German Names for Girls

This is a rarely heard feminization of the rarely heard Roland.

Rolanda

Romantza is an unusual feminine name that evokes feelings of romance, passion, and dramatic beauty. Likely derived from the word 'romance' or possibly created as a feminine version of Romano with a creative ending, this rare name carries immediate associations with love stories and emotional depth. The distinctive 'tz' sound gives it an Eastern European or Mediterranean flair, possibly connecting to Romanian, Hungarian, or Greek naming traditions. Though exceedingly uncommon in mainstream usage, Romantza offers a bold, expressive choice for parents seeking something truly unique. The name suggests someone with an artistic temperament, passionate nature, and perhaps a flair for the dramatic. Its elaborate sound creates a memorable impression, making it suitable for those who appreciate names with clear emotional associations.

Romantza

Pippi Longstocking author Astrid Lindgren invented the name Ronja for her book Ronja, the Robber's Daughter. She was inspired by the lake Juronjaure, located in Norrbotten, Sweden.
 
Lindgren's creation has been a smash hit since the book was first published in 1981. Ronja was recently a Top 100 name in Germany, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Switzerland.
 
Despite similarities to the Hebrew names Ronia and Roniya, as well as the Russian Ronya, Ronja is unrelated.

Ronja

Rosalinde is a romantic feminine name with Germanic and French influences, derived from the elements 'hros' (horse) and 'linde' (soft, tender). This elegant variation of Rosalind was immortalized in Shakespeare's 'As You Like It' and carries a timeless, literary appeal. The name blends the familiar charm of Rose with a sophisticated, fairy-tale ending. While never among the most popular names, Rosalinde has maintained a consistent presence throughout European history, particularly in Germany and France. Its melodious quality and cultural associations with beauty and grace make it an enchanting choice with vintage appeal for contemporary parents.

Rosalinde

Largely male throughout Europe, this name--spelled with or without the c, is an energetic choice that has really taken off for girls here; it's been used for the daughters of Steven Spielberg, Jerry Seinfeld, and Vanessa Williams. The Barack Obamas use Sasha as the nickname for their younger daughter, whose proper name is Natasha. Sasha Alexander, on the TV show Rizzoli & Isles, was born Suzana.
 Sasha is a simplified spelling that originated in Russia as a diminutive for Alexander. And to add another spelling into the mix, there's Sacha Baron Cohen.
 Though the Sascha spelling has never ranked here, Sasha, now ranking in the lower half of the Top 1000 for girls, was as high as 147 in 1988. In France Sasha is completely unisex--Number 135 for girls, 128 for boys.
 Sascha Rajasalu is a Swedish-Estonian model.

Sascha

Also spelled Zilke, Silke is a common German short form for variations of Cecilia and Celia.

Silke is a good example of a name that's well-used in Europe but is not used at all in the US. Neither Silke nor Zilke appears on the most recent extended list of all names given in the US to five or more babies.

Silke

Sonje is a feminine name with Germanic and Scandinavian roots, primarily used in countries like Germany, Norway, and Denmark. It's a variant of Sonja, which itself derives from the Russian diminutive of Sophia, meaning 'wisdom'. The name has a gentle, melodic quality while maintaining a sense of strength. Sonje peaked in popularity in Scandinavian countries during the mid-20th century but remains a relatively uncommon choice today. The name carries associations with intelligence, perception, and thoughtfulness. Its distinctive spelling gives it a unique character while still being recognizable and relatively easy to pronounce across different languages and cultures.

Sonje

Stephanine is a feminine name derived from the Greek name 'Stephanos,' meaning 'crown' or 'garland.' It represents a creative variation of more common forms like Stephanie or Stephania. While not as widely used as its root forms, Stephanine offers a distinctive twist on a classic name while maintaining its elegant essence. The name carries connotations of achievement and victory, as crowns were traditionally awarded to winners and those worthy of honor. Stephanine remains relatively uncommon, giving it a unique quality for those seeking a name with traditional roots but an individual flair.

Stephanine

Suse is a feminine name with Germanic origins, primarily serving as a diminutive form of Susanne or Susanna, which derive from the Hebrew name Shoshana meaning 'lily' or 'rose.' This short, sweet variation has been used across German-speaking regions of Europe for centuries. While not as common as other Susan derivatives like Susie or Sue in English-speaking countries, Suse maintains popularity in Germany and parts of Switzerland. The name carries a gentle, classic quality while still feeling somewhat distinctive. Pronunciation typically follows German phonetics as 'ZOO-zuh,' though it may be adapted to 'SOOS' in English-speaking regions.

Suse

Tabea is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, derived from the Aramaic name 'Tabitha,' meaning 'gazelle' or 'doe.' In the New Testament, Tabitha (called Dorcas in Greek) was a woman known for her charitable works who was raised from the dead by the apostle Peter. The Tabea spelling is particularly common in German-speaking countries and parts of Eastern Europe. The name carries connotations of grace, gentleness, and compassion through both its meaning and biblical associations. Though not widely used in English-speaking countries, Tabea has maintained consistent popularity in Germany and Switzerland. The name appeals to parents seeking a name with biblical roots that isn't overly common, yet carries positive attributes of kindness and elegance.

Tabea

Tanja is a feminine name with Slavic and Germanic roots. It's a variant of Tanya, which itself is a diminutive of the Russian Tatiana, originally derived from the Roman family name Tatius. The name gained popularity across Eastern and Northern Europe, particularly in countries like Russia, Germany, Finland, and the Netherlands. Tanja offers a slightly different spelling of the more common Tanya, giving it a distinctive European flair. The name saw increased international usage in the mid-20th century and continues to be appreciated for its melodic sound and cultural versatility. While less common in English-speaking countries, Tanja remains a beloved choice in many European nations for its elegant simplicity and rich cultural heritage.

