This collection presents 44 Old man names that start with B, spanning from “Baldwin” to “Byron”. Many of these names are traditional, time-tested choices with roots across Europe and beyond. They are useful for writers, genealogists, parents, and curious readers.
Old man names that start with B are classic male names linked to older generations and traditional families. For example, “Byron” evokes the famous 19th-century poet Lord Byron.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Origin, Meaning, and Notes.
Name: Shows the full given name so you can scan and pick options quickly for characters or real people.
Origin: Lists the language or country of origin to help you understand cultural background and pronunciation hints.
Meaning: Gives a brief, clear meaning or root sense so you know what each name traditionally signifies.
Notes: Includes short cultural notes, historical usage, or variant spellings that may interest writers and researchers.
Old man names that start with B
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben | Hebrew | Son of the right hand; son | Common US/UK 1700s–present |
| Bernie | Germanic | Brave as a bear (bear-brave) | Common UK/US 1920s–1960s |
| Bert | Germanic | Bright, famous | Common UK/US 1880s–1940s |
| Bertie | Germanic | Little bright, famous | Common UK 1890s–1930s |
| Bill | Germanic | Will, desire (short for William) | Very common UK/US 1900s–1970s |
| Bob | Germanic | Bright fame (short for Robert) | Common UK/US 1900s–1970s |
| Bart | Aramaic/Greek | Son of Talmai; man of furrows | Common UK/US 1800s–1950s |
| Barney | Hebrew/Aramaic | Son of comfort/son of consolation | Common UK/US 1880s–1940s |
| Basil | Greek | Kingly, royal | Common UK 1800s–1950s |
| Benedict | Latin | Blessed | Common UK/EU 1600s–1900s |
| Benjamin | Hebrew | Son of the right hand | Very common UK/US 1700s–present |
| Bernard | Germanic | Brave as a bear | Common UK/US 1880s–1950s |
| Bertram | Germanic | Bright raven | Common UK/EU 1800s–early 1900s |
| Bram | Hebrew/Dutch | Father of multitudes (Abraham short) | Common UK/US 1800s–1930s |
| Bruno | Germanic | Brown-haired or brown | Common EU 1800s–1950s |
| Bruce | Frankish/Norman | From brushwood (place name) | Common UK/US 1910s–1960s |
| Brian | Celtic | Noble, high, honorable | Very common UK/US 1930s–1970s |
| Brendan | Irish | Prince; king | Common Ireland/UK 1900s–1960s |
| Byron | English | From the byre (cow-shed) | Popular UK 1800s (literary) |
| Baldwin | Germanic | Bold friend | Common medieval–early modern Europe |
| Barnaby | Aramaic | Son of consolation | Common UK 1700s–1900s |
| Boris | Slavic | Battle, fight | Common Russia/Eastern Europe 1800s–1950s |
| Brice | Gaelic/Latin | Speckled, alert | Common UK 1800s–1950s |
| Bryce | Scottish | Speckled, freckled | Common UK/US 1900s–1990s |
| Bennett | Latin/English | Blessed (from Benedict) | Common UK/US 1800s–1930s |
| Benno | German | Blessed (diminutive) | Common Germany 1800s–1950s |
| Boaz | Hebrew | Swiftness; strength | Biblical use 1200s BCE onward, revived periodically |
| Bo | Scandinavian/Dutch | To live; small form | Used Scandinavia/US intermittently 1900s–present |
| Brant | Germanic | Sword; raven | Common UK/US 1800s–1940s |
| Bryan | Celtic | High, noble | Common UK/US 1930s–1970s |
| Brigham | English | Bridge homestead | Used historically in US (Mormon 1800s) |
| Broderick | Irish/Welsh | Victorious ruler | Used UK/US 1800s–1950s |
| Brodie | Scottish | Ditch, muddy place | Common Scotland/UK 1800s–1950s |
| Bevan | Welsh | Son of Evan | Common Wales/UK 1800s–1950s |
| Bede | Old English | Prayer; blessed | Medieval England (7th century) onward |
| Barclay | Scottish | Birch meadow (place name) | Used UK 1600s–1900s |
| Brock | Old English | Badger; small stream | Common UK/US 1800s–1950s |
| Brenton | English | Town by the hill | Common UK/US 1900s–1970s |
| Brady | Irish | Spirited; broad | Common Ireland/US 1900s–1950s |
| Bartholomew | Aramaic | Son of Talmai | Common UK/US 1600s–1900s |
| Boniface | Latin | Good fate | Medieval Europe 1200s–1600s |
| Balthazar | Babylonian/Hebrew | Protect the king | Biblical/medieval use, revived periodically |
| Benedetto | Italian | Blessed | Common Italy 1500s–1900s |
| Bramwell | English | Bramble spring | Used UK 1800s–1930s |
Descriptions
Ben
Familiar short form of Benjamin, Benedict and others; very traditional, pronounced “BEN”. Variants: Benny, Benj.
