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Popular Men’s Names of the Civil War (Part 1 of 3)
Posted By Brian Tomlin on June 18, 2012
What were the most popular given names during the Civil War period? This is the first part of a three part study of that question. Today we will look a the most popular men’s names of U.S. men born during the period 1811-1850, the broad period that made up the vast majority of Civil War Soldiers. We will also look at the most common boy’s names of babies born during the civil war (1861-1865) and compare that with the most popular boy’s names from 2011, 150 years later.
Part 2 of the series will focus on Women’s names of the same period, and is scheduled to be published July 2. Part 3 will take a look a the names on the Lykens Valley soliders list to see which names were most popular locally. Part 3 is scheduled to be published on July 30.
The following tables are taken from the website http://www.galbithink.org/names/us200.htm which took data from the 1850 Census and analyzed the most popular male names. Shown are the top 10 in each category for the decades including 1811-1850, since virtually all Civil War Veterans were born during that period.
| Born 1811-1820 |
| 41-50 at start of Civil War (1861) |
|
| Born 1821-1830 |
| 31-40 at start of Civil War (1861) |
|
| Born 1831- 1840 |
| 21-30 at start of Civil War (1861) |
|
| Born 1841-1850 |
| 11- 20 at start of Civil War (1861) |
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Notice there is very little difference among the lists. And of the babies born during the Civil War, note that the only major difference is the appearance of the name Frank.
| Born During Civil War |
| 1861-1865 |
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As a comparison, here is the top 10 list of boy babies name born in the U.S. in 2011:
| Born 2011 |
| 150 years after start of Civil War |
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To see the complete list of boy first names form the 1850 Census ranked by popularity, visit: http://www.galbithink.org/names/us200.htm
To explore more first names form the whole 19th Century, visit the site Antique Baby Names
Hello, My name is Bethany. I’m a writer, and I’m currently writing a book that takes place in the Confedreate era, any tips or things you’d expect in a book that takes place during this time?
Lots of death 😀
wrong
I think Robert is a good name.
Why Thank you
You are wrong
Hello. I’m an eighth grader working on a project based in the Civil War (NORTH CAROLINA is the setting). We’re supposed to create a scrapbook depicting the journeys of four brothers, of whom one (or two) is on the opposite side of the others. I plan on using journal entries, letters to & from family members and story styled portions describing certain events. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should focus on or any main information to keep in mind or anything at all really? I’m attempting to go all out on this project, but I have until December 2nd to complete it. Any tips are helpful.
the battles the state went through and how many regiments the state hade and lost.
LOTS OF SLAVES
Hi! I’m Reagan, a writer from Pa. I am currently working on a book about the civil war. I just need one thing- name suggestions. I’ve always liked John or William for a young soldier’s name. But John usually sounds (to me at least) like an older soldiers name. The story’s based around a teen soldier’s life. Any other tips would be gratefully accepted! Thanks!
One important thing to mention is that (if your character is <18, it is illegal for him to fight. also, a few suggestions for names are:
-George
-Henry
-Thomas
-Samuel
OMG Everybody
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I thinks this is very good, I’s just want to knows about the names for these books I is reading.
thankyou, ROWAN
Hi! My name is Sarah and I’m writing a book about the Civil War. Does anyone have any suggestions for names of the characters. I will need 2 names for boys and 1 name for a girl. I will be really grateful for anyone who has any suggestions. The main setting is in New York. I don’t know if that would help you pick names or not. I just think it would be helpful to know where it is.Anyway, thanks to anyone who has a suggestion.
John Williams
Robert Smith
Margret Johnson
Hi my name is ruby and I doing this project for the civil war and I need some names since 1865