German Names

Derived from the Gothic name, Amalaswintha, this form was brought to England by the Normans, though it was later adapted into the variation we know better today: Millicent. This form may remind people of Melissa, though they aren't related. 

Melisent

This rare literary name appears in Gottfried Keller's 1855 novel Der grüne Heinrich (Green Henry). Fiesty and beautiful Meretlein lived in the woods and was constantly causing trouble. Ultimately, she died an early death.
 
Meretlein was the inspiration behind photographer Méret Oppenheim's name, and she was said to have appreciated her unconventional namesake, and did not take Meretlein's fate as a bad omen.

Meretlein

A spelling variation of Merrick, Meric has a concise and snappy look: part Merit, part Meri, part Maverick. Derived from either a Welsh form of Maurice (Meurig) or the Germanic Emmerich and Heimrich, it has so far been only used for boys in the US, but with Merrick being considered for girls, this spelling option may also see more use in coming years. 

Meric

Similar in sound to Maia, Myla, and Miley, Meyers is a plural name with multiple roots. It can be viewed as a German name meaning "tenant, farmer, bailiff" or "leader of the household", a Hebrew name meaning "enlightening, shining", a French name meaning "doctor", and an English name meaning "mayor". 
Given to a handful of boys since 2013, for girls, it has only appeared in the stats twice,, when it was given to 11 girls between 2o20 and 2021

Meyers

Monja is a name with two separate origins. From its Russian roots, it's an alternative form of Monya and Manya, both used diminutives of the classic Maria. In this case, it would mean "beloved", "drop of the sea", or "bitterness", due to Maria's uncertain etymology.
 
From its Slovene roots, however, Monja is a diminutive of Monika, likely meaning "advisor" or possibly "single, one", and while in Russia, it is used as a short form, in Slovenia, it may be used as a stand alone choice.
 
The name is also used in Germany, South Africa, and the Netherlands, again as a form of Monika, Mona, or Maria.

Monja

Othenio is most likely an old-timey elaboration on Otto, with a much grander, more fantastical feel than its original form. It is mainly known for Othenio Abel, an influential Austrian paleontologist and evolutionary biologist. 

Othenio

A feminine form of an Ancient Greek name, Philine was popularized in the 18th century by the author Goethe, who used it in his novel Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship. Also spelled as Philina, it comes from the Greek philos meaning "friend, lover".
 
The name appeared in the Top 500 in The Netherlands in the 2010s and has been notably borne by musician Philine Sonny, footballer Philine von Bargen, and actress Philine Schmölzer. The Swedish lifestyle and beauty influencer Filippa Moulier also used the name for her daughter in 2025.

Philine

Typically used as a masculine name, Rainier is a relative of Rayner that also appears on the map as a mountain in Washington state. Given to a handful of girls across the 2010s and 2020s, Rainier can be said as REH-NYEH in French and as ray-NEER in American English. 




Rainier

A rock-and-roll version of Coco that could definitely be a possibility for contemporary girls, Rocco is a Italian name, derived from German. Borne St. Rocco, the patron saint of the sick, Rocco's origins are slightly murky though "rook, crow" from the Germanic hruoh, "rest" from hrok and "to roar" from rohōn have all been offered as possibilities.
 
With Rocki, Rocky, and Morocco being chosen for girls, you might be surprised to learn it has yet to enter the US stats.

Rocco

A rare, ancient feeling Germanic name, Rochbert may appeal to those who enjoy Robert and Rocco but are looking for something truly distinctive. Comprised of the elements hruoh meaning "crow, rook" and beraht meaning "bright, shining", it may be connected to Saint Rocco, the patron saint of the sick. 
 
Two alternative interpretations of the name are that it comes from Richbert meaning "bright ruler" or "powerful and bright", or that it is an Old Germanic variation of Robert meaning "bright frame".

Rochbert

Roselene blends a botanical classic with a German diminutive of Helene or Magdalene. As such, it could be interpreted as meaning "shining light of the rose" or perhaps "rose of the tower, rose of Magdala".
 
Also used as the Haitian spelling of the French Roselène, Roselene was popular in Brazil in the mid-20th-century and may additionally be used as an alternative spelling of Rosaline ("soft, tender horse" "tender to horses").

Roselene

Poetic and whimsical but with touch of valor about it, Roselotte is a rare compound name, blending two classics together. It would likely be pronounced with four syllables ("RO-zuh-law-tuh") in German, three in Dutch ("ROZ-law-tuh") and two or three in English ("ROZ-loht" or ROZ-uh-loht").

