434 Old German Baby Names With Historical Roots
Carry the past forward with these classic names.
No culture is an island, and this holds true for German culture as well. German names have witnessed several transformations and adaptations over the centuries, but Old German baby names have a charm of their own, evident from timeless names such as Charles, Elina, and Aya that have consistently ranked among the top names (1). The Old Germans followed a naming pattern wherein 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 (2). This naming convention was originally inspired by the Dutch and was used by some families who lived close to the Netherlands.
In the Middle Ages, German children were given two or more names when they were baptized. Boys of the same family were often baptized with the same first name, such as Johannes, and girls were baptized with first names such as Anna or Maria. The second name, known as the Rufname, had more significance than the first name and was used as the real identifier in daily life and official records.
In the late 19th century, German emigrants moved away from the traditional naming patterns and began to adopt American naming customs. Thus, after 1875, there were more Marys than Marias and Henrys than Heinrichs. Keep scrolling as we provide you with a collection of vintage Old German names with their meanings.
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Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
| Boy | Brave boar | |
| Girl | Noble; Kind; Nobility | |
| Girl | Elf ruler; King of the elves | |
| Boy | Breath; Vapor; Son; Noble; Strength; Fortitude | |
| Boy | Powerful ruler | |
| Girl | One with a free spirit | |
| Boy | Spear; Little spear; Strength of the spear; Warrior | |
| Girl | Noble; Nobility | |
| Boy | Peaceful ruler | |
| Boy | Soldier; Army man | |
| Boy | Famous ruler | |
| Girl | Grace; Favor; Eagle | |
| Boy | Famous land; Glorious territory; From the famous land | |
| Boy | Brave ruler; Famous ruler; Peaceful ruler; Ruler of the people; Home ruler; Nobleman | |
| Girl | Elf ruler; God is my strength | |
| Boy | Ruler of elves; King of elves | |
| Girl | Beautiful rose; Gentle horse; Famous and mild | |
| Girl | Elf ruler; God is my strength | |
| Girl | Army remnant; Army legacy | |
| Girl | Peace; Beautiful; Beloved | |
| Boy | Brave counsel; Brave advisor | |
| Boy | Brave counsel; Advice | |
| Girl | Beautiful rose; Gentle horse | |
| Girl | Member of the Gauts tribe; Joyous | |
| Boy | Famous land; Glorious territory; From the famous land | |
| Girl | Noble; Gentle; Serene | |
| Boy | Bright pledge | |
| Girl | Beautiful rose; Gentle horse | |
| Boy | Cautious army; Defender | |
| Boy | Bright pledge | |
| Girl | Horse; Soft; Flexible; Rose | |
| Girl | A member of the Gauts tribe; From the land of flowing water; Joyful | |
| Girl | Elf ruler's grace; Elf ruler's favor | |
| Boy | Peaceful ruler | |
| Girl | Wealth; Fortune; Heritage | |
| Boy | A raven; Red-haired; From the rowan tree | |
| Boy | Brave commander; Powerful leader | |
| Girl | Gentle horse; Rose lake | |
| Boy | Brave spear | |
| Girl | Nobleness | |
| Girl | Feminine form of Charles; Free woman | |
| Boy | Famous ruler | |
| Boy | Wise counsel; Peaceful ruler | |
| Boy | Copious; Abundant; Rich; Eagle friend | |
| Boy | Brave boar | |
| Girl | Pledge; Hostage | |
| Boy | People's victory; Hard spear; Horn; To rejoice | |
| Boy | Army friend; Boar friend | |
| Girl | Beautiful rose; Gentle horse | |
| Boy | Brave ruler | |
| Boy | A person with brown hair or skin; The brown; Brown bear; Armor | |
| Boy | Son of Charles | |
| Girl | Elf king or ruler; God is my strong man | |
| Boy | Brave ruler | |
| Girl | Elf king; Ruler of the elves | |
| Boy | Brave ruler | |
| Girl | Pledge; Hostage | |
| Boy | Free man; Army | |
| Boy | Peaceful ruler | |
| Boy | Brave boar | |
| Boy | Noble; Strong; Generous; Noble strength; Resolute | |
| Boy | Army friend; Boar friend | |
| Girl | Elf ruler; Powerful; Graceful | |
| Unisex | Elf ruler; Elf counsel | |
| Boy | Brave ruler; Stack of hay or straw | |
| Girl | Beautiful rose; Gentle horse | |
| Boy | Famous land; Famous wolf; Famous ruler | |
| Boy | Army person | |
