Amish Names
- Katharina
Origin:
German variation of Katherine, GreekMeaning:
"pure"Description:
Katharina is an attractive form of Katherine and a great way to update a classic. Popular in Austria and a classic in Germany, it is typically pronounced as ka-ta-REE-na, though kath-uh-REE-nuh or ka-THREE-nuh are sometimes heard among English speakers. Worn by royalty and saints, it makes a strong and elegant choice.
- Atlee
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"clearing in the wood or meadow"Description:
As a first name, Atlee is a common choice in the Amish community.
- Neta
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"plant"Description:
Botanical Hebrew choice that leads to the sweet vintage nickname Nettie.
- Levina
Description:
Levina is a feminine name with several possible origins. It may be a variant of Lavinia, an ancient Roman name associated with Latin roots meaning 'woman of Rome' and featured in Virgil's 'Aeneid.' Alternatively, it could derive from Lovina, a name with Germanic origins meaning 'beloved friend.' In some contexts, Levina may also connect to names like Levin or Levi, which have Hebrew origins meaning 'joined' or 'attached.' Throughout history, Levina has remained relatively uncommon, appearing sporadically in English-speaking countries and parts of Europe. The name carries a vintage charm with its soft sounds and elegant ending, making it appealing to parents seeking a traditional yet distinctive name with historical resonance.
- Ammon
Origin:
Variation of Amman, German occupational name, Greek, Ancient EgyptianMeaning:
"administrator; the hidden one"Description:
Ammon is connected to two religions in the US and is used exclusively between the two of them. Prior to the 1960s, Ammon was considered a solely Amish name. In the Amish community, Ammon is bestowed in honor of Jacob Amman, whom the Amish sect is named after.
- Heinz
Origin:
German diminutive of HeinrichDescription:
Heinz has become a cartoonish German name, prone to ketchup teasing.
- Klaas
Description:
Klaas is a traditional Dutch and Frisian masculine name, functioning as a shortened form of Nicholas or Nikolaas. Originating from the Greek name Nikolaos, it combines the elements "nike" (victory) and "laos" (people), meaning "victory of the people." Widely used in the Netherlands and parts of northern Germany, Klaas has been a staple name for centuries, particularly in rural and traditional communities. In Dutch folklore, Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) is a beloved figure associated with gift-giving, indirectly boosting the name's cultural significance. Though uncommon outside Dutch-speaking regions, the name's brevity and strong consonant sounds give it a distinctive character that travels well. It typically appears as a full name rather than a nickname.
- Lovina
Description:
Lovina is a feminine name with several possible origins. It may be derived from Latin 'lovina' relating to love, or could be a variant of Lavinia, an ancient Roman name associated with Latin settlers. Some suggest it may be a combination of 'love' with the feminine suffix '-ina.' The name has historical usage among the Amish communities in the United States, particularly notable in the Lovina settlement in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. There is also a beach called Lovina in Bali, Indonesia. The name has a gentle, melodious quality with its soft consonants and flowing rhythm. Though never extremely common, Lovina offers vintage charm while remaining recognizable. It provides an uncommon alternative to more familiar names like Lavinia or Loveday.
- Laverna
Origin:
LatinDescription:
Laverna was the Roman goddess of thievery, cheating, and the underworld. The original meaning of her name in unknown, however, there are several theories. One such theory states that Laverna is related to the Latin word for theif, laterniō, while another connects the name to levare, meaning "to lift," as in shoplifting. In the case of the latter, Laverna would mean "goddess of gain".
- Johann
Origin:
German variation of Johan or John, HebrewMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
The traditional German spelling of this name, used by Goethe, Bach and many other luminaries. Familiar in the US, but retains an Olde World feel, for better and worse.
- Vernice
Origin:
Variation of Verna, LatinMeaning:
"springtime"Description:
Part Verna, part Bernice, Vernice saw use as a girls' name during the heyday of both those names. Both entered the Top 200 in the 1880s, where Verna lasted until 1940 and Bernice a decade longer.
- Dietrich
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"ruler of the people"Description:
This form of Theodoric, familiar via Marlene, is a possible German import. It is an Anglicized ancestor of Derek and all its variations. A noted bearer was acclaimed classical German baritone and conductor Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, and there have been Dietrichs in Henry James's The Princess Casamassima,/em and more recently on the TV show Psych.
- Justina
Origin:
Latin, feminine variation of JustinDescription:
Justina was the pre-Justine feminization of Justin, now a possible alternative to Christina. Oddly, while Justine feels like a name unto itself, Justina feels like a pinned-together feminization in the mold of Richarda or Benjamina. Still, it may appeal as one of the unusual-yet-familiar girl names starting with J.
- Mahlon
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"sickly"Description:
Obscure Old Testament name -- he was the son of Naomi and the husband of Ruth -- that's become even more obscure over the past century, perhaps due to its unappealing meaning.
- Ernst
Origin:
German variation of ErnestDescription:
Concise and clipped European version of the earnest Ernest.
- Ura
Description:
Ura is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Japanese, it can mean 'shore' or 'coast,' evoking natural imagery. In Albanian, the name means 'bridge,' symbolizing connection. Ura also appears in various Slavic languages with different meanings. The name's brevity gives it a stark simplicity that works across language boundaries. Extremely rare in English-speaking countries, Ura enjoys modest usage in parts of Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and Japan. The name's short form makes it easy to pronounce in most languages, though in English it might face confusion with the phrase 'you are.' Ura carries an understated, minimalist quality with international versatility, appealing to parents seeking a simple yet distinctive name with cross-cultural significance.
- Menno
Origin:
Diminutive of Meine, DutchMeaning:
"strength"Description:
The Mennonites took their name from Menno Simons, a Dutch leader of the Anabaptists. His name, which is a nickname of Meine, is still used today in the American Mennonite community.
- Erma
Origin:
English variation of Irma, English, German, SloveneMeaning:
"whole, great, universal; army man"Description:
A variation of the German Irma, Erma emerged in the 19th century in English-speaking countries where its similarity to timeless Emma might have helped it gain popularity. In fact, if you follow its Germanic roots, it relates back to irmin meaning "whole, great", the same as Emma does.
- Dena
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"delicate or judged"Description:
The modern name Dena can be considered to come from either of two Old Testament names. Adina, which means delicate, was the name of a male soldier in the Bible. Dinah, meaning judged, Dinah was the daughter of Jacob and Leah. Dena is a common name in Amish communities.
- Iddo
Origin:
Hebrew and ArabicMeaning:
"to evaporate and to be mighty"Description:
This Old Testament name, also translated as Ido, is well-used in the modern Middle East but nearly unknown in the US. The Biblical Iddo was a minor prophet who lived in the time of Solomon.
The Nameberry App Is Live
- Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
- Names you match on are saved to your shared list
- Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
- Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
- Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.