Bernie
Diminutive of Bernard; warm, old-fashioned nickname for older men. Also spelled Berni occasionally.
Bert
Short form used for Albert, Bertram, Herbert; classic blunt form “BERT”. Often seen on census records.
Bertie
Affectionate diminutive of Albert/Bertram; evokes Edwardian/early 20th-century gentlemen.
Bill
Classic, friendly short form of William; strongly associated with older generations. Pronounced “BIL”.
Bob
Familiar short form of Robert; timeless and conversational, often used standalone.
Bart
Short for Bartholomew; rustic and traditional, used in literature and historical records.
Barney
Nickname for Barnaby or Bernard; old-fashioned, friendly, evokes countryside characters.
Basil
Classic British name (pronounced BAY-zil or BAH-sil); associated with saints and Victorian gentlemen.
Benedict
Traditional ecclesiastical name, borne by popes and saints; often shortened to Ben. Pronounced BEN-ə-dikt.
Benjamin
Timeless biblical name; formal and solid. Short form Ben widely used.
Bernard
Classic, formal name; variants include Bernie and Bernhard. Often seen in older generations.
Bertram
Old-fashioned medieval name; short form Bert. Pronounced BER-trəm.
Bram
Short form of Abraham, popular in Dutch and English literary circles (Bram Stoker).
Bruno
Sturdy continental name, used across Europe; carries an old-world, masculine tone.
Bruce
Classic Anglo name; evokes mid-20th-century men. Pronounced “BROOS” or “BRUUS” regionally.
Brian
Ancient Irish name that became widely popular in English-speaking countries; considered traditional now.
Brendan
Classic Irish saint’s name; pronounced BREN-dən. Often shortened to Bren.
Byron
Literary surname-turned-given name (Lord Byron); romantic, somewhat old-fashioned choice.
Baldwin
Medieval aristocratic name; appears in medieval records and surname forms. Often shortened to Baldy historically.
Barnaby
Variant of Barnabas, used in England for centuries; often shortened to Barney. Charming, old-fashioned.
Boris
Strong Slavic name with medieval roots; familiar in Eastern Europe and known internationally.
Brice
Medieval name (Saint Brice); short and somewhat archaic in modern use.
Bryce
Scottish-origin name that became mainstream; older usage suggests classic sensibilities.
Bennett
Originally a medieval given name and later surname; formal, traditional English usage.
Benno
Old German diminutive related to Benedict; less common in English but historically established.
Boaz
Biblical figure; short, strong Hebrew name often associated with older, biblical characters.
Bo
Short, punchy name used independently or as nickname for Boaz or Bolle.
Brant
Old Norse/Germanic name; terse and traditionally masculine, seen in historical records.
Bryan
Variant spelling of Brian; widely used in English-speaking countries, classic mid-century name.
Brigham
Rare but historically significant (e.g., Brigham Young); evokes 19th-century America.
Broderick
Medieval Celtic name with noble tone; shortened to Brody or Bro.
Brodie
Scottish clan name used as given name; familiar, old-fashioned in rural areas.
Bevan
Traditional Welsh patronymic name; sounds distinctly regional and classic.
Bede
Very old monastic name (Venerable Bede); rare today but historically significant.
Barclay
Originally a Scottish surname used as a given name; has aristocratic, old-fashioned air.
Brock
Short, Anglo-Saxon name with rugged connotations; used historically as a given name.
Brenton
English place-derived name used as a given; mid-century usage now classic-seeming.
Brady
Originally a surname from Ó Brádaigh; became a familiar given name in the 20th century.
Bartholomew
Formal biblical name; Bart is the common short form. Pronounced BAR-thə-loo-mee.
Boniface
Saint’s name common in medieval times; rare now but unmistakably traditional and ecclesiastical.
Balthazar
Ancient name associated with one of the Magi; exotic yet traditional for historical characters.
Benedetto
Italian form of Benedict; classic in Italian-speaking communities, often shortened to Ben or Nedo.
Bramwell
Victorian-style compound name; literary and gently old-fashioned, often shortened to Bram.