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German Names that Start With G

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Oct 01 2024
  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. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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?
  6. 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.
  7. Gina

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Regina, Angelina, Luigina, Georgina, Eugenia, Virginia and similar

    • 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. A sweet and sparky name akin to Nina and Mina, some parents in English speaking countries may be concerned about teasing potential, though it was still given to around 115 girls in the US in a recent year. Popular in Spain, it is borne by martial artist Gina Carano, and actresses Gina Gershon, Gina Rodriguez, Gina Torres, and Gina McKee.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. Gisela

    • Origin:

      German; Dutch; Spanish; Portuguese

    • Meaning:

      "pledge, hostage"

    • Description:

      A variation of Giselle.
  14. 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.
  15. Gisella

    • Description:

      Gisella is a feminine name with Germanic origins, derived from 'gisil' meaning 'pledge' or 'hostage' (in ancient times, noble children were sometimes exchanged as political hostages to ensure peace between kingdoms). It's a variant of Giselle, which gained recognition through the romantic ballet of the same name. The name has been used across Europe for centuries, particularly in Germany, Italy, and Hungary, where Saint Gisela was the wife of King Stephen I. Gisella carries an elegant, classical quality with its melodic sound and romantic associations. While never extremely common in English-speaking countries, it maintains steady usage among parents drawn to its international appeal and sophisticated sound.

  16. Gratia

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "grace"

    • Description:

      Although the saintly Gratia was male -- Blessed Gratia of Kotor -- this name feels quite female today.
  17. Gannet

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "goose"

    • Description:

      A bird name that could be thought of as an animated spin on Garrett.
  18. Gesine

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "strength of a spear"

    • Description:

      Clunky Gertrude is heading towards obscurity in the US, but here's a variation that might intrigue - Gesine, also spelled Gesina.
  19. 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.
  20. Günter

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "bold warrior"

    • Description:

      Prospective parents tend to respond more to the softer American pronunciation than the harsher German one, and even more to the Scandinavian version (see GUNNAR).