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
Thelonius		Boy	A farmer
Theobald		Boy	A courageous man
Theobaldus		Boy	Brave people
Theodbald		Boy	A bold man
Theodgar		Boy	A man with a spear
Theodlac		Boy	One who is beloved to the god
Theodoric		Boy	People's ruler
Theodulf		Boy	The God of wolf
Theresa		Unisex	To harvest
Therese		Unisex	Harvester
Theresia		Girl	Greek name; To reap
Thibaud		Boy	Brave man
Thibaut		Boy	He who is heroic
Thilo		Boy	People's rule
Tidwulf		Boy	The wolf of its time; The time wolf
Tihalt		Boy	A brave prince of the people
Til		Boy	The people; The rule of people
Tila		Girl	Good person; Mighty in battle
Tilda		Girl	The strength; Power in battle
Till		Boy	The people's rule; The people
Tilles		Girl	One who is fortunate; Splendor
Tilli		Girl	One who is mighty in battle
Tillie		Girl	A mighty person from the battle
Tillo		Boy	People or race; A Saxon monk
Tillot		Boy	The village of a mighty person from battle
Tillote		Boy	A person from the battle who is mighty
Tilly		Girl	The strength in battle or war
Tilmund		Boy	One who protects the people; Protection of people
Tinder		Boy	To ignite or to kindle; One who sells ink
Tipp		Boy	The people or race; Bold or brave
Tiziana		Boy	An honored one; Who is honored
Tjaden		Girl	Strong warrior; Valiant fighter
Topp		Boy	Crest; A point of some high structure or tree top
Toralf		Boy	Supernatural powers of the thunder God
Torhtsige		Boy	The victory of thunder God
Torkel		Boy	Thor's cauldron
Tota		Boy	A free man; Manly or male
Totavali		Boy	A man from the foreign land
Totavalus		Boy	A man who came from the other land
Traeger		Unisex	Carrier; Porter
Traugott		Boy	The trust of God; Of the trust on God
Trayger		Boy	One who carries; A peddler or a porter
Treffen		Boy	One who meets others; Social person
Tresa		Girl	A strong person, a saint
Treza		Girl	Harvest or the late summer, a saint
Trianna		Girl	A gracious or a noble person; Pure
Trissa		Girl	A harvester, a strong farmer
Trost		Boy	Comfort, confidence or trust
Trott		Boy	One who is the son of Troit
Truda		Girl	A girl who fights for her nation
Trude		Girl	Very powerful
Trudi		Girl	A settlement
Trudie		Girl	Powerful in spear throw
Trudy		Girl	One having the spear of strength
Trula		Girl	A fact or reality
Truvy		Girl	A person who appreciates beauty
Twilliam		Boy	Willful; a resolute protector with a helmet
Tybalt		Boy	Bold people
Uber		Unisex	Over; Above
Uberto		Boy	Bright mind; Intelligent; Bright Spirit; Italian form of Hubert
Udo		Boy	One with great fortune
Ulbrecht		Boy	Famous for his inheritance; Nobly famous; Aristocratic and bright; A variation of Albert
Uli		Boy	A noble leader
Ulka		Girl	Meteorite
Ulla		Girl	Rich; Powerful; Elevation; Leaf; Young Child; Little Bear; To Fill Up; A diminutive of Ursula
Ulman		Boy	Man from Ulm; A variation is Ullman
Ulric		Boy	Powerful, noble, ruler
Ulrich		Boy	Heritage ruler
Ulrick		Boy	Heritage ruler; Powerful through his inheritance
Ulva		Girl	She-wolf
Undine		Unisex	A water spirit; Nymph
Urs		Boy	The bear
Uschi		Girl	Young bear
Uta		Boy	A man who prospers in battles
Vada		Girl	Famous ruler
Valentina		Girl	Strong; Vigourous; Healthy
Valters		Boy	To rule; Army; Warrior
Vanda		Girl	A warrior
Varick		Boy	Strength; Leader; Protector
Velma		Girl	Resolute protection
Verena		Girl	Truthful
Verene		Girl	A variant of Verena; Defender
Verla		Girl	Truth
Verner		Boy	Strong; Bold; Protector
Victoria		Girl	Victory
Viel		Unisex	Old; Wise; Experienced
Volker		Boy	People's defender
Von		Unisex	Noble or respected
Vreneli		Girl	Bearer of victory
Vreni		Girl	True; Name of a 3rd-century saint
Wagner		Girl	Warrior or wagon maker
Walburga		Girl	Ruler of the fortress
Walda		Girl	Ruler
Waldemar		Unisex	Powerful ruler, protector of the woods
Walden		Boy	Mighty
Walt		Boy	Power of the army; Poweful warrior
Walter		Boy	Army ruler
Walters		Unisex	Ruler of the army
Walther		Boy	ruler of the army or powerful army leader
Wanda		Girl	Slender; Young tree

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