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
Edelina	Girl	God is gracious; one who is rich or blessed
Edeline	Girl	An honorable person; ornament
Edelle	Girl	A superior person; has excellent taste
Edelmar	Unisex	One who is famous for noble personality
Edelot	Girl	A reputed; Intelligent and ethical being
Edeltraud	Girl	One who is born of noble and hard
Edeltraut	Girl	One who belongs to a noble family
Edeltrude	Girl	One who is born with fighting spirit; strength
Edelweiss	Unisex	Noble white
Edi	Girl	The one who is rich in war

Edid	Unisex	The one who has a habit of being joyful
Edida	Girl	A joyous and prosperous worker
Edie	Girl	Bringing wealth and success from the war
Edied	Girl	A rich and famous person
Edihe	Girl	One who has been flourishing financially
Ediline	Boy	The one who is kind and pleasant
Ediltrudis	Boy	A strong and gracious person who is majestic
Edina	Boy	A lovely and prosperous friend; they are good people
Edingu	Boy	Famous ruler; one who is ardent and efficient
Edith	Girl	Prosperous in war

Editha	Girl	Blessed to be successful person or individual
Edlyn	Boy	One who is like a rich waterfall
Edmon	Boy	A guardian; they are having a protective nature
Edmond	Boy	A very efficient and happy protector
Edmonde	Boy	A protector; One who protects and is a savior
Edmondo	Boy	A highly successful and productive being
Edolf	Boy	One who is of Good nature and responsible
Edony	Girl	Nordic Goddess of immorality
Edsel	Boy	Noble and bright-natured person
Edvig	Girl	Battle; fight for Contention

Edvige	Girl	Contention and strife
Edvinas	Boy	A kind and rich friend
Eevonne	Girl	Yew; a coniferous tree which has red berry-like fruits
Egelbert	Boy	A bright light of God
Egelina	Girl	One who has the power of an Eagle
Eggen	Boy	Patronymic from Egge; Ridge or edge
Eginhard	Boy	Strong with a sword
Eginhardt	Boy	One who has the power to get strong with a sword
Egon	Boy	Sword's edge; Blade
Ehren	Unisex	A honorable and kind hearted individual

Eidel	Girl	A very efficient and happy protector
Eidith	Girl	Rich or blessed; the one who is secure
Eih	Girl	Uncountable; an oak tree who loves free detailed
Eiichi	Girl	A notable and powerful ruler who is bright
Eilert	Boy	A edge of sword; brave and strong
Eilieua	Girl	Bright and beautiful
Eilieue	Girl	A happy go lucky; Spontaneous person
Eilika	Girl	Sword tip; a serious minded and diplomatic person
Einhard	Boy	One who is strong like a sword
Einhardt	Boy	One who is as strong as a sword; powerful

Einilda	Girl	Battle; an idealistic and powerful natured person
Eino	Boy	One who lives on the point of a sword
Einstein	Unisex	Genius or brilliant mind
Eisel	Unisex	God is my oath
Eisele	Unisex	Strong and noble
Eisen	Boy	Strong and iron-willed
Ekerd	Boy	A sacred individual; God loving
Ekhard	Boy	A man who is lovely and passionate
Ekkehard	Boy	A brave and hardy person
Elbert	Boy	A bright and famous person; noble

Elberthina	Girl	A bright and famous person
Eldredge	Boy	Old and powerful ruler
Eldrege	Boy	Powerful rulers
Elena	Girl	Bright one
Eleonora	Girl	Shining bright light coming from above
Eleonore	Girl	A shining bright ray of light
Elfreeda	Girl	One who has the power of an Elf
Elfrida	Girl	One who can threaten an Elf
Elfriede	Girl	One who has the strength of an Elf
Elias	Boy	One who believes Yahweh is the Lord

Elica	Girl	A noble person
Eliese	Unisex	Noble, strong, and divine
Elif	Girl	One with a slender body; Original
Elisa	Girl	My God is an oath; My God is fullness
Elisabeth	Girl	My God is an oath; God's promise
Elise	Girl	God is my oath
Elissa	Boy	God is perfection; God is my oath
Elita	Girl	One who has made a huge difference and is noble
Elizabeth	Girl	My God is an oath; My God is abundance
Elke	Girl	A noble and kind hearted individual

Ella	Girl	Beautiful light; Goddess
Ellard	Boy	A brave, noble and gentle being
Ellea	Girl	One who is foreign and is true to all
Eller	Boy	A cheerful person who lives near an Alder tree
Ellfreeda	Girl	A born Elf; A magical counsel
Ellfrida	Girl	A powerful and magical creature; an Elf
Ellfrieda	Girl	A magical and powerful counsel
Ellfrydah	Girl	One who has massive power and strength
Elli	Girl	A kind and devoted individual
Ellie	Girl	God is my light

Ellina	Girl	The entire world; the bright and shining one
Ellsa	Girl	Exalted; God acts as an oath
Elma	Girl	One who is sweet like an apple
Elman	Boy	Elm; a compassionate and loving person
Elmeena	Girl	One who has an intimidating fame; A helmet
Eloise	Girl	Famous warrior
Elom	Girl	A healthy and wise individual; Wide one
Elouisa	Girl	Healthy; Wide
Elouise	Girl	Variant of Eloise; Healthy; Wide
Elsa	Girl	God is my oath

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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)

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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