come up with
this list. I am not an expert on Dutch/Frisian names so there could be errors.
The Dutch/Frisian translations include full names as well as nicknames. In some
cases I have mixed the masculine and feminine forms. There are, of course, lots
of Dutch/Frisian names that don't seem to have any English translation.
Abel - Abel
Abigail, Abigal - Abeltje (fem. of Abel)
Abraham - Abraham, Bram
Adam - Adam, Daam
Adeline - Letje
Adolph/Adolphus - Dolf
Adrian/Hadrian/Adrienne - Adriaen, Arien, Adriaantje, Ariaan, Ariaantje, Arie, Adriana, Adriance
Agatha - Aaghie, Aahie, Aagt, Agt,Aechtie
Agnes - Agnietje, Angeniete, Agneta, Anghe, Eike, Ikee, Oetje, Oeycke, Outie, Yke
Albert/Albertina - Aldert, Albertus, Bertus, Tietje, Tientje, Tiletje,Tit
Alban - Albinus
Alexander - Sander
Alice - Aaltje, Aeltje, Aeltie, Adda, Alerta, Daatje
Alida - Alta
Ambrose - Ambrosius, Abros
Andrew - Andreas, Andries, Dries
Angelica/Angel/Angelina - Engel, Engelina, Engeltje Ann, Anna, Annie, Anna,
Anneken, Annetje, Tanneken, Tanna,
Annachet, Antie, En, Entje, Eyntje
Anthony - Antheunis, Anthonis, Antonius,Theunis, Teunis, Tonjes, Tonnes, Tool, Toon
Antoinette/Antonia - Toontje, Teuntje
Arabella - Beletje
Arnold - Arnoldus, Arent, Arendt, Nol, Aernoudt
Arthur - Aart, Aert, Arte
Audrey - Ethilrede
Augustine/Austin - Augustyn
Baldwin - Boldwijn, Boudeweyn, Boudje, Boele, Bauduyn
Balthazar - Balt, Baltje, Balthazar, Baltrus
Barbara - Barber, Bartje, Berber, Barbel, Barbara
Barent - Barent
Bartholomew - Bartholomeus, Bart,
Bartel, Bartelmus, Maas, Meewes
Beatrice - Badeloch, Beatrice
Benjamin - Benjamin
Bernard - Barend, Bernd, Barendt
Bernardina - Dientje, Dina
Bertha - Baertie, Beartie
Beverly - Baefje
Boniface - Bonifaas
Bridget - Brigje, Brecktje, Brechtie, Bregitta
Caesar - Caesar, Casar
Casper - Caspar, Casparus
Catherine/Katherine - Catrijn, Kaat, Katrijn, Tryntje, Trijn, Catharina, Catharyn, Catalyn, Cataline, Catalina,
Catalyntie
Cecilia/Celia - Celetje, Celitje, Celia, Seletje, Selie
Charity - Sierrity, Tjaatje, Zjarritjen
Charles/Carl/Karl - Carel, Ceerles, Cheerelz, Karel, Kareltje
Charlotte - Lotje, Tjarels, Sjarel
Christian - Christiaen , Kersten,
Korsten, Kris, Krischan, Kruschen, Shaan, Tsassen, Tzisso
Christina/Christine - Christina, Christine, Christyntie, Christyn,
Chrescyntie, Styntje, Styntie, Stijntje, Krisje, Kristel,
Kristijntje
Christopher - Christoffel, Stoffel, Toff, Toffels
Clara/Claire - Klaar,
Klaartje, Clara, Claertje, Claertie
Claud/Claude - Claude
Conrad - Coenraedt, Coenraet, Coenradus, Coenraadt, Coenraad
Constance - Stans
Cornelia - Cheiltje, Kee, Keetje, Neeltje, Cornelia
Cornelius - Case,
Cornellis, Cornelis, Kees, Keesje, Koris, Krelis, Krelius, Kors
Crispin - Crispijn
Curt - Coert
Cynthia - Seytie, Sitske, Sytje
Daniel - Daniel
David - David, Daaf, Douwe
Debora/Deborah - Diewertje, Divertje, Dievertje, Diever, Diver
Dennis - Denys
Dirk/Derek - Dirck
Dominic - Dominicus
Dora - Dortchen
Dorothy - Door, Doortje, Dort, Dorothea, Dorathee, Dorothe
Edward - Eduart, Eduwart, Eeltje
Egbert - Egbert, Epje
Elbert - Elbert
Eleanor - Eleanoor, Lenoor
Elise - Lezart
