Names That Mean Old

This modern form of the Old Norse name Algautr is popular with parents in Sweden today.

Romani form of the Scandinavian name Vandill.

Intriguing alternative that goes beyond Louisa and May, for Little Women fans.

The Icelandic variation of Móheiðr, an Old Norse name combined of the elements mod, meaning "courage," and heid, "bright."

A goddess worshipped in Roman times by Celtic peoples on the British isles, only recently rediscovered by historians. Though little is understood about her -- most of what we know comes from a single archeological finding -- she seems to have been a virgin goddess, analogous to the Greek Athena, Roman Minerva and, distantly, the Virgin Mary. Her name was initially thought to be Senua; both are intriguing, highly unusual possibilities for a little girl today.

A cute and sprightly Faroese name from the Old Norse word for "sprout".

Dropping the H off hot surnames gets you a whole new name. The trend is multiplying: Hadley becomes Adley, Harley become Arley, Harlow becomes Arlowe, and now Halston becomes Alston.

Popular in mid-century Norway, Turid was ultimately derived from the Old Norse name Þórfríðr, from Þórr, "Thor," and fríðr, "beautiful." Turi is a more contemporary spelling, connected to aviator Turi Widerøe.

Bjarni is an ancient name derived from Bjǫrn, the Old Norse name and word for bear. Today Bjarni is primarily used in Iceland.

A Scandinavian up-and-comer taken directly from Norse mythology. Iðunn was the goddess of apples, fertility, and youth. Idun is another common spelling.

Unlike many other western city names, Tulsa has not proved attractive to parents. The name derives from Tallasi, meaning "old town" in the Creek language. Elvis Presley played a character named Tulsa in the 1960 musical comedy G. I. Blues.

A name with Old Norse roots that at one time existed alongside the name Kárr, although Kári is the dominant form today. In recent years, it's been common in Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

The modern Icelandic form of Guðmundr, an Old Norse name derived from gud, which meant both "good" and "god," and mund>, "protection." Guðmundur is currently a Top 10 boy name in Iceland.

Orm was a common name in the Viking Age, when children were often given names of animals. Animal names were thought to provide protection to those who had them.

Still heard today on the Faroe Islands, Drós comes from the Old Norse word for woman.

Senator is a unique occupational name that appeared on the charts in 1989, 2006, and 2009. It was ultimately derived from the Latin word senex, meaning "old man."

Sheenan updates the longtime Irish favorite Shannon, which ranked in the US Top 100 through much of the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Shanon fell off the Top 1000 about ten years ago, but Sheenan is a worthy substitute. You might also consider it a form of Sheena, itself a form of Jane or John, with the meaning "God is gracious".

Used on the Faroe Islands, Brosi is derived from the Old Norse word brosa, meaning "to smile". Brosi could also work as a nickname for Ambrose.

Too ripe for teasing for an English speaker, but Brá is heard on occasion in Scandinavia.