This list includes 50 Old man names that start with H, from “Haakon” to “Hywel”. Many are traditional, often Norse, Germanic, or Celtic in origin, and suit historical, genealogical, or character-naming uses.
Old man names that start with H are classic male given names beginning with H, commonly borne by older generations. Names like “Haakon” reflect royal Norse heritage, while “Hywel” recalls medieval Welsh rulers.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Origin, and Meaning.
Name: The exact given name as used historically or today; use it to locate variants, pronunciations, or suitable character names.
Origin: The language or country where the name originated, helping you choose culturally accurate or genealogically relevant names.
Meaning: A concise sense of the name’s meaning or root, useful when matching meanings to characters or family traditions.
Old man names that start with H
| Name | Origin (language/country) | Meaning | Region(s) of use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harold | Old Norse/Old English | Army ruler | English-speaking countries, Scandinavia |
| Henry | Germanic | Home ruler | Europe, Americas |
| Howard | Germanic/Old Norse | High guardian or brave heart | English-speaking countries |
| Herbert | Germanic | Bright army | English-speaking countries, Germany |
| Harry | Germanic | Home ruler | UK, English-speaking countries |
| Harvey | Breton/Old French | Blazing iron or battle worthy | English-speaking countries |
| Horace | Latin | Timekeeper | English-speaking countries |
| Hubert | Germanic | Bright heart or bright mind | France, Germany, Netherlands, English-speaking countries |
| Hugh | Germanic | Heart, mind, spirit | UK, Ireland, English-speaking countries |
| Herman | Germanic | Army man | Germany, Netherlands, English-speaking countries |
| Hector | Greek | To hold, to possess | Widespread |
| Homer | Greek | Hostage or pledge | English-speaking countries |
| Hiram | Phoenician/Hebrew | Exalted brother | USA |
| Hans | German | God is gracious | Germany, Scandinavia, Netherlands |
| Heinrich | Germanic | Home ruler | Germany |
| Helmut | Germanic | Helmet, protection and courage | Germany, Austria |
| Hugo | Germanic | Heart, mind, spirit | Europe, Latin America |
| Harley | Old English | Hare’s meadow | English-speaking countries |
| Hezekiah | Hebrew | God strengthens | USA, Israel |
| Hyman | Hebrew/Yiddish | Life | Jewish communities |
| Hershel | Yiddish | Deer | Jewish communities |
| Hamish | Scottish Gaelic | Supplanter | Scotland |
| Howell | Welsh | Eminent | Wales, English-speaking countries |
| Hywel | Welsh | Eminent | Wales |
| Hassan | Arabic | Handsome or good | Arab world, Muslim communities |
| Hussein | Arabic | Goodly, handsome (diminutive) | Arab world, Muslim communities |
| Harald | Old Norse | Army ruler | Scandinavia, Germany |
| Haakon | Old Norse | High son | Norway |
| Helge | Old Norse | Holy, blessed | Scandinavia, Germany |
| Henning | German/Scandinavian | Ruler of the home | Germany, Scandinavia |
| Henri | French | Home ruler | France, French-speaking countries |
| Hervé | Breton/French | Battle worthy | France |
| Horacio | Spanish/Portuguese | Timekeeper | Spain, Portugal, Latin America |
| Hristo | Greek | Christ | Bulgaria, Macedonia |
| Harish | Sanskrit | Lord of monkeys (an epithet of Vishnu) | India |
| Hari | Sanskrit | The one who takes away sins (an epithet of Vishnu) | India, Nepal |
| Hideo | Japanese | Excellent man | Japan |
| Hiroshi | Japanese | Generous, tolerant, prosperous | Japan |
| Hisashi | Japanese | Long-lived | Japan |
| Hadrian | Latin | From Hadria | Widespread (historical) |
| Hannibal | Punic (Phoenician) | Grace of Ba’al | Historical |
| Hardy | Germanic | Brave, hardy | Germany, English-speaking countries |
| Harlan | Old English | Rocky land | USA |
| Haywood | Old English | Hedged forest | English-speaking countries |
| Humphrey | Germanic | Peaceful warrior | UK, USA |
| Horatio | Latin | Timekeeper | UK, English-speaking countries |
| Haskell | Yiddish/Hebrew | Strong | Jewish communities |
| Holger | Old Norse | Island of spears | Scandinavia, Germany |
| Hilary | Latin | Cheerful | UK |
| Hale | Old English | Hero or nook, hollow | English-speaking countries |
Descriptions
Harold
A classic name, very popular in the early 20th century, famously borne by King Harold II of England.
