Looking for a baby name for your little German boy? Check out this comprehensive list of German baby names! We’ve gathered some of the most popular and traditional names along with their meanings. Whether you’re looking for a classic name or something more modern, we have you covered!
Popular German Boy Names Beginning with A
Adalbert
Meaning: This is an older form of the popular German name Albrect which means noble and bright from ‘adal’ noble and ‘berht’ meaning bright.
Derivative names: Albert, Elbert, Albrecht
Famous people: Adalbert or Aldebert was a preacher in the 8th century who claimed that an angel had given him miraculous powers to see into the future and to read peoples minds.
Adolf
Meaning: This name is derived from the Old Germanic ‘Adalwolf’ which means noble wolf.
Derivatives: Adolph, Adolphe, Adolfo
Famous people: Adolf Hitler was the dictator of Nazi Germany during World War II who oversaw some of the worst atrocities in human history including the Holocaust which has seen a steep decline in the popularity of this name since the end of the War.
Alois
Meaning: This name is the German form of Aloysius and comes from the germanic ‘alwisi’ meaning all wise.
Derivatives: Aloys, Lewis, Louis
Famous people: Alois Alzheimer was the doctor who first described the symptoms of what we now know as Alzheimer’s disease.
Armin
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘ermen’ meaning whole or universal. It’s a modern variant of Arminius.
Derivatives: Hermann, Armand
Famous people: Armin van Buuren is a Dutch DJ and producer who is one of the leading figures in the electronic dance music scene.
Arno
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘arno’ meaning eagle.
Derivatives: Arnold, Arnulf
Famous people: Arno Allan Penzias was a German born American physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation.
Arnulf
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘arno’ meaning eagle and ‘wulf’ meaning wolf.
Derivatives: Arnold, Arnott, Arnoul, Arnoulf
Famous people: Arnulf of Metz was a bishop in the early sixth century who was known for his work in converting the Franks to Christianity.
Popular German Boy Names Beginning with B
Baldur
Meaning: This name is derived from the Old Norse ‘balder’ meaning prince or warrior.
Derivatives: Baldwin, Baudoin, Baldr, Balder
Famous people: Baldur or Baldr was the son of the god Odin in Norse mythology associated with light, beauty, love and happiness. He was known for his beauty and was slain by the mischievous god Loki.
Balthasar
Meaning: This name is derived from the Babylonian ‘beltu-usur’ meaning protector of fire. It’s the Greek form of Belshazzar.
Derivatives: Balthazar, Balthassar, Baltazar
Famous people: Balthasar was one of the three wise men who brought gifts to the baby Jesus in the nativity story.
Barthold
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘berht’ meaning bright or famous and ‘wald’ meaning ruler.
Derivatives: Bertold, Bertolt, Berthold, Barclay, Bertulf
Famous people: Barthold, Archbishop of Trier in 869-883.
Bartholomäus
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘berht’ meaning son of furrows or rich in land.
Derivatives: Bart, Bartel, Bartlett, Bartholomew
Famous people: Bartholomäus Aich was a German organist and compose in the 17th century.
Benedikt
Meaning: This name is derived from the Latin ‘benedictus’ meaning blessed.
Derivatives: Benedict, Benedick, Benoit
Famous people: Saint Benedict or Benedikt was the founder of the Benedictine Order in the sixth century. He is the patron saint of Europe.
Bernhard
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘berht’ meaning bright or famous and ‘hard’ meaning hardy or strong.
Derivatives: Bernard, Benno
Famous people: Bernhard of Clairvaux was a French abbot and one of the most influential church leaders in the 12th century. He was a key figure in the establishment of the Cistercian Order.
Bodo
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘bodo’ meaning messenger or tidings.
Derivatives: Bode, Boden
Famous people: Bodo Illgner was a German goalkeeper who was part of the West Germany team that won the 1990 World Cup.
Börries
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘liber’ meaning free.
Derivatives: Liborius
Famous people: Börries von Münchhausen was a German author who wrote fairy tales and poems for children and also a Nazi acitivist.
Bruno
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘brun’ meaning brown.
Derivatives: Bruno, Brunon, Bruneau
Famous people: Bruno Mars is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer who has won multiple Grammy Awards.
Burchard
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘burg’ meaning fortress or city and ‘hard’ meaning hardy or strong.
Derivatives: Burchardt, Burkhard, Burchhardt, Bourchard
Famous people: Burchard of Worms was a German bishop in the early 11th century who wrote canons or rules for clergy.
