Hi David, I was curious about this question myself, so I went to www.google.com and I first put into a search: given names in colonial america and then: american given names I found several, very interesting web pages which described how given names ...came to be .. in earlier centuries. Two of the pages said that sometimes .amongst the very early Colonists, they would literally open a BIBLE, close their eyes, and point their finger at a word on the page. That word, whether it was a name or not, became their baby's name. :o) I also put in the search: mehitable, eliphalet, given names and that way you find many web pages which are mostly genealogy web sites where those names are listed. One common theme? They were very common, given names during the 1700's! While doing these searches, you will also find several books for sale, on the subject of: "American Given Names." Another research book which people might not think of is .. something like "The New Age Baby Name Book." Not only does it list many, multi-cultural names but it offers their meanings. And, in amongst the names, you will find little paragraphs of .... tidbits of information about .. the history of naming babies. Have a good day, Betty (near Lowell, MA) P.S. Looking for origins of the WILKINS family living in towns between Calais and Houlton from 1800 to 1850. (Father and son KIDDER men married into these families.) Also looking for origin of Miss or Mrs. Mary Mercy GREENLAW who married the above "Calvin" Kidder's father, Calvin Kidder, in 1798 in St. Andrews, NB.