120+ Grandpa Names With Meanings For Your Characters

Writing compelling stories requires that you develop well rounded characters.

Introducing grandma and grandpa characters in stories is an extremely effective way to add nuances to your stories. Picking the perfect names for grandparents is essential to this process.

While some baby names can make really good grandparent names, this is not the case for all names. Some baby names may just be too childish to pass off as grandparent names and may not even suit the personality of your character.

Old fashioned names are great choices as grandparent names because they can take your audience back to an earlier time and conjure up the image of a grandpa in their minds. Vintage names have a timeless appeal to them and represent the old and wise, two things that grandfathers are commonly associated with.

Check out our compilation of the best names for grandfathers and pick a name that resonates with you for your character. For more inspiration and related articles, you can check out out articles on alternative sassy grandma names and the best old Hollywood names.

Cool Names After Vintage Celebrities

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Looking for some old man names inspired by vintage celebrities? Whether it's 1930s names, 1940s names, or names of other vintage celebrities, our list of cool names for grandfather won't disappoint you.  

1. Alec (Greek origin), the name means "defender of man". Name of actor Alec Guinness from 'Star Wars'.

2. Alfred (English origin), the name means "wise". Inspired by the name of the English director, screenwriter and producer, Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, who is the most studied filmmaker in cinema history.  

3. Anthony (English origin), meaning "counsel". Award winning Mexican American actor, writer, and film director, Anthony Quinn, serves as the inspiration for this name.

4. Burton (English origin), the name means "a town in Leicestershire". This name is inspired by the Hollywood actor and producer, Burton Stephen Lancaster.    

5. Cary (English origin), this name means "pure". Inspired by one of the greatest leading men in Hollywood, Cary Grant.

6. Charlie (English origin), this popular name means "a free man". This is the name of the iconic actor in silent comedies, Charlie Chaplin.

7. Clark (English origin), meaning "clerk". Inspired by the actor, Clark Gable who is known for his role as Rhett Butler in the classic from 1939, 'Gone With The Wind'.

8. Cooper (English origin), the name means "barrel maker". This name is inspired by the name of the award winning American actor, Gary Cooper.  

9. Dean (English origin), the name means "valley". Inspired by James Dean, the actor from 'Rebel Without A Cause'.  

10. Errol (English origin), the name means "nobleman" or "warrior". This name is inspired by the Australian born Hollywood actor, Errol Flynn.      

11. Frank (English origin), the name means "free". This is an excellent name inspired by Frank Sinatra, the actor and singer of 'Come Fly With Me'.

12. Fred (German origin), meaning "peaceful ruler". This name is inspired by the American dancer, actor, TV presenter, singer and choreographer, Fred Astaire.  

13. Gene (English origin), the name means "well born". Popularized by the actor and dancer, Gene Kelly.

14. Gregory (Latin origin), the name means "alert" or "watchful". Gregory Peck was the renowned actor who played the role of Atticus Finch in the film, 'To Kill A Mockingbird'.

15. Harold (German origin), the name means "army power". Inspired by the name of silent film actor, stunt performer and comedian, Harold Clayton Lloyd.      

16. Henry (English, French origin), the name means "home ruler". This name is inspired by the actor, Henry Jaynes Fonda.    

17. Howard (English origin), the name means "high guard". This name is inspired by the film director, screenwriter and producer, Howard Hawks.  

18. Humphrey (French origin), the name means "peace" or "bear cub" Inspired by the actor, Humphrey Bogart.  

19. James (Hebrew, English, Scottish origin), meaning "supplanter". A tribute to the American actor, James Byron Dean.  

20. Jimmy (English origin), meaning "holder of the heel". Popularized by the actor, Jimmy Stewart. Jim can be one of the nicknames for grandpa characters with this name.

21. Kirk (English origin), the name means "Church". Kirk Douglas was a renowned child actor.

22. Leo (Latin origin), the name means "lion". This is the name of the renowned film director, Thomas Leo McCarey.  

23. Marlon (English origin), the name means "one who is dedicated to Mars". The award winning actor from 'The Godfather', Marlon Brando is the inspiration for this name.  

24. Mervyn (Welsh origin), this name means "Lord". This popular vintage name is inspired by the producer, screenwriter, and 'Gypsy' film director, Mervyn LeRoy.  

25. Montgomery (Norman origin), a name that means "manpower". This name is inspired by actor, Edward Montgomery Clift.

26. Nils (Swedish origin), the name means "victory of the people". Actor Nils Asther is the inspiration for this Old Hollywood name.

