German Names that Start With F

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.

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.

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.

Ferdinand, a traditional name in the royal families of Spain and a handsome young prince shipwrecked on Prosper's island in Shakespeare's The Tempest has, unfortunately, to the American ear a somewhat heavy and clumsy feel – most likely because of the bull connection. In the 1880's it was in the 200's on the US pop list, but has been off completely since 1986.

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.

Spelling variation more popular in Germany than the original, which is also well-used there.

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.

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.

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.

Pronounced as Fred with an a, Freda is sometimes heard in England, but mostly among older generations. Much more popular in the U.K. these days, though yet to reach the US, is Freya.

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.

Franziska is a feminine name of German origin, serving as the female form of Franz (Francis). The name ultimately derives from Latin "Franciscus," meaning "Frenchman" or "free one." Franziska has been consistently popular in German-speaking countries, particularly Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland, where it's appreciated for its classic elegance and cultural roots. The name gained recognition through figures like Franziska von Hohenheim, a German noblewoman of the 18th century. While less common in English-speaking countries, Franziska offers an international alternative to Frances or Francesca. The name carries a sophisticated European flair with its distinctive consonant blend and melodic three-syllable structure. It provides the charming nickname options Franzi or Ziska, adding versatility to this culturally rich name.

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.

Like Norbert and Hubert, feels terminally dated -- in addition to which it's a nut.

An occupational name for the steward of an estate, but more people will know it as a word name from mathematics, meaning an important component. The rapper Graham Murawsky thought it was cool enough to use as his stage name.

Like Mitzi, the bubbly Fritzi shows signs of rising again. Has a bit of a comic-strip feel.

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.

Friedel is a masculine name of Germanic origin, primarily found in German-speaking countries. It developed as a diminutive form of names containing the element 'fried' or 'fred,' meaning 'peace' - such as Friedrich, Friedemann, or Gottfried. The suffix '-el' adds an affectionate, familiar quality to the name. While never extremely common, Friedel saw modest usage in Germany and Austria throughout the 20th century, though it has declined in recent decades. The name carries warm, friendly associations in German culture and has a gentle, approachable quality. Outside German-speaking regions, Friedel remains quite unusual and distinctive. The name's connection to the concept of peace gives it a positive underlying meaning that resonates across cultural boundaries.

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.