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Old People Names

Old people names are at the cutting edge of the vintage baby name spectrum. Still considered too fusty for mainstream use, unique old people names are being dug out and dusted down by adventurous baby namers looking for rare choices that are still rich in history.

Old people names that rank in the US Top 1000 include Alfred, Barbara, Roland, Eileen, Harold, Joyce, Maurice, and Patricia. Along with Alfred and Roland, other old people names starting to come back into style in the 2020s include Betty, Basil, Clarence, Loretta, Ned, Percy, Thora and Winifred.

Like a loud vintage sweater or a pair of granny-chic glasses, the coolest old people names make a strong retro style statement, but feel close enough to contemporary trends that they stand out for all the right reasons.

Some of these old people names seem like they’ll never feel youthful again, but who knows? Maybe your grandchildren will be called Nelda and Norman, Velma and Vernon.

Below, a selection of choices widely considered to be old people names – but possibly soon ripe for revival.

Augusta

Meaning: great, magnificent

Origin:Feminine variation of Augustus
702
Aphra

Meaning: dust

Origin:Hebrew, variation of Aphrah
1301
Winifred

Meaning: blessed peacemaking

Origin:Welsh
161
Peggy

Meaning: pearl

Origin:Diminutive of Margaret, Greek
892
Eileen

Meaning: desired; or water, island

Origin:Scottish variation of Evelyn
297
Dolores

Meaning: lady of sorrows

Origin:Spanish
375
Lois

Meaning: most desirable

Origin:Greek
538
Bernadette

Meaning: brave as a bear

Origin:German
548
Philomena

Meaning: lover of strength

Origin:Greek
621
Mildred

Meaning: gentle strength

Origin:English
778
Gertrude

Meaning: strength of a spear

Origin:German
838
Ignatius

Meaning: fiery

Origin:Latin
122
Rufus

Meaning: red-head

Origin:Latin
174
Barnaby

Meaning: son of consolation

Origin:English variation of Barnabas, Aramaic
349
Wilfred

Meaning: desires peace

Origin:English
437
Rupert

Meaning: bright fame

Origin:German variation of Robert
131
Clement

Meaning: mild, merciful

Origin:Latin
397
Alfred

Meaning: wise counselor; elf counsel

Origin:English
178
Percival

Meaning: one who pierces the valley

Origin:French
222
Ernest

Meaning: serious, resolute

Origin:English from German
291