German Names that Start With H
Across 3 pages
of 3
The names
Henry
German
"estate ruler"
Henry is well and truly back in style. The classic returned to the Top 10 in the US in 2021 for the first time in over a century, and as of 2024, sits at Number 6. Like James and Theodore, Henry is a…
Heidi
Diminutive of Adelheid; German
"noble, nobility"
Heidi became known — and popular — via the 1880 eponymous children's classic by Swiss writer Johanna Spyri and, despite decades of American Heidis of all sizes, shapes, and personalities, the name…
Hugo
Latinized form of Hugh
"mind, intellect"
Hugo, the Latin form of Hugh, has more heft and energy than the original -- and of course we love names that end (or begin, for that matter) with an o. This one is especially appealing because it's…
Harlan
German and English
"rocky land"
Pleasant but uninspired surname name somewhat connected to writers Ellison and Coben. After three decades off the US Top 1000, it reentered in 2013, maybe because it's an unusual example of the…
Hugh
English from German, Irish
"mind, intellect; fiery one"
Tough yet gentle in look and sound, Hugh was a Top 100 choice in the US back in the late 19th-century and while it's never reached those heights again, it has always managed to remain in the Top 1000…
Harry
Diminutive of Henry, English, German
"estate ruler"
Harry is the medieval English form of Henry, which derived from the Germanic name Heimrich, meaning "estate ruler." Harry was the nickname of all eight King Henrys; it is also a diminutive of Harold…
Heinricka
Heinricka is the feminine form of Heinrich, a Germanic name meaning "ruler of the home" or "home ruler." Composed of the elements "heim" (home) and "ric" (ruler, power), this distinctive name carries…
Hannele
Finnish
"grace"
Finnish diminutive of Hannah or Johanna
Hedwig
German
"war"
An ancient German saint's name – and most famously the name of Harry Potter's snowy owl – but the combination of "head" plus "wig" feels a little too literal in English.
Herman
German
"soldier, warrior"
It's hard to believe now that Herman was once, at the turn of the last century, a Top 50 name, remaining in the Top 100 until 1935, and even harder to imagine it making a comeback. But then again,…
Helma
Helma is a feminine name with Germanic origins, functioning as a diminutive form of names containing the element "helm," meaning "helmet" or "protection." It can be considered a variation of…
Hackett
German occupational name
"little hewer"
Hack is, unfortunately, both an unappealing word and sound.
Haines
English, German
"enclosure, hedge"
A preppy surname of hidden German origin that would fit right in with currently trendy s-ending boy names like Brooks and Hayes, Haines ultimately comes from the name Hagen. Also spelled as Haynes,…
Hamlin
German
"little home-lover"
One you might like for its cozy meaning, but there is that Pied Piper rat connection.
Hanne
Danish, Norwegian, German, Dutch
"grace"
This spin on the popular Hannah is widely-used in Europe and pronounced similarly to Hannah. It may also be a short form of Johanne, from John/Joan.
Harbin
German
"little bright warrior"
A possible new entry in the Hayden-Corbin two-syllable boys' name club.
Hansel
German diminutive of Hans
"God is gracious"
Those "Where's Gretel?" jokes will get old pretty fast.
Helmine
Helmine is a feminine name of Germanic origin, functioning as a feminine form of Wilhelm (William). It combines the Germanic elements "wil" (will, desire) and "helm" (helmet, protection), thus…
Hardy
German
"bold, brave"
Hardy is a spirited and durable un-Germanic German surname that is starting to be used in this country. British fashion designer Hardy Amies (born Edwin) is its best known bearer, and Thomas Hardy…
Hans
German, Dutch, and Scandinavian, diminutive of Johannes
Though familiar to all via such childhood icons as Hans Brinker, Hans(el) and Gretel, and Hans Christian Andersen, few Americans have chosen this name for their sons because of its intractably Old…