While most parents today are opting for trendy, modern, and unique baby names for their incoming child, there are still some parents who prefer to keep traditions alive with what we like to call ‘old man names.’
But you can also call them ‘vintage boy names’ or ‘old-fashioned boy names’ – it’s all the same!
Either way, there are some ‘old man names’ that never really went out of style – and it’s clear that other ‘old man names’ are finally making a comeback after years of being kept off most parents’ shortlists.
RELATED: 50 Old Lady and Old Man Names for National Grandparents Day on September 10
It makes sense though. Many parents were drawn to modern names because they were unique – and they stood out. But as more and more parents opted for modern names, those names became overused.
To counter this, parents are starting to favor ‘old man names’ because they’re unique again.
In fact, we’re seeing the same thing happen with other aspects of daily life – for example, vintage charm is making a comeback in home decor and fashion, so ‘old man names’ are just an extension of this trend.
40 Classic Old Man Names for Your Modern Baby
Old man names, once considered outdated, are now making a strong comeback, and for good reason as they evoke a sense of nostalgia, carry timeless appeal, and often have strong, distinguished meanings.
You’re not only honoring the past, but giving your child a name with character and lasting significance.
Whether you’re drawn to the idea of a classic name that stands out or you want to pay tribute to a beloved family member or role model, ‘old man names’ are a beautiful way to welcome your son into the world.
With that said, let’s take a look at 40 of our favorite ‘old man names’ that are making a comeback in 2024.
40. George
Origin: Greek
Meaning: The name derives from the Greek name “Georgios,” which means “farmer” or “earthworker.” The root word is “georgos,” from “ge” (earth) and “ergon” (work).
Nicknames: Georgie, Geo, Gordy, Georgey
Famous People: George Washington (first President of the US), George Clooney (American actor and filmmaker), George Harrison (member of The Beatles), George Orwell (English writer), George Lucas (American film director)
39. Herbert
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: The name comes from the Germanic elements “heri” (army) and “beraht” (bright), meaning “bright army” or “illustrious warrior.”
Nicknames: Herb, Herbie, Bert, Bertie
Famous People: Herbert Hoover (31st President of the US), Herbert Spencer (English philosopher), Herbert von Karajan (Austrian conductor), Herbert Marcuse (German-American philosopher), Herbert A. Simon (American political scientist)
38. Arthur
Origin: Celtic
Meaning: The exact meaning is uncertain, but it is often associated with the Celtic word “artos,” meaning “bear.” Another theory links it to the Roman family name “Artorius.”
Nicknames: Art, Artie, Arty, Archie
Famous People: King Arthur (legendary British leader), Arthur Conan Doyle (British writer), Arthur Ashe (American tennis player), Arthur Miller (American playwright), Arthur C. Clarke (British science fiction writer)
37. Alfred
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Elf Counsel, Wise Counselor
Nicknames: Alf, Freddy, Al, Alf, Fred
Famous People: Alfred the Great (9th century King of Wessex), Alfred Hitchcock (British film director), Alfred Nobel (Swedish chemist and engineer), Alfred Lord Tennyson (British poet laureate), Alfred Molina (British-American actor)
36. Howard
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Brave Heart, High Guardian
Nicknames: Howie, Howdy
Famous People: Howard Hughes (American business magnate), Howard Stern (American radio personality), Howard Schultz (CEO of Starbucks), Howard Cosell (American sports journalist and broadcaster), Howard Shore (Canadian composer)
35. Otis
Origin: German
Meaning: Wealth, Prosperity
Nicknames: O, Oz, Otie
Famous People: Otis Redding (American singer and songwriter), Otis Chandler (publisher of the Los Angeles Times), Otis Rush (American blues guitarist and singer), Otis Williams (founding member of The Temptations), Otis Nixon (former MLB player)
34. Chester
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Fortress, Walled Town
Nicknames: Chess, Chet, Chesty
Famous People: Chester A. Arthur (21st President of the US), ChesterBennington (American singer), Chester Himes (American writer), Chester Gould (American cartoonist), Chester Carlson (American physicist)