German Names for Boys Beginning with C
Carsten
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘karst’ meaning a man from Karst, alternatively it may be the German version of Christian.
Derivatives: Kristian, Christian, Christopher
Famous people: Carsten Maschmeyer is a German entrepreneur and TV personality who is one of the judges on the show “The Lion’s Den”.
Christhard
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘christ’ meaning anointed one and ‘hard’ meaning hardy or strong.
Derivatives: Christian, Kristian
Famous people: Christhard Gluck was a German composer in the 18th century who wrote operas.
Cosimo
Meaning: This name is derived from the Greek ‘kosmios’ meaning orderly, well formed or beauty.
Derivatives: Cosma, Cosimo
Famous people: Cosimo de Medici was an Italian banker and politician in the 15th century who was one of the most powerful men in Europe, establishing the Medici family as the rulers of Florence.
Traditional German Names Beginning with D
Decker
Meaning: This is a German occupational name meaning roofer. More common in German as a German surname
Derivatives: Deck
Famous people: Hans Decker was a 15th century German sculpter.
Detlev
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘theod’ meaning people or nation and ‘laf’ meaning heritage.
Derivatives: Dietlof, Detlef, Dietleib
Famous people: Detlev Rohwedder was a German manager who was in charge of privatizing state-owned companies in East Germany after reunification.
Diether
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘theod’ meaning people or nation and ‘hari’ meaning army.
Derivatives: Dietrich, Diedrich,
Famous people: Dieter Rams is a German industrial designer who worked for Braun and is considered one of the most influential designers of the 20th century.
Dietfried
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘theod’ meaning people or nation, ‘fridu’ meaning peace and ‘ric’ meaning power or ruler.
Derivatives: Dietfried, Dietmar
Famous people: Dietfried Müller-Hegemann was a German physician and psychiatrist.
Dietmar
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘theod’ meaning people or nation, ‘mari’ meaning famous.
Derivatives: Dietmar, Diedmar
Famous people: Dietmar Hamann is a German retired footballer who played as a midfielder. He was part of the Germany team that won the World Cup in 1990.
Dietrich
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘theod’ meaning people or nation, ‘ric’ meaning power or ruler.
Derivatives: Diederick, Diedrich
Famous people: Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German theologian and pastor who was executed for his involvement in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler.
German Baby Boy Names Beginning with E
Ebbo
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘eber’ meaning boar, traditionally a pet name for many fo the germanic names but now a name in its own right.
Derivatives: Ebbe, Eberhard
Famous people: Saint Ebbo was the Archbishop of Reims in the early 800s.
Eberhard
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘eber’ meaning boar and ‘hard’ meaning hardy or strong.
Derivatives: Eberhardt, Eberhart, Ebbe
Famous people: Eberhard I was the Duke of Württemberg in the 13th century. He is also known as Eberhard im Bart (Eberhard the Bearded).
Eckhard
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘ecke’ meaning edge or corner and ‘hard’ meaning hardy or strong.
Derivatives: Eckhardt, Eggert, Eckehard, Ekkehard, Eckard, Eckart
Famous people: Eckard I was Margrave of Meissen in the 11th century.
Egmont
Meaning: This name is derived from the ago meaning edge and ‘mund’ meaning protection.
Derivatives: Egmond, Egmunt
Famous people: Egmont was a play by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe about the 16th century Dutch statesman Egmond van Oldenbarnevelt.
Egon
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘egan’ meaning edge or point.
Derivatives: Egon, Eggo
Famous people: Egon Schiele was an Austrian painter in the early 20th century.
Ehrenfried
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘ehran’ meaning honor and ‘fried’ meaning peace. Also popular as a German surname.
Derivatives: Ehrenfrid,
Famous people: Ehrenfried Pfeiffer was a German biochemist who worked with Rudolf Steiner on developing biodynamic agriculture.
Ehrenreich
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘ehran’ meaning honor and ‘rich’ so meaning rich in honor. One of the more traditional names in Germany which have declined a bit in the modern era.
Derivatives: Ehrenreich, Ehrentraud
Famous people: Martin Ehrenreich an Austrian footballer.
Elmar
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘agi’ meaning point or edge of the sword and mar meaning fame. Popular in a lot of German speaking countries, this Germanic origin name for baby boys means famous warrior.
Derivatives: Elmer, Helmhard, Helmar
Famous people: Elmar Wepper is a German actor known for his roles in Theodor Storm and Wetten, dass..?.