27. Olivier (French, English origin), the name means "elf army or warrior". Inspired by actor Laurence Olivier.

28. Omar (Arabic origin), the name means "flourishing". Omar Sharif is the inspiration for this name.

29. Orson (English origin), the name means "bear cub". Orson Welles was an American actor, producer, writer, and director who is regarded as one of the best filmmakers to ever exist.

30. Paul (Latin origin), the name means "small" or "humble". Actor, director and entrepreneur, Paul Leonard Newman is the inspiration for this name.  

31. Preston (English origin), the name means "Priest's estate". This name is inspired by the Academy Award Winning playwright, Preston Sturges.

32. Raoul (French origin), the name means "wolf counsel". Raoul Walsh was an actor and film director who founded the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.    

33. Rex (Latin origin), the name means "King". The actor Rex Harrison from 'Cleopatra' is the inspiration for this name.

34. Rock (English origin), meaning "a pronounced crag". A name inspired by the Hollywood heartthrob, Rock Hudson.    

35. Sidney (English origin), the name means "wide meadow". A name inspired by the 'In The Heat Of The Night' actor, Sidney Poitier.  

36. Spencer (English origin), the name means "administrator". This name is inspired by actor, Spencer Tracy.

37. Sterling (English origin), the name means "pure". Hollywood actor Sterling Hayden is the reason for the growing popularity of this name.

38. Steve (Greek origin), the name means "honor", "crown" or "reward". Actor Terrence Steven McQueen was considered to be the 'King of cool'.

39. Valentino (Latin origin), meaning "strong". Inspired by the actor Rudolph Valentino.

40. Victor (Latin origin), the name means "winner". This name is inspired by the American film director, producer, and cinematographer, Victor Lonzo Fleming.  

41. Wayne (English origin), meaning "wagon driver".  John Wayne was the professional name of American actor, Marion Robert Morrison, known for his role in Western classics.  

42. William (English origin), the name means "desire" or "will". It is inspired by the actor, William Powell. If you want to make use of grandpa nicknames with this, Will is a good option to go with.

Popular Grandfather Names

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If you want to pick a popular grandpa name for your character, here's a good list of old names you can choose from.

43. Abraham (Hebrew origin), the name means "father of many". Can be shortened into Abe as a nickname.  

44. Ace (Anglo Saxon origin), this name means "one who excels" or "superior".

45. Albert (German origin), the name means "noble and bright". This is another grandpa name that can be shortened to Albie.

46. Alexander (Greek origin), the name means "defender" or "protector of men". Possible grandpa nicknames for this could be Alex or Xander.  

47. Alfred (English origin), the name means "wise".

48. Alvin (English origin), the name means "old friend" or "noble friend".

49. Arnold (German origin), the name means "eagle power".

50. Arthur (Irish, English origin), the name means "son of the bear King". A name made popular by the Arthurian legends.  

51. Augustus (Greek origin), the name means "magnificent".

52. Barry (Irish origin), the name means "fair haired".

53. Bartholomew (Hebrew origin), meaning "one who is rich in land".

54. Bernard (German origin), meaning "brave as a bear".

55. Billy (German origin), the name means "determined protector".

56. Bruce (English origin), the name means "ancient". The perfect name for the old grandpa character in your story.

57. Carl (German origin), the name means "free man".

58. Cecil (Welsh origin), the name means "one who is blind to their own beauty".

59. Christopher (English origin), the name means "bearer of Christ".

60. Conrad (German origin), meaning "bold counsel".  

61. Cornelius (Latin origin), this name means "horn". 'Harry Potter' fans can think of the old character called Cornelius Fudge when deciding on this name.

62. David (Hebrew origin), the name means "beloved". King David is a very important figure in the Hebrew Bible.  

63. Edgar (Anglo Saxon origin), this name means "spear", "rich" or "prosperous".

64. Elijah (Hebrew origin), the name means "God, the lord".

65. Elmer (English origin), the name means "noble and renowned".

66. Frederick (German origin), the name means "peaceful ruler".

67. Gary (English origin), the name means "spearman".

68. Geepa (English origin), meaning "grandfather".

69. George (Greek origin), the name means "farmer" or "earth". This simple but powerful grandpa name pairs well with the nickname Gigi.  

