German Names

Mally actually has several possible derivations beyond being a medieval nickname, ala Molly, for Mary . It might be a diminutive of names like Mallory, derived from French meaning "unfortunate" or "unlucky," or as a nickname for Amalia, meaning "work" or "labor" in Germanic languages. 

While Mally is more distinctive than the popular Molly, it sounds the same and so will cause endless confusion.

Mally

A traditional nickname for Richard, popular in the 60s, Richie joins Scottie and Stevie as "boyish"-nickname-names for girls. Used occasionally in the 20th-century, it re-entered the US charts in 2022 and a recent year saw it given to 12 girls. 



Richie

Rollo is a livelier, roly-poly, o-ending version of Roland. 
 Although it sounds modern, Rollo actually was seen regularly on Latin documents in the Middle Ages, though not heard in everyday speech. Historically, it's associated with a powerful Viking leader--who had a wife named Poppa. 
 Rollo May was a well known existential psychologist. There have been Rollos on screen played by Buster Keaton ("The Navigator"), Rainn Wilson ("Juno") and John Cleese ("Fierce Creatures").
 Rollo has also been used over the years as a pet form of Roland, Rudolph and Ralph.

Rollo

Stefanie is a feminine name that represents a German and Dutch variation of Stephanie, ultimately derived from the Greek name Stephanos, meaning "crown" or "garland." This elegant name carries connotations of victory and honor from its ancient Greek origins. Stefanie gained particular popularity throughout Europe and North America during the 1970s and 1980s, though it has gradually become less common in recent decades. The spelling with an 'f' rather than 'ph' gives the name a distinctive European flair while maintaining its recognizable sound. Stefanie offers a perfect balance between familiarity and uniqueness, making it approachable yet not overly common. Notable bearers include German singer Stefanie Heinzmann and Austrian actress Stefanie Reinsperger.

Stefanie

Alois and Aloysius are variation of Louis. Alois ranked in the US Top 1000 until the 1930s, and still ranks in the Top 1000 in Germany. Last year in the US, only seven baby boys were named Alois.

Alois

Common in Sweden, Alric is part of the family of medieval sounding names, like Alaric, Casimir and Leopold that are increasing gaining a fanbase, perhaps as an antidote to the modern inventions that are becoming more prolific.

Alric

An ancient Germanic name that's so clunky and contrarian it's actually cool. One famous Hermelinda was a medieval queen of the Lombards; another was a Belgian saint.

Though neither Herman nor Linda carries any fashion appeal these days, this is an antique baby name that might appeal to those looking for a deeply-rooted and truly unique choice.

Hermelinda

Dedric is a masculine name with Germanic origins, derived from variations of names like Theodoric or Dietrich, which mean 'ruler of the people' or 'people's ruler.' This uncommon name combines strength and uniqueness, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking something original yet historically grounded. Dedric gained some recognition in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s but has remained relatively rare. The name carries an air of nobility and leadership, thanks to its etymological connection to rulership. Contemporary bearers of the name might appreciate its distinctive sound and uncommon nature while still having recognizable pronunciation patterns.

Dedric

Len is a concise masculine name that typically functions as a shortened form of longer names such as Leonard, Lennox, or Lennon. Derived from Germanic roots, Leonard means 'brave lion,' lending Len associations with courage and strength. This crisp, single-syllable name embodies minimalist appeal while carrying the weight of its traditional origins. Len enjoyed modest popularity in English-speaking countries during the mid-20th century but has become less common in recent decades. The name's brevity gives it a straightforward, unpretentious quality appreciated in contemporary naming trends. Len balances an approachable informality with a classic sensibility, making it appealing for parents seeking a short but substantial name with traditional roots.

The ancient German name Adelheidis gave rise to both Adelaide and Adelheid. While Adelaide is more popular and better known internationally, Adelheid is still used occasionally in Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia. The German pronunciation is not that different from Adelaide, with a soft h and a long I sound instead of a long A in the last syllable.

Heidi originated as a short form of Adelheid.