Emil
Meaning: This name is derived from the Latin ‘aemulus’ meaning to rival or excel. This is the German version of the popular French name.
Derivatives: Emil, Emile, Émile
Famous people: Emil Zatopek was a Czechoslovakian runner who won three gold medals at the 1952 Summer Olympics.
Emmerich
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘heim’ meaning home and ‘ric’ meaning power or ruler.
Derivatives: Emerich, Emmery
Famous people: Emmerich Kálmán was a Hungarian composer of operettas.
Engelbert
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘angil’ meaning angel and ‘berht’ meaning bright or famous.
Derivatives: Engelbrecht, Angelbert, Ingelbert, short form Bert.
Famous people: Engelbert Humperdinck is an English singer, best known for his 1967 song “Release Me”.
Erdmann
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘erde’ meaning earth and ‘man’ meaning man.
Derivatives: Erdwin, Erman, Herman, early form of Hartmann
Famous people: Erdmann Copernicus was German poet and composer.
Erhard
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘era’ meaning honor and ‘hard’ meaning hardy or strong.
Derivatives: Erhart, Erhardt, early forms of Hartmann
Famous people: Erhard Ratdolt was a 15th-century printer from Augsburg.
Ernst
Meaning: This name has German roots ‘ernust’ meaning earnest or serious, fight to the death. This German boy name has become one of the most popular baby boy names around the world.
Derivatives: Ernest, Ernestine
Famous people: Ernst Jünger was a German author and entomologist.
Erwin
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘era’ meaning honor and ‘wini’ meaning friend. This is a popular German baby name with an old German origin.
Derivatives: Ervin, Erving, Irvin, Irving
Famous people: Erwin Schrödinger was an Austrian physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1933.
Eugen
Meaning: This name is derived from the Greek ‘eugenes’ meaning well-born or noble.
Derivatives: Eugen, Eugene, Evgeni, Jeno
Famous people: Prince Eugen of Savoy was a general in the Austrian army in the 18th century.
Ewald
Meaning: This name is derived from the German meaning ‘eo’ meaning law and ‘wald’ meaning ruler or power or brightness.
Derivatives: Ewald, Ewawalt, German variation of Oswald
Famous people: Ewald Max Hoyer the founding mayour of Bossier City in Louisiana.
German Boys Names Beginning with F
Ferdinand
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘fardi’ meaning journey and ‘nand’ meaning daring or brave.
Derivatives: Ferdinand, Fernand, Fernando
Famous people: Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese explorer who led the first circumnavigation of the earth.
Florian
Meaning: This name is derived from the Latin ‘flos’ meaning flower.
Derivatives: Florian, Florent, Flores
Famous people: Saint Florian was a Roman soldier who was martyred for his faith in the early fourth century and the patron saint of Austria.
Frank
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘frankon’ meaning free or noble.
Derivatives: Frank, Franck, Frankenstein
Famous people: Frank Sinatra was an American singer and actor.
Frederik
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘fred’ meaning peace and ‘rik’ meaning ruler or power.
Derivatives: Frederick, Friedrich, Fredrick
Famous people: Frederick the Great was King of Prussia in the 18th century.
Friedemann
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘frithu’ meaning peace and ‘man’ meaning man.
Derivatives: Friedemann, Friedmann
Famous people: Wilhelm Friedemann Bach was a German composer and organist, son of Johann Sebastian Bach.
Friedhelm
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘frithu’ meaning peace and ‘helm’ meaning helmet or protection.
Derivatives: Friedhelm, Fryderyk
Famous people: Friedhelm Loh was a German billionaire businessman and the CEO of Friedhelm Loh Group.
Friedrich
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘frithu’ meaning peace and ‘ric’ meaning power or ruler.
Derivatives: Frederick, Frederik, Fritz
Famous people: Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher.
Fürchtegott
Meaning: This Germanic protestant name means fear God and is the unique German boy name for Timotheos or Timothy.
Derivatives: Timotheos,Timothy
Famous people: Fürchtegott Theodor Kirchner was a German composer and music teacher.
German Baby Names Beginning with G
Gebhard
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘geb’ meaning gift and ‘hard’ meaning hardy or strong.
Derivatives: Gebhardt, Gebbert
Famous people: Saint Gebhard of Contance was the Bishop of Constance in the 10th century who founded the Abbey of Petershausen
Gereon
Meaning: This name is derived from the Greek ‘geron’ meaning old man.