33. Robert
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Bright Fame
Nicknames: Rob, Bob, Robbie, Bobby
Famous People: Robert De Niro (American actor), Robert Downey Jr. (American actor), Robert Frost (American poet), Robert Pattinson (English actor), Robert Redford (American actor)
32. Louis
Origin: French, Germanic
Meaning: Famous Warrior
Nicknames: Lou, Louie, Lou Lou, Lewis
Famous People: Louis Armstrong (American jazz trumpeter and singer), Louis XIV (former King of France), Louis Pasteur (French biologist and chemist), Louis CK (American comedian), Louis Vuitton (French fashion designer)
31. Edgar
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Wealthy Spearman
Nicknames: Ed, Eddy, Ned, Eddie
Famous People: Edgar Allen Poe (American writer and poet), Edgar Degas (French artist), Edgar Rice Burroughs (American author), Edgar Davids (Dutch former professional footballer), Edgar Wright (English director)
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 25 Old Man Names for Baby Boys That Are Positively Grandpa-Chic
30. Walter
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Ruler of the Army
Nicknames: Walt, Wally, Wall
Famous People: Walter Cronkite (American broadcast journalist), Walter White (fictional character from ‘Breaking Bad’), Walter Matthau (American actor), Walter Payton (American football player), Walter Scott (Scottish historical novelist, poet, and playwright)
29. Lawrence
Origin: Latin
Meaning: from Laurentum, Crowned With Laurel
Nicknames: Larry, Lars, Lonny, Law
Famous People: Lawrence of Arabia (British archaeologist), Lawrence Kasdan (American screenwriter), Lawrence Taylor (American football linebacker), Lawrence Olivier (English actor and director), Lawrence Lessig (American academic and attorney)
28. Nelson
Origin: English
Meaning: Son of Neil
Nicknames: Nels, Nelly, Nel, Sonny
Famous People: Nelson Mandela (former President of South Africa), Nelson Rockefeller (American businessman and 41st Vice President of the US), Nelson Piquet (Brazilian former Formula One driver), Nelson Algren (American writer)
27. Gerald
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Rule of the Spear
Nicknames: Gerry, Jerry, Geraldo, Ged
Famous People: Gerald Ford (38th President of the US), Gerald Butler (Scottish actor), Gerald R. Molen (American film producer), Geraldine Chaplin (actress and daughter of Charlie Chaplin), Gerald Durrell (British naturalist, zookeeper, and conservationist)
26. Stewart
Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Steward, Household Guardian
Nicknames: Stew, Stu, Stewie
Famous People: Stewart Copeland (American musician and composer), Stewart Granger (English film actor), Stewart Brand (American writer), Stewart Cink (American professional golfer), Stewart Lee (English stand-up comedian)
25. Herman
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Army Man
Nicknames: Herm, Hermie, Manny
Famous People: Herman Melville (American novelist), Herman Cain (American business executive and politician), Herman Hesse (German-Swiss poet, novelist, and painter), Herman Edwards (American football coach and former player), Herman Hollerith (American statistician)
24. William
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Resolute Protector, Strong-Willed Warrior
Nicknames: Will, Willy, Bill, Billy, Liam
Famous People: William Shakespeare (English playwright and poet), Prince William (Duke of Cambridge), William Faulkner (American writer and Nobel Prize laureate), William Wallace (Scottish knight), William the Conqueror (First Norman King of England)
23. Franklin
Origin: English
Meaning: Free Landholder
Nicknames: Frank, Frankie, Franky, Franks
Famous People: Franklin D. Roosevelt (32nd President of the US), Benjamin Franklin (one of the Founding Fathers of the US), Franklin Pierce (14th President of the US), Franklin J. Schaffner (American film and TV director), Franklin Graham (American Christian evangelist and missionary)
22. Ralph
Origin: Old Norse
Meaning: Wolf Counsel
Nicknames: Ralf, Ralphy, Ralphie, Raffy
Famous People: Ralph Waldo Emerson (American essayist, lecturer, and philosopher), Ralph Lauren (American fashion designer), Ralph Fiennes (English actor), Ralph Nader (American political activist), Ralph Ellison (American novelist, literary critic, and scholar)
21. Wilfred
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Desiring Peace
