80 Southern And Civil War Names Inspired By History

The confederate south is romanticized in many stories. The most popular is probably Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind making names like Scarlett and Rhett quite prevalent at one time. Other movies and books that have popularized names from the South include:

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The 1958 film version of Tennessee Williams’ play included characters named Maggie, Brick, Mae, Sonny, Dixie, and Trixie. The Big Easy. Set in New Orleans, Louisiana, this 1987 flick starred Dennis Quaid as the Cajun cop Remy McSwain. Remy means “from Rheims,” a town in central France, and reflects the strong influence that the French settlers of Louisiana had on the names given to children here. The Help. Names like Minny, Hilly, Aibileen, and Charlotte have a distinct southern ring. Driving Miss Daisy. Based on Alfred Uhry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name, this 1989 movie contained some classic southern given and pet names, including Daisy, Hoke, Florine, Idella, and Beulah.

The South has long been a leader in unusual or uncommon names and is known for using name forms that are unique to this part of the country. For example, virtue names have always been popular here. Also favored are flowery, feminine names for girls, thanks to the early settlers of Louisiana, who brought with them the French variations of the harder-edged English names commonly used in the North. Many southern names are derived from Civil War heroes or places where strategic battles took place. And, you’ll find more Annabelles, Claudettes, Paulette’s, and Claires here than anywhere else. Beaus and Fredericks also abound. Bible names are also frequently used, both common and unusual. Many Nothern names popular from the Civil War era stem from famous politicians and heroes of the era, abolitionists, and traditional English names. If you have family roots in the south, have a penchant for Civil War era history, or simply want to expand your baby name search to find something uniquely American, check out our extensive lists of southern and Civil War Names!