Rare German Names
Curated selection of names that perfectly capture the "rare" aesthetic.
A
Aaron
/AH-rawn/Meaning: High mountain
Origin: Hebrew
- Aaron Altaras (German actor)
- Aaron Hunt (German professional footballer)
Abraham
/AH-BRAH-HAH-M/Meaning: Father of many
Origin: German
Ada
/AH-dah/Meaning: Noble
Origin: Germanic
Adalbert
/AH-dahl-bert/Meaning: Old German form of Albert.
Origin: Old High German
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide
Step-by-step guide to tracing your German ancestry, understanding Germanic naming patterns, and researching family history.
Adalwin
/AH-DAH-LVEE-N/Meaning: Noble
Origin: German
Adam
/AH-dahm/Meaning: Man
Origin: Hebrew
Adelmar
/AH-DEH-LMAH-R/Meaning: Noble
Origin: German
Albert
/AHL-bert/Meaning: Noble and famous
Origin: Germanic
- Albert Einstein (Nobel Prize-winning German theoretical physicist)
- Albert, Prince Consort (German-born husband of Britain's Queen Victoria)
Albina
/AH-LBEE-NAH/Meaning: White, bright
Origin: German
Alena
/AH-LEH-NAH/Meaning: Bright, shining
Origin: German
Alex
/AH-LEH-X/Meaning: Short form of Alexander
Origin: German
German Names: A Practical Guide
An essential reference book detailing the history, pronunciation, and distribution of authentic German surnames and given names.
Alida
/AH-LEE-DAH/Meaning: Noble, small wing
Origin: German
Alois
/AH-lo-ees/Meaning: Famous warrior
Origin: Old High German
Alwin
/AHL-veen/Meaning: Contracted form of Adalwin.
Origin: Old High German
Amelia
/AH-MEH-LEE-AH/Meaning: Work, industrious
Origin: Latin
Ana
/AH-NAH/Meaning: Grace, favor
Origin: German
Andi
/AH-NDEE/Meaning: Diminutive of Andrea 2 (English) or Andreas (German).
Origin: German
Andre
/AH-NDREH/Meaning: English form of André.
Origin: German
Andrew
/AH-NDREH-V/Meaning: Manly, masculine
Origin: German
German-American Names Guide
Detailed study on the spellings, pronunciations, and historical background of German names brought to America.
Angela
/AHN-ge-lah/Meaning: Messenger of God, angel
Origin: Greek
Anika
/AH-NEE-KAH/Meaning: Grace, favor
Origin: German
Anita
/AH-NEE-TAH/Meaning: Grace, favor
Origin: German
Anne
/AH-NNEH/Meaning: French form of Anna.
Origin: German
Annelie
/AH-NNEH-LEE/Meaning: Short form of Anneliese
Origin: German
Anneliese
/AH-NNEH-LEESEH/Meaning: Grace and pledged to God
Origin: German
Annelore
/AH-NNEH-LOH-REH/Meaning: Combination of Anne 1 and Eleonore.
Origin: German
German Baby Names & Meanings for Girls
A comprehensive guide book dedicated to classic, rare, and beautiful German baby names for girls, complete with definitions.
Antonina
/AH-NTOH-NEE-NAH/Meaning: Feminine form of Antoninus.
Origin: German
Apollo
/AH-POH-LLOH/Meaning: Strength
Origin: German
Arnd
/AH-RND/Meaning: Short form of Arnold
Origin: German
Arndt
/AH-RNDT/Meaning: Short form of Arnold
Origin: German
Arne
/AH-RNEH/Meaning: Diminutive of Arnold.
Origin: German
Arno
/AH-RNOH/Meaning: Eagle power
Origin: German
Arnold
/AHR-nohlt/Meaning: Eagle power
Origin: Germanic
Arnulf
/AH-RNOO-LF/Meaning: Eagle
Origin: German
Keepsake Pregnancy Journal
A timeless guided memory journal to cherish pregnancy milestones, feelings, name choices, and nursery plans.
Artemis
/AH-RTEH-MEE-S/Meaning: Safe
Origin: German
Aurelius
/AH-OO-REH-LEE-OO-S/Meaning: Golden, gilded
Origin: Latin
B
Bastian
/BAHS-tee-ahn/Meaning: Short form of Sebastian
Origin: Greek
Beata
/BEH-AH-TAH/Meaning: Blessed
Origin: German
Beate
/BEH-AH-TEH/Meaning: German form of Beata.
Origin: German
Beatrix
/beh-AH-triks/Meaning: Voyager, traveller
Origin: Latin
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide
Step-by-step guide to tracing your German ancestry, understanding Germanic naming patterns, and researching family history.
