2850 Pure German Baby Names For Boys & Girls, With Meanings

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Parents have become very experimental these days and are now more open to baby names from other regions and countries than they were a decade ago. If you also want an exotic and distinctive baby name for your child, why don’t you give some thought to German baby names? Even though the German language is known for being hard on the ears and twisting on the tongue, German names are truly beautiful. Personal names in Germany consist of one or more given names and a surname. A given name, or Vorname, as it is called in German, should be gender-specific. Selecting a name necessitates approval from the civil registry office. Formerly, it was common to name children based on their grandparents, yet this practice is diminishing in popularity. Conversely, Germans are progressively favoring English and other-origin names for their babies. And just like the naming conventions in most of Europe, even the Germans follow the order: given name followed by surname. Women often adopt their husbands’ names after marriage. They can even retain their maiden name by using a hyphen. In German naming customs, a distinct tradition assigns names: the eldest son inherits the paternal grandfather's name, the second son adopts the maternal grandfather's name, and the third son assumes his father's name. This practice extends to females. Another tradition is that a subsequent child is named after a deceased sibling. Sharing names among half-siblings is not uncommon. Baptismal sponsors, who are often close relatives or trusted friends, also influence children's names. Adding 'in' or 'en' to surnames signifies a female's identity in the German language (1). The German surnames are either derived from geography or occupations. Last names or surnames of products or objects are not acceptable. When parents are unwed during the child's birth, the mother's surname typically becomes the child's birth name. A child born to German parents outside the country may lack a German surname, even if the name is entered on a foreign birth certificate (2). Below is our compilation of German names with meanings. And these aren’t modern German names, but names with roots in German and Germanic languages.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Aimery	Boy	king of work
Aimiliona	Girl	Industrious; Striving; Work
Alard	Boy	Noble strength; A variant of names Abelard and Ellard
Alarica	Girl	Noble monarch
Alarice	Girl	Noble Ruler; A variant of Alaric
Alasdair	Boy	Defender of men; A variant of names Alexander and Alistair
Alaster	Boy	Defender of men
Albano	Boy	Man from Alba ; A variant of name Alban
Alberic	Boy	Elf Ruler; Supernaturally powerful; A variant of name Alberich
Albern	Boy	Noble; Courage; Of noble valor; A variant of name Alburn

Alberta	Girl	Noble and famous
Alberteen	Girl	Nobly famous; Noble; Kind; A variant transcription of Alberta; Feminine form of Albert
Albertina	Girl	Nobly famous; Noble; Kind; A variant transcription of Alberta; Feminine form of Albert
Albertine	Girl	Nobly famous; Noble; Kind; A variant transcription of Alberta; Feminine form of Albert
Albertus	Boy	Nobly Famous; A derivative of name Albert
Albertyna	Girl	Nobly famous; Noble; Kind; A variant transcription of Alberta; Feminine form of Albert
Albertyne	Girl	Nobly famous; Noble; Kind; A variant transcription of Alberta; Feminine form of Albert
Albrecht	Boy	Nobly famous; A derivative of name Adalbert
Alburn	Boy	Noble; Courage; Of noble valor; A variant name is Albern
Alburt	Boy	Nobly Famous; A derivative of name Albert

Alcuin	Boy	Noble friend
Alda	Boy	Wiser, Elder; Name of a saint
Aldi	unisex	Old one, elder
Aldith	Girl	Old Battle; Pledge from God; A derivative of Alditha
Aldren	Boy	Old friend; wise leader
Aldric	Boy	Old and powerful ruler ; A variant of name Aldrich
Aldrik	Boy	Old and powerful ruler ; A variant of name Aldrich
Aldrin	Boy	Old and Powerful ruler ; A variant of name Aldrich
Aldus	Girl	Old; Wise; Honorable; Noble; An old form of Aldous
Aldys	Girl	Noble; Honorable; Old; A variation of name Aldo; A variant of Aldus

Aleda	Girl	Small And Winged
Aleece	Girl	Of the noble kind; Noble; Honorable; Ornament; A derivative of Alice
Aleesha	Girl	Of the noble kind; Noble; Honorable; Protected by God; A variant of Alice
Aleksandra	Girl	Defender of mankind
Ales	Boy	Nobly famous; Defender of men; A variant name of Albert and Alexander
Aleshia	Girl	Of the noble kind; Noble; Honorable; Ornament; A variant of Alicia
Alessa	Girl	Noble one
Alexander	Boy	Defender of mankind
Alexandrine	Girl	Protector of mankind; Defender of men; Helper and defender of mankind; Feminine form of Alexander
Alexis	Girl	Protector of mankind

Alexius	Boy	Variant of Alexis; Defender
Alfonsine	Girl	Ready for Battle
Alfreda	Girl	Elf counsel
Ali	Boy	Elevated; Prominent; Superior
Alice	Girl	Noble; Kind
Alicia	Girl	Noble
Alicja	Girl	Of the noble kind; Noble; Honorable; Ornament; A derivative of Alice
Alida	Girl	She who is noble
Alika	Girl	To defend men
Alike	Unisex	Similar; Resembling each other

