German Boy Names
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Jannick
Dutch and German form of John
"God is gracious"
Another spelling of JANNIK, a John form that has a terminally Olde Worlde sound to the American ear.
Gatsby
German surname and literary name
"from Gaddesby"
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…
Anse
French
"cove"
Name of Faulkner's great emotional villain in As I Lay Dying , Anse is not ordinarily used as a first name. It literally means cove in French, though the element ans means God in Old German and is…
Rohmer
German surname
"pilgrim; fame"
Like other stylish choices from Roman to Romy to Romeo, Rohmer is a German surname that relates to both Roman pilgrims and the root word for fame. Jennifer Jason Leigh and Noah Baumbach chose this…
Dinand
Short form of Ferdinand
"bold voyager"
Dinand is popular in the Netherlands thanks to a local singing sensation. Dinand is one of many Dutch short forms that come from the middle or end of a name -- think Bas for Sebastian or Hans from…
Jeter
French or German surname
"throw away; foundling; jet"
Jeter, which of course is used as a first name only because of Yankee star Derek, rhymes with Peter and may be derived from the French surname Jette, which was often bestowed on foundlings because it…
Keller
German occupational name
"cellar master"
Keller is a German surname that originated as an occupational name for a cellar or store master, which seems to be the background of several of the most stylish new German names for boys . One of the…
Drexel
German
"to turn"
Drexel is an occupational surname but the original meaning of what a person who "turned" for a living actually did is unclear: It may mean turning the soil or making hay or spinning cloth or creating…
Keil
German
"wedge"
Probably intended as a variant spelling of Kyle, this German word (meaning "wedge") is not used as a name there.
Bardo
Short form of Bardolph or Aboriginal
"water"
Bardo has a poetic beginning and upbeat ending, with roots in several diverse cultures. It may be most familiar today via George Saunders' novel Lincoln in the Bardo , which refers to the Tibetan…
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…
Wenzeslaus
Wenzeslaus is an elaborate masculine name of Czech origin, representing the Latinized form of Wenceslaus or Václav. This regal name derives from the Old Slavic elements "ventie" (greater) and "slava"…
Abt
German, variation of Abbott
A German surname you do NOT want to use as a first.
Abelard
German
"noble, steadfast"
Abelard brings to mind Peter/Pierre Abelard, the great twelfth century Breton scholastic philosopher and theologian, who was equally celebrated for his tragic love affair with Heloise--one of the…
Adelio
Spanish and Italian from German
"the father of the noble prince"
Appealing, upbeat name used mainly in Spanish-speaking countries.
Adolph
German
"noble wolf"
World War II stamped a permanent verboten on Adolph.
Dolph
German, diminutive of Adolph
All Adolph variations are best avoided, though this takes some of the onus off.
Alard
German
"noble, steadfast"
Alard looks and sounds like the name of a romantic, medieval knight. It's dashing and unusual; but still easy to pronounce and spell. Cognate Adelard might also appeal if you are considering this…
Alaric
German
"all-powerful ruler"
Alaric is an ancient regal name that sounds modern enough to be considered. Alaric was a traditional name for the kings of the Ostrogoths, the most famous of whom was Alaric I, the King of the West…
Alric
German
"ruler of all"
Common in Sweden, Alric is part of the family of medieval sounding names, like Alaric, Casimir and Leopold that are increasing gaining a fanbase, perhaps as an antidote to the modern inventions that…