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When I teach American history, one of the first things my students want to know is: what were these colonies actually called, and why? The names tell a story — of indigenous lands, European kings and queens, and the people who dared to settle a new world. we’ll explore the original 13 colonies, their names, and the history behind each one.
I’ve organized this guide into three regional groups: New England, Middle Colonies, and Southern Colonies. You’ll discover what each colony was named after, when it was founded, and why those names mattered. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of colonial America.
Key Takeaways
- 13 colonies in three regions — New England (4), Middle (4), and Southern (5), each with distinct economies and founding purposes.
- Names reflected rulers, geography, or indigenous peoples — from Queen Elizabeth I (Virginia) to King George II (Georgia).
- Founding dates span 1607–1733 — Virginia first, Georgia last; many named by Dutch or English explorers.
- Each name carries etymology — some from English counties (Hampshire), others from indigenous languages (Connecticut, Massachusetts).
- Colonial identity shaped by naming — names advertised founding purpose, religious freedom, or trading promise to attract settlers.
Overview of the 13 Colonies Names
Between 1607 and 1733, the British established thirteen colonies along the Atlantic coast of North America. These colonies became the foundation of the United States. To make sense of them, historians divide the 13 into three geographic and cultural regions, each with its own character.
Example: Virginia was founded in 1607 as an English trading venture, while Pennsylvania was founded in 1681 by William Penn as a haven for religious minorities. Both shared the Atlantic coast but operated under very different philosophies.
The colonies were organized into three groups based on geography and economy:
- New England Colonies: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire
- Middle Colonies: New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware
- Southern Colonies: Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
New England Colonies
The New England Colonies were known for religious purpose, seafaring, and tight-knit communities. The Puritans were a dominant force, and these colonies developed shipbuilding, fishing, and merchant trade as their economic pillars.
Massachusetts
Founded 1620 — Named after the Massachusett tribe who lived in the region before European arrival. The colony became a symbol of American independence and was home to revolutionary figures like Paul Revere and John Adams.
Example: “I’m from Massachusetts, where the Pilgrims landed aboard the Mayflower.”
New Hampshire
Founded 1623 — Named after Hampshire, a county in southern England. Captain John Mason, an early settler, chose the name to honor his home region. The colony became known for timber, shipbuilding, and its rugged landscape.
Example: “New Hampshire is known as the ‘Granite State’ because of its rocky terrain and quarries.”
Connecticut
Founded 1636 — Named from the Mohegan word “quinetucket,” meaning “beside the long tidal river.” The Connecticut River defined the colony’s geography and economy. The colony was founded by Thomas Hooker and became a center of religious tolerance for its time.
Example: “The name Connecticut comes from an Algonquian word describing the river that flows through it.”
Rhode Island
Founded 1636 — Named by Dutch explorer Adriaen Block, who called it “Roodt Eylandt” (Red Island) because of the reddish clay visible on the shores. Roger Williams founded it as a sanctuary for religious dissenters, making it a beacon of tolerance.
Example: “Roger Williams founded Rhode Island to escape religious persecution in Massachusetts.”
Middle Colonies
The Middle Colonies occupied a sweet spot geographically and economically. They enjoyed fertile farmland, diverse populations, and dynamic trade. Religious tolerance attracted settlers from many countries.
New York
Founded 1624 (as New Netherland), renamed 1664 — The Dutch founded this colony as New Netherland in the early 1600s. When the English conquered it in 1664, they renamed it New York after the Duke of York, who later became King James II. The colony was a major port and trading hub.
Example: “New York was originally Dutch territory, which is why you find Dutch place names like ‘Harlem’ and ‘Brooklyn’ there today.”
Pennsylvania
Founded 1681 — Named after William Penn, the colony’s founder. The name combines “Penn” (his surname) with “sylvania,” meaning “forest” or “woods.” Penn was a Quaker who made Pennsylvania a model of religious freedom and democratic governance.
Example: “William Penn founded Pennsylvania as a ‘holy experiment’ where people of all faiths could practice freely.”
New Jersey
Founded 1664 — Named after the English Channel Island of Jersey, where many early settlers originated. The Dutch and Swedish had settled the area first, but the English renamed it after conquering the region.
Example: “New Jersey was named after an island in the English Channel, showing how colonial names often honored Old World homes.”
Delaware
Founded 1638 (settled) — Named after Lord De La Warr (Thomas West, 3rd Baron), who served as governor of Virginia. Although Delaware was technically settled by the Dutch and Swedes first, the English renamed it in honor of this nobleman. It became the first colony to ratify the Constitution in 1787.
Example: “Delaware was named after a Virginia governor, not a king, showing how colonists honored local leaders as well.”
Southern Colonies
The Southern Colonies developed around plantation agriculture — tobacco, rice, indigo, and later cotton. This region relied heavily on enslaved labor, which became a defining and tragic feature of southern colonial society.
Virginia
Founded 1607 — Named after Queen Elizabeth I of England, who was known as the “Virgin Queen” because she never married. Virginia was the first permanent English settlement in North America and became a major tobacco producer.
