German Names

Strong, poetic, and with a hint of mystique, Swantje is both a Frisian pet form of names containing the "swan" element, and a stand-alone name, meaning "little swan" or "daughter of the swans". In Germanic mythology, Swantje also links to a group of Valkyries known as the swan fighters or swan maidens, who could turn into swans by putting on a feather garment.
 
Notable bearers include activist and scientist Swantje Köbsell, politician Swantje Michaelsen, writer Swantje Lichtenstein, and influencer and model Swantje Paulina.

Swantje

Likely derived from Sarah (via Sadie), Siegfriede (meaning "victorious peace"), or Sydney ("St Denis"), Sydel had a very brief and quiet moment back in the 1920s and 30s. Also appearing as Sydelle and Sydelle, it last appeared in the US charts in 2022, after being absent since 1936.
 
Alternative theories around the origin of the name include that it is related to the surnames Sidell ("wide recess; wide valley") and Seidel (either from Siegfried or a German word meaning "tankard"). It was notably borne by anthropologist Sydel Silverman.

Sydel

A gentle sounding name with multiple origins, Tale may be a variation of Thale, a popular choice in Norway. As such, it comes from either the Germanic element adal and is used as shortform of Adalheid, or it is a variant of Tole and Tóli, diminutives of Old Norse names that evoke the thunder god, Thor. 
 
Other possibilities include that it is a Latvian nickname for Natālija ("born at Christmas") or from the word tāle meaning "far away; distance". Alternatively, it may be from the Old Norse tala, meaning "speech", in turn linking it to telling tales, stories, and narratives.
 
There's also the Azerbaijani Tale, from the Arabic tali, associating the name with luck, fortune, and destiny. While it is traditionally masculine, it has been used as a feminine name in Azerbaijan.
 
While it is typically pronounced as TAH-leh or TAHL-eh rather than to rhyme with the English "tail" or "pale", if it was said like this, then it may also be considered a slightly whimsical word name.

Tale

One of the coolest of names, thanks to legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Sphere Monk, who inherited it from his father. It has been used very sparingly since the 1960s--just a sprinkling of baby boys receive the name each year.

Monk's middle name Sphere is pretty unique too--a cousin of Cosmos and Cosmo.

Some other jazz names to consider: Bix, Ellington, Ella, Etta, Mingus, Dexter and Calloway. :

Thelonius

An old form of Dietlinde, Theodelinda is a Germanic name reminiscent of Theodora, Rosalind, and Belinda. Derived from the elements theod meaning "people" and lind meaning "soft, tender", this variation of the name was borne by a 6th-century Bavarian princess who became an influential queen of the Lombards, marrying two successive kings and later assisting her son in ruling the kingdom 
 
The name would be pronounced thee-o-duh-lin-duh in English and as TEH-o-duh-lin-dah in German.

Theodelinda

An appealing mix of Theodora and Belinda, this old Germanic name blends the elements theod meaning "people" and lind meaning "soft, tender". This form is notably borne by Finnish writer and translatior, Theodolinda Hahnsson, known as the first woman to publish and write her works in Finnish.
 
Nicknames could include Thea, Theo Teddy, Lindy, and Dolly!

Theodolinda

A stripped back and streamlined form of Theodelinda (and Theodolinda), Theolinda combines the elementstheod meaning "people" and lind meaning "soft, tender". This form may feel more approachable than its longer counterpart, working as an intriguing alternative to Theodora or Rosalind.

Theolinda

Theovald is an ancient sounding name that may in fact be a more modern creation, blending elements of Theodore (or Theobald) with those of Oswald or Walter. As such, it could mean "God's power" from the Greek theos and the English weald, or it could mean "might of the people", pairing the Germanic theod with weald (or its Germanic form, waldaz).
 
A rare choice, it has appeared on social media birth announcements.

Theovald

Strong, adventurous, and rugged, Thorge combines the Norse thunder God's name with the Germanic element ger meaning "spear", giving it an even tougher edge. Occasionally used in Germany, Denmark, and Sweden, it is said more like TOR-geh, rather than to rhyme with English favorite George. 
 
Other forms of the name include Torger, Thorger, Torge, and Thorgen.

Thorge

Cool and strong, Torge is a form of Thorge, a name that blends the name of the Norse thunder god with the Germanic element ger meaning "spear" to give it an all round tough, rugged and adventurous air. Used in Germany, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark, albeit quietly, Torge is borne by German handball player Torge Johannsen and comedian Torge Oelrich.

