German Names
Across 35 pages
of 35
Horatio
English variation of Latin Horatius
"hour, time"
Like Horace, Horatio is a variation on the Latin Horatius, but its Shakespearean and optimistic Horatio Alger pedigree makes it an attractive up-and-comer, especially with its cool final o. A modern…
Horst
German
"leap"
Heavy and horsey.
Howard
German, English
"high guardian; brave heart"
Howard, once hugely popular in the Top 50 from the 1870s to early 1950s, hitting Number 24 in 1920 -- has been stuck in Dad-Grandad limbo for decades, but is showing some signs of stirring back to…
Howe
German
"hill"
The minimalist Howard.
Hulbert
German
"bright grace"
Humbert
German
"renowned warrior"
A name with two strong literary associations, one overwhelmingly negative -- Lolita 's pedophilic narrator Humbert Humbert -- and one positive, in the preferable European version: Italian author…
Humphrey
German
"peaceful warrior"
Humphrey is an old name that might have faded completely were it not for that Bogie flair. A royal name in Britain, where it's used somewhat more frequently, Humphrey might just have some life beyond…
Humfried
Humfried is a masculine name with medieval Germanic origins, representing an ancient form of what eventually became the more familiar Humphrey in English. It derives from the elements 'hun' meaning…
Ignacius
Ignacius is a masculine name that represents a variant spelling of Ignatius, derived from the Roman family name Egnatius, possibly of Etruscan origin. The name gained prominence through Saint…
Ignatz
German variation of Ignatius
Natz recommended.
Ignate
Ignate is an uncommon masculine name that likely derives from Latin roots, possibly related to 'Ignatius,' which comes from the Latin word 'ignis' meaning 'fire.' This connection gives the name…
Ingram
German
"angel-raven"
An undiscovered surname possibility with upscale overtones, could be enlivened with nickname Ingo.
Ingo
German and Scandinavian
"protected by Yngvi"
An unusual name heard in contemporary Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia, it's the male version of the more familiar Inga. It's the name of a German god, and attached to German-born soap star…
Isidor
German and Russian variation of Isidore
"gift of Isis"
Isidore and variants are remarkably underused and ripe for revival, a la Theodore and company.
Ivo
Germanic, Slavic
"yew wood, archer; God is gracious"
Succinct, stylish, and catchy, Ivo has the energetic impact of other names ending in -o . It is a multicultural choice with two distinct origins, and, as such, is familiar across a variety of…
Jarrell
German variation of Gerald
Briefly faddish a few decades ago when Darrell was cool. But does have a creative connection to poet Randall Jarrell.
Friedl
Austrian German diminutive name
"peace"
Predominantly used among Austrian German and Bavarian German speakers, Friedl is a unisex diminutive form of names containing the element frid . As such, it may be used for Friedrich, Friedrike,…
Hieronymous
Greek
"sacred name"
A name used in Germany and Holland as a form of Jerome, it's the unlikely moniker of fictional detective Hieronymous "Harry" Bosch.
Jochim
Jochim is a traditional Germanic variant of Joachim, which derives from the Hebrew name Yehoyakim, meaning 'established by God' or 'God will establish.' This form was particularly common in northern…
Justus
Latin
"just"
More unusual than Justin, less word-like than Justice, this New Testament name could make an intriguing choice. After being off the popularity lists from 1904 to 1993, it is now being used in steady…