Old Man Names Back in Style

  1. Zacharias
    • Origin:

      Greek form of Hebrew Zachariah
    • Meaning:

      "the Lord has remembered"
    • Description:

      One of several more venerable names that get to the nickname Zack if you're tired of Zachary. In the New Testament, Zacharias was the husband of Elizabeth and father of John the Baptist.
  2. Truman
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "loyal one"
    • Description:

      Truman is an upstanding presidential name that radiates an aura of integrity and moral truth, values any parent would want for a child. It seems definitely headed for a revival.
  3. Osgood
    • Origin:

      Teutonic
    • Meaning:

      "divine creator"
    • Description:

      This name seems to foresee a future CFO. Not a bad thing. Osgood Perkins is the name of both the father and son of actor Anthony. Oz is the enlivening nickname.
  4. Isadore
    • Origin:

      Variation of Isidore, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "gift of Isis"
    • Description:

      A classic variation of the name Isidore, both Isadore and Isidore were equally popular at their peak in the 1910s. They were historically used among Jewish families — Isidore and Isadore were often used as Americanizations of Jewish names such as Israel and Isaac.
  5. Rudolph
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "famous wolf"
    • Description:

      Sure, he'd probably get a certain amount of red-nosed teasing around the holiday, but a boy named Rudolph could probably take it. Besides, he's got other, more distinguished namesakes -- the great ballet dancer Nureyev, silent screen Lothario Valentino and 9-11 Mayor Giuliani.
  6. Woodrow
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "row of houses by a wood"
    • Description:

      Aside from President Wilson (born Thomas), most Woodrows, including Herman, Guthrie, and Harrelson, have chosen to be known as Woody, which says it all.
  7. Clem
    • Origin:

      , English, diminutive of Clement
    • Description:

      Laid-back and humble, with a distinctive down-home charm.
  8. Ozzie
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Osmond, Oswald, or Oscar
    • Meaning:

      "divine; deer"
    • Description:

      Ozzy has been on the rise in recent years and currently sits in the Top 1000 in the UK and the US. The Ozzie spelling has yet to catch up, but has nevertheless gained more attention thanks to its popular counterpart. Given to 135 boys and to 50 girls in 2023, for every one Ozzie there are three Ozzys.
  9. Esau
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "hairy"
    • Description:

      A once neglected Biblical name, not seen in the US popularity charts since 1902, Esau has been seeing renewed interest in recent years. Appealing perhaps to those looking for alternatives to Elias, Ezra, and Ethan, it was the name of Jacob's twin brother, son of Isaac and Rebecca in the Bible.
  10. Monroe
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "mouth of the Roe river"
    • Description:

      Monroe is a presidential surname which feels fresher than Jackson, Lincoln and Taylor. Marilyn Monroe is a famous female namesake, but her smart Scottish surname feels equally usable for either sex. Plus, we think old man nickname Moe would sound both cool and adorable on a baby boy today!
  11. Wilford
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "willow ford"
    • Description:

      As a whole Wilford still carries a dowdy, dated image, but each component of the name—Will and Ford—are stylish in their own right.
  12. Verne
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "springlike"
    • Description:

      Verne is a masculine name of Latin origin, derived from the Latin word 'vernus,' meaning 'spring-like' or 'flourishing.' This name gained recognition largely through the famous French author Jules Verne, known for pioneering science fiction works like 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea' and 'Journey to the Center of the Earth.'

  13. Herman
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "soldier, warrior"
    • Description:

      It's hard to believe now that Herman was once, at the turn of the last century, a Top 50 name, remaining in the Top 100 until 1935, and even harder to imagine it making a comeback. But then again, our parents thought the same thing about Max and Jake. Consider the French Armand or Spanish Armando instead. Notable bearers include writers Herman Melville and Hermann Hesse--and then there was TV's Herman Munster.
  14. Cornell
    • Origin:

      British from Latin, or Anglicized form of French
    • Meaning:

      "corner or crow"
    • Description:

      This name has not one but two impressive cultural connections: collage artist Joseph Cornell and photographer Cornell Capa--not to mention Cornell University.
  15. Rodney
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "island near the clearing"
    • Description:

      Rodney peaked at Number 33 in 1965 and has been on a steady decline ever since. As its popularity history indicates, this name is more fitting for someone born in the mid-twentieth century instead of the twenty-first century. It's likely this name will continue trending downward for another generation or two before it has its chance to turn back around.
  16. Willard
    • Origin:

      English from German
    • Meaning:

      "resolutely brave"
    • Description:

      Unfortunate identification with an army of rats in the movie of the same name.

The Nameberry App Is Live

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