Torge

A German surname and word, Traber translates to "trotter" in English, referring not to pig's trotters — that would be Schweinefüße if you really want to know — but to a type of horse, bred for harness racing. It is mostly used as a surname, but actor Traber Burns bears it as a given name. The German pronunciation would be more like TRAH-bu, while English speakers might say it as TRAY-ber, like a twist on Taylor and recently popular Abner.

Traber

Presidential names from Kennedy and Lincoln to Reagan and Carter have long appeared on birth certificates, but now, unfortunately, Trump has joined the ranks, having made its debut in the US stats in 2025. Seven boys were registered as "Trump" in a recent count: a controversial choice, that, unlike some of the more established presidential surnames, feels inescapably political. 
 
Derived from the Germanic trumbe, as a surname, Trump means "drum", though more colloquially, it can be considered a word referring to a playing card with the highest value in a particular game or to the idea of beating someone or something, by doing it better. In this case, it could be a relation of the word triumph. 
 
On the other hand, in British slang, a "trump" is another word for a fart.
 
Regardless of your political affiliations, Trump is probably best avoided: it doesn't have a particularly appealing sound and it would be a heavy choice to wear for any child. Donald or Donnie could be easier and more versatile, while Drummer, Victor, Prosper, and Niko hold similar meanings.

Trump

Likely used as a variation of Verena, a Germanic name related to either the Latin verus meaning "true", or to the Greek Berenice, meaning "bringer of victory". Other theories are that it comes from vénérer meaning to "revere" or from Vavara, a Russian and Greek form of Barbara.

Varena

Likely adapted from Wilfredo, itself a form of Germanic Wilfred, this name is used predominantly in Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries, along with in the Philippines. It follows the trend of occasionally dropping a from letter from similar, international choices, giving rise to Wimer, Afredo, and Wiston.
 
The name was most notably borne by Cuban artist, Wifredo Lam.

Wifredo

Probably too odd and elven for mainstream success, but there are certainly circumstances in which this would make a nice boys' name. It might be a nice way to honor a William from your family tree, for instance.

With its S ending, Wilkins might make a more stylish choice. But make no mistake: Most boys with Wilkin or Wilkins as a full name will go by Will most of the time.

Wilkin

Wilkins is a surname style name, derived from Wilkin, itself a diminutive form of the strong classic William. Used quietly in the US across the 19th century, it may be one to consider if you want something rarer than William (or Liam), enjoy last-names as first names, and like those "plural" names along the lines of Banks, Brooks, and Collins.
 
It notably appears in Charles Dickens' novel, David Copperfield, borne by Mr. Micawber, a character who is forever running into trouble and debt, but remains endlessly optimistic that "something will turn up".

Wilkins

Wilmot has the sort of old-school bookish charm of other surname-sounding names like Beckett, Everett, Griffith and Weston. This could be a good choice for families wanting to honor that special William in a creative way, 

Wilmot

Clunky but sweet, Winigard is an Old Germanic name that could appeal to fans of Hildegard, Winifred, and Hedwig. Derived from the elements wini ("friend") and gards ("garden, enclosure"), it comes together to mean "friend's garden, friend's home, friend's yard", which lends it a touch of coziness.

Winigard

Wisse is a Dutch diminutive of a variety of Old Germanic names ranging from Wizo, Altwidus, and Witold, to Wisamar, Wissebert, Alawis, and Wisgard. It has been used for names that contain the elements: wîsan) ("to rule"), wîso ("leader"), wîs ("wise"), witu ("forest, woods"), wit("wide", and wigbattle, giving it a plethora of meanings.
 
A name dating back to at least the 1790s, if not earlier, it is still used as a given name in The Netherlands today, albeit quietly. Ten boys were given the name in the most recent year, placing it just outside the Top 1000 names. 
 
The name can be pronounced as WIS-uh or VIS-uh, depending on location and language.

Wisse

A bold, historical name that's been quietly on the rise for boys in recent years, Wolfgang still sound unlikely for a girl. Derived from Old German, and associated with a roaming wolf, it has been chosen by creators over on Instagram for their daughter. With potential for nickname Wolfie, perhaps more parents might take the same daring step in the future.

Wolfgang

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 24)