German Names
Across 35 pages
of 35
Gerhart
Gerhart is a strong Germanic masculine name with ancient roots. Derived from the Germanic elements 'ger' meaning 'spear' and 'hard' meaning 'brave, hardy, or strong,' Gerhart literally translates to…
Gerhard
German variation of Gerard
In its native Germany, Gerhard was very popular a hundred years ago and is now rather old-fashioned. It isn't much used by English speakers either, but has a certain clunky charm about it.
Jarvis
English variation of Gervase, meaning unknown
Jarvis, one of the original two-syllable nouveau boys' choices, is a saint's name with a certain retro charm and a nice quirky feel. Though Jarvis peaked in the late 1880s, he is beginning to sound…
Gervas
Gervas is a masculine name with Latin origins, derived from the name Gervasius, which may have come from a Germanic element meaning 'spear.' The name has historical significance in Christianity as…
Gilbert
German
"shining pledge"
Considered ultra debonair in the silent-movie era, Gilbert then went through a nerdy phase, a la Gilbert Gottfried. Now though, like Albert and Alfred and Walter and Frank, it could be in for a style…
Giselbert
Giselbert is a masculine name of ancient Germanic origin, combining the elements 'gisel' meaning 'pledge' or 'hostage' (in the political sense of the medieval period) and 'berht' meaning 'bright' or…
Agidius
Agidius is a rare masculine name of Latin origin, representing a variant spelling of the more common Aegidius. The name derives from the Greek word 'aigidion,' meaning 'kid' or 'young goat,' or…
Godfrey
German
"God's peace"
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…
Gottfried
Gottfried is a traditional Germanic masculine name composed of the elements "gott" meaning "god" and "fried" meaning "peace," thus translating to "God's peace" or "divine protection." The name has…
Jörn
Jörn is a masculine Germanic name primarily used in northern Germany, Denmark, and Scandinavia. It's a variation of the name Jürgen, which itself is the German form of George, ultimately derived from…
Gredorius
Gredorius is an extremely rare masculine name with possible Latin or Greek origins. It may be a creative variant of Gregory, which comes from the Greek "gregorios" meaning "watchful" or "alert." The…
Gunther
German
"battle warrior"
When it's spelled with two dots over the ' u ' in German, Gunther is pronounced GUWN-ter, but it has a much softer sound when the 'h' is voiced by English-speakers, as it was, for example, for the…
Günter
German
"bold warrior"
Prospective parents tend to respond more to the softer American pronunciation than the harsher German one, and even more to the Scandinavian version (see GUNNAR).
Guenther
Guenther is a Germanic masculine name, also spelled Günther in its original German form with an umlaut. This traditional name has deep roots in German-speaking regions, derived from the elements…
Veit
Veit is a masculine German name derived from the Latin name Vitus, which means 'lively' or 'full of life.' With ancient roots, this name has been used since medieval times, particularly in…
Hackett
German occupational name
"little hewer"
Hack is, unfortunately, both an unappealing word and sound.
Haines
English, German
"enclosure, hedge"
A preppy surname of hidden German origin that would fit right in with currently trendy s-ending boy names like Brooks and Hayes, Haines ultimately comes from the name Hagen. Also spelled as Haynes,…
Hamlin
German
"little home-lover"
One you might like for its cozy meaning, but there is that Pied Piper rat connection.
Hanno
Diminutive of Johan, German variation of John
"God is gracious"
Nicknames ending in o are invariably cute, though this one is a boys' name in its own right. And not just any boy name, but a saint's name no less. Saint Hanno, aka Saint Anno, was an 10th century…
Hans
German, Dutch, and Scandinavian, diminutive of Johannes
Though familiar to all via such childhood icons as Hans Brinker, Hans(el) and Gretel, and Hans Christian Andersen, few Americans have chosen this name for their sons because of its intractably Old…