Names That Mean Old

Milo, Miles and even Myles are all well-known in the US, but the spelling Mylo is not widely used here though it ranks among the British Top 1000 names for boys. However you spell it, a friendly, jaunty name with authentic roots.

In Finnish mythology, Ukko is the primary deity — the god of thunder and the sky.

This marvelously medieval name had a moment in the 1910s and 1920s but has dropped completely off the radar now.

Unlike many other western city names, Tulsa has not proved attractive to parents. The name derives from Tallasi, meaning "old town" in the Creek language.

A biblical name -- he was the father of Abraham -- but the father's name is much less appealing than the son's, in both sound and meaning.

Casca was a Roman cognomen — a proto-surname — that derived from a word meaning "old." It was seen in Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, and more recently, in The Hunger Games.

The Dutch equivalent of Walt makes the Top 100 in Belgium, where Flemish parents love short, sweet names.

Alda's brother name Aldo has been a mainstay of the U.S. popularity chart for decades now, and the related Alden is soaring up as well. This version has never really caught on. (Maybe it's the association with Alan Alda: great actor, unlikely namesake for a little girl.) However, there is possible hope now that Alba and Alma are on the rise. Aida and Arden are more familiar alternatives.

The surname of influential French fashion designer Marc Bohan could make a modern-sounding two-syllable boy's name, though it might be confused with Bowen.

Eiro is to Eirik as Eero is to Eric.

In Swedish, Sölvi is a feminine name and variation of Solveig. The Icelandic masculine form evolved from Sǫlvi, an Old Norse name no longer in use.

Sounds just like its cognate Estelle, but with a more streamlined spelling.

The Icelandic variation of Móheiðr, an Old Norse name combined of the elements mod, meaning "courage," and heid, "bright."

Senator is a unique occupational name that appeared on the charts in 1989, 2006, and 2009. It was ultimately derived from the Latin word senex, meaning "old man."

Aldous has long been associated with British writer Huxley, author of Brave New World. So many of these rare British names are starting to be reconsidered by the literary or hipster crowds and this one, considering its pedigree, deserves the renewed interest.

Intriguing alternative that goes beyond Louisa and May, for Little Women fans.

Dropping the H off hot surnames gets you a whole new name. The trend is multiplying: Hadley becomes Adley, Harley become Arley, Harlow becomes Arlowe, and now Halston becomes Alston.

Popular in mid-century Norway, Turid was ultimately derived from the Old Norse name Þórfríðr, from Þórr, "Thor," and fríðr, "beautiful." Turi is a more contemporary spelling, connected to aviator Turi Widerøe.

Skarde is ultimately derived from the Old Norse byname Skarði, which referred to someone with a cleft chin.

Alter was originally used as an epithet for the eldest when in the company of one with the same name. Jewish parents also used it for their sons who were born sickly or after the death of an older sibling in an effort to ward off death.