German Names that Start With G

  1. Greta
    • Origin:

      German, diminutive of Margarethe
    • Meaning:

      "pearl"
    • Description:

      Greta is an Old World name long tied to the iconic Garbo, but now synonymous with environmental activism.
  2. Giselle
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "pledge, hostage"
    • Description:

      Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen undoubtedly gave this name a boost. The French pronunciation (jiz-ELLE) gives it a more graceful, balletic, gazellelike feel.
  3. Gilbert
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "shining pledge"
    • Description:

      Considered ultra debonair in the silent-movie era, Gilbert then went through a nerdy phase, a la Gilbert Gottfried. Now though, like Albert and Alfred and Walter and Frank, it could be in for a style revival.
  4. Gina
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Regina, Eugenia, Georgina, and similar, English, German, Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "queen; well born; farmer"
    • Description:

      A short form for a whole variety of names, this short form has been used across Europe as a stand-alone since the 1920s. It spiked in popularity in the 1950s, owing to the fame of Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida but faded out of use in the 2000s.
  5. Gretchen
    • Origin:

      German, diminutive of Margarethe
    • Meaning:

      "pearl"
    • Description:

      Like Greta, Gretchen is a German Margaret diminutive that has become an American quasi-classic, though not much used today, having dropped off the list in 2009. She was at her high point in the 1970s, making it into the top 200.
  6. Gertrude
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "strength of a spear"
    • Description:

      Could cute nickname Gertie, remembered as cute five-year-old Drew Barrymore in E.T., revive the long shunned Gertrude?
  7. Geraldine
    • Origin:

      German and French, feminine variation of Gerald
    • Meaning:

      "ruler with the spear"
    • Description:

      Though twin brother Gerald is still in baby name limbo, Geraldine is in line to follow the path of Josephine to imminent revival—even though Gerry is not as spunky a nickname as Josie.
  8. Gisella
    • Origin:

      Italian form of Giselle, French, German
    • Meaning:

      "pledge, hostage"
    • Description:

      A bright, musical name, Gisella is the Italian form of the French Giselle. With its zippy "Zella" sound and potential nickname Gigi too, it could make an underused and appealing choice.
  9. Gatsby
    • Origin:

      German surname and literary name
    • Meaning:

      "from Gaddesby"
    • Description:

      Gatsby is one of the most famous literary surnames, borne by the titular character of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. The book's Jay Gatsby gussied up his surname from Gatz, whose meaning is given variously as left-handed, cat, God, and person from Gat. As a first name, it's got a lot of energy and that great literary pedigree.
  10. Gunther
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "battle warrior"
    • Description:

      When it's spelled with two dots over the 'u' in German, Gunther is pronounced GUWN-ter, but it has a much softer sound when the 'h' is voiced by English-speakers, as it was, for example, for the name of a character in Friends.
  11. Godfrey
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "God's peace"
    • Description:

      Godfrey was very popular in the Middle Ages, but today you're more likely to hear it as a surname than a first name. It has a solid, old-man charm, but a couple of possible deal-breakers: the first syllable being God, and no obvious nickname. Goff, maybe? For a different feel, we also like the Italian artist's version Giotto.
  12. Griselda
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "grey battle"
    • Description:

      Griselda is a famous folklore figure, noted for her patience and obedience. Her story has been told by Petrarch, Chaucer, Boccaccio and set to music by Scarlatti, Vivaldi and Massenet.
  13. Gisela
    • Origin:

      German; Dutch; Spanish; Portuguese
    • Meaning:

      "pledge, hostage"
    • Description:

      A variation of Giselle.
  14. Gannet
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "goose"
    • Description:

      A bird name that could be thought of as an animated spin on Garrett.
  15. Gerrit
    • Origin:

      Low German variation of Gerhard
    • Description:

      An undiscovered cousin of Garrett and Gerard. Gerrit has some merit, especially for its arty credentials as the name of several Old Master painters.
  16. Gretta
    • Description:

      Gretta is a feminine name representing a variant spelling of Greta, which itself originated as a short form of Margaret or Margareta. With Germanic and Greek roots, the name ultimately derives from 'margarites' meaning 'pearl.' Gretta has a classic, slightly vintage feel with its double consonants giving it a more substantial presence than Greta. While never reaching tremendous popularity, the name enjoyed modest usage throughout the 20th century. It carries associations with iconic figures like Greta Garbo, lending it a touch of timeless glamour. Gretta balances familiarity with distinctiveness, offering a recognizable yet not overly common option that works well across various ages.
  17. Gratia
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "grace"
    • Description:

      Although the saintly Gratia was male -- Blessed Gratia of Kotor -- this name feels quite female today.
  18. Gerhard
    • Origin:

      German variation of Gerard
    • Description:

      In its native Germany, Gerhard was very popular a hundred years ago and is now rather old-fashioned. It isn't much used by English speakers either, but has a certain clunky charm about it.
  19. Gerhart
    • Description:

      Gerhart is a strong Germanic masculine name with ancient roots. Derived from the Germanic elements 'ger' meaning 'spear' and 'hard' meaning 'brave, hardy, or strong,' Gerhart literally translates to 'strong with the spear' or 'brave spear-warrior.' This powerful name has been used throughout German-speaking regions of Europe since medieval times and represents qualities of courage and military prowess that were highly valued in Germanic societies. While more common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Gerhart remains relatively rare in English-speaking countries. The name has several spelling variations including Gerhard, Gearhart, and Gerhardt. Its traditional nature and distinctive sound appeal to parents seeking a name with historical depth and clear masculine associations.

  20. Guenther
    • Description:

      Guenther is a Germanic masculine name, also spelled Günther in its original German form with an umlaut. This traditional name has deep roots in German-speaking regions, derived from the elements 'gund' meaning 'war' and 'hari' meaning 'army.' Historically, it gained recognition through Germanic mythology and medieval literature, notably appearing in the Nibelungenlied where Gunther was a Burgundian king. The name carries connotations of strength and warrior-like qualities, reflecting its martial origins. While maintaining steady usage in German-speaking countries, Guenther is less common in English-speaking regions, often found in communities with German heritage. The spelling without the umlaut (Guenther rather than Günther) makes it more adaptable to English language keyboards and pronunciation, while still honoring its Germanic roots.

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