1757 Classic German Boy Names For Your Child

Germany is home to a rich cultural heritage, which is evident through the vast archive of German boy names it boasts of. Whether you prefer a rooted and traditional name from the illustrious pages of Germanic history or seek a more chic and modern name that is in sync with the ever-evolving world, this wealthy collection has something for every parent-to-be.

Germans practice naming traditions that are similar to those of Anglo-Australians. Typically, most Germans are given two gender-specific personal names by their parents. One serves as the first name and the other as a middle name, and then they are followed by a family name passed on from the paternal side of family. While it was once customary to name children after their grandparents, this tradition is gradually waning.

Traditional German names often have Biblical origins, such as Johann/Hans (John), Georg/Jörg (George), Jakob (Jacob), Anna, Maria, and Christina. Families often adopt the same saint's name for multiple children's first names. For instance, John and George were the favored choices for boys tracing back to St. John and St. George. Furthermore, the naming pattern for German children often follows a tradition where the first son is named after the paternal grandfather, the second son is named after the maternal grandfather, and the third son is named after the father (1).

With modernization, the German naming patterns have drifted, and as German emigrants who settled in America anglicized their names, American versions of German names could be seen. For example, there were more ‘Henrys’ than ‘Heinrichs’ and ‘Marys’ than ‘Marias.’ German naming tradition had a unique feature that was often disrupted by circumstances. So when there was a duplicate name in the pattern, the next name in the pattern was automatically used. Also, if a child died in infancy, his or her name was reused for the next child of the same gender. Similarly, the names were repeated if a spouse died and the surviving spouse remarried and had more children. This way, half the siblings were with the same names. Momjunction enlists unique and interesting German names for your baby boy in the list below.

On This Page

Browse Baby Names By Gender

Girl BoyUnisex

Browse Baby Names By Alphabet

Name		Gender	Meaning
Liam		Boy	Strong-willed warrior; Protector; Guardian; My nation; My people
Oliver		Boy	Olive; Olive tree planter; Ancestor's descendant; All cautious
William		Boy	Will; Protector
Benjamin		Boy	Son of the right hand; Son of the south
Henry		Boy	Home ruler
Levi		Boy	Joined; Attached; He will join
Alexander		Boy	Defender of mankind
Daniel		Boy	God is my judge
Michael		Boy	Who is like God?
Sebastian		Boy	From Sebaste; Venerable; Exalted
Samuel		Boy	Name of God; God has heard
Joseph		Boy	He will add; Praise
Leo		Boy	Lion
Luke		Boy	Bringer of light; From Lucania; Light
Luca		Boy	Bringer of light; From Lucania; Light
Adrian		Boy	Man from Hadria
Aaron		Boy	Exalted; High mountain
Axel		Boy	Father is peace
Jonathan		Boy	Gift of God
Silas		Boy	Of the forest; Of the woods; Asked for; Prayed for
Harrison		Boy	House ruler; Son of Harry
Enzo		Boy	Ruler of an estate or a house; Victorious
Theo		Boy	Gift of God; God; Folk; People
Ryker		Boy	Rich; Wealthy; Ruler
Arthur		Boy	Bear king; Bear
Brantley		Boy	Fire; Steep meadow
Leon		Boy	Lion
Kevin		Boy	Handsome by birth; Gentle; Lovable; Fair; Peace
King		Boy	Monarch; Ruler
Felix		Boy	Blessed with good fortune; Succesful
Beckett		Boy	Beehive; Stream
Eric		Boy	Eternal ruler
Patrick		Boy	Nobleman
Peter		Boy	Rock; Stone
Richard		Boy	Brave ruler; Mighty king; Firm ruler
Lukas		Boy	Illumination; Light
Rafael		Boy	God has healed
Louis		Boy	Famous warrior
Walter		Boy	Army ruler; Power of the army
Tobias		Boy	Yahweh is good
Martin		Boy	The god of war; Mars; Dedicated to Mars; Warlike; Male
Manuel		Boy	God is with us
Raymond		Boy	Counseling protector; Advice; Decision
Mario		Boy	Warlike; Mars; Male
Fernando		Boy	Adventurous; Bold journey
Marshall		Boy	Horse-keeper; Master of horses; Stable boy; Keeper; Servant; Military chief commander
Milan		Boy	Gracious; Dear; Middle of the plain
Marco		Boy	Dedicated to Mars; Roman God of war; Warlike
Edgar		Boy	Prosperous spear
Jeffrey		Boy	Pledge of peace
Hank		Boy	Home ruler; God is gracious
Hugo		Boy	Mind; Spirit; Thought
Mathias		Boy	God's gift
Frank		Boy	Free person; Open-hearted; Germanic tribe
Fabian		Boy	Bean farmer
Matthias		Boy	God's gift
Ruben		Boy	Behold, a son
Dax		Boy	Name of a town in France; Leader; Badger
Rocco		Boy	Rest; Repose; Rook; Crow; Battle cry; Roar
Emanuel		Boy	God is with us
Jonas		Boy	Dove; God is gracious
Conrad		Boy	Brave counsel
Raphael		Boy	God heals
Emmitt		Boy	Whole; Great; Universal
Maximilian		Boy	Greatest; Supreme; Maximum; Eldest
Ronald		Boy	Ruler's counsel; Ruler's advice
Albert		Boy	Noble; Bright
Derrick		Boy	Ruler of the people
Marvin		Boy	Famous friend; Sea friend; Bone marrow; Eminent; Noble; Wish; Desire; Young goat or kid
Houston		Boy	Hugh's town
Harlan		Boy	Hare's land; Flax
Ander		Boy	Manly; Male; Virility; Brave; Defender of mankind
Otis		Boy	Wealth; Son of Ode
Leonard		Boy	Lion-like; Brave man
Bruno		Boy	Armor; Protection; Burnished; Polished; Brown
Roland		Boy	Famous land; Glorious territory; From the famous land
Marcel		Boy	Belonging to Mars; Roman god of war; Male
Roger		Boy	Famous spear
Louie		Boy	Famous warrior
Rayden		Boy	Ray of light; Advice; Counselor; Wise protector; Little fire; Thunder
Alberto		Boy	Noble; Bright; Famous
Harry		Boy	Ruler of the household
Jefferson		Boy	Son of Jeffrey; Peaceful territory
Magnus		Boy	Large; Great
Hugh		Boy	Mind; Thought; Soul; Spirit
Orlando		Boy	Famous in the land
Ben		Boy	Son
Ramon		Boy	Famous protector; Advice; Counsel
Kaiser		Boy	Emperor; Hairy
Guillermo		Boy	Will helmet; Desired protection
Boden		Boy	Messenger; Bottom; Small hut; Descendant of Buadan; One who takes shelter
Niklaus		Boy	Victory of the people; Conqueror of the people; People's champion
Axl		Boy	Father is peace
Jakob		Boy	Holder of the heel; Supplanter; May God protect
Alaric		Boy	Ruler of all; Noble ruler
Kellen		Boy	Strong; Bright-headed; Slender; Great warrior; Swampy area
Franco		Boy	Frank; Frenchman; Spear
Henrik		Boy	Lord of the house; Estate ruler 80
Kye		Boy	Ocean; To rejoice; Triumph; Victory
Alfred		Boy	Elf counsel

Infographic: Inspirational German Names For Your Little Warrior

Do you want a genuinely unique-sounding name for your little one? Well, look no further than those belonging to the German language. They have a hard consonant sound with influences from various European languages. The names are equally modern and traditional. So check out the infographic and pick the one that best suits your little one.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team