How did Puritan names such as Hope and Comfort express desired qualities?

Puritan naming practices were deeply influenced by their religious commitment to Puritanism, which emphasized personal piety, moral discipline, and a rejection of names associated with non-biblical saints.12

Rather than relying on traditional saintly names, Puritans often chose names that functioned as a testament to their faith and values. Names such as Hope and Comfort were selected to serve as constant reminders of desired spiritual qualities or virtues, reflecting the Puritan focus on living a godly life and maintaining a binding relationship with God. By bestowing these names, parents aimed to instill a sense of piety and moral character in their children, effectively using the name as a "good" suggestion of the virtues they hoped the individual would embody throughout their life. This practice aligned with the broader Puritan emphasis on moral rigor and the pursuit of a purer, more faithful existence.123