Adelheid

Now that the range of names including the modern Emmeline and Amelia -- relatives of each other, but of neither Emily nor Emma -- has become so fashionable, the original root name Amelina is also due up for reconsideration. A lovely, delicate choice, its main disadvantage is that it sounds like a modern elaboration rather than the original name. And perhaps that it will be so often misspelled and mistaken for other forms of itself. But it is a lovely name with deep roots.

Amelina

Christina who decided, at the last minute, she'd rather be Kristen.

Christen

Similar to Ivana but less personality-driven. 

Ivara

Benno is a cool name in its own right -- there was a tenth century Saint Benno -- though it is also used as a lively nickname for Benjamin. Saint Benno of Meissen is the patron saint of anglers and weavers and, strangely enough, alliteration.
 Benno came to attention in the U.S. via the father and son duo of Benno Schmidt Sr. and Jr. Senior was the venture capitalist who invented the term venture capitalist and Junior was the president of Yale University. Benno is also the appellation of a student character in Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose.

Benno

On "Sex and the City," Magda was the elderly nanny from the old country -- which is what this name sounds like.  While Magdalene and Magdalena are enjoying fresh life, Magda still feels dated.

Magda

This is an Anglicized form of various names; the Irish Gaelic O Bruic; German, Bruck or Breck, meaning "swamp" or "wood"; Yiddish, Brik, "bridge"; and Slovenian, Bric, "dweller from a hilly place." Gosh, and we thought it was just a macho word name invented by Tennessee Williams for the hero of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Brick

Vala

Isidore and variants are remarkably underused and ripe for revival, a la Theodore and company.

Isidor

A multicultural name with a whole variety of meanings, Abelina may appeal as an alternative to Adeline, Abilene, Annabel or Abigail.
 
From its Spanish, German, and Niçard roots, Abelina may be considered a feminine form of the Biblical Abel, lending it the meaning "breath". As such, it is sometimes considered an elaboration of Abelia too, as they share the same source.
 
Alternatively, it may also derive from the German Abela, which is used as a short form of Apollonia ("strength" "destroyer") and Alberta ("noble and bright"), or a separate name, deriving from the Old Saxon aval meaning "strength, force". 
 
As a Dutch name, it is a feminine form of Abe, itself a variation of Adalbert, an old German form of Albert, while as a French choice, it comes from the Aramaic Abba meaning "father", linking it to Abraham. 
 
Additionally, it may be seen as a variation of the Biblical place name, Abilene, giving it the meaning "meadow, grassy area".

Abelina

Alysa is one of several variations of Alice that rose in the US popularity charts starting in the 1960s and continuing in some cases until the first decade of this century. The Alysa form drifted along at the bottom of the Top 1000 girls' names from about 1990 until 2005, when Olympic skating champion Alysa Liu was born.

Liu herself pronounces her first name ah-LISS-ah, rhyming with Melissa, but this spelling might also suggest the pronunciation ah-LEES-ah, rhyming with Lisa. With Greek roots connected to the name Alice (meaning 'noble' or 'truth'), Alysa's sisters and cousins include Alyssa, Alicia, Alisa, and Alissa. 

Names that sound similar but start with E -- Elissa, Elysa, Elise et al -- are usually said to derive from Elizabeth.

Alysa

German baby names on this list are those that have their roots in German and Germanic languages, which is not necessarily the same as names popular in modern Germany.

 include many choices that may not necessarily be German, such as the Latinate Mia and Sofia or the Irish Finn.

One of the top girl names in the US today is Emma, a German name. Along with Emma, German names in the US Top 500 for girls include Angela, Amelia, Alice, Adele, Amelia, Ella, Edith, Millie, and Matilda.

 is William. Along with William, the German boy names in the US Top 500 include Henry, Charles, Conrad, Henry, Leo, and Max.

 include Lina, Neele, Leni, and Ida. Popular boy names in Germany include Louis, Oskar, Moritz, and Anton.

 is near the head of the list in Germany as well as many other countries, and names of German origin such as Alice and Axel rank highly in many places in the Western World.

If you're looking for German names for your baby girl or baby boy, browse this full list of possibilities, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.

German names for girls and boys, with meanings and popularity, including top German names and unique German baby names in Germany, the US, and around the world. (Page 17)