German Names
- Lothar
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"famous army"Description:
Lothar is cloddish, till you add a dashing io to the end...
- Wendell
Origin:
German, EnglishMeaning:
"wanderer; to travel, to proceed"Description:
This name has hardly been used since Wendell Willkie ran for president in 1940, and it may not quite be ready for revival yet. Still, clunky grandpa names like Lionel, Douglas, Benedict, Carl, and Melvin have received more attention in recent years, so Wendell can't be ruled out just yet.
- Minna
Origin:
Diminutive of Wilhelmina, GermanMeaning:
"resolute protection; love"Description:
One of those pan-European nickname names much more familiar in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe than in the US, though related name Mina is making a comeback here. Light and bright, it could be an alternative to Mila, Minnie, or Millie.
- Richie
Origin:
Short form of RichardDescription:
Richie was once a popular enough nickname for Richard that it made the Top 1000 all by itself. It's seriously out of style now -- though still a better choice than Dick or even Ricky.
- Wilhelm
Origin:
German variation of WilliamMeaning:
"resolute protection"Description:
This dignified German form of William belonged to two German Emperors and Kings of Prussia, as well as a host of other important historical figures. These include composer (Wilhelm) Richard Wagner, philosophers Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz, and physicist Wilhelm Roentgen, who discovered the X-ray. It now sounds rather dated in Germany, however, having dropped out of the Top 20 there in the late 1920s and continuing to decline since.
- Godfrey
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"God's peace"Description:
Godfrey was very popular in the Middle Ages, but today you're more likely to hear it as a surname than a first name. It has a solid, old-man charm, but a couple of possible deal-breakers: the first syllable being God, and no obvious nickname. Goff, maybe? For a different feel, we also like the Italian artist's version Giotto.
- Claudius
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"lame; enclosure"Description:
Claudius is one of the most user-friendly of the ancient Roman names – even though it's associated with the villainous character in Shakespeare's Hamlet. But as with feminine form Claudia, the "lame" meaning may stymie the rise of Claudius. Some etymologists theorize that the name may relate to the word for enclosure or clause, an alternate meaning that may appeal to a child with a form of this otherwise-appealing name.
- Marlene
Origin:
German variation of Madeline; combination of Mary and MagdalenDescription:
Marlene Dietrich made it famous when she condensed her first two names, Maria and Magdalena. Now more often pronounced with two syllables rather than three.
- Hardy
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"bold, brave"Description:
Hardy is a spirited and durable un-Germanic German surname that is starting to be used in this country.
- Liesl
Origin:
German diminutive of ElizabethMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Sweet but sleek, and distinctive, Liesl is an old German nickname-name for Elisabeth. It might have once seemed inextricably tied to to its country of origin, but now, like Elsa, Enzo, Saoirse, Freya, Soren, and Heidi, it leans more towards being international and European chic.
- Till
Origin:
German diminutive of Dietrich or TheodoricDescription:
The modern name Till is in the German Top 100. Used in contemporary terms on its own, it's traditionally a short form of names beginning with Diet such as Deitrich, which is itself a form of Theodoric. Because of its English word equivalent, it's a bit slight to ever make it as a standalone name in the English-speaking world.
- Klaus
Origin:
German variation of Claus, diminutive of Nicolas, GreekMeaning:
"people of victory"Description:
Two drawbacks: some unpleasant World War II associations, and the Santa clause.
- Alissa
Origin:
Variation of Alyssa or AliceMeaning:
"noble"Description:
The entire congregation of Alissa-related names—from the classic Alice and Elise to newer forms like Alicia, Alyssa, and Elissa—have faded somewhat from their heyday in the late 20th century but maintain some appeal as a member of the popular class of girl names starting with A. Their major disadvantage is their similarity to each other and the resulting confusion.
- Romer
Origin:
German surnameMeaning:
"pilgrim; fame"Description:
Romer might be considered a streamlined spelling of the German surname Rohmer, whose root means fame or renown, or a name that was given to those who made pilgrimages to Rome, which is related to Romeo and its brothers. With the style value of other Rome names from Roman to Romy, this is one we predict we'll hear more of.
- Evi
Description:
Evi is a charming feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Greek, it's a diminutive of names like Evangeline or Genevieve, meaning 'life' or 'living one.' In Hebrew tradition, it connects to Eve (meaning 'life-giver'), while in Norse contexts, it relates to names meaning 'island.' This short, sweet name has gained popularity in recent decades for its simplicity and international appeal. Evi works well across language boundaries and fits the modern preference for brief, vowel-rich names. Its cross-cultural versatility and positive connotations of vitality make Evi increasingly popular among parents seeking a name that is both distinctive and accessible.
- Meret
Origin:
German diminutive of MargaretheMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
Meret is an interesting name found in several cultures. In Egyptian mythology, she was a goddess associated with singing, dancing and rejoicing and her meaning is 'beloved.' But the name also has significance in Hebrew, Danish and Norwegian. Close relatives include Merete and Maret.
- Nele
Origin:
German diminutive of CorneliaMeaning:
"horn"Description:
Nele originated as a German nickname for Cornelia, but it superseded its mother name and has been a Top 50 name in Germany since 2000.
- Gatsby
Origin:
German surname and literary nameMeaning:
"from Gaddesby"Description:
Gatsby is one of the most famous literary surnames, borne by the titular character of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. The book's Jay Gatsby gussied up his surname from Gatz, whose meaning is given variously as left-handed, cat, God, and person from Gat. As a first name, it's got a lot of energy and that great literary pedigree.
- Senta
Origin:
German feminine diminutive of Roman name CrescensMeaning:
"to grow"Description:
Senta is a lovely name, but if you name your daughter Senta, will the kids call her Santa? Maybe, but this obscure yet simple German name for girls.may appeal to parents searching the untraveled name routes.
- Lore
Description:
Lore is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In German tradition, it's a shortened form of Eleanor or Lorelei, while in Spanish it can be a diminutive of Dolores. The name literally means 'knowledge' or 'wisdom' in Latin, giving it an intellectual connotation. In folklore contexts, 'lore' refers to traditional knowledge and stories passed through generations. This gives the name a mystical, storytelling quality. Though uncommon in English-speaking countries, Lore has a simple elegance and cross-cultural appeal. Its brevity makes it distinct while remaining easy to pronounce across language boundaries. The name's connection to wisdom and cultural traditions makes it appealing for parents seeking a name with depth and subtle sophistication.