German Names
- Melisande
Origin:
French form of Millicent, GermanMeaning:
"strong in work"Description:
This old-time fairy tale name is rarely heard in the modern English-speaking world, but it's so, well, mellifluous, that it would make a lovely choice for a twenty-first century girl--a romanticized tribute to an Aunt Melissa or Melanie.
- Ludwig
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"famous warrior"Description:
As heavy as a marble bust of Beethoven.
- Severin
Origin:
French variation of Severus; LatinMeaning:
"stern, serious"Description:
Severin is an ancient Roman family name borne by several early saints. It's still alive throughout Europe, and could be ready for import here. Severin Winter is a wrestling prodigy character in John Irving's The 158-Pound Marriage and, in its original Latin form, Severus Snape appears in Harry Potter.
- Lou
Origin:
Diminutive of Louis or Lewis, French and GermanMeaning:
"renowned warrior"Description:
Lou, all by itself, is become fashionable for girls, which usually makes a name LESS fashionable for boys. But Lou, like Bill or Jim, is rarely used on its own for boys anyway. (You wouldn't name a boy Frederick Lou the way that girls are named Mary Lou or, in the case of Keri Russell's new baby, Willa Lou.) Long form Louis is getting cool again and, with the Lewis spelling, is the Number 2 name in Scotland.
- Walden
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"valley of the Welsh"Description:
Walden is a recent entrant to the en-ending boys' names trend, a name that summons up placid images of Thoreau's two-year stay contemplating nature near Walden Pond.
- 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.
- Bertha
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"bright, glorious"Description:
Ever since the enormous German cannon was dubbed by Allied soldiers "Big Bertha" in World War I, this name hasn't worked for a sweet little baby girl. But this was not always so. Hard as it might be to imagine now, Bertha was a Top 100 name until the 1930s, and in the 1880s was the seventh most popular name in the land--the equal of Joseph.
- Armin
Origin:
Form of Herman or ArmenMeaning:
"soldier or wish, hope"Description:
Possibly related to the Ermin- names (which gave us Emma and her variants) or to Herman OR to the Persian/Kazakh/Armenian names Arman or Armen, this is an unusual choice which fits current trends.
- Ulrich
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"rich and noble heritage"Description:
Ulrich has ancient roots — it was derived from the Old High German name Uodalrich (also spelled Odalric). Ulrich was a common given name in medieval Germany, when it was associated with St. Ulrich of Augsburg. St. Ulrich is the patron saint of pregnant women and easy births.
- 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.
- Ferdinand
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"bold voyager"Description:
Ferdinand, a traditional name in the royal families of Spain and a handsome young prince shipwrecked on Prosper's island in Shakespeare's The Tempest has, unfortunately, to the American ear a somewhat heavy and clumsy feel – most likely because of the bull connection. In the 1880's it was in the 200's on the US pop list, but has been off completely since 1986.
- Frieda
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"peace"Description:
This traditional Germanic name hasn't been on the U.S. list since 1958, but perhaps due to the mythic power of painter Frida Kahlo, parents are beginning to show some interest in it.
- Silke
Origin:
German form of Celia or Cecilia, LatinMeaning:
"heavenly or blind"Description:
Also spelled Zilke, Silke is a common German short form for variations of Cecilia and Celia.
- Herman
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"soldier, warrior"Description:
It's hard to believe now that Herman was once, at the turn of the last century, a Top 50 name, remaining in the Top 100 until 1935, and even harder to imagine it making a comeback. But then again, our parents thought the same thing about Max and Jake. Consider the French Armand or Spanish Armando instead. Notable bearers include writers Herman Melville and Hermann Hesse--and then there was TV's Herman Munster.
- Silvan
Description:
Silvan is a masculine name derived from Latin 'silva' meaning 'forest' or 'woodland.' It relates to the Roman deity Silvanus, who was the god of woods and wild fields. The name carries nature-based connotations of forests, trees, and woodland settings, making it appealing to parents drawn to names with environmental themes. Silvan has variations across European languages, including Silvanus (Latin), Silvano (Italian/Spanish), and Sylvan (French-influenced spelling). While never extremely common, the name has maintained steady usage particularly in German-speaking regions, parts of Eastern Europe, and among families with Romanian heritage. Silvan has a gentle yet masculine quality, offering a subtle nature connection without being overtly trendy.
- Rebekah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"to tie, bind"Description:
Many parents prefer this spelling of Rebecca, used in some versions of the Bible. Still, it's slipped considerably since its heyday in the eighties and nineties and fell off the US Top 1000 completely in 2023.
- Odetta
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"wealthy"Description:
The memorable folk singer, an early single-name celeb, brought this into the spotlight. The French variation is Odette.
- Lisbeth
Origin:
German, diminutive of ElizabethDescription:
Lisbeth is one of the many short forms of Elizabeth that are used on their own. Not only is it the name of the mother of the main character in George Eliot's novel Adam Bede, but it takes on a whole new, powerful image as the heroine of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogy. Lizbeth is another spelling.
- Emeline
Origin:
French form of German AmelinaMeaning:
"work"Description:
An old name, with a history separate from Emily and Emma and a different kind of vintage feel, that's a possible alternative to top-of-the-pops names. More common spelling is Emmeline.
- Sascha
Origin:
German variation of SashaMeaning:
"defending warrior"Description:
In Europe, this name is mostly male, but here it's more fashionable for girls. It's a diminutive of Alexander.