Ben
/BEN/Meaning: Son of the right hand
Origin: Hebrew
Benedetta
/BEH-NEH-DEH-TTAH/Meaning: Italian feminine form of Benedict.
Origin: German
Benjamin
/BEH-NYAH-MEE-N/Meaning: Son of the right hand
Origin: German
Bert
/BEH-RT/Meaning: Bright
Origin: German
Bertha
/BEH-RTAH/Meaning: Bright, famous
Origin: Greek
Bodo
/BOH-DOH/Meaning: Messenger, ruler
Origin: German
Brigitte
/bree-GI-teh/Meaning: Exalted one
Origin: Celtic
German Names: A Practical Guide
An essential reference book detailing the history, pronunciation, and distribution of authentic German surnames and given names.
Brynhildr
/BRYNHEE-LDR/Meaning: Old Norse cognate of Brunhild.
Origin: German
Burchard
/BOO-RKHAH-RD/Meaning: Variant of Burkhard
Origin: German
Burgheard
/BOO-RGHEH-AH-RD/Meaning: Fortress
Origin: German
Burkhart
/BOO-RKHAH-RT/Meaning: Variant of Burkhard
Origin: German
- List of That '70s and '90s Show characters - This is a list of characters appearing in the television series That '70s Show and That '90s Show.
C
Cacilia
/CAH-CEE-LEE-AH/Meaning: Noble, classic
Origin: Latin
Carlo
/CAH-RLOH/Meaning: Italian form of Charles.
Origin: German
Carloman
/CAH-RLOH-MAH-N/Meaning: Man
Origin: German
Cassandra
/CAH-SSAH-NDRAH/Meaning: Shining upon man
Origin: German
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide
Step-by-step guide to tracing your German ancestry, understanding Germanic naming patterns, and researching family history.
Catharina
/CAH-TAH-REE-NAH/Meaning: Dutch and Swedish form of Katherine.
Origin: Greek
Chris
/KHREE-S/Meaning: Short form of Christopher
Origin: German
Christine
/KHREE-STEE-NEH/Meaning: French form of Christina, as well as a variant in other languages.
Origin: German
Christos
/KHREE-STOH-S/Meaning: Noble and strength
Origin: German
Cillian
/CEE-LLEE-AH-N/Meaning: Church
Origin: German
Clara
/KLAH-rah/Meaning: Clear, bright
Origin: Latin
- Clara Schumann (Distinguished German pianist and composer depicted on the 100 DM banknote)
- Clara Zetkin (German Marxist theorist and advocate for women's rights)
Claudius
/CLAH-OO-DEE-OO-S/Meaning: Lame, crippled
Origin: Latin
German Names: A Practical Guide
An essential reference book detailing the history, pronunciation, and distribution of authentic German surnames and given names.
Constantine
/COH-NSTAH-NTEE-NEH/Meaning: Bold, wise
Origin: German
Cora
/KO-rah/Meaning: Short form of Cordula
Origin: Greek
Cyrill
/CYREE-LL/Meaning: Upper German form of Cyril.
Origin: German
D
Dana
/DAH-NAH/Meaning: Feminine form of Daniel or Dan 1.
Origin: German
Debora
/DEH-BOH-RAH/Meaning: Italian, Dutch and German form of Deborah.
Origin: German
Deborah
/DEH-BOH-RAH-H/Meaning: Bee
Origin: German
Didi
/DEE-DEE/Meaning: Diminutive of Dieter.
Origin: German
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide
Step-by-step guide to tracing your German ancestry, understanding Germanic naming patterns, and researching family history.
Dierk
/DEERK/Meaning: Ruler of the people
Origin: German
Diethelm
/DEETEH-LM/Meaning: People
Origin: Greek
Dietlind
/DEETLEE-ND/Meaning: Variant of Dietlinde
Origin: German
Diocletian
/DEE-OH-CLEH-TEE-AH-N/Meaning: Glory of Zeus
Origin: German
Dionysius
/DEE-OH-NYSEE-OO-S/Meaning: Latin form of Dionysios.
Origin: Latin
Dirk
/DEERK/Meaning: Ruler of the people
Origin: Germanic
Dora
/DOH-RAH/Meaning: Short form of Dorothy
Origin: German
German Names: A Practical Guide
An essential reference book detailing the history, pronunciation, and distribution of authentic German surnames and given names.
Doris
/DO-ris/Meaning: Dorian woman
Origin: Greek
E
Eberhard
/EH-ber-hart/Meaning: Brave wild boar
Origin: Old High German
Edeltraud
/EH-DEH-LTRAH-OO-D/Meaning: Noble strength
Origin: German
Elfriede
/EH-LFREEDEH/Meaning: Elf strength, peaceful strength
Origin: German
Elisabetta
/EH-LEE-SAH-BEH-TTAH/Meaning: Italian form of Elizabeth.
