On the hunt for a gorgeous German baby name that honors their heritage?
Or perhaps youâre drawn to the allure of vintage baby names.
No matter your motivations, these Old German names could be the way to go.
Theyâre cool, quirky, and anything but run-of-the-mill.
And the best part?
Itâs tradition in Germany to give your child several first names.
So if youâre stuck and canât choose just one, feel free to use many!
In this article: đ
- What is the most German first name?
- What is a classic German first name?
- What is the rarest German name?
- More Old German names for girls
- More Old German names for boys
What is the most German first name?
While we canât say for sure what the most German first name ever is, we can give you ideas for those that have been around for a long time.
The Germanic peoples of Northern Europe traveled down from Scandinavia in the first millennium BC.
The language they spoke closely resembles Germanic languages today, although their tribes were made up of Vandals, Franks, Saxons, Swedes, and others.
Old German names were often combinations of specific roots like ermen in the case of Emma, or adal in Ada.
Thatâs why youâll see so many of the same themes running throughout the names.
Often those of nobility, peace, bravery, and strength.
Weâve broken them down separately into Germans names for boys and girls below, but we encourage you to go with the title that speaks the loudest to you.
What is a very German name for a girl?
If you want an authentic German name, embrace the old-fashioned.
Or at least the most enduring.
Here are the most German names for girls that have held the top spot for decades:
- Amelia: This name meaning âworkâ comes from Amalia.
- Claudia: Meaning âenclosureâ or âlameââan intriguing meaning for a name made famous by supermodel star Claudia Schiffer. đž
- Ella: Most associate this sweet name with its Hebrew meaning of âgoddessâ. Others consider Ella a variation of the German word alia meaning âotherâ. Either way, itâs a long-favored German girlâs name.
- Emma: Originally a diminutive form of Germanic names that began with the ermen root, meaning âwholeâ or âuniversalâ, Emma has come to hold its own.
- Emmeline: Also a derivative of Amal/Amalia meaning âworkâ, this classic name has all sorts of charm.
- Gisila: This name we now know as Giselle is as gorgeous as the famous model herself. It means âpledgeâ.
- Greta: An Old German baby name infused with Hollywood glamor thanks to Greta Garbo. It means âpearlâ. đœ
- Heidi: Another German model to make the top spot. Heidi is the shortened version of Adelheid, meaning ânoble and sereneâ.
- Ida: This short and sweet name means âindustrious oneâ or âyouthfulâ.
- Ilse: Meaning âoath of Godâ. You might recognize this as Elsa. âïž
What is a very German boyâs name?
The most common German names are often taken from Biblical inspiration or tend to be rooted in Latin, Greek, and Germanic languages.
These are the top traditional German names for boys that have rarely swayed over the years:
- Bruno: Here, we have to talk about Bruno and its old German meaning of âarmorâ, âprotectionâ, and âbrownâ.
- Dieter: Meaning âarmy of the peopleâ. A long-reigning popular German, Dieter has been borne by German politicians, actors, athletes, and celebrities over the past century.
- Fritz: Meaning âpeaceful rulerâ. âđŒ
- Johann: Meaning âGod is graciousâ.
- Karl: This well-known German name meaning âfree manâ evolved into the royal-sounding Charles. đ€Ž
- Hans: As much a popular Scandinavian boyâs name as a German one, Hans means âGod is graciousâ.
- Klaus: Meaning âvictory of the peopleâ.
- Otto or Otis: This luxurious name means âwealthyâ. đžđžđž
- Reinhard: A variation on Reynard, meaning âcounselâ and âbraveâ or âhardyâ. đđœââïž
- Wilhelm: An enduring Old German name related to William. It means âwill helmetâ.
What is a classic German first name?
So weâve tackled the most German first names with a shout-out to the most popular picks that have captured parentsâ hearts for over a century.
But what about the more traditional German names?
Nothing says classic than those old German names gearing up to make a comebackâafter all, what is a classic but a beautifully aged piece that never goes out of styleâŠ
Classic German names for girls
These traditional German girl names are sure to cause a stir in the near future. Watch this space!
- Astrid: This authentic German name means âsuper strengthâ. đŠžđ»ââïž
- Berhta: This might look like a spelling mistake, but it is actually the older form of what we now know as Bertha, meaning âbright and famousâ.
- Caroline: With its many forms like Karolina, Carrie, Lina, and Kerrolyn, this versatile name means âstrongâ. đđŒââïž
- Frieda: A lovely German girlâs name meaning âpeacefulâ, rooted in the Old High German Fridu.
- Gertrudis: Now known as Gertrude, this classic name means âstrengthâ.
- Inga: Feminine form of Inge, meaning âheroâs daughterâ. A subtle self-five. đ
- Linda: This modern-sounding name is actually a medieval short form of Germanic names with the root lind, meaning âflexibleâ, âsoftâ, or âmildâ.
