German Dog Names

  1. Emmerich
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "home strength"
    • Description:

      This old school German name, more familiar these days as a surname, is a relative of the place name America.
  2. Carla
    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Carl
    • Meaning:

      "free man"
    • Description:

      While Charlotte and Caroline are considered stylish and classic members of the Charles family, this Germanic form peaked in the US at Number 76 in 1965. It fell out of favor in the 2010s, but recent years have seen it re-enter the Top 1000.
  3. Karl
    • Origin:

      German and Scandinavian variation of Charles
    • Description:

      Manly almost to the point of macho.
  4. Ritter
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "knight, mounted warrior"
    • Description:

      A German surname name deriving from the same root as English Ryder. Traditionally, it was the name of the second lowest hereditary rank of the nobility, roughly equivalent to English Baronet. Notable associations are British actor Paul Ritter and a popular European chocolate brand.
  5. Lotta
    • Origin:

      Short form of Charlotta or Carlotta, forms of Charlotte, French
    • Meaning:

      "free man"
    • Description:

      This nickname-name is very popular in Germany, though Lottie is still the preferred version in the US. The problem, of course, is that you'll have to put up with a lotta jokes. See?
  6. Konstantin
    • Origin:

      Slavic; Estonian; Finnish; Hungarian; German, from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "steadfast"
    • Description:

      This sleek form of Constantine is traditional in many European countries, and most popular in German-speaking nations and Russia.
  7. Jan
    • Origin:

      Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Czech, Polish, Slovene, German, and Catalan variation of John, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      A standard form of John in Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Czech, Polish, Slovene, German, and Catalan. Properly pronounced yahn (in most of these languages), most Americans will still equate it with the Brady Bunchesque girls' name Jan, which is now officially extinct.
  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. Hannelore
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "grace + god is my light"
    • Description:

      A pretty and substantial German smoosh name, a combination of Hanne and Eleonore. Most popular in Germany from the 1930s to the 1950s. Former German Chancellors Helmut Kohl and Helmut Schmidt both had wives named Hannelore.
  10. Mathilda
    • Origin:

      Variation of Matilda
    • Meaning:

      "battle-mighty"
    • Description:

      The addition of the h makes it more Old World, which is not the direction you want to push Matilda in.
  11. Frederica
    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Frederick, English from German
    • Meaning:

      "peaceful ruler"
    • Description:

      Frederica is an interesting possibility for the parent unintimidated by its old-fashioned formality, and who can appreciate the vintage charm and verve lurking beneath its stuffiness.
  12. Adela
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "noble"
    • Description:

      A vibrant variation of Adele, with a bit of extra flair from that "-a" ending. It could join the army of popular A girls' names, especially with its tie to the success of singer Adele.
  13. Adelio
    • Origin:

      Spanish and Italian from German
    • Meaning:

      "the father of the noble prince"
    • Description:

      Appealing, upbeat name used mainly in Spanish-speaking countries.
  14. Wilhelm
    • Origin:

      German variation of William
    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection"
    • Description:

      This dignified German form of William belonged to two German Emperors and Kings of Prussia, as well as a host of other important historical figures. These include composer (Wilhelm) Richard Wagner, philosophers Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz, and physicist Wilhelm Roentgen, who discovered the X-ray. It now sounds rather dated in Germany, however, having dropped out of the Top 20 there in the late 1920s and continuing to decline since.
  15. Alwin
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "noble friend, friend of the elves"
    • Description:

      Softer, milder, and sans chipmunk references, Alwin is a likable alternative to Alvin. Win makes a nice nickname.
  16. Aloisa
    • Origin:

      German variation of Louisa
    • Meaning:

      "renowned warrior"
    • Description:

      Obscure form of an old-fashioned favorite that's poised to make a comeback. This version, which owes as much to Alison as to Louisa, has a stylish A beginning and a multi-syllabic feminine grace.
  17. Fynn
    • Origin:

      Variation of Finn
    • Meaning:

      "bright, fair"
    • Description:

      Spelling variation more popular in Germany than the original, which is also well-used there.
  18. Friedrich
    • Origin:

      German variation of Frederick
    • Description:

      One of the most familiar German names, with an upright Prussian image. Friedrich might just have been out for long enough to start coming back in.
  19. Avila
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "desired; or island, water"
    • Description:

      An unusual and appealing name that is the origin of Evelyn, via the Norman French name Aveline. It derives from an obscure Germanic root, the meaning of which is not clear. Theories include "desired, wished for" and "water, island".
  20. Brant
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "sword"
    • Description:

      Brant, a no-nonsense one-syllable name, had some popularity in the early 1970s, but has been off the lists for a decade. Now, with similarly brisk names like Chase, Jace, Bryce, and Grant finding favor, Brant could make a comeback.