Derivatives: Gereon, Géréon
Famous people: Saint Gereon of Cologne was a Roman soldier who was martyred for his faith in the early fourth century.
Gerhard
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘ger’ meaning spear and ‘hard’ meaning hardy or strong.
Derivatives: Gerhardt, Gerhart, Gert, Geert
Famous people: Gerhard Schröder was the Chancellor of Germany from 1998 to 2005.
Gerlach
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘ger’ meaning spear and ‘lach’ meaning sport or motion, often said to mean spear thrower. Common as a German surname.
Derivatives: Gerlach, Gerlich
Famous people: Saint Gerlach was a 12th century hermit monk from the Netherland.
Gernot
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘ger’ meaning spear and ‘not’ meaning need. Very old rare name.
Derivatives: Gundomar, Gernt
Famous people: Gernot Rohr is a German football coach who is currently the manager of the Nigerian national team.
Giselbert
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘gisil’ meaning pledge or hostage and ‘berht’ meaning bright or famous.
Derivatives: Gilbert, Giselbrecht, Gilbrecht
Famous people: Saint Giselbert was the Duke of Lorraine in the 11th century.
Gottfried
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘god’ meaning god and ‘frithu’ meaning peace.
Derivatives: Godfrey, Gotfrid, Geoffrey, Godafrid, Gotz
Famous people: Gottfried Leibniz was a German philosopher and mathematician.
Gotthard
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘god’ meaning god and ‘hard’ meaning hardy or strong.
Derivatives: Gothard, Gottardo
Famous people: Saint Gotthard of Hildesheim was the Archbishop of Magdeburg in the 11th century.
Gotthelf
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘god’ meaning god and ‘helf’ meaning help.
Derivatives: Gothelf, Gotthilf, Helfgott
Famous people: Gotthelf Bergsträsser was a German orientalist and professor of Arabic studies.
Gotthold
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘god’ meaning god and ‘hold’ meaning lovely.
Derivatives: Gottwald
Famous people: Gotthold Ephraim Lessing was a German writer, philosopher, dramatist, publicist and art critic.
Gottlieb
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘god’ meaning god and ‘liob’ meaning love, so means beloved by God. German translation of the Greek name Theophilos.
Derivatives: Gudilub, Theophil, Amadeus
Famous people: Gottlieb Daimler was a German engineer, industrial designer and industrialist who invented the gasoline engine.
Gottschalk
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘god’ meaning god and ‘scalk’ meaning servant or slave.
Derivatives: Gotteschalke, Godescalc
Famous people: Saint Gottschalk was a German prince who established the Slavic Kingdom on the Elbe to make a Christian Kingdom, he founded the monastry at Olderburg.
Gunther
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘gund’ meaning strife or battle and ‘heri’ meaning battle warrior.
Derivatives: Gunter, Günther, Guenther, Ginther, Günter
Famous people: In Norse mythology, Gunther was the son of king Sigmund and queen Siglinde.
German Baby Boy Names Beginning with H
Hagen
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘hag’ meaning hedge or enclosure and ‘-en’ a suffix denoting ownership, so means someone who owned an enclosed piece of land. German equivalent of Nordic Hakon.
Derivatives: Hagan, Haygen, Haggan
Famous people: Hagen was a fictional Germanic gladiator in the movie Gladiator.
Hans
Meaning: The short form of the German Johannes meaning God is gracious, now a very popular German boy name in its own right.
Derivatives: Johannes
Famous people: Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author and poet.
Harald
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘hari’ meaning army or warrior and ‘wald’ meaning ruler or power, so means army ruler.
Derivatives: Harold, Hereward
Famous people: Harald I Bluetooth was a king of Denmark in the late 900s who united Denmark and Norway.
Hartmann
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘hart’ meaning hardy or strong and ‘man’ meaning man, person or husband so means strong man. Mainly used as a Germanic surname but has been used rarely as a firstname.
Derivatives: Hartmut, Hardwin
Famous people: Hartmann von Aue was a German writer in the 1200s who wrote Arthurian romances.
Hartmut
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘hart’ meaning hardy or strong and ‘muot’ meaning spirit or mind, so means brave or strong-minded.
Derivatives: Hartmutt, Mutty
Famous people: Hartmut Haenchen is a German conductor.
Hartwig
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘hart’ meaning hardy or strong and ‘wig’ meaning war, battle or fight, so means brave in battle.
Derivatives: Hartwieg
Famous people: Hartwig of Uthlede was a bishop in the 1100s.
