2850 German Baby Names With Meanings

german-baby-names-with-meanings

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.

NameGenderMeaning
heart image Aada Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble; A noble one; Adornment; The firstborn
heart image Aadelheide Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble
heart image Aadne Baby Boy Sign Boy Eagle; In Norway, it is the variant spelling of Adne
heart image Aalis Baby Girl Sign Girl A form of Alice; Noble
heart image Aaron Baby Boy Sign Boy Enlightened; High mountain
heart image Aart Baby Boy Sign Boy Stone; Bear; Thor; The eagle; A variant form of Arthur
heart image Abbe Baby Boy Sign Boy My father is joyful; A Variant of Abby
heart image Abbey Baby Boy Sign Boy Father; My father is light
heart image Abbot Baby Boy Sign Boy Father
heart image Abbott Baby Boy Sign Boy Father; Priest; Father of abbey
heart image Abelard Baby Boy Sign Boy Resolute and stubborn
heart image Abelino Baby Boy Sign Boy Unsure; Pet form of Avila
heart image Abell Baby Boy Sign Boy Exhalation of Breath; A Variant of Abel
heart image Abidin Baby Boy Sign Boy Father of Knowledge; My Father Knows
heart image Abie Baby Boy Sign Boy Father of Many; Diminutive of Abraham
heart image Abijah Baby Boy Sign Boy God is my father; Yahweh is my father
heart image Abramo Baby Boy Sign Boy high father; father of a multitude
heart image Absalom Baby Boy Sign Boy Father is peace
heart image Absalon Baby Boy Sign Boy God the Father is peace
heart image Aby Baby Boy Sign Boy Father of multitude or masses
heart image Achaz Baby Boy Sign Boy God is Holding; One that Takes or Possesses
heart image Achim Baby Boy Sign Boy Yahewh will establish; A name variant of Joachim
heart image Acker Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Field; Agricultural land
heart image Acwulf Baby Boy Sign Boy A wolf from the oak meadows
heart image Ad Baby Boy Sign Boy Majestic wolf; Earth; Son of Adam
heart image Ada Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble; First-born girl
heart image Adabelle Baby Girl Sign Girl Adornment; Noble; Oldest daughter
heart image Adahlia Baby Girl Sign Girl A noble person; A flower
heart image Adaire Baby Boy Sign Boy Wealthy spear or oak grove
heart image Adal Baby Boy Sign Boy Noble; Justice
heart image Adalaide Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble kind; Noble sort
heart image Adalbeorht Baby Boy Sign Boy The bright shining noble person
heart image Adalbert Baby Boy Sign Boy Nobly famous; Noble; Honorable; Famous
heart image Adalbrecht Baby Boy Sign Boy The bright or possibly shining noble person
heart image Adalbrechta Baby Boy Sign Boy A bright noble person
heart image Adalee Baby Girl Sign Girl God is my refuge; Noble one
heart image Adaleigh Baby Girl Sign Girl One who is honorable and full of morals
heart image Adalena Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble; God is just
heart image Adalfieri Baby Boy Sign Boy An oath of a noble person
heart image Adalgar Baby Boy Sign Boy A noble or wealthy spearman
heart image Adalgisa Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble hostage
heart image Adalhard Baby Boy Sign Boy A brave and tough noble person
heart image Adalheid Baby Boy Sign Boy Golden
heart image Adalheida Baby Girl Sign Girl A sweet and noble lady
heart image Adali Baby Girl Sign Girl A noble girl; Full of moral values
heart image Adalia Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble one
heart image Adalicia Baby Girl Sign Girl One who is of noble nature; Nobility
heart image Adalida Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble; Kind
heart image Adalie Baby Girl Sign Girl A kind-hearted person
heart image Adalina Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble; Honorable; Of a noble kind; Ornament; A form of the name Adela
heart image Adalind Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble, gentle, beautiful
heart image Adaliz Baby Boy Sign Boy A sort of kind or noble person
heart image Adallina Baby Girl Sign Girl A person who is noble
heart image Adalric Baby Boy Sign Boy A wealthy or rich noble person
heart image Adalrik Baby Boy Sign Boy A noble or kind ruler
heart image Adalwen Baby Boy Sign Boy The noble companion or friend
heart image Adalwin Baby Boy Sign Boy The victory of a noble person
heart image Adalwine Baby Boy Sign Boy A friend who is kind and noble
