Switzerland, a small country with a large population, is renowned for its linguistic variation. Three-fourths of the total population speak German as their native language, a tad less than half of the total population have Italian as their native language, and the rest speak French. You will notice the same variation when looking at Swiss baby names with meanings. Speakers of these languages have their distinct naming traditions. German Swiss people select popular German and Austrian names, Italian speakers stick with Italian baby names, and French speakers find comfort in French baby names. Traditional Swiss names are rarely heard. Another thing to note is that the Swiss people do not experiment much regarding baby names. They cannot invent names because legal guidelines and social conventions are against them. The name must be gender-neutral, it shouldn’t be a dialect name or a nickname, and the Swiss authorities must approve it. Even creative spelling isn’t allowed. Also, there are only a handful of unisex baby names. Swiss people aim to identify a person's gender by hearing their name. Swiss culture mostly has names of Germanic, Latin, Hebrew, or Greek origin. Seekers of varied and exciting names will indeed find Swiss culture pleasant. Many words signify good virtues, while others are abbreviations of long traditional names. You will also find many occupational and habitational names in this language. Commonly, Swiss people speak in the Swiss-German dialect (2). It is the default language of daily life and is spoken irrespective of social class. This language is a mix of Alemmanic dialects. There are many variations in this language as well, but Swiss German speakers in different places can make out what others are speaking even if their dialect is varied. Deluge yourself in our distinctive Swiss baby name list below. Be it German, Italian, French, or traditional Swiss names, we have got everything here.
Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
Sylvette | Girl | Sylvette is a version of Sylvia, meaning wood or tree | |
Sylviane | Girl | Wood; Forest | |
Torkel | Boy | Thor's cauldron | |
Udo | Boy | One with great fortune | |
Uland | Girl | Noble country | |
Ulrich | Boy | Heritage ruler | |
Urs | Boy | The bear | |
Ursel | Girl | Little bear | |
Uschi | Girl | Young bear | |
Ushi | Girl | A plant | |
Verena | Girl | Truthful | |
Verene | Girl | A variant of Verena; Defender | |
Vreneli | Girl | Bearer of victory | |
Vreni | Girl | True; Name of a 3rd-century saint | |
Walden | Boy | Mighty | |
Waltraud | Girl | Rule; Strength | |
Wendell | Boy | A wend | |
Wilbur | Boy | Bright resolve | |
Willard | Boy | Bold resolve | |
Willermus | Boy | Determined guardian | |
Wolfgang | Boy | Wolf strife | |
Yacine | Boy | A variant of the name Yasin; Happiness | |
Yvonne | Girl | Archer’s bow | |
Zuna | Girl | Abundance |
Swiss names are a wonderful mix of various languages. You can find immense variety in this list of Swiss baby names with meanings mainly because of the many national official languages, such as German, Italian, and French. The names hold deep meanings and signify many societal values. You may opt for a classic Swiss name or go for the ones trending right now. It doesn't matter what you choose; the final choice will undoubtedly be admirable.
Infographic: Scintillating Swiss Baby Names With Meanings
Switzerland is a linguistically diverse country, with German, Italian, and French being the predominant languages. So, you will find many cute and inspiring names for your little one in this country. They perfectly encompass the nation’s diversity and beauty. We listed the best Swiss baby names in this infographic below.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do Swiss parents choose a name for their baby?
Swiss baby names are chosen three months before the baby's birth and submitted for the government's approval. Parents are to select names that are not offensive, do not harm or shame the child, and avoid unsuitable names (1).
2. Are there any rules about baby names in Switzerland?
Some Swiss rules for naming your baby include picking a linguistically Swiss name since strange or creative names are not accepted. The International Book of First Names 2008 edition is used as a reference for genuine names. Names that are harmful or offensive are not permitted. Names that consist of numbers and single letters like 'J' are prohibited, farm names may be removed or the order changed (1). Babies cannot be named after popular Swiss brands. Parents are not allowed to name their children after negative characters from the Bible like Cain, Judas, or Lucifer.
References
- Act (2016:1013) on personal names
https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/lag-20161013-om-personnamn_sfs-2016-1013/ - Languages and dialects
https://www.eda.admin.ch/aboutswitzerland/en/home/gesellschaft/sprachen/sprachen-und-dialekte.html