Hartwin
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘hart’ meaning hardy or strong and ‘wini’ meaning friend, so means strong friend.
Derivatives: Hartwyn, Artwen
Famous people: Hartwin Brandt is a German historian.
Heimo
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘heim’ meaning home and ‘-o’ a suffix denoting possession or belonging, so means someone who belongs at home.
Derivatives: Heimlich
Famous people: Heimo Erbse was a German composer from Rudolstadt.
Heinrich
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘heim’ home and ‘-ric’ meaning ruler or powerful, so means ruler of the home.
Derivatives: Henry, Henri, Hendrik, Heinz, Henrik Henk
Famous people: Heinrich Heine (full name Christian Johann Heinrich Heinewas a German writer and poet who was a member of the Young Germany movement.
Helger
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘haeli’ meaning healthy or whole and ‘ger’ meaning spear, so means whole or healthy spear.
Derivatives: Helgir, Hilger
Famous people: Helger Hallik was an Estonian wrestler.
Helmfried
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘helm’ meaning helmet or protection and ‘frid’ meaning peaceful or calm.
Derivatives: Helmfrid, Helmut
Famous people: Helmfried von Lüttichau is a German actor.
Helmut
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘helm’ meaning helmet or protection and ‘muot’ meaning spirit or mind, so means brave or strong-minded.
Derivatives: Helmuth
Famous people: Helmut Kohl was a German politician who served as Chancellor of Germany from 1982 to 1998.
Herbert
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘hari’ meaning army or warrior and ‘berht’ meaning bright or shining, so means bright warrior.
Derivatives: Heribert, Herbert
Famous people: Herbert von Karajan was an Austrian conductor.
Hermann
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘hari’ meaning army or warrior and ‘man’ meaning man, person or husband, so means army man or warrior.
Derivatives: Herman
Famous people: Hermann Hesse was a German writer who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1946.
Hieronymus
Meaning: This name is derived from the Greek ‘hieros’ meaning sacred and ‘onoma’ meaning name, so means sacred name. Mainly used in Rhineland and Catholic Bavaira.
Derivatives: Jerome
Famous people: Hieronymus Bosch was a Dutch painter.
Hildebrand
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘hild’ meaning battle and ‘brand’ meaning sword or fire, so means sword of battle, from the Lombardic region.
Derivatives: Hiltibrant, Hildibrandr
Famous people: Hildebrand was a pope in the 1100s.
Hildebrecht
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘hild’ meaning battle and ‘breht’ meaning bright or shining, so means bright in battle.
Derivatives: Hildebert
Famous people: Hildebrecht Hommel was a German historian.
Horst
Meaning: An old Saxon name meaning horse or could mean man from the forest.
Derivatives: Horsa
Famous people: Horst Köhler was a German politician who served as President of Germany from 2004 to 2010.
Hubert
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘hug’ meaning mind, heart or spirit and ‘berht’ meaning bright or shining, so means bright in spirit or intelligent.
Derivatives: Hugbert, Huppert, Hupprecht
Famous people: Hubert de Burgh was an English nobleman who served as Earl of Kent and Chief Justiciar of England.
Hugo
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘hug’ meaning mind, heart or spirit and ‘-o’ a suffix denoting possession or belonging, so means someone who belongs to the mind or heart.
Derivatives: Hugh, Hugues, Hugo
Famous people: Hugo Boss was a German fashion designer. See meaning of the name Hugo
Humbert
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘humbreht’ meaning bright warrior, so means very bright warrior.
Derivatives: Humbert, Umbert
Famous people: Humbert I was the king of Italy in the early 1000s.
German Boy Names Beginning with I
Ingemar
Meaning: This name is derived from the Old Norse ‘Ingi’ meaning lord or ruler and ‘marr’ meaning famous, so means lord or ruler of the people.
Derivatives: Ingi, Ingmar
Famous people: Ingemar Johansson was a Swedish boxer who won the heavyweight championship in 1959.
German Boy Names Beginning with J
Jakob
Meaning: This name is derived from the Hebrew ‘ya’aqov’ meaning supplanter or one who takes by the heel, so means someone who seizes by the heel.
Derivatives: Jacob, Jacques, Jaime, Javier
Famous people: Jakob Grimm was a German scholar who helped to compile the Grimm’s Fairy Tales.
Jobst
Meaning: This name is derived from the Breton name Iodoc meaning Lord.
Derivatives: Joost, Jost
Famous people: Jobst of Moravia was a Duke of Moravia in the late 1300s and early 1400s.