- Lorelei: Meaning âalluringâ, this German name is unsurprisingly the name of Marilyn Monroeâs character in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. đ±ââïž
- Millicent: This old-fashioned name meaning âgentle strengthâ comes with the adorable diminutive of Millie.
- Willa: This feminine version of the classic name William means âresolute protectionâ.
Classic German names for boys
You may recognize some of these Old German namesâthe hallmarks of a true classic name.
Who knows, you may even see one in a whole new light:
- Archibald: This long name is so easily shortened to the ever-popular stand-alone Archie, and means âtruly braveâ. đ§ââïž
- Dietrich: Meaning âever-powerful rulerâ.
- Ernst: Meaning âvigorousâ.
- Frederick: This powerful-sounding name means âpeaceful rulerâ and pares down so nicely into Fred.
- Heimrich: This Old Germanic name means âestate rulerâ and has evolved into Henri and Henry over the years. All three are super strong and commanding. đ
- GĂŒnter: Meaning âbattlerâ and âwarriorâ.
- Norbert: Once popular, this cute name has become a bit of a rare gem. It means âbright Northâ.
- Robert: Another one weâve all heard before, this name means âbright flameâ. đ„
- Ulrich: Meaning âprosperityâ and âpowerâ.
- Vulfgang: A true classic, this Old German name molded into Wolfgang over the years. Sure, it may have fallen out of favor in the past few decades, but with a meaning like âone who follows the path of the wolfâ, itâs definitely en route for a comeback. đș
What is the rarest German name?
Again, the more ancient ones probably top the list when it comes to the most rare.
In many of the names below, youâll see weâve included the original version of the name as well as the more modern form (which is often easier to pronounce!):
- Adalberht: Meaning ânobleâ or âbrightâ. This fearsome name softened over the years into the cute Albert. âïž
- Adalfuns: This name becomes Alfonso in more modern times. âïž
- Adelheidis: This tricky to say if-you-donât-speak-Old-German name has evolved into the gorgeous Ada, which means ânobleâ. âïž
- Alia: This name meaning âcompletelyâ or âfairy maidenâ has both Hebrew and old Germanic connections. Its more modern version is Ella. âïž
- Chlodovech: This ancient form of Ludwig means âfamous warriorâ. âïž
- Eberhard: This strong name meaning âbrave as a wild boarâ is more commonly seen in its modern form Everett. âïž
- Edeltraud: Pronounced e-del-trowt, it means âof noble attitudeâ. âïž
- Godafrid: An Old High German name that once belonged to a 9th-century Danish Viking leader. This older form of Godfrey means âgodâ and âpeaceâ. âïž
- Haribert: This old Germanic name has shifted into Herbert over the years and means âarmyâ, âwarriorâ, and âbrightâ. âïž
- Heimo: This interesting boyâs name draws on the root of heim, meaning âhomeâ. âïž
- Odilia: With roots meaning both âfatherlandâ and âwealthâ, this stunning name is a great choice if youâre looking to rock a vintage vibe. âïž
- Saxa: This fabulous girlâs name is the older form of the more familiar Saskia and refers to a Saxon woman. âïž
More Old German names for girls
When it comes to old German girl names, these are our favorites.
They are strong, fierce, and striking. What a gift to give to your girl child!
- Alba: A lovely little name meaning âelfâ. đ§đŒââïž
- Alheit: An Old High German short form of Adelheid. It means ânoble kindâ. đ«
- Anke: Meaning âGod has favored meâ. A variation of Anna, popular in Germany and the Netherlands.
- Anneliese: Another variation, this time joined with the Dutch name Leise. Together they form the meaning âgraced with Godâs bountyâ.
- Ava: A name that has become popular in recent times, Ava is a short form of Germanic names beginning with avi, like Avila. It means âbirdlikeâ or âvoiceâ. đ¶
- Charlotte: Meaning âfree oneâ. Its pet name Lotte is also an Old German favorite.
- Elke: Meaning ânobleâ. An Old German name made iconic by the 1960s actress Elke Sommers. đ
- Genovefa: This ancient name evolved into Genevieve, meaning âof the race of womenâ.
- Gesche: An Old High German name meaning âspearâ or âpowerâ.
- Gisela: Meaning âpledgeâ.
- Hanna: The less common version of the Hebrew girlâs name Hannah. This one is actually a short form of Johanna and means âGod is graciousâ.
- Hedy: From the Old High German name Hedwig, it means âbattleâ or âcombatâ.
- Hilda: This strong female name has a mighty meaningââbattleâ.
- Hildegard: Another badass German name from the Old German word hild. This one also means âbattleâ and has been in use since the 8th century.
- Ima: This lovely variant of Emma is ever so sweet.
- Ingeborg: A rare German name rooted in Old Norse. It means âthe help of Ingâ and has been in (limited) use since the mid-19th century. Its most iconic bearer? The feminist Austrian poet, Ingeborg Bachmann. âđŒ
- KĂ€te: Meaning âpureââa German variation of Katherine.
