German Names that Start With F
- Frederick
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"peaceful ruler"Description:
Frederick, and friendlier nickname Fred, seemed almost to have disappeared, leaving just the memory of Freds past such as Astaire, Mr. Rogers and Flintstone. But today's parents are beginning to recognize it as a strong classic and one of the top royal baby boy names.
- Frank
Origin:
Diminutive of Francis or FranklinMeaning:
"Frenchman or free man"Description:
A Top 10 name from the 1880s until the 1920s, Frank has been falling for decades but last year reversed course for the first time in a century, edging up the popularity list a few notches. And Frank still has a certain warm, friendly real-guy grandpa flavor that could come back into style, like other such choices as Jake and Jack.
- Fritz
Origin:
German, diminutive of Friedrich or FrederickMeaning:
"peaceful ruler"Description:
Since female cousins Mitzi and Fritzi have entered the realm of possibilities, there's a chance that Cousin Fritz could as well. Fritz is the name of several notables, from early German-born film director Lang to early footballer Fritz (born Frederick) Pollard, the first African-American to play in the Rose Bowl in 1916.
- Frida
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"peace"Description:
The dynamic personality and paintings of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo have inspired growing numbers of parents to resurrect this form of the name. It does much better in certain European countries, especially in Denmark and Norway. The Frieda and Freida spellings were more popular in the US until the middle of the 20th century.
- Fynn
Origin:
Variation of FinnMeaning:
"bright, fair"Description:
Spelling variation more popular in Germany than the original, which is also well-used there.
- Ferdinand
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"bold voyager"Description:
Ferdinand is a traditional name among Spanish royal families and also appears in Shakespeare's The Tempest, borne by the handsome young prince shipwrecked on Prospero's island. Bold, daring, and poetic, it was a popular choice in the US in the 19th and early 20th century, but the 1938 movie Ferdinand the Bull has left it with a lingering clunkiness and it has been out of style since the 80s.
- Freda
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"peace"Description:
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 similar-sounding but etymologically unrelated mythological name Freya is much more popular, not only in the US and the UK but throughout the English-speaking world, in Germany and Scandinavia.
- Frieda
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"peace"Description:
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.
- Franz
Origin:
German variation of Francis, LatinMeaning:
"Frenchman or free man"Description:
Franz is the German equivalent to Francis, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a Franz outside of countries with Germanic origins. In America the name is often associated with celebrated author Franz Kafka, who was born in Prague.
- Freddy
Origin:
Diminutive of FrederickMeaning:
"peaceful ruler"Description:
Another old-school nickname getting new attention thanks to TV's Mad Men. Names like Fred, Pete, and George have been out so long it's time for them to come back in. It reentered the US Top 1000 in 2015 following a two-year absence from the list. It currently ranks Number 199 in England and Wales.
- Frederica
Origin:
Feminine variation of Frederick, English from GermanMeaning:
"peaceful ruler"Description:
Frederica is an interesting possibility for the parent unintimidated by its old-fashioned formality, and who can appreciate the vintage charm and verve lurking beneath its stuffiness.
- Filbert
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"very brilliant"Description:
Like Norbert and Hubert, feels terminally dated -- in addition to which it's a nut.
- Fritzi
Origin:
German, diminutive of FredericaMeaning:
"peaceful ruler"Description:
Like Mitzi, the bubbly Fritzi shows signs of rising again. Has a bit of a comic-strip feel.
- Friedrich
Origin:
German variation of FrederickDescription:
One of the most familiar German names, with an upright Prussian image. Friedrich might just have been out for long enough to start coming back in.
- Fritzchen
Description:
Fritzchen is a masculine name of German origin, representing an affectionate diminutive form of Fritz, which itself is a familiar short form of Friedrich. The name Friedrich means "peaceful ruler," derived from German elements "frid" (peace) and "ric" (ruler, power). The suffix "-chen" in German indicates smallness or endearment, similar to adding "-y" or "-ie" in English. Traditionally, Fritzchen would be used as a nickname for a young boy named Fritz, conveying fondness and familiarity. While uncommon as a formal given name, it carries charming German cultural connections. The name might appeal to families with German heritage seeking to honor their cultural roots. Despite its rarity, Fritzchen has a distinct and recognizable Germanic character.
- Florentia
Description:
Florentia is an elegant feminine name with Latin origins, meaning 'flourishing' or 'blossoming.' It represents the ancient form of Florence, sharing its etymology with the famous Italian city. The name carries classical dignity and has been used since Roman times, though it remains relatively uncommon in contemporary usage. Florentia has connections to the concept of flora and flowers, evoking images of natural beauty and growth. The melodious four syllables give it a flowing, rhythmic quality that feels both sophisticated and feminine. While Florence has seen periodic popularity throughout the English-speaking world, Florentia offers a more distinctive alternative that maintains the same positive associations of prosperity and beauty while providing a direct link to classical Latin heritage.
- Franzen
Description:
Franzen is a masculine name with Germanic origins, functioning primarily as a surname before occasional modern use as a first name. Derived from the Germanic personal name Franz (the German form of Francis), it essentially means 'son of Franz' or 'descendant of Francis.' The name Francis itself comes from Latin 'Franciscus,' meaning 'Frenchman' or 'free one.' As a first name, Franzen remains quite rare, gaining limited recognition through association with American novelist Jonathan Franzen. The name has a strong, distinctive sound with its crisp 'z' consonant. Franzen represents the growing trend of using surnames as first names, appealing to parents seeking uncommon names with historical connections. Though rare in most naming statistics, it offers a unique alternative to more common Francis derivatives.
- Franken
Description:
Franken is an uncommon masculine name with Germanic roots, possibly originating as a shortened form of Frankenstein or as a reference to the Franks, the Germanic tribe that gave France its name. The element 'frank' historically means 'free' or 'truthful.' Rarely used as a first name, Franken more commonly appears as a surname throughout German-speaking regions. The name carries a strong, distinctive sound and may evoke associations with Frankenstein in modern contexts, though its authentic origins are separate. Franken's uniqueness makes it stand out, appealing to parents seeking an uncommon name with Germanic heritage, though its unusual nature might require occasional explanation.
- Fonso
Origin:
German, diminutive of AlfonsoDescription:
All anyone will think of is the Fonz.
- Freidrich
Description:
Freidrich appears to be a variant spelling of Friedrich, a classic Germanic masculine name composed of the elements "frid" meaning "peace" and "ric" meaning "ruler" or "power." This powerful name translates roughly to "peaceful ruler" or "king of peace." The traditional spelling Friedrich has deep historical roots in German-speaking countries, associated with numerous notable figures including philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and composer Friedrich Handel. The variant spelling Freidrich is considerably less common. The name exudes strength, intellect, and cultural gravitas, reflecting its long history among European nobility and thinkers. Though formal in nature, it offers friendly nicknames like Fred or Fritz. While traditional German names have experienced varying levels of popularity internationally, Friedrich in any spelling remains a distinguished choice with strong cultural connections.