70. Gerald (German origin), the name means "rule of the spear" and represents brute strength.

71. Grossvater (German origin), this is German for "grandfather" in formal usage.

72. Gus (Latin origin), this name means "one who is majestic or worthy of respect".

73. Herbert (German origin), the name means "bright army".

74. Horace (Roman origin), the name means "a man of time". Another name that 'Harry Potter' fans will love. Horace Slughorn is the Head of Slytherin House and Potions Professor at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 'Harry Potter'.  

75. Isaac (Hebrew origin), the name means "laughing" or "he will laugh".

76. Jack (English origin), the name means "God is gracious". If you're a fan of Jack from 'Titanic' or Captain Jack Sparrow from 'Pirates Of The Caribbean', this name will appeal to you.  

77. Jasper (Persian origin), the name means "one who will bring treasure".

78. Jerry (American origin), the name means "ruling spear".

79. Jonah (Hebrew origin), the name means "pigeon" or "dove".

80. Kenneth (English origin), the name means "handsome".

81. Mark (Latin origin) the name means "warlike".

82. Martin (Latin origin), the name means "warlike".  

83. Merlin (Welsh origin), the name means "sea fortress".

84. Michael (Hebrew origin), the name means "who is like God".

85. Miles (Latin origin), the name means "soldier".

86. Mortimer (European origin), the name means "dead sea".

87. Noah (Hebrew origin), the name means "rest" or "repose". Derived from the biblical figure Noah.  

88. Nonno (Italian origin), this means "grandpa" in Italian.  

89. Opa (German origin), this means "grandpa" in German in informal usage.  

90. Papa (English origin), the most common grandpa name in the U.S.

91. Pappous (Greek origin), this name is Greek for "grandpa".

92. PawPaw (Cajun origin), meaning "grandfather". Southerners typically call their granddads this or Papaw, while grandmothers are referred to as Mamaw or MawMaw.

93. Pepere (French origin), this is French for "grandfather" in informal usage.

94. Peter (Greek origin) the name means "rock".

95. Raymond (French origin), the name means "protector".

96. Richard (German origin), the name means "brave leader" or "dominant ruler".

97. Ronald (Old Norse origin), this name means "advice". A famous namesake for this name is Ronald Reagan, the 40th US President.  

98. Roy (Anglo Norman origin), the name means "King". A royal name for your grandpa character.

99. Saul (Hebrew origin), the name means "to ask" or "question".

100. Sebastian (Greek origin), the name means "respected". A good name for a strong and revered grandpa character.

101. Theodore (Greek origin), the name means "God given".

102. Thomas (Aramaic origin), the name means "twin".

103. Timothy (Greek origin), the name means "one who honors God".

104. Tobias (Greek origin), the name means "God is good".

105. Wilfred (German origin), the name means "one who desires peace".

106. Winston (English origin), the name means "joyful stone".

Unique Grandfather Names

Grandparents are unique, whether in a story or in real life, so uncommon grandparents names are great for your characters. Here's a list of unique grandpa names to inspire you.

107. Aiken (English origin), the name means "from the oak tree".  

108. Arlo (English origin), the name means "fortified hill".

109. Avo (Portuguese origin), meaning "grandfather".

110. Awoowo (Somalian origin), meaning "grandpa".

111. Bunicut (Romanian origin), meaning "grandpa".

112. Clarence (Latin origin), meaning "bright".

113. Clive (English origin), the name means "cliff" or "slope".

114. Elmer (German, English origin), the name means "famous" or "noble".

115. Garfield (Old English origin), this habitational name means "triangular field". It is typically used to denote an unidentified region.  

116. Gigi (Ukrainian origin), this is the informal word for "grandpa".

117. Hamilton (English origin), the name means "treeless hill".

118. Ivor (Scottish origin), the name means "archer".  

119. Jidu (Syrian origin), this means "grandpa".

120. Lamar (French, German origin), the name means "one who dwells by a pool".

121. Lolo (Filipino origin), meaning "grandfather".

122. Micah (Hebrew origin), the name means "one who is like God".

123. Morfar (Swedish origin), meaning "grandfather". A good grandpa name.  

124. Oswin (English origin), the name means "friend of God".

125. Percival (French origin), the name means "pierce the vale".

126. Phileas (Greek origin), the name means "affectionate".

127. Saba (Hebrew origin), meaning "grandfather".

128. Vovo (Portuguese origin), meaning "grandpa".

129. Zayde (Yiddish origin), the name means "grandfather".

130. Zufu (Chinesen origin), meaning "grandfather".

Kidadl has lots of great names articles to inspire you. If you liked our suggestions for grandpa names, then why not take a look at something different like these medieval girl names with old world charm or the best old German names?