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
Warda		Girl	Pashto term for rose
Weber		Unisex	To weave
Weiss		Unisex	White
Wendel		Unisex	Valiant warrior
Wendell		Boy	A wend
Wendy		Girl	Blessed; White
Wentz		Unisex	Strong and reliable
Werner		Boy	Strong, brave, protector
Weyland		Unisex	Skilled or talented land
Wibeke		Girl	Fight; Battle or war
Wibke		Girl	Spelling variation of Wibeke; Fight; Battle
Wil		Unisex	Desire; Will
Wilde		Unisex	Wild; Untamed
Wilhelm		Girl	Strong-willed, determined, protector
Willa		Girl	Resolute protection
Willermus		Boy	Determined guardian
William		Boy	Will; Protector
Wilma		Girl	Resolute protector
Wilmar		Unisex	Resolute protector
Winifred		Girl	Blessed peace
Wirth		Unisex	Strong, honorable protector
Witt		Unisex	White; Wise; Cever
Wojciech		Boy	He who is happy in battle
Wolfgang		Boy	Wolf strife
Wolfie		Unisex	Diminutive of Wolf; Like a wolf
Wolfram		Boy	Wolf raven
Wulf		Boy	Wolf-like
Xiomar		Unisex	Famous in battle
Yohance		Boy	Gift from the Lord
Yost		Boy	Lord; Master; One who speaks well
Zahn		Unisex	Tooth; Defender; Skilled
Zaylen		Unisex	Strong; Unique
Zech		Unisex	God has remembered
Zelda		Girl	Blessed; Happy
Zelig		Boy	Blessed; Happy
Zelma		Girl	Protected by God
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
Zipporah		Girl	Bird
Zoe		Girl	Life
Zoey		Girl	Life; To breathe
Zurich		Unisex	Water; A city in Switzerland
Zwei		Unisex	Two

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