2850 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.

Name		Gender	Meaning
Rosalie		Girl	Rose
Rosamond		Girl	A protector of the horses
Rosamund		Girl	Horse protector; Rose of the world; Pure rose
Rosemonde		Girl	A pure protection that a rose-like woman gives
Rosemunda		Girl	She is a protector as pure as a rose
Rosine		Girl	Woman who is like a flower, like a rose
Ross		Boy	Peninsula; Headland; Horse
Roswalt		Boy	Mighty horse; Famous horse; Powerful horse
Roswell		Boy	One whose horse is mighty
Roswitha		Girl	One who is famous for his strength
Roth		Unisex	Red-haired; Red beard
Rothais		Girl	A germanic female name
Rowena		Girl	White spear; Famous friend; Fame and happiness
Rowland		Boy	One who is a legend
Roysia		Girl	A woman of royal blood
Roz		Girl	Horse protector; Rose of the world; Pure rose
Rozalia		Girl	Horse Shield of Lime wood; Pretty Rose; Rose; A variant form of Rosalia
Rozi		Girl	One rose of the world
Rozlyn		Unisex	One who has a face as pretty as a rose
Rozlynn		Girl	A rose-like face
Rozmonda		Girl	Noted Protector; Of Noble Kind
Rubo		Boy	Fair-haired
Rucker		Unisex	One who drives or moves something forward
Rudella		Girl	Famous
Rudi		Girl	One who has the fame of a wolf
Rudie		Girl	One whose fame is like a wolf's
Rudiger		Boy	A famous spear warrior
Rudina		Girl	One who is like a lgendary wolf
Rudolf		Boy	Famous wolf
Rudolfa		Girl	A legendary female wolf
Rudy		Boy	Famous wolf
Rueben		Boy	To see your son
Rueger		Unisex	Peaceful warrior
Rune		Boy	A secretive man
Ruomhildi		Girl	Glorious; Battle maiden; Honoured in battle
Rupert		Boy	Fame bright; Glory
Ruperta		Girl	A female whose fame shines
Rupetta		Girl	A very famous girl
Ruprecht		Boy	One who is light and bright like a flame
Rycca		Girl	Rich; Peaceful Ruler; Ruler Forever; A variant of name Rica
Ryke		Unisex	A rich or powerful ruler
Ryker		Boy	Rich; Wealthy; Ruler
Ryser		Girl	Variant of Reiser
Ryszard		Boy	One who is powerful as a ruler
Ryter		Boy	He who posesses knightly qualities; A knight
Saacha		Unisex	A person who helps and defends people
Sabo		Unisex	Maker of sabots
Saelac		Boy	A blessed one
Salia		Unisex	Graceful, noble, strong
Sarah		Girl	Princess; Noblewoman
Sarilda		Girl	Maiden in battle
Sarlote		Girl	Freeman
Sarohildi		Girl	Armored war maiden
Sascha		Boy	Defender; Protector of mankind
Saskia		Girl	The Saxon woman
Saxa		Girl	One who is handy with a knife
Saxan		Boy	A dagger; A short sword
Saxe		Boy	People of the dagger
Saxons		Boy	German tribe name
Saxton		Boy	A man with a knife
Sayler		Unisex	Sailor
Scenwulf		Boy	The act of a wolf
Schaefer		Unisex	Shepherd or farmer
Schaeffer		Boy	A household steward
Schafer		Unisex	Shepherd or farmer
Schatzi		Unisex	One who is dear and valuable
Schneider		Boy	Occupational name; Taylor
Schroder		Boy	German variation of the English surname Smith
Schroeder		Boy	Occupational name; Cloth cutter
Schuler		Boy	Occupational name; A scholar; Student priest
Sedehanna		Girl	God has favored with a victory day
Sedemai		Girl	The slave of the victory day
Seifred		Boy	Peace after victory
Seigmund		Boy	Protector of triumph
Selda		Boy	A gray warrior
Selig		Boy	One who has a happy life
Selik		Boy	The blessed one
Selina		Girl	Moon; Greek goddess of the moon
Selma		Girl	God's protection; Safe
Selmah		Girl	A divine helmet
Senta		Boy	One who assists
Sente		Boy	One who is there to help
Sepp		Boy	Nickname for Joseph; Jehovah increases
Serhild		Girl	Beloved mainden in war
Serhilda		Girl	Armored maiden in battle
Serhilde		Girl	A lady in battle
Serihilda		Girl	Woman who goes into battle
Serihilde		Girl	Armored woman in battle
Serilde		Girl	Maiden in battle
Serle		Boy	A man who is armed
Serrilda		Girl	A maiden in battle who has armor
Shadley		Unisex	The skull; One whith pecularity of skull
Shermon		Boy	A shireman
Sherye		Boy	A man who is free
Sibert		Boy	A famous victory
Siegbert		Boy	One who won brightly
Siegfrid		Boy	A victory of peace
Siegfried		Boy	Victory; Peace
Sieghard		Boy	A very brave and hard victory
Sieglind		Girl	A soft and gentle victory

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.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team