Johannes
Meaning: This name is derived from the Hebrew ‘yochanan’ meaning God is gracious, so means someone who is graceful or a gift from God.
Derivatives: Hans, Johann, Juan, Giovanni
Famous people: Johannes Brahms was a German composer.
Jonas
Meaning: This name is derived from the Hebrew ‘yonah’ meaning dove, so means someone who is like a dove.
Derivatives: Jonah, Jonas
Famous people: Jonas Salk was an American medical researcher who developed the polio vaccine. See Names that go with Jonas
Jürgen
Meaning: German variation of George.
Derivatives: Georg, Jörg
Famous people: Jürgen Klinsmann is a former professional soccer player who was the manager of the U.S. Men’s National Team.
German Boy Names Beginning with K
Kamil
Meaning: This name is derived from the Latin Camillus who was a cognomen in ancient Rome. Kamil is a name used in several languages.
Derivatives: Camillo, Camilo, Camille, Kamel, Kameel
Famous people: Kamil Bednář is a Czech poet.
Karl
Meaning: This name a German origin name meaning man or free man.
Derivatives: Charles, Carlos, Karel
Famous people: Karl Marx was a German philosopher and economist.
Kaspar
Meaning: This name is derived from the Persian ‘keshvar’ meaning world or kingdom, so means someone who is from the world or kingdom.
Derivatives: Jasper, Kasimir
Famous people: Kaspar Hauser was a German youth who claimed to have grown up in a totally dark cell.
Konrad
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘kuon’ meaning bold and ‘rad’ meaning counsel, so means someone who is bold acounsel.
Derivatives: Conrad, Konstantin, Kurt
Famous people: Konrad Adenauer was a German politician who served as the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1949 to 1963.
Korbinian
Meaning: This name is derived from the Latin ‘corvus’ meaning raven, so means someone who is like a raven.
Derivatives: Korbinian, Korbyn
Famous people: Saint Korbinian was a Bavarian monk in the 700s who evangelized Bavaria
German Boy Names Beginning with L
Lambert
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘land’ meaning land or territory and ‘berht’ meaning bright or famous, so means someone who is landbright or famous.
Derivatives: Lampert, Lammert, Lamprecht
Famous people: Lambert of Maastricht, known as Saint Lambert, was a Bishop of Maastricht in the 700s.
Leberecht
Meaning: Protestant name meaning live right.
Derivatives: Lebrecht
Famous people: Lebrecht, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen, was a German prince of the House of Ascania.
Leodegar
Meaning: Germanic name influenced by Leo meaning Lion.
Derivatives: Leopold, Leo, Luitger
Famous people: Saint Leodegar was a French bishop in the 700s.
Leonhard
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘leo’ meaning lion and ‘hard’ meaning hardy or brave, so means someone who is like a lion, hardy or brave.
Derivatives: Leonard, Leonhardi, Leonardo
Famous people: Leonhard Euler was a Swiss mathematician who made important contributions to calculus and physics.
Lorenz
Meaning: This name is derived from the Latin ‘Laurentius’ meaning someone from Laurentum, which was a town in ancient Rome.
Derivatives: Lorenzo, Lawrence, Laurenz
Famous people: Lorenz Oken was a German naturalist who coined the term ecology.
Lothar
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘ludh’ meaning fame and ‘hari’ meaning army,.
Derivatives: Lothario, Lotario, Lotár
Famous people: Lothar II was the king of Italy in the 800s.
Ludwig
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘hlud’ meaning fame and ‘wig’ meaning war.
Derivatives: Lewis, Louis, Ludwig
Famous people: Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer.
Luitpold
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘liut’ meaning people and ‘bald’ meaning bold, so means someone who is peoplebold.
Derivatives: Liutpold, Luitpoldo modern variant is Leopold
Famous people: Luitpold, Prince Regent of Bavaria, was the de facto ruler of Bavaria from 1886 to 1912.
German Boy Names Beginning with M
Manfred
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘magin’ meaning strength and ‘fridu’ meaning peace, so means someone who is strong in peace.
Derivatives: Manfredi, Manfrèd, Manfried
Famous people: Manfred von Richthofen was a German fighter pilot in World War I who was known as the Red Baron.
Matthäus
Meaning: This name is derived from the Hebrew ‘matityahu’ meaning gift of God.