Elizabeth - Elisabeth, Lysbeth, Lysbethje, Beth, Betje
Elsie - Elsje, Uilkje, Oeke
Emily/Emma - Emmmetje, Emmetie
Emmanuel - Emmanuel
Enoch - Enoch
Ephraim - Frem
Eustace - Staats
Eva/Eva - Aetje, Aefje, Eefje, Ifje
Ezekiel - Ezechiel
Fernando - Fernande
Florentina - Floortje, Florentijntje
Florian - Floris
Frances/Fanny/Francine - Femmetje, Francijntje, Fransje, Francina,
Francis - Frans, France, Francois, Francoys, Frnaciscus, Francyntie
Frederic/Frederick - Fritz, Freek, Frerk, Friko, Fredrick
Gabriel - Gabriel
George - Goris, Joris, Jurgen, Jurian, Jurn
Geral - Geurt
Geraldine - Geert, Gerritje
Gerard/Gerarda/Gerardina - Garret, Geert, Gerrit, Geesje, Desin
Gertrude - Geertie, Geertje, Geertrui, Geertruida, Geertruyd, Trul, Truitje
Gilbert - Bert, Gijs, Gijsbertus, Gysbert, Byslbert
Giles - Geleyn, Gellis, Gelles
Godfrey - Godfried
Goeffrey/Jeffrey - Govert
Gustave - Gustavus
Guy - Guido
Hannah - Hanna
Harry - Haricken, Harrick
Helen/Helena - Eelet, Heyltje, Helena
Henriette/Henrietta/Harriet - Hendrickje, Hendrica, Hentje, Jetje
Henry - Enrik, Hein, Hientje, Hendrick, Hendricus, Hentrick
Hercules - Herkel, Herck, Harck, Henk
Herman - Harman, Harmen, Manus, Harmanus
Hester - Hester
Hezekiah - Hiskia, Smiaa
Hilda - Hilletje, Hilligond
Hubert - Huybert
Hugo/Hugh - Huigen, Huyck, Huyge, Huyg
Ida - Eytic, Ydtje, Ida
Isaac - Yzaak, Isaac, Isacq, Isac
Isabella/Isobel - Isabel, Ibel, Bell, Bella
Jacob/James/Jim - Jacob, Jacobus, Jaap, Jaapie, Jacobje, Jaepje, Jobje, Japic, Joaptie, Jacoba, Koosje, Koba,
Chime (includes feminine forms which do not exist for this name in English.)
Jacques - Jacques
Jacqueline - Jacomyntje, Jacomyntie
Janet, Jane - Jaantje, Janneken,
Jannetje, Janotje, Jansje, Jantina
Jasper - Casper
Jemima - Jacomyntje
Jenny - Justje, Jenne
Jeremiah - Jeremias
Jerome - Hieronimus, Jeronimus
Joachim - Jochem
Joan/Johanna/Joanne - Hansje, Johanne
Job - Job
John/Jack/Johnny - Jan, Joannes, Johannes, Hans, Hannes, Jenneke
Jonas/Jonah - Jonas
Joseph - Joost, Joseph
Josephine - Josyntje, Josyntie
Judith - Judith, Judick
Juliana - Juliaantje
Julia - Jeltje
Julius - Jelke
Jurgen - Jorgen
Justin - Justin
Kathleen, Kate, Kitty - Katryntje, Kaatje, Kesia, Kaatje
Lambert - Lambert, Lambrecht
Lawrence/Laurence - Urens, Louw
Lenore - Leonora
Leo - Lieve
Leonard - Leen, Leendert
Leticia --Tietje, Tytie
Lewis/Louis/Ludwig - Lodewijk, Loures, Ludovicus, Lolle, Liewe, Lieuwe
Lisa - Lijsje, Lysje
Lisbeth - Lijsbert, Lys, Lysbet
Lucretia - Lucretie
Lucy - Lucia, Lucie
Luke/Lucas - Lukas, Luytje, Luycas
Lydia - Lydia, Lydea, Lidia
Madge - Griet
Magdalena/Madelaine - Magdaleentje, Leentje, Lena, Marregante
Marcus/Mark - Marcus
Margaret/ Meg/Peg/Peggy - Margit, Margriet, Margrietje, Griet, Grietje, Margarietje, Margarietie
Maria/Mary/Marie - Maria, Marye, Marijken, Maritie, Mayken, Marritje,
Maritje, Marij, Maybe, Marytje
Martha - Metjen, Marttha
Martin - Maarten, Martijn, Marten, Martinus
Martina - Maartje, Martijntje
Mathilda/Matilda - Machteld, Magtelt
Matthew/Matthias - Mattheus, Matthys, Teeuw, Teeuwis, Thys, Mathias, Tijs
Maurice/Morris - Morice, Marritius
