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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.

Patricia

Meaning: noble, patrician

Origin:Latin
437
Alberta

Meaning: noble, bright

Origin:English, feminine variation of Albert
2466
Muriel

Meaning: of the bright sea

Origin:Irish
957
Dora

Meaning: gift

Origin:Greek
999
Pauline

Meaning: small

Origin:French, feminine variation of Paul
1400
Albertine The name Albertine is a popular name mostly ...
Origin:French feminine variation of Albert
3835
Lorraine

Meaning: from the province of Lorraine

Origin:French
877
Geraldine

Meaning: ruler with the spear

Origin:German and French, feminine variation of Gerald
1114
Prudence

Meaning: caution

Origin:Virtue name
690
Doris

Meaning: gift of the ocean

Origin:Greek
710
Phyllis

Meaning: green bough

Origin:Greek
904
Gladys

Meaning: land, nation

Origin:Possibly a form or Claudia or Welsh
964
Eunice

Meaning: good victory

Origin:Greek
1212
Gloria

Meaning: glory

Origin:Latin
642
Joyce

Meaning: merry, joyous

Origin:Latin
1546
Shirley

Meaning: bright meadow

Origin:English
2508
Janice

Meaning: God's gracious gift

Origin:Variation of Jane
3041
Loretta

Meaning: bay laurel

Origin:English variation of Italian Lauretta; diminutive of Laura
739
Rita

Meaning: pearl; truth, order

Origin:Spanish, Hindi
934
Merle

Meaning: blackbird

Origin:French
1363