Nicknames: Will, Fred, Wilf, Freddie, Wilfy
Famous People: Wilfred Owen (English poet and soldier), Wilfred Grenfell (medical missionary), Wilfred Benitez (Puerto Rican former professional boxer), Wilfred Trotter (English neurosurgeon), Wilfred Thesiger (British military officer and explorer)
RELATED: Prediction: These Old Lady & Old Man Names Are Primed for a Comeback
20. Clarence
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Bright, Clear
Nicknames: Clare, Claire, Clancy, Ren, Clary
Famous People: Clarence Darrow (American lawyer), Clarence Thomas (Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the US), Clarence Clemons (American saxophonist), Clarence Seedorf (Dutch professional football manager and former player), Clarence Brown (American film director)
19. Harold
Origin: Old English, Scandinavian
Meaning: Army Ruler, Ruler of the Army
Nicknames: Harry, Hal, Hank, Haroldy
Famous People: Harold Pinter (English playwright), Harold Ramis (American actor, director, and writer), Harold Wilson (British Prime Minister), Harold Lloyd (American film actor and comedian), Harold Bloom (American literary critic)
18. Bernard
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Brave as a Bear
Nicknames: Bernie, Bern, Bennie, Nard, Barney
Famous People: Bernard Shaw (Irish playwright and critic), Bernard Montgomery (British army officer), Bernard Arnault (French billionaire businessman), Bernard Hopkins (American former professional boxer), Bernard Herrmann (American composer)
17. Calvin
Origin: French
Meaning: Bald
Nicknames: Cal, Vin, Cally, Vinnie, Al
Famous People: Calvin Coolidge (30th President of the United States), Calvin Klein (American fashion designer), Calvin Harris (Scottish DJ), Calvin Trillin (American journalist, humorist, and food writer), Calvin Johnson (former NFL player)
16. Darwin
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Dear Friend
Nicknames: Dar, Win, Dary, D, Darry
Famous People: Charles Darwin (English naturalist, geologist, and biologist), Darwin Barney (American former MLB player), Darwin Thompson (American football running back), Darwin Cook (American former professional basketball player), Darwin Porter (American travel writer, author, and entertainment commentator)
15. Edward
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Wealthy Guard, Guardian of Wealth
Nicknames: Ed, Eddie, Ned, Ward
Famous People: Edward VIII (King of the UK), Edward Norton (American actor and filmmaker), Edward Snowden (American whistleblower), Edward Elgar (English composer), Edward R. Murrow (American broadcast journalist)
14. Emerson
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Son of Emery
Nicknames: Em, Emery, Emmie, Sonny, Emers
Famous People: Ralph Waldo Emerson (American essayist, lecturer, and philosopher), Emerson Fittipaldi (Brazilian former racing driver), Emerson Boozer (American former professional football player), Emerson Palmieri (Brazilian-born Italian professional footballer), Emerson Hart (American singer-songwriter)
13. Harlan
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Rocky Land, Dweller by the Boundary Wood
Nicknames: Har, Harly, Lanny, Lan
Famous People: Harlan Coben (American author), Harlan Ellison (American writer), Harlan Fiske Stone (Chief Justice of the United States), Harlan Howard (American country music songwriter), Harlan Matthews (American politician and US Senator from Tennessee)
12. Mortimer
Origin: Old French
Meaning: Still Water, Dead Sea
Nicknames: Mort, Morty, Mo, Tim, Marty
Famous People: Mortimer Adler (American philosopher, educator, and author), Mortimer Wheeler (British archaeologist), Mortimer Sackler (British-American physician and entrepreneur), Mortimer Zuckerman (Canadian-American media proprietor and magazine editor)
11. Stanley
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Stone Clearing, Stony Meadow
Nicknames: Stan, Lee, Stanny, Stane
Famous People: Stanley Kubrick (American film director and producer), Stan Lee (American comic book writer), Stanley Tucci (American actor, writer, and film director), Stanley Baldwin (British statesmen, former Prime Minister of the UK)
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 30 Exciting Baby Boy Names That Start with X
10. Thaddeus
Origin: Aramaic
Meaning: Courageous Heart
Nicknames: Thad, Tad, Thaddy, Theo, T
