This list includes 39 Old man names that start with S, from “Said” to “Sylvester”. These names are mostly traditional and widely attested across cultures. They help writers, genealogists, parents, and curious readers find classic name options.
Old man names that start with S are male given names traditionally used by older generations. Many, like “Said” and “Sylvester,” show distinct Arabic and Latin roots and long histories.
Below you’ll find the table with [COLUMN_NAMES].
Name: This column lists each name alphabetically so you can scan for specific spellings and familiar forms.
Origin: Shows the language or country where the name originates, helping you choose culturally appropriate options.
Meaning: Gives a concise meaning or root idea so you understand the name’s historical significance and basic sense.
Notes: Contains variant spellings, notable historical bearers, and brief usage tips you may find useful for selection.
Old man names that start with S
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Earliest attestation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam | Hebrew | Heard by God (Samuel) | c. 11th c. BCE |
| Saul | Hebrew | Asked for, prayed for | c. 11th c. BCE |
| Sol | Hebrew | Peace (from Solomon) | c. 10th c. BCE |
| Simeon | Hebrew | He has heard | c. 10th c. BCE |
| Simon | Hebrew | He has heard | c. 1st c. BCE |
| Steve | Greek/English | Crown; garland (Stephen) | c. 1st c. CE |
| Sylvester | Latin | Wooded, wild | c. 1st c. CE |
| Silas | Greek/Latin | Forest; wood | c. 1st c. CE |
| Seb | Greek | Venerable, revered (Sebastian) | c. 3rd c. CE |
| Sebastian | Greek | Venerable, revered | c. 3rd c. CE |
| Sergio | Latin/Italian | Attendant, servant (from Sergius) | c. 1st c. BCE |
| Sergei | Slavic/Russian | Attendant, servant (Sergius) | c. 11th c. |
| Stefan | Greek/Slavic | Crown; garland (Stephen) | c. 9th c. |
| Shlomo | Hebrew | Peace (Solomon) | c. 10th c. BCE |
| Shmuel | Hebrew | Heard by God (Samuel) | c. 11th c. BCE |
| Seamus | Irish | Supplanter (James) | c. 12th c. |
| Sean | Irish | God is gracious (John) | c. 12th c. |
| Shane | Irish | God is gracious (variant of Sean) | c. 16th c. |
| Sigmund | Germanic | Victory-protector | c. 8th c. |
| Siegfried | Germanic | Victory-peace | c. 8th c. |
| Soren | Danish/Scandinavian | Severus-derived; stern | c. 13th c. |
| Severin | Latin | Stern, serious | c. 5th c. |
| Severus | Latin | Strict, severe | c. 2nd c. |
| Stanislav | Slavic | Become glorious | c. 10th c. |
| Suleiman | Arabic/Turkish | Man of peace (Solomon) | c. 7th c. |
| Selim | Arabic/Turkish | Safe, whole | c. 13th c. |
| Said | Arabic | Happy, fortunate | c. 7th c. |
| Sargon | Akkadian | True king | c. 24th c. BCE |
| Socrates | Greek | Whole, safe (possibly) | c. 5th c. BCE |
| Sosthenes | Greek | Safe strength | c. 1st c. CE |
| Santiago | Spanish | Saint James; Spanish form of James | c. 9th c. |
| Salvatore | Italian | Savior | c. 1st c. CE |
| Siddhartha | Sanskrit | One who achieves his aim | c. 5th c. BCE |
| Suleyman | Turkish/Arabic | Man of peace (variant of Suleiman) | c. 7th c. |
| Sandro | Italian | Defender of men (from Alexander) | c. 1st c. |
| Salim | Arabic | Safe, sound | c. 7th c. |
| Sharif | Arabic | Noble, honorable | c. 7th c. |
| Sergius | Latin | Attendant, servant | c. 1st c. BCE |
| Simeon (Greek form) | Greek/Hebrew | He has heard | c. 10th c. BCE |
Descriptions
Sam
Classic short form of Samuel, common in older generations due to biblical roots and long use in English-speaking communities.
Saul
Biblical king’s name; feels traditional and is often associated with older, Bible-rooted generations.
Sol
Short form of Solomon, used historically; evokes an older, dignified style from biblical tradition.
Simeon
Biblical name used in Jewish and Christian traditions; sounds classical and linked to earlier generations.
Simon
Widespread since antiquity and medieval times; familiar, traditional, and often borne by older men.
Steve
Popular short form of Stephen/Steven; strongly associated with men born mid-20th century.
Sylvester
Roman and medieval usage (Saint Sylvester); has an old-fashioned, established feel.
Silas
Biblical name (New Testament) with a long history, giving it a traditional, elder-generation tone.
Seb
Common short form of Sebastian; Sebastian itself is longstanding and seen as classic.
Sebastian
Saint name with centuries of use in Europe; often associated with older, classical naming patterns.
Sergio
Long-used in Romance languages; feels traditional in many European families.
Sergei
Classic Russian form, common among older Slavic generations.
Stefan
Slavic form of Stephen; widely used historically and associated with older men in Eastern Europe.
Shlomo
Traditional Hebrew form of Solomon; common in Jewish communities and linked to elder generations.
Shmuel
Hebrew form of Samuel, traditional in Jewish naming, often borne by older men.
Seamus
Classic Irish form of James; traditional in Ireland and among older Irish-descended families.
Sean
Irish form of John, widely used historically; often perceived as traditional in older cohorts.
Shane
Anglicized Irish form; traditionally used and more common among earlier 20th-century generations.
Sigmund
Old Germanic name with deep historical roots; feels archaic and associated with older generations.
Siegfried
Legendary and medieval use in Germanic cultures; strongly traditional and heroic-sounding.
Soren
Common in Denmark (Søren); an older, established Scandinavian name.
Severin
Early Christian saint name used across Europe; sounds formal and generationally older.
Severus
Roman imperial and late antique use; historically weighty and traditional.
Stanislav
Long-standing Slavic name often borne by older men in Eastern Europe.
Suleiman
Islamic form of Solomon, historically used across the Muslim world; traditional and classical.
Selim
Ottoman-era name with longstanding use; evokes older generations in Turkish/Arabic contexts.
Said
Traditional Arabic name commonly found among older men in Arabic-speaking communities.
Sargon
Ancient Mesopotamian royal name (Sargon of Akkad); historically attested and deeply classical.
Socrates
Name of the classical philosopher; ancient and venerable, associated with learned elders.
Sosthenes
New Testament and early Christian attestations; rare but historically grounded classical name.
Santiago
Spanish given name with long medieval use, common among older Spanish-speaking generations.
Salvatore
Traditional Italian Christian name; commonly used in older Italian families.
Siddhartha
Ancient Indian name (Buddha’s personal name); classical and historically venerable.
Suleyman
Variant spelling used historically in Ottoman/Turkish contexts; traditional and generational.
Sandro
Italian short form of Alessandro/Alexander; long-used, often seen in older Italian men.
Salim
Traditional Arabic name common historically across Muslim societies; associated with older generations.
Sharif
Historic Arabic name borne by notable figures; feels classical and generational.
Sergius
Ancient Roman family name used as given name; early Christian saints made it a traditional choice.
Simeon (Greek form)
Alternate spelling/form used in Orthodox and historical contexts; classical and elder-associated.