Origin: German
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide
Step-by-step guide to tracing your German ancestry, understanding Germanic naming patterns, and researching family history.
Elmar
/EH-LMAH-R/Meaning: Modern German form of Adelmar or Egilmar.
Origin: German
Elsa
/EL-sah/Meaning: Pledged to God
Origin: German
Elvira
/EH-LFEE-RAH/Meaning: Happy
Origin: German
Emanuel
/EH-MAH-NOO-EH-L/Meaning: Form of Emmanuel in several languages.
Origin: German
Emil
/EH-meel/Meaning: Rival, industrious
Origin: Latin
Emily
/EH-MEE-LY/Meaning: English feminine form of Aemilius (see Emil) [1][2][3].
Origin: German
Erich
/EH-rikh/Meaning: German form of Eric.
Origin: Old Norse
German Names: A Practical Guide
An essential reference book detailing the history, pronunciation, and distribution of authentic German surnames and given names.
Erika
/EH-REE-KAH/Meaning: Eternal ruler
Origin: German
Ermengard
/EH-RMEH-NGAH-RD/Meaning: Whole, great
Origin: German
Ermenrich
/EH-RMEH-NREE-KH/Meaning: Great, immense
Origin: German
Ermentrude
/EH-RMEH-NTROO-DEH/Meaning: Variant of Ermendrud
Origin: German
Erwin
/ER-veen/Meaning: Army
Origin: Old High German
Eva
/EH-fah/Meaning: Form of Eve used in various languages.
Origin: Hebrew
Evelin
/EH-FEH-LEE-N/Meaning: German, Estonian and Hungarian form of Evelina.
Origin: German
F
Franklin
/FRAH-NKLEE-N/Meaning: Freeman
Origin: German
Franze
/FRAH-NTSEH/Meaning: Noble, classic
Origin: German
Franziska
/FRAH-NTSEE-SKAH/Meaning: German feminine form of Franciscus (see Francis).
Origin: German
Freddy
/FREH-DDY/Meaning: Diminutive of Frederick and other names containing the same element.
Origin: German
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide
Step-by-step guide to tracing your German ancestry, understanding Germanic naming patterns, and researching family history.
Fredy
/FREH-DY/Meaning: Variant of Freddy
Origin: German
Friedemann
/FREEDEH-MAH-NN/Meaning: Man of peace
Origin: German
Fritz
/FREE-TTS/Meaning: Peaceful ruler
Origin: German
G
Gabriela
/GAH-BREELAH/Meaning: Feminine form of Gabriel.
Origin: German
Gaius
/GAH-EE-OO-S/Meaning: Noble and strength
Origin: Latin
Gebhard
/GEH-BHAH-RD/Meaning: Brave giver
Origin: German
Gerald
/GEH-RAH-LD/Meaning: Power of the spear
Origin: German
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide
Step-by-step guide to tracing your German ancestry, understanding Germanic naming patterns, and researching family history.
Gerd
/GEH-RD/Meaning: Brave with the spear, enclosure
Origin: German
Gerfried
/GEH-RFREED/Meaning: Spear
Origin: German
Gerhild
/GEH-RHEE-LD/Meaning: Spear
Origin: German
Gerold
/GEH-ROH-LD/Meaning: German form of Gerald.
Origin: German
Gerta
/GEH-RTAH/Meaning: Short form of Gertrud
Origin: German
Gertrud
/GEH-RTROO-D/Meaning: Spear of strength
Origin: German
Giannina
/GEE-AH-NNEE-NAH/Meaning: Diminutive of Giovanna.
Origin: German
German Names: A Practical Guide
An essential reference book detailing the history, pronunciation, and distribution of authentic German surnames and given names.
Gisela
/GEE-SEH-LAH/Meaning: Pledge, hostage
Origin: German
- Gisela of Hungary (German princess who became Queen of Hungary, canonized as blessed)
- Gisela Uhlen (Famous German film and stage actress)
Gitta
/GEE-TTAH/Meaning: Short form of Brigitta
Origin: German
Goteleib
/GOH-TEH-LEYEB/Meaning: God
Origin: German
Gotthilf
/GOH-TTEE-LF/Meaning: God
Origin: Greek
Gottschalk
/GOH-TTSHAH-LK/Meaning: God
Origin: German
Gretchen
/GREH-TKHEH-N/Meaning: German diminutive of Margarete.
Origin: German
Gretel
/GREH-TEH-L/Meaning: Diminutive of Grete.
Origin: German
Greti
/GREH-TEE/Meaning: Swiss and Austrian German diminutive of Margarete.
