Message: "Character Names Needed, Theme: Wild West / Pioneer"

[Opinions] Character Names Needed, Theme: Wild West / Pioneer

by KiahRayhavenMercer

1/31/2025, 9:40 AM

I'm writing a story based on 4 best friends set in the American Wild West, think early 1800s Oregon Trail era.
I've got a few ideas for names, but I live in an area that likes trendy names so I might be off target. Let me hear your opinions!

Give it your best shot with male & female names (got to name their families as well), possible surnames, and maybe a few kooky names for the town nut or the horses.

Replies

- TMyers

2/3/2025, 8:14 PM

Waylon
Jonas
Wyatt
Betsy
Hilda
Helga

- Amoret +1

2/2/2025, 1:25 PM

Amos popped up in my mind straightaway

Looking up births from that era in Oregon:

Firstname_Middlename
Firstname(nickname)

M: Francois Robert George_Washington(first & middle name) Emmor Jeremiah Louis Angus Ira Andre Jephta Toussaint Nahum_Amos Martin Isham John_Baptiste Lewis Willis Bennett Etienne Abraham Jonas Peter Michel Aquilla_”Quiller” Ammon Moses Mordecai Gabriel Elam Jesse Hezekiah Zadock Ebenezer Ezekiel Aaron Harverick Gideon Jonathon Augustus Lorence Horace Nebuzaradan Orrin Jean_Baptiste Maurice Clayton_Burke Jean_Pierre Everard Christopher Pierre Reuben Peyton Edward Joachim Warrenton Peter Levin Theophilus Hosea Jared Francis”Frank” Enis Zachariah Solomon Stephen Reason Hector Jairus Hugh Hoy_Bernard Moses Ewing Ichabod Stanley Nathaniel(Nat) Presley Christian Norbert Augustus_Loyal(A.L.) Joel Edmond Joab(Job) Israel Benaiah Perry Truman Simeon Hancock Asahel Timothy Sylvanus Balthas Emanuel Matthias Abner Amable Absalom Yancey Merchant Marshal Austin Friedrich Cornelius(Neal) Giles Gustavus Stewart Cyrus Johann_Michael Hiram Calvin Horatio Lowell Alva Turner Parson Curtis Freeman Archibald Ezra Ezekiel(Ike) Elias(Rock)

F: Therese Thamar Marguerite Jemima Mary_Jane Polly_Anna Tabitha Rachel_Suzanne Jennet Susannah Naomi Rhoda Charity Peggy Barbra Mary(Polly) Marilda Esther(Hetty) Ursula Celia Elizabeth(Betsy/Ely) Fannie_Keziah_”Frances” Phebe Angelique Lucy Dolpha Roxanna Leah Sidney_Belle* Martha(Patsy) Irene Sarepta Lyvia Pelagie Emeline(Millie)* Tenny Carmy Nancy Asenath(Susan) Barbara(Barbary) Aurelia Abegail Olive Harriet Harriot Eliza Lydia Prudence(Pruda) Obedience Amaryllis Marcy Druesilla Lucinda Clarissa Serafina(Sarah) Agnes Augusta Lizette Miriam Temperance Alisa Mariam(Milly) Blanche Euphemia Huldah Ruth Pamelia(Milly) Josette Ziba Arethusa Eunice Jeanette Elenor Laodicea Sophie Hanne* Magdalene(Linea) Dorcas Alsea Desire Elvira Jessie Rista Ellender_Penelope(Nellie) Emma Kesiah Cynthia

*love!

So for men a lot of classical French & Old Testament names, for women Biblical names. Many Phebe’s, but none Phoebe’s! Also many Millie’s, Nancy’s and Harriet’s.

- Amoret

2/2/2025, 1:32 PM

Surnames found in that era and area.

Kellogg Degre Hood Farnsworth Rivet Cannon McTavish Dupre Sanders Butterfield Bird Craft McClellan McBride Gervais Stephen’s Stearns Adkins Belshaw Colver Moore Sweet LaBonte Ross Swift Jolly Beauchamp Stillwell Picard Ashby Markham Longtain Sparks Mosher Glass McPherson Keeney Leasure Miller Sears BurnsideFarr

- Anneza +2

1/31/2025, 9:05 PM

I dimly remember encountering the names of two brothers in your place and time: Zeke and Moose! No doubt both nicknames, but still possible.

- New_Chloë (New_Chloe) +1

2/2/2025, 9:38 AM

Maybe it was a misspelling of Mose; that's a very Wild West name. I had a great-great uncle by that name.

- Anneza

2/2/2025, 12:57 PM

It was on the radio, and I was a preschooler! So I really can't say a sensible word about it.

- NelleR

1/31/2025, 8:36 PM

Boys
Hansel and Alvis Lund
Noel, Reuben, Hardy, Larry Gillis (L.G.) and Ned Dawson
Lew, Max, and Ken Bladen

Girls
Charity, Temperance "Tempy", and Obedience "Bedie" Winborne
Patsy, Rhody, Polly Ann Morris
Bertha and Martha Simms (twins)
Zilpha and Barthena Smithwick