Roselotte

The historic and bold Roswitha is an Old Germanic name, associated with a 10th-century poet and canoness, noted as one of the first female German writers and one of the few people to record life in the Middle Ages from a woman's perspective. Rosvita is a Slovene and Romansh form, that may also feel more approachable and intuitive to English speakers. 




Rosvita

Strong, historical, and bold, Roswitha is an Old Germanic name, notably borne by a 10th-century canoness and poet from Saxony, who is seen as one of the first female German writers and one of the very few people to keep a record of the Middle Ages from a woman's perspective. 
 
Also appearing as Hruodsuind, Hrotsuitha, Hrotsvitha, Roswit, and Roswindis, some sources suggest the name is comprised of the elements hruod and swind meaning "fame, glory" and "strong, mighty" respectively. Alternative interpretations are that it means "mighty shout", with "shout" perhaps stemming from the idea of glorifying someone.
 
Pronounced as raws-VEE-ta, it appears in the name of a German literary prize for women. Used in Austria, Germany, and occasionally France, other Roswithas have included photographer Roswitha Hecke, skier Roswitha Steiner, swimmer Roswitha Krause, actress Roswitha Schreiner, and philospher Roswitha Scholz. 
 
Additionally, it appears in the novel The Devil's Novice by Ellis Peters, the eighth novel in the Cadfael Chronicles.
 
Rosvita is a Slovene and Romansh form, that may also be more approachable to English speakers.

Roswitha

Charles Schulz adopted Schroeder as a first name for his piano-playing character in the "Peanuts" comic strip, but it hasn't really caught on. More likely to be heard as a last name, it comes from the German Schröder, denoting a tailor or a porter of wine or beer.
 
Schroeder is one-of-a-kind as a first name in the US — and Germany, for that matter — having never been used for more than five baby boys in a single year. It is possibly, however, that a few parents have chosen it, especially to honor a family surname.

Schroeder

A rare surname-style choice, Shofner might make a surprising option that stands out and blends in at the same time. Derived from the Old German schaffaere, it's an earthy, occupation name meaning "shepherd".

Shofner

Derived from the Greek term for a female prophet or oracle, Sibylle is a French and German variant of Sybil. Associated with wisdom, this spelling of the name is the current favorite in France, having taken over from Sybille which was preferred back in the 1960s and 70s. 
 
In French, it would be said as SEE-BEEL, while in German (where it might also be spelled as Sybilla), it would be pronounced see-BI-luh.

Sibylle

Similar in style to Anja, Sasha, and Sonja, Sinja is a Frisian and German diminutive with a variety of sources.
 As a Frisian name, it comes the Scandinavian Signe (via Danish Sine), meaning "new victory", or it comes from Sunna, either a Germanic name relating to a pagan sun goddess, or from Sunniva or Susannah, meaning "sun gift" and "lily" respectively. In this case, it would be pronounced SEEN-yuh.
 
As a German name, it comes from Gesine, a diminutive of Gertrud, meaning "spear of strength". As such, it would be pronounced ZEEN-yuh. 
 
A notable bearer is ice hockey player Sinja Leemann.

Sinja

In English and German, Sisi is a playful nickname, often used as an alternative spelling to Cece (from Cecilia, "blind"), or as a nickname for the classic Elisabeth or Isabella (meaning "pledged to God"). Alternatively, it could be used for any S- name, including Sophie, Sienna, Sierra, or Susannah, or perhaps for something like Josie, Maisie, Daisy and so on.
 
Additionally, it may be used as an affectionate nickname for a sister, making it a more generic nickname, like Sonny, Honey, Poppet, or Sweetie and so on. In this case, it could work as a sweet choice for a big sister whose young sibling can't yet pronounce her name.
 
While it may read as cutesy and nickname-territory in English speaking countries, as a Chinese name, it has more solidity. Pronounced as SUR-SUR or SUZ-SUZ, it means "think, reflect, consider", and is alternatively transliterated as Sze Sze.
 
Other sources suggest it is an Akan name, meaning "born on Sunday", possibly connecting to names such as Esi, Akosua, or Kwasi, which have the same meaning. 
 
A notable bearer was the 19th century Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary, Elisabeth, who was known as Sisi, while more recently, influencer and model Sisi Rose has drawn attention to the name.

Sisi

A surname style name, Stollee was chosen by influencers Heidi and Miles Stallard in 2025. Likely a variation of the German surname Stolle, it means "frame, pillar", and may appeal to those who like Holly, Molly, Sutton, and Solly. 

Stollee

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 23)