heart image Adalwolf Baby Boy Sign Boy A noble wolf
heart image Adalwolfa Baby Boy Sign Boy A wolf who is noble
heart image Adaly Baby Girl Sign Girl Honorable; Ornamental shine
heart image Adalyn Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble; Honorable; Of a noble kind; Ornament
heart image Adalynn Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble; Honorable; Of a noble kind
heart image Adar Baby Boy Sign Boy Ruler; Prince; Fire
heart image Addaley Baby Boy Sign Boy An honorable noble person
heart image Addalla Baby Girl Sign Girl A kind, noble, and honorable person
heart image Addelyne Baby Girl Sign Girl The noble or sort of nobility
heart image Addie Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Nobility; Variant of Adela
heart image Addilyn Baby Girl Sign Girl The pleasant noble lady
heart image Addler Unisex Baby Sign Unisex An eagle; A person with the quality of an eagle
heart image Ade Baby Boy Sign Boy Crown; Royal; Peak; Man
heart image Adela Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble; Gentle
heart image Adelade Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble kind; Of the noble sort
heart image Adelaid Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble; Honorable; Of a noble kind; Ornament; Form of the name Adela
heart image Adelaide Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble; Kind
heart image Adelaine Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble person; God is just
heart image Adelajda Baby Girl Sign Girl An honorable and noble person
heart image Adelar Baby Boy Sign Boy A fearless noble warrior
heart image Adelard Baby Boy Sign Boy Noble strength; A variant of Abelard
heart image Adelbert Baby Boy Sign Boy A shining noble person
heart image Adelbrecht Baby Boy Sign Boy A bright and shining noble man
heart image Adeldreda Baby Girl Sign Girl A kind of noble and honorable
heart image Adele Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble type
heart image Adeleine Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble; Honorable; Of a noble kind; Ornament; Form of name Adela
heart image Adelena Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble; Honorable; Of a noble kind; Ornament; Form of name Adela
heart image Adelgund Baby Boy Sign Boy An honorable warrior
heart image Adelgunda Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble; Honorable; Fight; Noble warrior; Form of German name Adelgunde
heart image Adelgunde Baby Boy Sign Boy A noble and kind warrior
heart image Adelhard Baby Boy Sign Boy A firm and determined person
heart image Adelheid Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble; Honorable; Of a noble kind; Ornament; Form of name Adela
heart image Adelheide Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble; Honorable; Of a noble kind; Brightness; Ornament; Form of the name Adela
heart image Adelhild Baby Boy Sign Boy A noble battle or fight
heart image Adelia Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble; Honorable; Of a noble kind; Ornament
heart image Adelice Baby Girl Sign Girl One who is of a noble sort
heart image Adelicia Baby Girl Sign Girl An honorable one; A noble one
heart image Adelid Baby Girl Sign Girl One who is from the nobility
heart image Adelie Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble; Honorable; Of a noble kind; Brightness; Ornament; Form of the name Adela
heart image Adelien Baby Girl Sign Girl A pleasant person of the nobility
heart image Adelin Baby Girl Sign Girl An honorable and noble kind
heart image Adelina Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble; Nobility
1 2 3 29

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)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

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

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Naming Conventions of our Ancestors;
    https://www.scchgs.org/documents/meetinghandouts/German_Naming.pdf
  2. Naming Rights and Name Declarations;
    https://dublin.diplo.de/ie-en/-/2403190#content_1
  3. Wilhelm II the last German Emperor and King of Prussia;
    https://www.momjunction.com/baby-names/german/the%20last%20German%20Emperor%20and%20King%20of%20Prussia;
  4. Heidi;
    https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~spok/heidi/heidi.html
Was this article helpful?
thumbsupthumbsdown
The following two tabs change content below.