This list includes 45 Old man names that start with O, from “Obadiah” to “Owen”. Many are traditional names with biblical, Gaelic, or Germanic roots commonly found among older generations. Writers, genealogists, and parents use this list for naming, research, or inspiration.
Old man names that start with O are traditional male names that begin with the letter O and often carry historical or regional significance. For example, “Obadiah” appears in biblical records and has been used for centuries in English-speaking communities.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Origin, and Meaning.
Name: Shows the given name so you can quickly scan and pick a suitable option for character, family, or research needs.
Origin: Tells you the language or region where the name comes from, helping you match cultural or historical context.
Meaning: Provides a short definition or root meaning so you understand the name’s significance and possible connotations.
Old man names that start with O
| Name | Variant | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oliver | Olivier, Ollie, Noll | Latin | Olive tree planter |
| Oscar | Oskar | Irish, Norse | Deer friend or champion warrior |
| Owen | Owain | Welsh | Noble-born, well-born |
| Orville | Orval | French | Golden town |
| Otis | Odis | German | Wealthy, prosperous |
| Otto | Odo | German | Wealth, fortune |
| Oswald | Osvaldo, Oz, Ozzie | Old English | Divine power |
| Olaf | Olav, Olof, Ole | Old Norse | Ancestor’s relic |
| Orson | Orsino | Latin | Bear cub |
| Oren | Oran, Orin, Orrin | Hebrew, Irish | Pine tree (Hebrew) or pale (Irish) |
| Orlando | Rolando, Rowland | Germanic | Famed land |
| Omar | Omer | Arabic, Hebrew | Flourishing, long-lived (Arabic) |
| Obadiah | Obediah, Obe | Hebrew | Servant of God |
| Octavius | Octavio, Octavian | Latin | Eighth |
| Odell | Odel | Old English | Woad hill |
| Olin | Olen | Swedish | To inherit |
| Ogden | Og | Old English | Oak valley |
| Osmond | Osmund, Ozzie | Old English | Divine protection |
| Ole | Oley | Old Norse | Ancestor’s relic |
| Ovid | Ovidio | Latin | Sheep herder |
| Ossian | Oisín | Irish | Little deer |
| Orion | Greek | Dweller on the mountain | |
| Orestes | Greek | He who stands on the mountain | |
| Odo | Eudes | Germanic | Wealth, fortune |
| Oswin | Old English | God’s friend | |
| Osgood | Oz, Ozzie | Old English | Divine God |
| Othniel | Otniel | Hebrew | Lion of God |
| Onesimus | Greek | Profitable, useful | |
| Ormond | Ormonde | Irish | Red |
| Oleg | Old Norse | Holy, blessed | |
| Ove | Owe | Old Norse | Terror or blade |
| Osborn | Osborne, Oz | Old Norse | Divine bear |
| Osbert | Oz, Ozzie | Old English | Divinely bright |
| Osias | Hosea, Uzziah | Hebrew | Salvation of the Lord |
| Olavi | Finnish | Ancestor’s relic | |
| Orazio | Horatio, Horace | Latin | Timekeeper |
| Osip | Hebrew | He will add | |
| Othello | Germanic | Wealth, prosperity | |
| Orfeo | Orpheus | Greek | Darkness of night |
| Onofrio | Onuphrius | Greek | All-good |
| Odilo | Odilon | Germanic | Wealth, fortune |
| Othmar | Ottmar | German | Famous for his inheritance |
| Ottokar | Otakar | Germanic | Watching over the property |
| Oluf | Danish | Ancestor’s relic | |
| Onni | Finnish | Happiness, luck |
Descriptions
Oliver
A classic name with ancient roots, consistently popular in English-speaking countries for centuries and currently a top-ranked choice for boys.
Oscar
A classic name of dual origin, famous through Irish legend and Scandinavian royalty. It became popular in the 19th century and has an intellectual, artistic feel.
Owen
A classic Welsh name with a friendly yet strong sound. It has been used for centuries, associated with Welsh nobility and saints.
Orville
An aristocratic-sounding name most famously associated with aviation pioneer Orville Wright, giving it a vintage, inventive feel. Peaked in the early 20th century.
Otis
A name with a soulful, bluesy feel thanks to singer Otis Redding. It was a Top 100 name in the U.S. from the 1880s to the 1920s.
Otto
A strong, simple German name associated with emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. It has a classic, straightforward appeal and was popular in the late 19th century.
Oswald
An ancient Anglo-Saxon royal and saint’s name. It has a distinguished, historic feel, though it has been rare since the mid-20th century.
Olaf
A quintessential Viking-era name, borne by several kings of Norway and saints. It remains a classic in Scandinavia.
Orson
A powerful and distinctive name with a vintage Hollywood feel, largely due to acclaimed director and actor Orson Welles.