Aliki	Girl	She who is honest
Alina	Girl	Beautiful; Bright
Aline	Girl	Noble; Nobility; Light; Lovely; Variant of Helen; Derived from Athal; Noble
Aliosha	Girl	Of the noble kind; Honorable; Ornament
Alis	Girl	Dignified; Kind
Alisa	Girl	Noble kind
Alisann	Boy	Honorable; Admirable; Respectable
Alisanne	Girl	Variant of Alice and Alison; Of the noble kind; Honorable; Ornament
Alise	Girl	Of the noble kind; Noble; Honorable
Alisha	Girl	Noble

Alishay	Girl	Of the noble kind
Alishia	Girl	Variant of Alice and Aleesha; Of the noble kind; Honorable; Protected by God
Alisia	Girl	Variant of Alice and Alisha; Of the noble kind; Honorable; Protected by God
Aliska	Girl	Of the noble kind; Noble; Honorable; Protected by God; A variant of Alice; A variant form of Alisha
Alison	Girl	Of noble birth
Alisone	Girl	She who is noble
Alissa	Girl	Truth; Noble
Alissandre	Girl	Defender of Mankind
Alisse	Girl	Variant of Alice; Of the noble kind; Honorable; Ornament
Alisun	Girl	Gentle; Kind; Moderate

Alisz	Girl	Noble; Sensible; Modest
Alita	Girl	Of a noble kind; Little winged girl; Noble; Honorable; A variant transcription of Adela
Alitheea	Girl	Noble; Aristocrat; Kind
Alitia	Girl	Noble; Worth; Moral; Ethical; Kind
Alix	Girl	Noble
Aliz	Girl	Happy; Pleased; Joyful
Aliza	Girl	Joyful; Blissful; Pleasant
Alize	Girl	Joyful; Great happiness
Alla	Girl	Of a noble kind; Defender of men; A derivative of Alice
Allar	Girl	Alder tree

Allard	Boy	Variant of Abelard and Ellard; Noble strength
Allaryce	Girl	Variant of Alarcia; Noble ruler; Ruler of all
Allcen	Girl	Sympathetic; Concerned; Caring
Allcenne	Girl	Decent; Fine; Kind
Allecia	Girl	Nobility; Kind
Alleece	Girl	Decent; Civilized; Respectable
Alles	Girl	Noble; Kind
Alless	Girl	Noble; Kind
Allice	Girl	Noble; Kind
Allicea	Girl	Noble; Exalted

Allicen	Girl	Dignified; Kind
Allicenne	Girl	Gracious; Kind
Allie	Girl	Of noble birth
Allin	Boy	Fair; Handsome; Noble; Rock; Comely
Alliree	Girl	Taken from Alice Marie
Allis	Girl	Nobility; Noble Kind; Exalted
Allisann	Girl	Noble; Decent
Allisanne	Girl	Noble; Kind
Allison	Girl	Of noble birth
Allissa	Girl	Derived from the Alyssum flower. A variant of Old German Alice, Hebrew Alisa, Alyssa and Greek Elissa (Greek); Noble, exalted; Great happiness; Rational; From the blessed isles

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German baby names carry a deep heritage and enduring charm that captivates parents. These names frequently echo potent cultural and historical importance, conveying notions of resilience, wisdom, and strength. Welcoming a variety of global inspirations, Germany's inclusive and expansive society has prompted a movement toward international names. Every entry on our list holds an individual legacy and significance for your cherished baby. Opting for a German name for your baby is a wonderful method to pay homage to ancestral customs or delve into Germany's absorbing cultural variety.

Infographic: Phenomenal German Baby Names

German baby names are believed to exude a sense of inspiration and prestige, embodying a rich cultural heritage. They are often tied to renowned historical figures that echo the literature and traditions of German-speaking regions. Explore the infographic below for distinctive German baby names that capture this essence and finalize your best-loved one for your child.

classic german names for your baby (infographic)

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are some popular German baby names?

Some gender-neutral German baby names that can be used for both boys and girls include Max (Greatest), Alex (Defender of humanity), and Jan (God is gracious).

2. What are some cultural or historical references in German baby names?

Some cultural or historical references in German baby names include the name Wilhelm, which is associated with Wilhelm II, the last German Emperor and King of Prussia (3 ). Another culturally significant name is Friedrich, the name of the famous German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. Heidi is also a sweet name that served as the inspiration for the popular children’s novel Heidi by Johanna Spyri (4).

3. What are some popular German baby names that are derived from nature?

Popular German baby names inspired by nature include Florian, meaning flower from the Latin word flora; Lennox, derived from the Gaelic term for a place of the elm trees; and Walden, which signifies a wooded valley.

4. Who are some famous people with German names?

Famous people with German names who have made significant contributions in various fields include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (one of the greatest composers of Western music), Heidi Klum (supermodel and TV personality), and Albert Einstein (renowned physicist with a Nobel Prize in Physics).

References

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