German Names

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, Wilfried, Reinfried Elfriede, and similar. 
 
Meaning "peace", it makes a gentle and unexpected choice that has been notably bonrne by skier Friedl Pfeifer and author and illustrator Friedl Hofbauer. Also spelled as Friedel and Fridl, it is additionally used as a surname, as in the case of footballer Marco Friedl and baseball player T. J. Friedl.

Friedl

A name used in Germany and Holland as a form of Jerome, it's the unlikely moniker of fictional detective Hieronymous "Harry" Bosch.

Hieronymous

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 Germany and Scandinavia during the medieval and Renaissance periods. Jochim has a distinctive, historical quality while maintaining a relatively straightforward pronunciation. Though uncommon in modern usage, it represents a cultural heritage connected to Northern European history. The name carries biblical connections through Joachim, traditionally considered the father of the Virgin Mary in Christian traditions. Jochim offers parents a name with historical depth and religious significance while remaining distinctive in contemporary settings.

Jochim

Just is a masculine name with Latin roots, derived from the word "justus" meaning "fair" or "righteous." As a given name, it carries strong connotations of morality, integrity, and fairness. Popular primarily in Dutch-speaking regions and parts of continental Europe, Just maintains a simple, strong quality with its single syllable and clear meaning. Though uncommon in English-speaking countries, where it might be confused with the adverb "just," the name has maintained steady usage in the Netherlands and surrounding areas. The name's brevity gives it a direct, unpretentious quality, while its meaning provides a powerful aspirational quality for its bearer.

Just

Derived from the elements 'leon' meaning 'lion' and 'hard' meaning 'brave' or 'hardy,' Lennard literally translates to 'lion-strong' or 'brave as a lion.' This spelling variation is particularly common in Scandinavian countries and parts of Northern Europe. 

Lennard gained moderate popularity during the Middle Ages due to the veneration of St. Leonard of Noblac, a 6th-century French noble. While not among the most common names today, Lennard has maintained steady usage throughout the centuries, offering a distinctive alternative to the more widespread Leonard, with the same powerful connotations of courage and strength.

Lennard

Luitpold is a masculine German name with ancient Germanic roots. It combines the elements "liut" meaning "people" and "bold" meaning "brave" or "bold," creating a meaning close to "bold among the people" or "brave leader." Historically significant in Bavaria, it was borne by several nobles including Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria who ruled from 1886 to 1912. While considered quite traditional and uncommon in modern times, the name carries a distinguished heritage and royal connotations. Some may use the variant Leopold, which evolved from the same roots but gained wider international usage. Luitpold represents strength, leadership, and noble heritage in German naming traditions.

Luitpold

Lochner is an uncommon masculine name with Germanic origins, primarily functioning as a surname before occasional adoption as a first name. It derives from a place name meaning 'dweller near the loch (lake)' or 'from the settlement by the lake.' As a first name, Lochner remains extremely rare, appealing to those seeking a truly distinctive option with historical roots. The name carries a scholarly, distinguished tone, perhaps influenced by its association with notable historical figures like the German composer Hans Lochner and the Supreme Court case Lochner v. New York. Its strong consonant sounds give it a solid, masculine quality while maintaining a certain sophistication. For parents interested in surname-to-first-name conversions with Germanic heritage and water symbolism, Lochner represents an uncommon choice with substantial cultural depth.

Lochner

Historic association with Leopold damns it. 

Loeb

This variation of the surname Loeb works even better than the original as a first name, though any child named Loew will inevitably have to endure a lifetime's worth of "high and...." jokes.  Other leonine options: Leopold or Lionel.

Loew

Lothar is cloddish, till you add a dashing io to the end... 

Lothar

Singer Wainwright is the third in his family to carry this unusual name. 

There's a county in Virginia called Loudoun, named for a colonial governor.

Loudon

Hipsters might consider reviving this old German name, though we're not so sure their sons wouldn't have preferred the classic Fred name Frederick. Manfred B. Lee (born Manford) was half of the team of detective story writers who used the pseudonym Ellery Queen; Manfred Mann was a British pop group of the 1960's, with Manfred Mann (born Michael Liebowitz) at the keyboard. There's also a wooly mammoth named Manfred, and nicknamed Manny, in the film Ice Age.