Derivatives: Matthew, Matthias, Mattia
Famous people: Matthäus Passion is a musical composition by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Maximilian
Meaning: This name is derived from the Latin ‘maximus’ meaning great or largest and ‘milianus’ meaning gracious, so means someone who is greatgracious.
Derivatives: Maximiliano, Massimiliano, Maximillian
Famous people: Maximilian I was the Holy Roman Emperor in the 1500s.
Meinhard
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘magin’ meaning strength and ‘hard’ meaning hardy or brave, so means someone who is strong or brave.
Derivatives: Meinhardt, Meino
Famous people: Saint Meinhard was a bishop in the 1200s.
German Boys Names Beginning with N
Nicolai
Meaning: This name is the German variant of the Greek word ‘nikolaos’ meaning victory of the people.
Derivatives: Nicholas, Nikolaus, Nicola
Famous people: Nicolai Gedda was a Swedish operatic tenor.
Norbert
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘north’ meaning north and ‘berht’ meaning bright.
Derivatives: Norberto, Norbertas, Norbit
Famous people: Saint Norbert was a bishop in the 1100s.
Notger
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘not’ meaning need and ‘ger’ meaning spear.
Derivatives: Notker
Famous people: Notger was the bishop of Liege in the 900s.
German Baby Names Beginning with O
Otmar
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘aud’ meaning prosperity and ‘mari’ meaning famous, so means someone who is prosperous and famous.
Derivatives: Ottomar, Ottmar
Famous people: Otmar Suitner was a conductor.
Otto
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘aud’ meaning prosperity or wealth.
Derivatives: Ottó, Otto, Ottokar, Ottwolf
Famous people: Otto I was the Holy Roman Emperor in the 900s. See Names that go with Otto
German Baby Names Beginning with P
Parzifal
Meaning: This name is the German diminutive of the French ‘perceval’ meaning pierce valley.
Derivatives: Parsifal, Parzival, Percival
Famous people: Parzifal is a romance by Wolfram von Eschenbach in Middle High German
Pirmin
Meaning: This name is derived from the Latin ‘priminus’ meaning first.
Derivatives: Firmin, Pirmo
Famous people: Saint Pirmin was a monk in the 700s.
German Baby Names Beginning with R
Raimund
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘ragin’ meaning counsel and ‘mund’ meaning protector, so means someone who is a wise counselor or protector.
Derivatives: Raymond, Raymund, Reimund, Reinmund
Famous people: Raimund Krauth was a German footballer.
Randolf
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘rand’ meaning rim of a shield and ‘wolf’ meaning wolf.
Derivatives: Randolph, Randy, Randal
Famous people: Randolf Scott was an actor.
Reinhard
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘ragin’ meaning advice and ‘hard’ meaning hardy or strong.
Derivatives: Reinhardt
Famous people: Reinhard Böhler was a German sidecarcross racer.
Reinhold
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘ragin’ meaning advice and ‘hold’ meaning brave or loyal, so means someone who is wise and brave.
Derivatives: Reinwald, Rienhold, Reinwald
Famous people: Reinhold Messner is an Italian mountaineer from the South Tyrol region.
Rudolf
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘hrōd’ meaning fame and ‘wulf’ meaning wolf, so means someone who is famous or has a lot of hair like a wolf.
Derivatives: Rudolph, Rudi, Rudy
Famous people: Rudolf Diesel was the inventor of the diesel engine.
Rüdiger
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘hrōd’ meaning fame and ‘geriht’ meaning host or army, so means someone who is famous for their strength in battle. Germanic version of Rodger
Derivatives: Rudiger, Ruediger, Roger, Rotger
Famous people: Rüdiger Safranski is a philosopher and biographer.
German Baby Names Beginning with S
Siegbert
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘sigu’ meaning victory and ‘berht’ meaning bright, so means someone who has a bright future or is victorious.
Derivatives: Sigmund, Sigismund, Siegfried
Famous people: Siegbert Tarrasch was a German chess player.
Siegfried
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘sigu’ meaning victory and ‘frid’ meaning peaceful, so means someone who is victorious and peaceful.
Derivatives: Sifrit, Sigfrid, Sigfried
Famous people: Siegfried Sassoon was a WWI poet.
Siegmund
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘sigu’ meaning victory and ‘mund’ meaning protector, so means someone who is victorious and protects others.
Derivatives: Sigmund, Sigismund, Sigfrid
Famous people: Siegmund Freud was an Austrian neurologist.
Siegward
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘sigu’ meaning victory and ‘ward’ meaning guard, so means someone who guards or protects others.