Henry
A timeless royal name used by kings in England, France, and other European countries for centuries.
Howard
An English aristocratic name that became a popular given name in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Herbert
Popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it now has a distinctly vintage, scholarly feel.
Harry
A medieval English form of Henry, now a popular standalone name often associated with British royalty.
Harvey
An old Norman name that saw a peak in popularity in the early 20th century.
Horace
The name of a famous Roman poet, it was revived during the Renaissance and has a classical, dignified air.
Hubert
A saint’s name, popular in the Middle Ages, that evokes a sense of old-world charm.
Hugh
A short, strong, classic name of Norman origin that has been in use for over 1,000 years.
Herman
A strong, classic German name that was popular in the US around the turn of the 20th century.
Hector
In Greek myth, Hector was the noblest hero of Troy. The name has a strong, classical, and heroic feel.
Homer
Famously the name of the ancient Greek epic poet, giving it a strong literary and historical association.
Hiram
A biblical name (King of Tyre) that became popular with the Puritans and has a classic, rustic American feel.
Hans
A diminutive of Johannes (John), it has long been used as a standalone name and is quintessentially German.
Heinrich
The German form of Henry, borne by several Holy Roman Emperors and German kings, a classic and formal name.
Helmut
A popular German name, especially in the first half of the 20th century, evoking strength and resolve.
Hugo
The Latinized form of Hugh, it feels both classic and international, used widely across Europe.
Harley
Originally a surname, it was used as a given name in the early 20th century before its modern resurgence.
Hezekiah
A powerful Old Testament name of a king of Judah, it has a strong, classic biblical feel.
Hyman
A form of Chayyim, it was a very common name among Ashkenazi Jewish men in the early 20th century.
Hershel
The Yiddish diminutive of Hirsh, it’s a traditional name with a gentle, old-world European feel.
Hamish
The Scottish form of James, it is a classic name that is strongly associated with Scottish heritage.
Howell
A traditional Welsh name, anglicized from Hywel, borne by a famous 10th-century Welsh king.
Hywel
The original Welsh form of Howell, it’s a historic name deeply connected to Welsh culture and royalty.
Hassan
A classic and respected Arabic name, borne by the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
Hussein
A diminutive of Hassan, it is a very common and revered name, especially in Shia Islam.
Harald
The Scandinavian form of Harold, borne by numerous kings of Norway and Denmark, giving it a strong, historic feel.
Haakon
A traditional and royal Norwegian name, spelled Håkon in modern Norwegian, used by kings for centuries.
Helge
A classic Viking-era name that remains in use, associated with sagas and history.
Henning
A popular medieval name, derived from Heinrich (Henry), with a friendly and traditional feel.
Henri
The classic French form of Henry, it is a timeless and sophisticated name associated with French royalty.
Hervé
An old Breton name, borne by a 6th-century blind saint, that has a traditional feel in France.
Horacio
The Spanish and Portuguese form of the Latin Horatius (Horace), a classic, sophisticated name.
Hristo
A common name derived from Christos, often used as the equivalent of Christopher in Balkan countries.
Harish
A common and traditional Hindu name referring to the god Vishnu, suggesting divinity and leadership.
Hari
A very popular and classic Hindu name for Vishnu, often used on its own or in compound names.
Hideo
A classic Japanese name, popular for boys born in the early to mid-20th century (Shōwa period).
Hiroshi
A very common and traditional Japanese name that was extremely popular throughout the 20th century.
Hisashi
A traditional Japanese name expressing the wish for a long and prosperous life for the bearer.
Hadrian
The name of a famous Roman emperor, it is a powerful, historic name that feels both ancient and grand.
Hannibal
Famously the name of the Carthaginian general, it’s a strong, historic name, though rarely used today.
Hardy
A surname-turned-given name that conveys strength and resilience, more common in a previous era.
Harlan
A surname that became a popular given name in the United States in the early 20th century.
Haywood
An English surname that found use as a given name, giving it a rustic, old-fashioned quality.
Humphrey
An old Norman name, famously borne by actor Humphrey Bogart, which gives it a classic Old Hollywood feel.
Horatio
A more formal version of Horace, famously borne by Admiral Horatio Nelson, lending it a heroic, nautical air.
Haskell
From the Hebrew Yechezkel (Ezekiel), it was a common Yiddish name in Eastern Europe.
Holger
A classic Scandinavian name, famously belonging to the legendary Danish hero Holger Danske.
Hilary
A unisex name today, but historically it was primarily masculine, borne by several saints including St. Hilary of Poitiers.
Hale
A short, strong surname-name, more common in previous generations, associated with American patriot Nathan Hale.