Names That Mean Old

The sort of formal surname name more popular in another era; Dalton's a more modern relation.

Seanan might be considered an Anglicized form of Seanán, itself a modern form of Senán, an Old Irish name meaning "little old one", giving it a wise and ancient feel. The name of a 6th century saint and monk, Seanan might also be considered an elaboration or a diminutive of Sean, the Irish variation of John. By combining it with the -an suffix (meaning "descendent of" or more literally "little") it could be a way to freshen up the now well-travelled Irish name.

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.

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.

Eiro is to Eirik as Eero is to Eric.

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

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.

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."

Elton is an unassuming, lesser-used place name belonging to several towns in the British Isles, the US and Canada, and even a lake in Russia. The singer Elton John gives it a bit of extra pizzazz.

Historically, this name derives from Aldric, the name of an early medieval saint. Today, parents are more likely to see it as a blend of elements from Aidan and Patrick, Frederick, etc.

This modern form of the Old Norse name Algautr is popular with parents in Sweden today.

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.

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

A name with Old Norse roots that at one time existed alongside the name Kárr, although Kári is the dominant form today. In recent years, it's been common in Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

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

Emmelina, which can rhyme with "keener" or "liner", is a frillier and much less common version of Emmeline. While Emmeline was in the US Top 1000 girl names in 2022, Emmelina was given to fewer than 5 girls, so it didn't even make it into the extended baby name charts.

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