| Boy | Elf ruler; King of elves; Royal bear | |
| Girl | A member of the Gauts tribe; Joyful | |
| Boy | Brave ruler; Brave king | |
| Girl | Elf ruler or king; Powerful elf; Might; Mother of many; High; Exalted; Noble | |
| Boy | Famous ruler | |
| Unisex | Army legacy | |
| Girl | A member of the Gauts tribe; Joyful | |
| Unisex | Power of the spear | |
| Boy | Spear; Power of spear; Warrior; Strong spear | |
| Girl | Member of the Gauts tribe; Joyous | |
| Boy | Peaceful ruler | |
| Girl | Heritage; Wealth; I will thank Yahweh | |
| Boy | Brave ruler | |
| Boy | Horse rider; Horseman; Knight; To clear out; A small stream | |
| Boy | Brave ruler | |
| Girl | Great battle | |
| Girl | Peace; Powerful ruler | |
| Girl | Free woman | |
| Boy | Spear; Spear king; Mighty | |
| Girl | Peaceful; White spear; Famous friend; Fame and happiness | |
| Girl | Noble; Kind | |
| Boy | Renowned land; Famous throughout the land | |
| Boy | Jewel; Ornament; First; Noble wolf; From Hadria | |
| Girl | Member of the Gauts tribe; Joyous | |
| Boy | Famous ruler; My shepherd | |
| Girl | Noble; Kind | |
| Girl | Pledge | |
| Boy | Famous land | |
| Boy | Ruler of elves; King of elves | |
| Girl | Spear of strength | |
| Girl | Brave ruler | |
| Boy | Army man; Palace; Castle | |
Parents are drawn to names that have a rich cultural background. Over the years, as society changed, so did the names, reflecting the shifts in culture and lifestyle. German parents who want to reconnect with their heritage and give their children a sense of history and belonging may choose these Old German names. These names honor the past and preserve family traditions. Bestow these to your children to let them carry forward their cultural identity, thus preserving the values and traditions associated with their roots.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How are Old German names different from modern German names?
Old and modern German names differ significantly in their origins, meanings, and usage. Many Old German names have roots in ancient Germanic tribes, mythology, and medieval history. They often reflect qualities valued in those times, such as bravery, strength, and nobility. For instance, Freodhoric, meaning ‘peaceful ruler,’ or Gesa, meaning ‘strength.’ Old German names frequently consist of compound elements, or; for example, the name Adalbert combines adal, meaning ‘noble’ and berht,’ meaning ‘bright or famous.’ Modern names tend to be simpler and less descriptive. They often drop the compound structure in favor of shorter, easier-to-pronounce names. Global naming trends influence modern German names. Names like Luca and Mia have become popular, reflecting broader European and international influences.
2. Can Old German names be used as middle names?
Old German names can be used as middle names, adding a touch of historical and cultural depth. For instance, names like Adalbert, meaning ‘noble and bright,’ or Gertrude, meaning ‘spear of strength,’ can complement modern first names beautifully. Combining a contemporary first name like Emily with an Old German middle name such as Adelheid, which means ‘noble kind,’ creates a unique and meaningful full name.
3. Who are some famous historical figures with Old German names?
Several famous historical figures bore Old German names, reflecting their heritage and living times. For example, Adalbert refers to Adalbert of Prague, a tenth-century bishop and martyr. Similarly, the Old Germanic name Hildegard refers to Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th-century abbess, writer, composer, and mystic.
Infographic: Strong And Powerful Old German Baby Names
Old German names often symbolize qualities like strength, wisdom, and power. They carry a sense of heritage and individuality that parents value and are perfect for inspiring your child. This infographic features Old German names that embody these powerful traits. Explore it to uncover their meanings.
References
- Charles, Elin, and Aya.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/ - Germany Naming Customs.
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Germany_Naming_Customs
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