Manfred

Manfried is a masculine name of Germanic origin, combining the elements 'man' (meaning man or person) and 'fried' (peace). This traditional German name carries connotations of strength and tranquility. While more common in German-speaking countries, Manfried remains relatively rare in English-speaking regions. The name has historical significance, being used throughout Germanic regions for centuries, though it peaked in popularity during the early 20th century. Manfried offers a strong, traditional option for parents seeking a name with Germanic heritage and classical resonance. The variant spelling Manfred is more widely recognized internationally.

Manfried

Manfrid is a masculine name of Germanic origin, combining the elements 'man' (meaning 'man' or 'person') and 'frid' (meaning 'peace'). It's closely related to the more common Manfred, which gained recognition through historical figures like Manfred von Richthofen (the 'Red Baron') and cultural references such as Byron's dramatic poem 'Manfred.' The name carries connotations of strength tempered by wisdom and peacefulness. Though relatively rare in English-speaking countries, Manfrid/Manfred has maintained steady usage in Germanic countries. The name has an old-world, dignified quality that suggests reliability and resolution, appealing to parents seeking a name with historical depth and meaningful etymology.

Manfrid

Mattäus is a masculine name that is a variation of Matthew, featuring German or Scandinavian influence with its umlaut over the 'a'. The name derives from the Hebrew name Matityahu, meaning "gift of God." Matthew was one of Jesus's twelve apostles and author of the first Gospel in the New Testament. The Mattäus spelling maintains the name's religious significance while adding a European flair. This variation is less common in English-speaking countries but connects the bearer to Germanic and Nordic traditions. The umlaut adds a distinctive visual element, potentially reflecting a family's cultural heritage or simply a desire for a unique interpretation of this classic biblical name.

Mattäus

Matthaus is a masculine name of German origin, being the German form of Matthew. Derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, meaning 'gift of Yahweh' or 'gift of God,' it carries strong biblical connections to the apostle and evangelist. While relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, Matthaus enjoys greater popularity in German-speaking regions and parts of Europe. The name gained additional recognition through Johann Sebastian Bach's famous St. Matthew Passion (Matthäus-Passion) and notable bearers like German footballer Lothar Matthäus. The name combines traditional religious gravitas with a distinctive European flair, offering parents a sophisticated alternative to the more common Matthew while honoring German or European heritage.

Matthaus

Matthaeus is a masculine name representing the Latin form of Matthew, ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, meaning 'gift of Yahweh' or 'gift of God.' This classical spelling adds a traditional, scholarly dimension to the more common Matthew. The name carries strong biblical associations, as Matthew was one of the twelve apostles and the attributed author of the first Gospel in the New Testament. While Matthew remains popular across many Western countries, the Matthaeus variant is considerably rarer, offering a distinctive option with classical roots. The name conveys a sense of tradition, education, and historical significance. Its Latin form gives it an international quality that works across many European languages while maintaining its meaningful religious heritage.

Matthaeus

Mortiz appears to be a variant spelling of Moritz, a name with Germanic origins derived from the Latin name Mauritius, meaning 'Moorish' or 'dark-skinned.' Moritz is the German form of Maurice and has been popular in German-speaking countries for centuries. The variant Mortiz may have emerged through transcription errors or deliberate modification to create a distinctive spelling. As a masculine name, it carries the same sophisticated European flair as Moritz, with connections to Saint Maurice, a 3rd-century Roman soldier venerated in the Christian tradition. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, the name offers a continental European character with historical depth. Its rarity makes it a distinctive choice while still being recognizable and pronounceable.

Mortiz

Originally derived from Meginhard, an Old Germanic name borne by a 12th-century saint, Meinhard has a strong and noble meaning. Also used in Estonia and Austria, it is the name of a place in Hesse, Germany, it has been notably borne by retired footballer and manager Meinhard Hemp, the mycologist Meinhard Michael Moser, and footballer Meinhard Olsen. 
 
Meindert is the Dutch form of the name.

Meinhard

A daring middle name possibility for classical concertgoers. Alternatives are Wolfgang and Amadeus. 

Mozart

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 37)