Derivatives: Sigwart, Sigurd, Siwert
Famous people: Siegward Sponheuer was a German rower.
German Baby Boy Names Beginning with T
Timo
Meaning: This name is derived from the Greek ‘timē’ meaning honor.
Derivatives: Timothy, Timofei, Timotheus
Famous people: Timo Tjahjanto is an Indonesian film director.
Traugott
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘triu’ meaning trust and ‘got’ meaning god, so means someone who trusts in God.
Derivatives: Traugutt, Tröger, Troeger
Famous people: Traugott Buhre was a German actor.
German Baby Boy Names Beginning with U
Udo
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘udo’ meaning riches.
Derivatives: Udo, Udolf, Uotila
Famous people: Udo Jürgens was an Austrian singer-songwriter.
Ulf
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘wulf’ meaning wolf.
Derivatives: Ulf, Ulric, Ulrich
Famous people: Ulf Samuelsson is a Swedish ice hockey coach.
Ulrich
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘uodal’ meaning richesand ‘ric’ meaning power or fame.
Derivatives: Ulrich, Ullrich, Odalric, Oldřich
Famous people: Ulrich von Zatzikhoven was a German author of the romance Lanzelet.
Uwe
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘uui’ meaning yew tree.
Derivatives: Uwe, Ove, Owain
Famous people: Uwe Seeler is a retired German footballer.
German Names Starting with V
Valentin
Meaning: This name is derived from the Latin ‘valens’ meaning strong or healthy.
Derivatives: Valentin, Valerian, Valentine
Famous people: Valentin Ceaușescu was the son of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu.
Viktor
Meaning: This name is derived from the Latin ‘victor’ meaning conqueror.
Derivatives: Viktor, Victor, Vincent
Famous people: Viktor Frankl was an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist.
Volker
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘folk’ meaning people.
Derivatives: Volker, Folkert, Fulcher
Famous people: Volker Schlöndorff is a German film director.
German Baby Names Beginning with W
Waldemar
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘wald’ meaning power and ‘meri’ meaning famous, so means someone who is powerful and famous.
Derivatives: Waldemar, Valdemar, Vladimir
Famous people: Waldemar Bonsels was a German author.
Walther
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘wald’ meaning rule or power and ‘heri’ meaning army, so means someone who has power over an army.
Derivatives: Walther, Waldheri, Walter
Famous people: Walther von der Vogelweide was a German minstrel.
Wendel
Meaning: Germanic fold name for Wend, a member of the Slavic race living on the Elber.
Derivatives: Wendel, Wendelin, Wendy
Famous people: St Wendel was a 6th century shepherd.
Wenzel
Meaning: This name is derived from the Slavic ‘Venceslav’ meaning more glory.
Derivatives: Wenzel, Wenceslaus, Václav
Famous people: Wenzel I of Bohemia was the King of Bohemia from 1278 to 130ř.
Werner
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘weri’ meaning army and ‘neri’ meaning bold or brave, so means someone who is brave in battle.
Derivatives: Werner, Wernher, Wendelin
Famous people: Werner Heisenberg was a German physicist.
Werther
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘weri’ meaning army and ‘theri’ meaning fierce or wild, so means someone who is fierce in battle.
Derivatives: Werther, Wether, Werter
Famous people: Werther was the hero of a Goethe novel.
Wilhelm
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘wil’ meaning will or desire and ‘helm’ meaning helmet or protection, so means someone who has the strength of will or desires to protect others.
Derivatives: Wilhelm, Willy, Wilhelmus
Famous people: Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen was a German physicist.
Wolf
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘wulf’ meaning wolf.
Derivatives: Wolf, Wolfgang, Ulf
Famous people: Wolf Biermann is a German singer-songwriter.
Wolfgang
Meaning: This name is derived from the Germanic ‘wulf’ meaning wolf and ‘gang’ meaning path or journey, so means someone who is like a wolf on a journey.
Derivatives: Wolfgang, Wolf, Ulf
Famous people: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was an Austrian composer.
The Bottom Line on German Names for Boys
German baby names can be quite varied, with meanings ranging from powerful to fierce in battle. Whether you’re looking for a name that reflects your own German heritage or are simply interested in exploring this option, there are plenty of great choices to consider.
We’ve provided a comprehensive list of German baby names here, along with their meanings, so you can find the perfect name for your little German moniker. Whether inspired by Germanic origins or German culture or you want an old German name, we’ve listed a full comprehensive list for you.
