83 Old German Baby Names With Meanings
Specialty: Relationships and Baby NamesExperience: 7 yearsShikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing ar... read full bio
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There are several factors parents consider while choosing a name for their baby. While some parents search for names with inspiring namesake or meanings, others give immense importance to the history or the culture they hail from. If you have a German heritage or have a fondness for the country or culture, an Old German name is a choice that you won’t regret making.
Just as it was prevalent in several kingdoms and nations, even the Old Germans followed a basic naming pattern. The first son was named after the father’s father; the second son was named after the mother’s father; and the third child was named after the father. In the case of daughters, the first daughter was named after the mother’s mother, the second daughter was named after the father’s mother, and the third daughter was named after the mother.
If a duplicate name occurred in this pattern, the next pattern was used. And if the child died in infancy, his or her name was reused for the next child of the same gender.
However, the German emigrants did not adhere to the traditional naming patterns and began to adopt American naming customs in late 1800. Thus, after 1875, there were more Marys than Marias and Henrys than Heinrichs.
Below you’ll find MomJunction's extensive collection of Old German names with meanings.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  Girl | Noble Serpent | |
| | Boy | Something sharp | |
| | Boy | eagle power | |
| | Girl | A person eager to work hard and achieve heights like a leader | |
| | Girl | An old serpent | |
| | Boy | A person with magical powers | |
| | Boy | Elf ruler | |
| | Boy | Strength of a God | |
| | Boy | One who is strong like a strong Boar | |
| | Girl | Design; Colorful | |
| |  Unisex | A charming free man | |
| | Boy | A man who loves freedom and adventure | |
| | Girl | A charming girl | |
| | Girl | A free, strong person | |
| | Girl | An independent man | |
| | Girl | A lively, free person | |
| | Girl | The one with free will | |
| | Girl | A free woman | |
| | Boy | Free man | |
| | Boy | Name of town owned by King Charles | |
| | Boy | Name of a place in America | |
| | Unisex | Free man; Person who has a free mind | |
| | Girl | One with a free spirit | |
| | Girl | The one who is born free | |
| | Girl | Brave woman | |
| | Unisex | A born Prince who gives orders and is prosperous | |
| | Girl | A born Prince | |
| | Girl | A Princess | |
| | Girl | Free person; Petite | |
| | Girl | Naive, intelligent, and free person | |
| | Boy | Perfect; The chosen one who earns | |
| | Boy | A free individual | |
| | Girl | A wealthy and free man | |
| | Girl | The dark one who is manly, strong and filled with virility | |
| | Girl | A green gemstone | |
| | Boy | A free man | |
| | Boy | Free man | |
| | Girl | Green gemstone | |
| | Boy | One who is strong as a wild boar | |
| | Girl | Bright light | |
| | Girl | A form of Fenja, meaning peace and protection | |
| | Girl | Peace; Protection; Safety | |
| | Boy | An exceedingly bright person | |
| | Girl | An immensely bright personality | |
| | Boy | A brilliant, well-learned individual | |
| | Boy | A smart and intelligent person | |
| | Boy | Folk; War band | |
| | Girl | A little lady | |
| | Boy | Peaceful ruler | |
| | Girl | Spear; Strength; Power | |
| | Girl | Frisian form of Gertrude; Spear; Strength; Power | |
| | Girl | Frisian form of Gertrude; Spear; Strength; Power | |
| | Boy | White, fair or generous | |
| | Girl | little home-lover | |
| | Boy | From the Little Home | |
| | Boy | Mind; Spirit | |
| | Girl | Combat; Battle wide | |
| | Boy | An Old Germanic surname | |
| | Boy | Universal | |
| | Girl | Frisian form of Irmgard; Universal; Fence | |
| | Boy | Ancestor | |
| | Boy | Frisian form of Julius; Dedicated to Jupiter | |
| | Boy | Strength; Power; Courage | |
| | Unisex | A good student | |
| | Boy | Advice | |
| | Girl | Swan | |
| | Boy | Victory | |
| | Boy | Victory | |
| | Boy | Victory | |
| | Girl | Frisian form of Cecily; Blind | |
| | Girl | A variant of Schwanhild; Swan | |
| | Girl | Swan | |
| | Girl | Frisian form of Schwanhild; Swan | |
| | Boy | People | |
| | Boy | He who is famous; Well-known | |
| | Boy | Ruler of the people | |
| | Boy | Ruler of the people; A variant of Tjark | |
| | Boy | Point; Edge | |
| | Boy | Ruler; Raven | |
| | Boy | Fight; Battle or war | |
| | Boy | A form of Wibe; Battle; War | |
| | Boy | Little archer | |
| | Girl | Gentleness; Friendliness | |
Look Up For Many More Names
Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.
