German Names
Across 35 pages
of 35
Ermentrude
French version of Germanic Ermendrud
"universal strength"
Ermentrude was the name of two medieval queens of France. Despite these distinguished beginnings, this antique name is unlikely to catch on with contemporary parents, perhaps because the first…
Bardo
Short form of Bardolph or Aboriginal
"water"
Bardo has a poetic beginning and upbeat ending, with roots in several diverse cultures. It may be most familiar today via George Saunders' novel Lincoln in the Bardo , which refers to the Tibetan…
Hardy
German
"bold, brave"
Hardy is a spirited and durable un-Germanic German surname that is starting to be used in this country. British fashion designer Hardy Amies (born Edwin) is its best known bearer, and Thomas Hardy…
Velten
Velten is a masculine name with German origins, functioning primarily as a shortened form of Valentine or Valentin. These names ultimately derive from the Latin 'Valentinus,' meaning strong, healthy,…
Minna
Diminutive of Wilhelmina, German
"resolute protection; love"
One of those pan-European nickname names much more familiar in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe than in the US, though related name Mina is making a comeback here. Light and bright, it could be an…
Adela
German
"noble"
A vibrant variation of Adele, with a bit of extra flair from that "-a" ending. It could join the army of popular A girls' names, especially with its tie to the success of singer Adele. Adela, which…
Adelia
Variation of Adela, German
"noble, nobility"
The super-success of Adele, both the singer and the name, has brought attention to all her cousins — Adela, Adeline, Adelina — and the lovely Adelia. An undiscovered gem just waiting to be…
Adolpha
German
"noble wolf"
Nein.
Agna
Agna is a feminine name with ancient roots spanning multiple cultures. In Latin contexts, it relates to 'agnus' meaning 'lamb,' symbolizing gentleness and purity. The name also appears in Indian…
Antje
Antje is a feminine name of Dutch and Frisian origin, serving as a diminutive form of Anna. This charming name ultimately derives from the Hebrew Hannah, meaning 'grace' or 'favor.' Particularly…
Anke
Anke is a feminine name of Dutch and German origin. In Dutch, it developed as a diminutive of the name Anna, which means "grace" or "favor." In German usage, it can also be considered a variant of…
Berti
Berti is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. It can function as a diminutive form of names like Alberta, Roberta, or Bertha, or stand as an independent name. In Italian, it serves as a…
Alda
Feminine variation of Aldo, German, or Old Norse
"old or wave"
Alda's brother name Aldo has been a mainstay of the U.S. popularity chart for decades now, and the related Alden is soaring up as well. This version has never really caught on. (Maybe it's the…
Alexandrine
Variation of Alexandra, Greek
"defending men"
Alexandra is a name with many international variations, elaborations and short forms, and Alexandrine is one of the more unusual, found mostly in France and Germany. Another, Alexandrina, was the…
Alfonsine
German, feminine variation of Alphonse
Also a town in Italy, this name could find use as a feminine tribute to an Alphonso in the family.
Frieda
German
"peace"
This traditional Germanic name hasn't been on the U.S. list since 1958, but perhaps due to the mythic power of painter Frida Kahlo, parents are beginning to show some interest in it.
Freda
German
"peace"
Freda, along with near-identical twin sisters Frida and Frieda, has not been popular in the US for decades. After the two world wars, German names fell out of favor in the US and UK. The…
Elissa
Variation of Alice or Elizabeth
The Elissa version of a long-popular name is fading in favor of Alyssa, Eliza and other variants. The legion of other forms and spellings includes Alissa, Allissa, Allyssa, Alyssa, Elissah, Ellisa,…
Elsa
German diminutive of Elisabeth
"pledged to God"
Lost in limbo for decades and decades, Elsa now stands a good chance of following along in the progression from Emma to Ella to Etta, thanks to the ice queen heroine who "Let It Go" in the wildly…
Alissa
Variation of Alyssa or Alice
"noble"
The entire congregation of Alissa-related names—from the classic Alice and Elise to newer forms like Alicia, Alyssa, and Elissa—have faded somewhat from their heyday in the late 20th century but…