Michael - Giel, Machiel, Micheltjen, Michiel
Mimi - Mijntje, Wimpje, Wyntje
Monica - Monika
Nancy - Na
Nicholas/Nick - Claes, Klaas, Klaasje, Nicolas, Nicolaas
Nicole - Claesje
Obadiah - Obadja
Oliver - Olivier
Paul - Pouw, Powles, Paulus
Paulina - Paultje, Paylyntie,
Peter - Pier, Piet, Pieter, Petrus, Pieetr
Petronella - Petronella, Pietje,
Pieternelly, Nelly
Phillip - Phlip, Philip
Phillipa - Philippe
Rachel - Gepje, Rachel
Ralph/Rolph - Roelof, Rolfe
Randall - Randolph
Raymond - Reimond
Rebecca - Rebecca
Regina - Regina
Resolved - Resolveert
Reuben - Ruben
Reynold - Reindert, Reinier, Reinoud
Richard - Rijkaard, Rijkerd, Ritsert, Rutsjert, Rykaa, Ritsgert
Robert - Robbert
Roger - Rutger, Rutgert, Rut
Rosamund - Rozemond
Rosetta - Roosje
Rosina - Resyntje
Rowland/Roland - Roeland
Rudolph/Rudy - Roedolf, Rudolphus, Ruudt, Ruud
Rupert - Rip
Sabastian - Sebastiaen
Samson - Simson
Samuel - Saam, Samuel
Sarah/Sally - Saartje, Seer, Sasze, Taatje, Selitje
Simeon/Simon - Simon, Simen, Sijmen
Solomon - Saal, Salomon
Sophia/Sophie - Fick, Fletje, Futje, Sefia, Sophie, Fytie
Stephen/Steven - Stephen, Stephanus
Susan/Susanna - Zanneke, Sanna, Sanneke, Sannertje, Santje
Theobold - Tiebout
Theodore/Theodoric - Dorus, Derick, Dierderick, Dirk, Dirkje
Theodosia - Doostie
Theresa - Tressje, Tjitske
Thomas - Thomas
Timothy - Goverd, Tijmen, Tomatius, Tymen, Timotheus
Titus - Titus
Toby - Tobias
Tracy - Tressje (see Theresa)
Ursula - Orselina, Urseltje
Valentine - Valentijn, Veltje
Victor - Victoor
Victoria - Victorie
Walter - Wout, Wouter
Wilhelmina - Mijntje, Mimmi, Wyntje, Willemintje, Wellemtje, Willemyn, Wimpje, Willemke, Wim
William/Willy - Willem, Wim, Willempje, Wiebe
Winifred - Wiepkje, Wyntie
Contributed by Dan Burrows
In German society there was a first name and a calling name, so John Jacob would have that name on church records, deeds, etc., but for anything else, he would be known as Jacob. There was a naming order for families. This was observed especially with the Mennonites. The first two sons were named after the child's Grandfathers. It was usually the father's side first honored unless the Mother's father had died before the Father's father and the Father's father was still living. The females were named in like order. They believed in honoring their fathers and mothers. This naming order started to go out in the 1840's. Nicknames can also cause confusion. These are some among the Pennsylvania Germans.
Anton (Anthony) - Tunis
Barbara - Bevvy
Bernhare, Bernd, and Barnet - Bernard
Dietrich - Dieter
Elizabeth - Eliz, Eliza, or Lis
Johannans - Hans or Hannes
Magdalena - Matti, Matta, Lena, or Molly
Maria - Mary with the nickname of Polly or Molly
Nicholas (Nicholaus) - Nickel or Claus
Anna and Ann - Nancy or Nan
Catharina - Kate or Katie
Christoph (Christopher) - Stoffell and was confused with Christian whose nickname was Christ or Christli
Gottfried (Godfrey, Geofrey) - In English, was confused with Frederick and the nickname of Fritz
Margretha - Peggy or Maggie
Valentin (Valentine) - Felty
Fronika - Fanny
Ludwig - Luwick or Lewis
_____
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