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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.

Elmer

Meaning: noble and renowned

Origin:English
1524
Earl Companion or Friend (Arabic), Warrior or Fig...
Origin:English aristocratic title
1605
Gilbert

Meaning: shining pledge

Origin:German
503
Seymour

Meaning: marshy land near the sea

Origin:English
902
Morris

Meaning: dark-skinned

Origin:English variation of Maurice
907
Milton

Meaning: settlement with a mill

Origin:English
1118
Rudolph

Meaning: famous wolf

Origin:German
1609
Herman

Meaning: soldier, warrior

Origin:German
1909
Leroy

Meaning: the king

Origin:French
997
Arlene Arlene is a name of American origin and is a...
Origin:English
2279
Darlene

Meaning: darling

Origin:English
2427
Thora

Meaning: thunder goddess

Origin:Norse
1101
Melba A name of Spanish origin, the meaning of Mel...
Origin:Modern invented name
3684
Wilma

Meaning: resolute protection

Origin:Diminutive of Wilhelmina
1425
Marvin

Meaning: sea hill

Origin:Welsh, variant of Mervyn
1011
Georgette The meaning of Georgette is 'farmer'. This i...
Origin:French, feminine variation of George
2210
Verna

Meaning: springtime

Origin:Latin
2058
Wanda

Meaning: shepherdess; wanderer

Origin:Slavic or German
763
Thelma

Meaning: literary name

Origin:English
1491
Lester The meaning of Lester is from the English ci...
Origin:English place-name; phonetic form of Leicester
1730