Oren
A gentle, nature-inspired name with dual origins. It was moderately popular in the early 20th century, giving it a warm, grandfatherly charm.
Orlando
The dashing Italian and Spanish form of Roland, immortalized in literature by Shakespeare. It has a romantic, heroic, and timeless quality.
Omar
A name with a long and distinguished history in the Arab world, borne by poets and caliphs. It has been used in the West for over a century.
Obadiah
An Old Testament prophetic name favored by the Puritans. It has a solemn, biblical quality and feels distinctly old-fashioned.
Octavius
A grand, classical Roman name traditionally given to the eighth son. It’s most famously associated with the first Roman Emperor, Augustus.
Odell
An English surname-turned-given name that had its peak of popularity in the first half of the 20th century. It has a gentle, slightly rustic sound.
Olin
A simple and pleasant-sounding name of Scandinavian origin that was most common in the U.S. around the turn of the 20th century.
Ogden
A distinguished English surname that saw use as a given name in the 19th and early 20th centuries, evoking an air of quiet dignity.
Osmond
An ancient Anglo-Saxon name that was revived by the Victorians. It sounds distinguished and carries a hint of Gilded Age style.
Ole
A very common Scandinavian short form of Olaf. In the U.S., it’s often associated with Scandinavian immigrants of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Ovid
A classical name known from the great Roman poet Ovid. It has a very literary and ancient feel, used sparingly but consistently over the centuries.
Ossian
The Anglicized name of a legendary Irish warrior-poet. It gained popularity in the 18th century and has a romantic, mythical, and Celtic feel.
Orion
The name of a mythical hunter placed among the stars as a constellation. An ancient name that feels both classic and celestial.
Orestes
A powerful name from Greek mythology, borne by the son of Agamemnon. It is a classic choice in Greece and has been used by classical enthusiasts elsewhere.
Odo
An early medieval form of Otto, borne by saints and nobles, including a half-brother of William the Conqueror. It is simple, strong, and ancient.
Oswin
The name of a 7th-century king of Northumbria who became a saint. A gentle but ancient name that feels very historic.
Osgood
An English surname derived from an Old Norse name. As a given name, it has a wonderfully quirky, old-fashioned, and scholarly feel.
Othniel
A strong but gentle-sounding biblical name from the Old Testament Book of Judges. A rare but traditional choice with Puritan roots.
Onesimus
A New Testament name belonging to a runaway slave who converted to Christianity. It was adopted by the Puritans and has a distinctly historic character.
Ormond
An aristocratic Irish surname, associated with the powerful Butler dynasty, occasionally used as a given name, lending it a stately quality.
Oleg
Derived from the Norse name Helgi, this name was brought to Russia by Vikings and became a classic royal name, as in Oleg of Novgorod.
Ove
A classic name in Denmark and Sweden that is short, strong, and straightforward. Familiar to readers from the novel “A Man Called Ove.”
Osborn
A Viking name that became a common English surname and a sparingly used given name. It feels sturdy and connected to nature.
Osbert
A classic Anglo-Saxon name that, like Oswald and Osmond, was revived in the 19th century. It feels both ancient and eccentrically upper-class.
Osias
A Greek form of the Hebrew name Uzziah or Hosea. This biblical name has a long history of use but remains a rare, traditional choice.
Olavi
The Finnish form of the classic Scandinavian name Olaf. It has been a consistently popular and traditional name in Finland for generations.
Orazio
The Italian form of the Roman clan name Horatius. It has an artistic and classical flair, borne by the Baroque painter Orazio Gentileschi.
Osip
The classic Russian form of Joseph. It has a warm, earthy, and literary feel, associated with the poet Osip Mandelstam.
Othello
A form of Otto, this name is now inseparable from Shakespeare’s tragic hero. It’s dramatic and literary but has seen some real-world use over time.
Orfeo
The beautiful Italian form of Orpheus, the mythical musician and poet. A romantic and operatic choice with deep cultural roots.
Onofrio
A classic Italian saint’s name, popular in Southern Italy. It is the Italian form of the ancient name Onuphrius, a 4th-century desert hermit.
Odilo
A diminutive form of Odo, borne by an 11th-century abbot of Cluny who was a prominent medieval figure. It has a soft yet historic sound.
Othmar
A traditional German name, borne by an 8th-century saint who founded the Abbey of St. Gall. It has a strong, noble, and very old feel.
Ottokar
A stately name used by several medieval kings of Bohemia. It has a powerful, regal, and distinctly central European character.
Oluf
A classic Danish and Norwegian variant of Olaf. Borne by several Danish kings, it’s a short, strong, and traditional Scandinavian choice.
Onni
A hugely popular name in Finland for over a century. While its meaning is modern-sounding, it’s a traditional choice with a gentle, positive feel.