Historical American Baby Names

Myles

Frederick

Popularity rank in the U.S.: #497

Meaning: Peaceful ruler

Though he was raised a slave, FrederickDouglass became a famous and respected human rights activist and writer whoadvised Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. Appropriately, this namecomes from a Germanic name meaning "peaceful ruler."

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Susan

Popularity rank in the U.S.: #851

Meaning: Lily

Susan B. Anthony, another prominent civilrights activist, was so passionate about a woman's right to vote that she votedillegally in the 1872 presidential election. She was fined $100, which sherefused to pay. That's the kind of courageous legacy that any little girl canlook up to. Susan is derived from a Hebrew word for "lily."

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Abraham

Popularity rank in the U.S.: #180

Meaning: Father of the nations

No leader is without controversy, but AbrahamLincoln is widely considered one of America's greatest presidents. Honest Abeended slavery, led the country through the Civil War and rocked a fierce tophat. He's another leader with a fitting name: Abraham is Hebrew for"father of the nations."

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Helen

Popularity rank in the U.S.: #404

Meaning: Torch, moon

Helen Keller didn't let blindness and deafnesskeep her from greatness. This activist changed the way people see those withdisabilities and helped found the American Civil Liberties Union. Her name isthe English form of the Greek name Helene, which is believed to mean"torch" or "moon." Either way, this name symbolizesbrightness.

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Hudson

Popularity rank in the U.S.: #80

Meaning: Son of Hudde

Henry Hudson was English, but the discoverieshe made during his exploration of America laid the groundwork for much of ourcountry's settling. Though his journeys were in the early 1600s, Hudson is atrendy name today. It means "son of Hudde"; Hudde was a medievalnickname for Hugh or Richard.

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Abigail

Popularity rank in the U.S.: #8

Meaning: My father rejoices

Abigail Adams was the wife of one president(John), the mother of a second (John Quincy) and an early advocate for women'srights. Her Hebrew name has colonial, stately charm but is also a mainstreamchoice for modern parents.

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