I’m researching for a book set in 1877 London right now, and that means that I have a small stockpile of history books on that era stacked around me as I type. I’m not the best at coming up with names on the spot — it’s surprisingly tough to invent names that are realistic yet not too boring. As a result, I was grateful to continuously find incredibly 19th-century names. Today, I’m proud to present a non-comprehensive list of 100% 1800s London names, for any of you fellow writers who need to name someone while remaining true to the time period.

If you’re at a loss for a first name, just go with “J.” It seems quite common. Here are the names:

Sir Paul Pindar

Sir Robert Smirke — great villain name here. “Smirke.” He’d definitely be one of the self-satisfied ones.

Louis Harwitz

Barclay

Perkins

Warwick

Rennie — This is the last name of the guy who designed the London Bridge, in 1831. I’m not sure if this is a good thing or not, since it’s the most well-known for falling down.

Alfred Waterhouse

Hildyard

Skinner

Helmore

Henkel, of Henkel’s Bleaching Soda

Stower

Hassall

Stains and Munt

Hedderly

Whyte

Coborn

Martin — this one’s useful if you need a name that fits well in the 21st century, too.

Yarrow

Fulham

Hudson

Bunning

Pulford

Dowden

Reckitt — Ralph Reckitt, maybe?

Borwick

Fry

Camfield

Also, as a bonus: a “mush-faker” was the term for an umbrella mender. Throw that in there if you really want to impress people.