German Dog Names

Newswoman Paula brought the surname Zahn to the public eye. It makes a dramatic, unusual Zane alternative -- though you may not want to enlighten your child as to its prosaic meaning.

Inventive female form of Aloysius.

Whether pronounced like the wag of a tail or as the correct German VAHG-ner, this might be something a devoted opera buff could consider as a middle name.

Theodoric feels prehistoric, though with short form Theo one of the hottest names around, this old German names for boys may soon feel new again.

Brings to mind phrases like "I vanda new bike" or "I vanda go home".

Nicknames ending in o are invariably cute, though this one is a boys' name in its own right. And not just any boy name, but a saint's name no less. Saint Hanno, aka Saint Anno, was an 10th century archbishop of Cologne, He is also known as, less attractively, Hanno of Worms, which is one of the oldest cities in Germany.

Most famous as the name of King Pepin the Short, this choice might feel somewhat belittling. The even-shorter form is Pippin, a name adopted for musical theater, and the Dutch form Pepijn is in that country's Top 100.

Richmond is a place-name — it's the capital of Virginia, US, and a town in London, UK — that makes a fresh way to honor an ancestral Richard.

Heinz has become a cartoonish German name, prone to ketchup teasing.

Spelling variation of Amalia, rising in popularity throughout Europe.

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.

Medieval name that still hasn't crossed the ocean, known here primarily via actress/teacher Uta Hagen.

Agna is a feminine name with ancient roots spanning multiple cultures. In Latin contexts, it relates to 'agnus' meaning 'lamb,' symbolizing gentleness and purity. The name also appears in Indian traditions, particularly in southern regions, where it may have different etymological origins. Historically, Agna has connections to early Christian traditions and appears occasionally in medieval European records. Though rare in contemporary usage, the name has maintained a quiet presence across generations, particularly in parts of Europe and India. Agna has a delicate, dignified quality with its soft beginning and open ending. The simplicity of the name, with just two syllables and four letters, gives it an accessible, universal quality despite its uncommon status.