Example: “Virginia, the birthplace of American independence, was actually named to flatter Queen Elizabeth I.”
Maryland
Founded 1634 — Named after Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of King Charles I. The colony was established as a haven for English Catholics, offering religious refuge. The name honored the queen, who was known for her sympathy to Catholics.
Example: “Maryland was one of the first colonies founded specifically as a religious refuge, in this case for Catholics.”
North Carolina
Founded 1653 — Named in honor of King Charles I, from whom the charter was granted. “Carolina” comes from “Carolus,” the Latin form of Charles. The colony was known for agriculture including tobacco, rice, and indigo.
Example: “Both North Carolina and South Carolina were named after the same king, which is why they share ‘Carolina’ in their names.”
South Carolina
Founded 1663 — Like its northern neighbor, South Carolina was named after a king — in this case, King Charles II, son of Charles I. The colony became even wealthier than North Carolina, particularly through rice cultivation and trade.
Example: “South Carolina’s rice plantations made it one of the richest colonies, but this wealth was built on the backs of enslaved people.”
Georgia
Founded 1732 — Named after King George II, who granted the charter to James Oglethorpe. Georgia was the last of the 13 colonies and was conceived as a buffer zone between the British colonies and Spanish Florida. It also served as a refuge for debtors and persecuted religious minorities.
Example: “Georgia, named after King George II, was founded with the idealistic goal of providing a fresh start for people in debt or fleeing persecution.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When discussing colonial names, learners often mix up the reasons behind them or confuse founding dates. Here are the most common errors:
✗ Incorrect: “Virginia was named after Sir Walter Raleigh, an early colonizer.”
✓ Correct: “Virginia was named after Queen Elizabeth I, who was called the ‘Virgin Queen.'”
Why: While Raleigh promoted colonization, the name specifically honored the queen’s maiden status, not the explorer.
✗ Incorrect: “Pennsylvania was named after the state’s geography, meaning ‘forest’ in English.”
✓ Correct: “Pennsylvania was named after William Penn, the founder, combined with ‘sylvania’ meaning forest.”
Why: The name is a personal tribute to Penn, not merely a geographic descriptor.
✗ Incorrect: “All 13 colonies were founded between 1600 and 1620.”
✓ Correct: “The 13 colonies were founded between 1607 (Virginia) and 1732 (Georgia), spanning over 125 years.”
Why: Georgia was the last colony and was founded more than a century after Virginia, showing the long process of English colonization.
Teacher: “Why do you think so many colonies were named after English royalty?”
Student: “Because the king or queen granted the charter to the founders?”
Teacher: “Exactly! Naming colonies after the monarchy was a way of showing loyalty and gratitude. It also helped attract settlers who might feel proud to live in a place named after their monarch.”
Student: “That makes sense. So the names were like… marketing?”
Teacher: “In a way, yes. The names told a story about who had power, who was in charge, and what values the colony stood for.”
Quick Quiz
- Which colony was named after Queen Elizabeth I’s status as an unmarried ruler?
- What does the word “Connecticut” mean in the Mohegan language?
- Which colony was founded last, in 1732?
- Name one Middle Colony that was originally settled by the Dutch.
- Which Southern colony was founded as a haven specifically for English Catholics?
Answers: 1. Virginia · 2. “Beside the long tidal river” · 3. Georgia · 4. New York or Delaware (or New Jersey) · 5. Maryland
Related Articles
- ↑ Master Pillar: English Vocabulary
- ↑ Back to pillar: American History for English Learners
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the names of the 13 original colonies?
The 13 original colonies were New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. They were divided into three regions: New England (4), Middle (4), and Southern (5).
When were the 13 colonies established?
The 13 colonies were established between 1607 and 1732. Virginia was the first permanent English colony (1607), and Georgia was the last (1732), spanning more than 125 years of colonization.
Why were the colonies named after British royalty?
Many colonies were named to honor the monarch who granted the charter or to show loyalty to the crown. Naming a colony after a king or queen helped attract settlers, established clear British authority, and acknowledged the source of legal power that founded the colony.
Which colonies have names with indigenous origins?
Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island all have names derived from indigenous languages. Connecticut comes from the Mohegan word “quinetucket,” Massachusetts from the Massachusett tribe, and Rhode Island from Dutch (referring to the red clay), though it was later applied to the island where indigenous peoples lived.
How did Dutch names influence the colonies?
New York was originally called New Netherland by Dutch settlers who founded it in the 1620s. When the English took control in 1664, they renamed it New York. Delaware and New Jersey were also originally settled or explored by the Dutch before being renamed by English colonizers.
What do the colonial names tell us about colonial society?
Colonial names reveal the power structures, values, and origins of early America. Names honor monarchs, reflect religious purposes (Maryland for Catholics), celebrate geography (Connecticut, Pennsylvania), or acknowledge indigenous peoples (Massachusetts). Together, they tell a story of conquest, settlement, religious refuge, and commercial ambition.
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