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
Elsabe	Girl	God is a vow; My god is in abundance
Elsbeth	Girl	One who is pledged to God
Else	Girl	One who is noble; An abbreviated form of Elisabeth
Elsha	Girl	Noble by birth
Elsie	Girl	Pledged to God
Elsinger	Boy	Derived from Elsing
Elsje	Girl	Righteous or noble
Elske	Girl	Short version of Elizabeth meaning God is my oath
Eluard	Boy	Someone who is from a place located at a height and has grace
Elvah	Girl	Elf power; Magical power

Elwald	Boy	An old man who is from Wales
Elys	Boy	Famous fighter or Jehovah is my God
Elysant	Girl	An Elizabethan Saint
Elyse	Girl	Pledged to God
Elysia	Girl	Blissful
Elza	Girl	God is my joy
Em	Girl	Whole or complete
Ema	Girl	Whole; Great
Emaline	Girl	Laborious, eager or peaceful home
Emallie	Girl	Rival; Hard working

Emalyn	Girl	Peaceful home or little rival
Emayn	Girl	Peaceful home
Embe	Girl	Burnt coal
Ember	Girl	Spark
Embeth	Girl	Combination of Emma and Beth
Emelia	Girl	Laborious
Emelie	Girl	Someone who is striving; Eager to excel when faced in difficult situations against a rival
Emeline	Girl	A peaceful home or an industrious person
Emely	Girl	Rival
Emelyn	Girl	Hard labour

Emelyne	Girl	Labour
Emera	Girl	Merit; A worthy person who has merit
Emeri	Boy	Brave; Powerful
Emeric	Boy	A born leader
Emerick	Boy	Powerful; Brave ruler
Emerie	Girl	Brave; Vigorous
Emerson	Boy	Brave; Powerful
Emersyn	Girl	Brave; Powerful
Emery	Boy	Brave; Power
Emest	Boy	Serious; Being determined; A feeling of being earnest; Great vigour

Emestine	Girl	Someone who is serious; Directed
Emet	Boy	Whole; Universal truth
Emil	Boy	Rival
Emilia	Girl	Rival; To emulate; Excel
Emilie	Girl	Someone who is extremely laborious and hard working
Emiline	Girl	Rival; Industrious
Emily	Girl	Hardworking; Dilligent; Industrious person
Emm	Girl	The whole; Universe
Emma	Girl	Whole; Universal
Emmajean	Girl	Someone with great strength

Emmaleah	Girl	A powerful and strong person
Emmaline	Girl	Hardworking; Striving for excellence
Emmalise	Girl	Everything contained together or universal
Emmaly	Girl	Trying to excel in an universal way; path that is whole
Emmalyn	Girl	Great strength and hard work
Emmalynn	Girl	A zeal to work hard and be industrious
Emmeline	Girl	Desire to work hard and be industrious
Emmer	Girl	Someone who lived on a land where grain was grown
Emmerson	Boy	Brave and powerful
Emmersyn	Boy	Someone who is powerful and brave at heart

Emmery	Boy	A leader of the household
Emmet	Boy	A powerful person
Emmete	Boy	Someone who has great strength and is hugely powerful
Emmi	Girl	A friendly and soft person
Emmilene	Girl	Hardwork and labour
Emmit	Boy	The entirety or the universe
Emmitt	Boy	The whole universe in its entirety
Emmylou	Girl	A famous warrior
Emo	Boy	Serious
Emond	Boy	Someone who is the protector

Emory	Boy	Home strength; Industrious; Powerful; Brave
Emota	Girl	Born at Easter
Empa	Boy	A leader of the people
Emps	Boy	A commander
Emrik	Boy	Noble; Powerful; Ruler
Ems	Unisex	The whole universe
Enando	Boy	Bold venture
Enara	Unisex	Swallow; Bird
Enderson	Unisex	Strong; Determined; Leader
Enelise	Girl	Graced by god; Bountiful

Engel	Unisex	Angel
Engelard	Boy	Brave and illuminating like light
Engelbert	Boy	A famous 13th century archbishop
Engelbertha	Girl	Bright as an angel
Englbehrt	Girl	A bright angel
Engleberta	Girl	A bright angel
Enna	Girl	Edge of a sword
Enno	Boy	Strong with a sword
Eno	Boy	A person who is extremely strong with a sword
Enrica	Girl	A ruler of her house

Enrico	Boy	One who rules the home
Enzo	Boy	Ruler of an estate or a house
Eorcenbehrt	Boy	A prince riding on a stallion
Eorcengota	Girl	A princess riding on a stallion
Eorcna	Boy	Someone who rides a stallion
Eorconbeald	Boy	A mounted stallion
Eorconbehrt	Boy	Mounted stallion
Eorcongota	Boy	Horse; A stallion
Eorconweald	Boy	A mounted stallion
Eormenhilde	Girl	A person who is under a public 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)

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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