Works in German (boys)

Lars

Scandinavian from Latin Laurentius

"crowned with laurel"

Lars is a perfect candidate for a cross-cultural passport: it has been heard often enough here to sound familiar and friendly, yet retains the charisma of a charming foreigner. In this country Lars…

Henning

Henning is a masculine name with Scandinavian and Germanic origins, particularly popular in Denmark, Norway, and northern Germany. It likely developed as a diminutive of Heinrich (Henry), derived…

Hendrik

Dutch and Scandinavian variation of Henry

A bit stiff and formal for American use.

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…

Fitz

Scottish

"son of"

Any number of Fitz names -- Fitzgerald, Fitzpatrick, Fitzroy, Fitzwilliam -- have been used as Christian names, in fact Fitzwilliam was the given name of the dashing Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice…

Matteus

Matteus is a masculine name that represents a variation of Matthew, which derives from the Hebrew name Matityahu, meaning 'gift of God' or 'gift from God.' This form of the name is particularly…

Marius

Latin, from a Roman family name related to Mars, the god of war

Marius, frequently heard in Germany and France, is a slightly fusty yet accessible name that has (Les Mis) to Anne Rice. With the rise in interest in such Latin names as Maximus and Atticus, Marius…

Wolfgang

German

"traveling wolf"

A name with plenty of grandeur, but a playful nickname, Wolfgang blends sophistication, wildness, and gothic imagery. While it may feel surprising in this century, it does have an allure for those…

Wilfred

English

"desires peace"

Wilfred is one of those Old Man Names that still sounds fusty in the US but is fashionable in the UK. It comes with readymade short forms Will, Wilf, or Fred and might make an adventurous alternative…

Remus

Latin, meaning unknown

Remus is one of the legendary twins who, with brother Romulus, founded Rome. An unusual yet classic name for the extremely adventurous who can put aside the stereotyped image of Uncle Remus. Though…

Mortimer

English

"dead sea"

Other kids might see a teasible connection to mortician or mortuary. Mortimer is an English family name used a few generations ago as an Anglicization of Moses; it was Walt Disney's original choice…