Tanja

Tahnia is a feminine name with several possible origins. It may be a variation of Tania (derived from the Russian Tatiana, meaning 'fairy queen' or from a Latin family name), or it could have roots in various cultural traditions including Aboriginal Australian languages. The spelling with an 'h' gives the name a distinctive appearance while maintaining the familiar pronunciation of Tania. Tahnia remains relatively uncommon across most English-speaking countries, offering parents a recognizable yet unique option. The name has a gentle, feminine sound with an exotic flair that appeals to those seeking something slightly unconventional. Despite its rarity, Tahnia feels accessible and contemporary, with the potential for nicknames like Tah or Nia.

Tahnia

Tatjana is an interesting twist on an already uncommon name, borne by German-born supermodel Tatjana Patitz. Note that as j is pronounced as y in German, the name is spoken just like sisters Tatiana and Tatyana.

Tatjana

Resi is a feminine name of Germanic origin, predominantly used as a diminutive form of Theresa or Teresa. The name carries the warm, affectionate quality typical of diminutive forms, making it feel both friendly and approachable. In German-speaking countries, particularly Austria and Bavaria, Resi has historical usage as a standalone name. The name possesses a cheerful, melodic quality with its soft sounds and simple pronunciation. While not widely used in English-speaking countries, Resi maintains popularity in parts of Europe where German influences are strong. The name's brevity and sweet sound make it an appealing choice for parents seeking something distinctive yet easy to pronounce.

Resi

Theresia is a feminine name with ancient Greek and Latin origins. It's a traditional variant of Teresa or Theresa, derived from the Greek word "therizo" meaning "to harvest" or possibly from the Greek island of Thera (Santorini). The name carries a sense of classical elegance and dignity. Theresia has been particularly popular in Germanic and Nordic countries, as well as parts of Eastern Europe. While less common than Teresa in English-speaking countries, it offers a more distinctive alternative with the same rich historical connections. The name is associated with Saint Teresa of Ávila and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, giving it strong religious significance in Catholic traditions.

Theresia

Resel is an uncommon feminine name with possible Germanic or Hebrew origins. As a Germanic name, it may be a diminutive form of Theresa, meaning 'harvester' or 'summer.' In Hebrew contexts, it could be related to 'Rachel,' meaning 'ewe' or 'female sheep.' Resel has remained quite rare throughout history, not appearing on most popularity charts. The name has a delicate, vintage quality that could appeal to parents seeking a truly distinctive name with historical roots. Its brevity and soft sound make it an elegant choice that works well across different cultures, though its rarity may result in occasional pronunciation clarification.

Resel

Tresa is a feminine name that represents a variant spelling of Teresa or Theresa, which derives from Greek origins possibly meaning "harvester" or "summer." This streamlined spelling offers a more phonetic approach to the name while maintaining its classic essence. Tresa first gained modest usage in the mid-20th century, offering a slightly modernized take on the traditional saint's name. While less common than Teresa, this variation appeals to parents seeking a familiar name with a simplified spelling. The name carries the same rich historical connections to Saint Teresa of Ávila and other notable bearers, while having a slightly more contemporary feel. Tresa projects warmth, spirituality, and compassion—qualities associated with its more traditional counterparts.

Tresa

Trescha is a feminine name with possible Slavic or Italian influences. It may be a variant of Tressa or Teresa, ultimately derived from Greek 'therizein' meaning 'to harvest' or 'to reap.' The unique spelling with 'sch' gives the name a distinctive quality while maintaining a melodic pronunciation. Trescha remains relatively uncommon, making it appealing to parents seeking a name that stands out while still having traditional roots. The name has a gentle rhythm and exotic flair that balances uniqueness with accessibility. Potential nicknames include Tress or Trey, offering versatility for different stages of life.

Trescha

Urse is an extremely unusual feminine name that may have originated as a variant of Ursula, which comes from Latin meaning 'little female bear.' Alternatively, it could be related to the Germanic element 'urs' meaning 'bear' found in various European names. This concise, single-syllable name stands in contrast to most feminine names with its brevity and strong sound. Urse has remained exceedingly rare throughout recorded naming history in English-speaking countries. The name has a certain primal strength associated with its bear-related etymology, combined with an unexpected simplicity. Its rarity and distinctive character might appeal to parents seeking something truly uncommon with ancient European connections.

Urse

Medieval name that still hasn't crossed the ocean, known here primarily via actress/teacher Uta Hagen. 

German girl names include such classics as Alice and Emma along with many girl names that rank among the most fashionable today, both in Germany and the English-speaking world.

 in the US Top 1000 today include Adele, Amelia, Annalise, Ella, Elsa, Emmeline, Millie, and Zelda. In Germany, 

 with modern style include Anja, Frieda, Ida, Maude, Romy, and Tilly.

 include both those popular throughout Europe and North America, such as Emma, Mia, and Sophia, along with girl names particular to Germany, such as Lotta, Leni, and Nele, a German short form of Cornelia.

In Germanophone Switzerland, Emma and Emilia are the most popular German names for girls.

The roster of top German girl names includes German variations of many familiar names, often with a spelling twist. Emilia ranks among Germany’s top names rather than Amelia, Klara takes the place of Clara, Emilie stands in for Emily, Sofie and Lilly are used instead of the usual English versions Sophie and Lily.

You can browse the complete roster of German girl names on Nameberry here, ordered by their popularity on Nameberry. 

German names for girls with meanings and popularity (Page 18)

German Girl Names