Old man names: 170+ old guy and grandpa names that are coming back
177 names · Updated · By The Nomezo Editors · Save to Pinterest
Old man names are boy names that sound like a beloved grandpa, like Walter, Otis and Arthur, and many are coming back for babies today. These old boy names run from 1900s class-photo favorites to Old English male names like Godric and Swithun.
Below are real old-fashioned boy names grouped by style: grandpa names that are making a comeback, 1900s to 1920s favorites, cozy nickname names, old-time Bible names, distinguished names for a little professor, sturdy short names, Old English male names from Anglo-Saxon England and grandpa names from around the world. Each one has its meaning and language of origin.
Can't decide? Shuffle 6 random picks
Mortimer
Still water; Old French. Mort for short; grand, but never common in the US
Lyndon
Linden tree hill; Old English. Shared with President Johnson
Harold
Army ruler; Old English. Hal or Harry for short
Abraham
Father of many; Hebrew. The patriarch; Abe for short
Grover
Grove of trees; Old English. Shared with President Cleveland
Elwood
Elder tree wood; Old English, via an English surname
Find an old man name on this page
Narrow 177 names by the decade they were most popular, by how common they were for US boys in 2025, by section or length, or search the meanings.
Grandpa names coming back for babies
Old man names that new parents are choosing again.
Old boy names from the 1900s to 1920s
Names that were common for US boys born in the 1900s to 1920s, and still sound like a cardigan and a pipe.
- Willis Peak 1880s 52 in 2025: Son of Will; English. From a surname based on Will
- Vernon Peak 1920s 133 in 2025: Alder tree; Gaulish. From a Norman place name
- Sherman Peak 1890s 19 in 2025: Cloth shearer; Old English. Shared with Civil War general William T.
- Myron Peak 1930s 102 in 2025: Sweet oil, perfume; Greek. An ancient Greek sculptor's name
- Clifford Peak 1910s 139 in 2025: Ford by a cliff; Old English. Cliff for short
- Roland Peak 1920s US #608: Famous land; Germanic. Charlemagne's legendary knight
- Fred Peak 1880s 80 in 2025: Peaceful ruler; Germanic. Short for Frederick; #22 in 1910
- Howard Peak 1910s 226 in 2025: From an English noble surname; English. Howie for short
- Lawrence Peak 1910s US #520: From Laurentum; Latin. Larry for short
- Clyde Peak 1900s US #743: From the River Clyde; Scottish. Shared with outlaw Barrow
- Cecil Peak 1900s 119 in 2025: Blind; Latin. Honors the noble Cecil family of Tudor England
Cozy grandpa nickname names
Nicknames that grew up into names of their own.
- Ike Peak 1880s 55 in 2025: He will laugh; Hebrew. Short for Isaac. Eisenhower's Ike came from his surname
- Ernie Peak 1940s 18 in 2025: Serious, earnest; Germanic. Short for Ernest
- Walt Peak 1940s 35 in 2025: Ruler of the army; Germanic. Short for Walter
- Bert Peak 1880s 6 in 2025: Bright; Germanic. Short for Albert or Herbert
- Lenny Peak 1960s 128 in 2025: Brave lion; Germanic. Short for Leonard
- Jimmy Peak 1940s US #847: Supplanter, holder of the heel; Hebrew. Short for James
- Joe Peak 1900s US #994: He will add; Hebrew. Short for Joseph
- Willie Peak 1900s 147 in 2025: Resolute protector; Germanic. Short for William
Old fashioned Bible names for boys
Old Testament names the Puritans loved, now sounding wise and warm.
- Hiram Peak 1880s 103 in 2025: Exalted brother; Phoenician. A king of Tyre in the Bible
- Uriah Peak 2010s US #650: God is my light; Hebrew. A soldier in King David's army
Distinguished old man names
Presidential, professorial and slightly grand names for a little gentleman.
- Woodrow Peak 1910s 102 in 2025: Row of houses by a wood; Old English. President Wilson's middle name
- Lyndon Peak 1960s 65 in 2025: Linden tree hill; Old English. Shared with President Johnson
- Grover Peak 1880s 24 in 2025: Grove of trees; Old English. Shared with President Cleveland
- Truman Peak 1910s 111 in 2025: Trusty man; English. Shared with President Harry S.
- Reginald Peak 1960s 153 in 2025: Power of counsel; Germanic. Reggie for short; at its US peak in the 1960s
- Sheldon Peak 1930s 46 in 2025: Valley with steep sides; Old English. From an English place name
- Mortimer Peak 1910s Under 5 in 2025: Still water; Old French. Mort for short; grand, but never common in the US
Short and sturdy old guy names
One-syllable grandpa names with a handshake built in.
Old English male names
Names from Anglo-Saxon England, from the 500s to the 1100s. Most join two Old English words; two come to us through later surnames.
