Here you’ll find 31 Old man names that start with E, organized from “Earl” to “Ezra”. They are mostly classic and traditional, with familiar sounds and established histories. Writers, genealogists, parents, and curious readers can use this list for naming, research, or inspiration.
[Old man names that start with E] are classic male names often linked to family lines, history, or regional traditions. Many have long histories — for example, “Earl” doubles as a noble title and “Ezra” appears in biblical records.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Origin, Meaning, and Notes.
Name: The given name as listed; you can scan it quickly for familiar or unique E-starting options.
Origin: The language or region where the name comes from, helping you match cultural or historical context.
Meaning: A concise definition or root sense of the name, useful when you want symbolic or thematic relevance.
Notes: Short remarks about usage, notable bearers, pronunciation, or variant spellings to guide your choice.
Old man names that start with E
| Name | Origin (language/country) | Meaning | Era/Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edward | Old English | Wealthy guardian or “prosperous protector” | Perennially classic |
| Ernest | German | Serious, resolute, or battle to the death | Victorian era |
| Eugene | Greek | Well-born or “noble” | Early 20th c. |
| Earl | English | Nobleman or “chieftain” | 1910s-1930s |
| Edwin | Old English | Rich friend or “prosperous friend” | Early 20th c. |
| Elmer | Old English | Noble and famous | 1890s-1920s |
| Edgar | Old English | Wealthy spear or “fortunate spearman” | 19th century |
| Edmund | Old English | Prosperous protector | Classic, traditional |
| Emil | Latin | From the Roman family name Aemilius, meaning “rival” | Early 20th c. |
| Everett | German/English | Brave as a wild boar | Early 20th c. |
| Elias | Hebrew | Yahweh is my God | Timeless biblical |
| Enoch | Hebrew | Dedicated or “consecrated” | Biblical, 19th c. |
| Ephraim | Hebrew | Fruitful, fertile | Biblical, 19th c. |
| Eric | Old Norse | Eternal ruler or “sole ruler” | Mid-20th c. |
| Ervin | German | Honor friend or “army friend” | 1920s-1940s |
| Ezekiel | Hebrew | God strengthens | Timeless biblical |
| Ezra | Hebrew | Help or “helper” | Biblical, 19th c. |
| Elliot | English/French | A medieval diminutive of the name Elias | Early 20th c. |
| Ellis | Welsh/Hebrew | Benevolent or a form of Elijah | 1910s-1920s |
| Emmanuel | Hebrew | God is with us | Perennially classic |
| Emmett | German/English | Universal or “truth” | 1900s-1910s |
| Eustace | Greek | Fruitful or “steadfast” | Medieval/Victorian |
| Ebenezer | Hebrew | Stone of help | 18th-19th c. |
| Elwood | Old English | From the old forest or “elder tree forest” | 1920s-1930s |
| Eldon | Old English | Ella’s hill or “sacred hill” | 1920s-1930s |
| Elbert | German | Noble and bright | Early 20th c. |
| Elisha | Hebrew | God is my salvation | Biblical, 19th c. |
| Errol | Scottish | Possibly a variant of Earl, meaning nobleman”” | 1930s-1940s |
| Esteban | Spanish | Crown or “garland” | Classic Hispanic |
| Eldridge | Old English | Old ruler or “sage ruler” | Late 19th c. |
| Erasmus | Greek | Beloved, desired | Renaissance era |
Descriptions
Edward
A timeless royal name borne by eight English kings. Its classic feel and friendly nicknames like Ed, Eddie, and Ted keep it perpetually in style.
Ernest
Gained immense popularity in the 19th century. Famously used in Oscar Wilde’s play “The Importance of Being Earnest,” it sounds sincere and respectable.
Eugene
A distinguished name popular at the turn of the 20th century. It belonged to playwright Eugene O’Neill and Pope Pius XII, born Eugenio Pacelli.
Earl
An aristocratic title used as a given name, Earl has a strong, no-nonsense feel. It was a top 30 name in the US during the 1920s.
Edwin
The name of a 7th-century king and saint of Northumbria. Edwin feels both gentle and strong, a classic alternative to Edward.
Elmer
The quintessential “old man” name. Though widely known from the cartoon character Elmer Fudd, it was once a top 50 name in the United States.
Edgar
A name with a gothic, literary feel thanks to writer Edgar Allan Poe. It was also the name of a 10th-century king of England known as Edgar the Peaceful.
Edmund
A solid, historic name of Anglo-Saxon kings and saints. It appears in literature from Shakespeare’s “King Lear” to C.S. Lewis’s “The Chronicles of Narnia.”
Emil
A classic name with a gentle sound, popular across Europe. It feels sophisticated and has an artistic sensibility.
Everett
Originally an English surname derived from a Germanic name. It projects an air of cool, polished respectability and is now seeing a significant revival.
Elias
The Greek form of the biblical prophet Elijah. Elias has a softer, more lyrical sound than its counterpart and feels both ancient and fresh.
Enoch
The name of a biblical patriarch who was said to have “walked with God.” It is a strong, serious, and distinctive choice with deep historical roots.
Ephraim
In the Old Testament, Ephraim was a son of Joseph and founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The name has a gentle, rustic quality.
Eric
A powerful Scandinavian name brought to England by Danish settlers. It has been used by kings of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway for centuries.
Ervin
A friendly, approachable name that was most popular in the first half of the 20th century. The variant spelling is Erwin.
Ezekiel
The name of a major prophet in the Old Testament. It’s a powerful and commanding name, often shortened to the friendly nickname Zeke.
Ezra
A biblical scribe and priest who helped reintroduce the Torah in Jerusalem. While popular today, it was also common in the 19th century, giving it a classic feel.
Elliot
A sophisticated surname-turned-given-name with literary and academic polish. It feels both traditional and intelligent, with various spellings like Elliott.
Ellis
A gentle and versatile name of Welsh origin, also considered a variant of Elias. It has a soft, scholarly feel and was popular in the early 20th century.
Emmanuel
A significant biblical name from the Old Testament, prophesied for the Messiah. It’s a traditional and reverent choice in many Christian cultures.
Emmett
A masculine form of Emma that became popular as a given name. It feels sturdy and dependable, a classic “grandfather name” that is now stylish again.
Eustace
A very old name that sounds formal and distinctly British. It features in “The Chronicles of Narnia” and has an adventurous, intellectual quality.
Ebenezer
Forever linked with Charles Dickens’s character Ebenezer Scrooge, this name is the epitome of an old-fashioned, historical choice with deep biblical roots.
Elwood
An amiable and gentle nature name that evokes a sense of quiet charm. Famously used for the protagonist in the classic film “Harvey.”
Eldon
A solid, down-to-earth name that had its peak of popularity in the 1930s. It feels dependable and has a distinctly vintage charm.
Elbert
A distinguished name related to Albert, popular at the turn of the century. It sounds both intelligent and strong, borne by writer Elbert Hubbard.
Elisha
The name of the prophet who was Elijah’s successor in the Old Testament. Elisha has a softer sound than Elijah but shares its rich history and classic appeal.
Errol
This name radiates the swashbuckling charm of Golden Age Hollywood actor Errol Flynn. It’s a dashing and charismatic choice from the mid-20th century.
Esteban
The Spanish form of Stephen, a timeless name that has been popular in the Spanish-speaking world for centuries. It sounds both classic and energetic.
Eldridge
A distinguished and somewhat rare surname-name that sounds dignified and authoritative. It was most common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Erasmus
A classical name forever associated with the Dutch humanist and scholar Erasmus of Rotterdam. It carries an intellectual, old-world weight.