1512 German Baby Boy Names With Meanings

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.

Name		Gender	Meaning
Zaylen		Unisex	Strong; Unique
Zech		Unisex	God has remembered
Zelig		Boy	Blessed; Happy
Zender		Unisex	Defender; Protector
Zeppelin		Unisex	Airship; Blimp
Ziel		Unisex	Goal; Destination
Zier		Unisex	Ornament; Decoration
Zigmund		Boy	Victory protector
Zilla		Unisex	Shadow; Shade
Zinna		Unisex	A type of flowering plant; Symbol of endurance
Zurich		Unisex	Water; A city in Switzerland
Zwei		Unisex	Two

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