- Godric Peak 2010s 7 in 2025: God and ruler; Old English. A hermit saint of Finchale, died 1170
- Osmond Peak 1910s 13 in 2025: God and protection; Old English. A king of Sussex in the 760s
- Osbert Peak 1970s Under 5 in 2025: God and bright; Old English. A 9th-century king of Northumbria
- Ethelbert Peak 1910s Under 5 in 2025: Noble and bright; Old English. Kent's king, baptized around 597
- Ethelwulf Under 5 in 2025: Noble wolf; Old English. King of Wessex and father of Alfred the Great
- Edwy Under 5 in 2025: Rich in war; Old English. A teenage king of England, 955 to 959
- Edred Under 5 in 2025: Rich counsel; Old English. King of England from 946 to 955
- Eldred Peak 1910s Under 5 in 2025: Old counsel; Old English. The archbishop who crowned William in 1066
- Swithun Under 5 in 2025: Strong; Old English. The bishop behind England's rainy St. Swithin's Day
- Aldhelm Under 5 in 2025: Old helmet; Old English. Abbot of Malmesbury and poet, died 709
- Guthlac Under 5 in 2025: Battle play; Old English. A hermit saint of the Fens, died 714
- Cuthred Under 5 in 2025: Famous counsel; Old English. King of Wessex from 740 to 756
- Sigbert Under 5 in 2025: Victory and bright; Old English. A 7th-century king of East Anglia
- Cynric Under 5 in 2025: Royal ruler; Old English. An early king of Wessex, 6th century
- Wulfhere Under 5 in 2025: Wolf army; Old English. King of Mercia from 658 to 675
- Leofwine Under 5 in 2025: Dear friend; Old English. Brother of Harold II, killed at Hastings
- Algar Under 5 in 2025: Elf spear; Old English Ælfgar. An earl of Mercia, son of Leofric
- Alphege Under 5 in 2025: Elf high; Old English Ælfheah. An archbishop killed by Vikings in 1012
- Elwood Peak 1910s 81 in 2025: Elder tree wood; Old English, via an English surname
- Garfield Peak 1880s 5 in 2025: Triangular field; Old English. Shared with President James A.
Grandpa names from around the world
Old-school names that grandfathers carry in other languages.
- Giuseppe Peak 1970s 122 in 2025: He will add; Hebrew. Italian form of Joseph. Say joo-ZEP-peh
- Salvatore Peak 1910s US #945: The savior; Latin. Sal or Totò for short
- Vito Peak 1920s 117 in 2025: Life; Latin. Italian form of Vitus. Say VEE-toh
- Fritz Peak 1880s 47 in 2025: Peaceful ruler; Germanic. German pet form of Friedrich; also old Allied slang for a German soldier
- Wilhelm Peak 1880s 26 in 2025: Resolute protector; Germanic. German form of William. Say VIL-helm
- Jacques Peak 1970s 80 in 2025: Supplanter, holder of the heel; Hebrew. French form of James. Say ZHAHK
- Seamus Peak 2000s 154 in 2025: Supplanter, holder of the heel; Hebrew. Irish form of James. Say SHAY-mus
- Herschel Peak 1900s 34 in 2025: Little deer; Yiddish. Shared with the astronomer who found Uranus
How to pick the right name
Look for the hundred-year comeback
Names often fade and come back about a century later, a pattern name writers call the 100-year rule. Theodore was No. 54 in 1910 and is No. 4 today; Leo went from No. 51 to No. 19.
Use the nickname to modernize it
An old man name feels younger with a playful nickname. Archibald becomes Archie, Theodore becomes Teddy and Leonard becomes Lenny.
Honor a real grandpa
If there is a grandfather or great-grandfather in the family with a name like Herbert or Clarence, it makes a meaningful middle name even if it is too much as a first name.
Say it on a toddler and a CEO
The best grandpa names work at every age. Try picturing the name on a preschool cubby and on an office door.
Save this list for later
Pin it to a naming board, or tap the heart next to any name to keep it in your favorites on this device.
Old man names: which grandpa names came back, and which are still in 1910
By The Nomezo Editors · Updated October 25, 2026 · How we research names
In 1910 the ten most popular boys' names, led by John, James and William, went to 31% of US boys. In 2025 the top ten covered 8%. So even a grandpa name that has fully come back is far less common now than it was in great-grandpa's class photo.
The comeback is real for some names and not for others: Theodore went from No. 312 in 2000 to No. 4 in 2025, while Herbert went to 49 boys. The tag beside each name above shows the decade it was most popular and where it stands now.
- Step 1Pick a comeback or a holdoutTheodore is top 5; Herbert is still waiting.
- Step 2Choose the everyday nameArchibald for the papers, Archie for the playground.
- Step 3Know what Old English meansAlfred is Anglo-Saxon; Walter and Herbert came with the Normans.
- Step 4Say it on a toddler and a CEOFilter by decade and length, then read the shortlist out loud.
The comeback, in numbers
| Name | 1910 | 2000 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theodore | #54 | #312 | #4 |
| Henry | #10 | #126 | #5 |
| Leo | #51 | #388 | #19 |
| Ezra | #416 | #430 | #20 |
| Silas | #310 | #602 | #71 |
| Everett | #88 | #587 | #77 |
| August | #188 | #613 | #81 |
| Arthur | #17 | #316 | #87 |
Source: US Social Security Administration, ranks for boys.