- Leyna: Meaning âlittle angelâ. đȘ¶
- Matilda: This popular name means âbattle mightyâ.
- Margaretha: Meaning âpearlâ, Margaretha is rooted in the Greek margarĂtÄs.
- Maud: Meaning âstrength in battleâ. âïž
- Monika: Meaning âadvisorâ or âuniqueâ.
- Nadine: A lovely name meaning âbrave as a bearâ. đ»
- Pepin: Meaning âperseveranceâ.
- Roderica: Feminine form of Roderick meaning âfamous oneâ.
- Rosmunda: This is the Germanic form of the lovely Rosamund, meaning âprotectionâ.
- Roza: From its Germanic roots, Roza means âfameâ.
- Saskia: A name that shares Dutch heritage. It means âsaxonâ.
- Sigfrida: Meaning âpeaceful victoryâ. đ§đŸââïž
- Sonja: Primarily of Scandinavian origin, this variation of Sophia has been a favored choice in Germany for decades. It means âwisdomâ. đŠ
- Waltraud: A combination of the Old German elements wald (meaning âruleâ) and drud (meaning âstrengthâ).
- Win: Meaning âfriend,â this simple little name packs a gentle punch. đ
- Zelda: Meaning âgray warriorâ.
- Zinnia: More a surname than an Old German name, but we think Zinnia has a hip flavor to it. Meaning âflowerâ, it stems from the 18th-century German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn. đ·đ»đč
More Old German names for boys
These Old German boy names have been around for thousands of years, and many are still in use today. Check out our top picks!
- Agi: A little name with a big meaningââedge of a swordâ. đĄ
- Alaric: Meaning âruler of allâ. âNuff said!
- Aldo: This lovely name means âoldâ and possibly ânobleâ.
- Alfwin: This magical-sounding name means âelf friendâ. A close relative of the adorable Alvin. đ§ââïžđ§đœ
- Anzo: An interesting name meaning âgiantâ.
- Baldwin: This German name meaning âboldâ and âfriendâ makes a strong first name.
- Bernhard: The German variation of Bernard, this strong name means âbearâ and âbraveâ.
- Bertram: This name means âbright ravenâ and would be perfect for a dark-haired baby.
- Conrad: Means âbrave counselâ and is still a common name in modern Germany.
- Eadmund: This royal name found itself changing to Edmund, and means âwealthâ and âprotectionâ.
- Emmett: Weâve already heard all about the girl name Emma, but did you know it has a masculine version too? It means âuniversalâ or âtruthâ.
- Erwin: Meaning âarmyâ and âfriendâ.
- Ferdinand: Meaning âjourneyâ and âdaringâ. đ”ââïž
- Gaston: From the Old German Gasto, this name means âforeign warriorâ.
- Gerhard: Loose the âh,â and we have the modern form of Gerard, meaning âspearâ and âbrave and strongâ.
- Gerold: This is the German form of Gerald, meaning âspearâ and âruleâ.
- Gilbert: This lovely name means bright pledgeâ.
- Hermann: Meaning âarmy manâ.
- Kuno: This majestic name refers to âclanâ or âfamilyâ. đšâđ©âđ§âđŠ
- Lanzo: The Old German form of Lance, meaning âlandâ.
- Leonard: Meaning âbrave lionâ, this is a lovely name for a little fighter. đ„
- Leudbald: The Old German for Leopold means âpeople ââ and âboldâ.
- Louis: Not just regal-sounding, this name also means ârenowned warriorâ.
- Luther: Meaning âwarriorâ.
- Manno: Meaning âmanâ, this short form of various Germanic names stands well as a name in its own right.
- Milo: Meaning âsoldierâ and âmercifulâ, Mylo is an alternative spelling.
- Norman: This historic name meaning âNorthmanâ refers to Vikings. đ¶
- Raymond: Meaning âwise protectorâ, this German name is one many of us are familiar with.
- Regin: A form of Rein meaning âadvice counselâ.
- Richard: This name with Germanic roots meaning ârulerâ, âmightyâ, âbraveâ, and âhardyâ has stood the test of time.
- Rocco: This stunning ancient Germanic name means ârestâ and is a popular boyâs name at the moment.
- Rupert: This German form of Robert means âbright fameâ.
- Sigimar: A powerful name meaning âfameâ and âvictoryâ.
- Waldhar: This name became the Walter we now know and means âruler of the armyâ.
- Waldo: This one means âpowerfulâ and ârulerâ. đ§đŒââïž
- Wilbur: This cute name for a baby boy means âresoluteâ and âbrilliantâ.
- Willifrid: The old form of Wilfred, which means âpeaceâ. đ
And remember, if you canât choose, picking more than one name for your child makes it all the more German!
Good luck!