Famous People: Thaddeus Stevens (American Radical Republican), Thaddeus Young (American professional basketball player), Thaddeus Koscuiszko (Polish-Lithuanian military engineer), Thaddeus Lowe (American Civil War aeronaut and scientist), Thaddeus Bullard (American professional wrestler)
9. Wayne
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Wagon Maker, Wagon Driver
Nicknames: Way, Wayno, Waynie, W
Famous People: Wayne Gretzky (Canadian former ice hockey player), Wayne Rooney (English footballer and football manager), Wayne Brady (American actor, singer, and comedian), Wayne Dyer (American self-help author), Wayne Newton (American singer and entertainer)
8. Ronald
Origin: Old Norse
Meaning: Ruler’s Counselor, Mighty Ruler
Nicknames: Ron, Ronnie, Ronny, Rony, R
Famous People: Ronald Reagan (40th President of the US), Ronald Colman (English actor), Ronaldinho (Brazilian retired professional footballer), Ronald Koeman (Dutch football manager and former player), Ronald D. Moore (American screenwriter and TV producer)
7. Gunther
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Warrior, Battle
Nicknames: Gun, Gunnie, Gunter
Famous People: Gunther von Hagens (German anatomist), Gunther Shuller (American composer, conductor, and musician), Gunther Blumentritt (German general during WWII), Gunther Sachs (German photographer, author, and industrialist), Gunther Uecker (German sculptar, op artist, and installation artist)
6. Bartholomew
Origin: Aramaic
Meaning: Son of Talmai, Son of the Furrows
Nicknames: Bart, Barty, Barry, Tolly, Bat
Famous People: Saint Bartholomew (one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ), Bartholomew Roberts (Welsh pirate), Bartholomew Gosnold (English lawyer, explorer, and privateer), Bartholomew Kuma (fictional character from the anime One Piece), Bartholomew I (Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople)
5. Everett
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Brave As a Wild Boar
Nicknames: Ev, Rhett, Ever, Evvy, E
Famous People: Everett Dirksen (American politician), Everett Koop (American pediatric surgeon), Everett McGill (American actor), Everett Sloane (American character actor), Everett Golson (American football quarterback)
4. Charles
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Free Man
Nicknames: Charlie, Chuck, Chuckie, Chaz, Carl
Famous People: Charles Dickens (English writer), Charles Darwin (English naturalist), Charles Chaplin (English comic actor), Charles de Gaulle (French army officer), Prince Charles (current King of the UK)
3. Raymond
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Wise Protector
Nicknames: Ray, Raymie
Famous People: Raymond Chandler (American-British novelist), Raymond Burr (Canadian-American actor), Ray Romano (American stand-up comedian), Raymond Massey (Canadian actor), Raymond Floyd (American professional golfer)
2. Harrison
Origin: English
Meaning: Son of Harry
Nicknames: Harry, Harris, Sonny, Hair, H
Famous People: Harrison Ford (American actor), George Harrison (English musician, singer, and songwriter), William Henry Harrison (9th President of the US), Benjamin Harrison (23rd President of the US), Rex Harrison (English actor)
1. Clifford
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Ford by a Cliff
Nicknames: Cliff, Ford, Cliffy, C
Famous People: Clifford Brown (American jazz trumpeter), Clifford Geertz (American anthropologist), Clifford Odets (American playwright, screenwriter, and director), Clifford Irving (American investigative reporter and novelist), Clifford Robinson (American professional basketball player)
Are You Considering Using Any of These Old Man Names?
Naming your baby is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent, but it’s also one of the most difficult – not just because it’s something that’ll stick forever, but because your options are endless.
Old man names are among those many options – and they’re becoming increasingly popular today.
In a world where modern and trendy names often dominate, there’s a unique charm and elegance in selecting a name with a sense of history and tradition. And that’s exactly what ‘old man names’ are for.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 75 Best Boy Names Ending in O: A Look at the Current Trend and Some Primo Options
With that said, congratulations on the new baby and good luck with the baby-naming process – if the ‘old man names’ above didn’t suit your style, then feel free to check out our blog for more baby name ideas!