Still waiting
These were top-60 names in 1910, and every one has fallen further since 2000. Each went to fewer than 170 US boys in 2025.
| Name | 1910 rank | 2025 rank | Boys in 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarence | #20 | #1,500 | 117 |
| Fred | #22 | #1,936 | 80 |
| Herbert | #41 | #2,656 | 49 |
| Elmer | #48 | #1,223 | 165 |
| Herman | #52 | #2,368 | 58 |
| Floyd | #55 | #2,237 | 63 |
Source: US Social Security Administration. Ranks past 1,000 count every name given to at least 5 boys; each spelling is counted separately (SSA).
The top 10 of 1910
| 1910 rank | Name | 2025 rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John | #23 |
| 2 | James | #6 |
| 3 | William | #9 |
| 4 | Robert | #92 |
| 5 | George | #126 |
| 6 | Joseph | #29 |
| 7 | Charles | #48 |
| 8 | Frank | #514 |
| 9 | Edward | #224 |
| 10 | Henry | #5 |
Source: US Social Security Administration. John was No. 1 every year from 1880 to 1923. Of the ten, only Henry ranks higher today.
What makes a name Old English
Anglo-Saxon names usually join two Old English words: Alfred is ælf, elf, and ræd, counsel; Edwin is ead, wealth, and wine, friend (Behind the Name). Learn a dozen of these parts and you can read most of the Old English names on this page.
- After 1066, Norman names took over. Many Old English names were replaced by Norman ones like Richard, William and Henry, and some by continental cousins like Robert and Roger (Behind the Name).
- Some came back much later. Alfred became uncommon by the end of the Middle Ages and was revived in the 18th century; Edwin was revived in the 19th (Behind the Name). That is why they sound like 1900s grandpas rather than Saxon kings.
- Not every old name is Old English. Walter, Herbert, Gilbert and Hubert are Germanic names that came to England with the Normans.
| Part | Meaning | Names on this page |
|---|---|---|
| æthel (Ethel-) | noble | Ethelbert, Ethelwulf |
| ead (Ed-) | wealth, fortune | Edmund, Edwin, Edred, Edwy |
| os (Os-) | god | Osbert, Osmond, Oswald |
| ælf (Al-, El-) | elf | Alfred, Algar, Alphege |
| beorht (-bert) | bright | Ethelbert, Osbert, Sigbert |
| ræd (-red) | counsel | Alfred, Edred, Eldred, Cuthred |
| wine (-win, -wine) | friend | Edwin, Leofwine |
| mund (-mund, -mond) | protection | Edmund, Osmond |
| wulf (Wulf-, -wulf) | wolf | Ethelwulf, Wulfhere |
| here (-here) | army | Wulfhere |
| ric (-ric) | ruler, power | Godric, Cynric |
The 100-year rule
Pamela Redmond and Linda Rosenkrantz named it in their 1988 book Beyond Jennifer & Jason: a name needs about a century to lose its dusty sound (Mental Floss). It fits Henry, No. 10 in 1910 and No. 5 in 2025, and Arthur, No. 17 then and back in the top 100 now. It does not fit Clarence, Herbert or Elmer, which have fallen further since 2000, so treat it as a rule of thumb.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What are some old man names that are cute for babies?
Otis, Walter, Archie, Felix, Hugo, August and Leo feel cute on a baby. Teddy and Alfie make sweet nicknames for Theodore and Alfred.
What old man names are coming back?
Theodore, Leo, Ezra, Silas, Everett, August and Emmett have climbed fast. Theodore went from No. 312 in 2000 to No. 4 in 2025, and Leo from No. 388 to No. 19. Not every grandpa name is back: Herbert and Clarence are still falling.
What is the most old fashioned boy name?
Elmer, Herbert, Clarence, Herman and Floyd sound especially old fashioned. All were top-50 US boys' names in 1900, and fewer than 170 boys got each one in 2025.
What are some Old English male names?
Old English male names come from Anglo-Saxon England, such as Godric (God and ruler), Swithun (strong), Osmond (God and protection) and Ethelbert (noble and bright). Edmund stayed in use after 1066, while Alfred and Edwin faded and were revived in the 1700s and 1800s.
Are old man names a trend?
Yes. Parents have been reviving names from the early 1900s for years, and names like Theodore and Henry are now among the most popular in the US.
What were the most popular boy names in 1910?
John, James, William, Robert, George, Joseph, Charles, Frank, Edward and Henry. John was No. 1 every year from 1880 to 1923. Of those ten, only Henry ranks higher today, at No. 5 in 2025.
Which old man names are still rare?
Herbert, Herman, Floyd, Fred and Clarence were all top-60 US boys' names in 1910 and went to fewer than 120 boys each in 2025. Elmer went to 165.
What is the 100-year rule for names?
The idea that names come back about a century after their peak, named by Pamela Redmond and Linda Rosenkrantz in 1988. Theodore and Henry fit it; Herbert and Clarence do not, so it is a rule of thumb rather than a law.
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