Origin: German
German-American Names Guide
Detailed study on the spellings, pronunciations, and historical background of German names brought to America.
Grit
/GREE-T/Meaning: Short form of Margrit
Origin: German
Gudrun
/GOO-DROO-N/Meaning: God's secret lore, battle
Origin: German
Gudula
/GOO-DOO-LAH/Meaning: Good
Origin: German
H
Hanna
/HAH-NNAH/Meaning: Form of Ḥanna (see Hannah) in several languages.
Origin: German
- Hanna Schygulla (Iconic German stage and film actress)
- Hanna Reitsch (Famous German aviator and test pilot)
Hans
/HAH-NS/Meaning: God is gracious
Origin: German
Hansel
/HAH-NSEH-L/Meaning: Anglicized form of Hänsel.
Origin: German
Hansgunther
/HAH-NSGOO-NTEH-R/Meaning: Combination of Hans (God is gracious) and Gunther (warrior army)
Origin: German
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide
Step-by-step guide to tracing your German ancestry, understanding Germanic naming patterns, and researching family history.
Hansjorg
/HAH-NSYOH-RG/Meaning: A noble and historical name
Origin: German
Harry
/HAH-RRY/Meaning: Medieval English form of Henry.
Origin: German
Hartwig
/HAH-RTVEE-G/Meaning: Battle brave
Origin: German
Hasso
/HAH-SSOH/Meaning: Germanic name, historically a diminutive of Heinrich or referring to the Hessian tribe.
Origin: German
Heida
/HEYEDAH/Meaning: German diminutive of Adelheid.
Origin: German
Heiner
/HEYENEH-R/Meaning: Diminutive of Heinrich.
Origin: German
Heinrike
/HEYENREE-KEH/Meaning: Feminine form of Heinrich.
Origin: German
German Names: A Practical Guide
An essential reference book detailing the history, pronunciation, and distribution of authentic German surnames and given names.
Helena
/HEH-LEH-NAH/Meaning: Latinate form of Helen.
Origin: German
Hella
/HEH-LLAH/Meaning: Diminutive of names beginning with Hel, such as Helga or Helena.
Origin: German
Helma
/HEH-LMAH/Meaning: Short form of Wilhelmina
Origin: German
Helmold
/HEH-LMOH-LD/Meaning: Helmet
Origin: German
Helmuth
/HEH-LMOO-T/Meaning: Variant of Helmut
Origin: Greek
Henri
/HEH-NREE/Meaning: Home ruler
Origin: German
Henrike
/HEH-NREE-KEH/Meaning: German feminine form of Heinrich (see Henry).
Origin: German
Hermenegild
/HEH-RMEH-NEH-GEE-LD/Meaning: German form of Hermenegildo.
Origin: German
German-American Names Guide
Detailed study on the spellings, pronunciations, and historical background of German names brought to America.
Herodias
/HEH-ROH-DEE-AH-S/Meaning: Feminine form of Herod.
Origin: German
Hildebert
/HEE-LDEH-BEH-RT/Meaning: Bright battle
Origin: German
Hiltraud
/HEE-LTRAH-OO-D/Meaning: Variant of Hiltrud
Origin: German
Hraban
/HRAH-BAH-N/Meaning: Raven
Origin: German
Hrolfr
/HROH-LFR/Meaning: A charming Germanic classic
Origin: German
Hubert
/HOO-BEH-RT/Meaning: Bright heart
Origin: German
Huldrych
/HOO-LDRYKH/Meaning: Grace, favour
Origin: German
I
Ida
/EE-DAH/Meaning: Work, industrious
Origin: German
Ignatius
/EE-GNAH-TEE-OO-S/Meaning: Fire
Origin: Latin
Igor
/EE-GOH-R/Meaning: Russian form of the Old Norse name Yngvarr (see Ingvar).
Origin: German
Ingelore
/EE-NGEH-LOH-REH/Meaning: Combination of Inge and Eleonore.
Origin: German
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide
Step-by-step guide to tracing your German ancestry, understanding Germanic naming patterns, and researching family history.
Irmengard
/EE-RMEH-NGAH-RD/Meaning: German form of Ermengard.
Origin: German
Irmgard
/EE-RMGAH-RD/Meaning: Universal guard
Origin: German
Irmtraud
/EE-RMTRAH-OO-D/Meaning: German contracted form of Ermendrud.
Origin: German
Irmtrud
/EE-RMTROO-D/Meaning: Variant of Irmtraud
Origin: German
Isaac
/EE-SAH-AH-C/Meaning: He will laugh, he will rejoice
Origin: German
Isabella
/EE-SAH-BEH-LLAH/Meaning: Latinate form of Isabel.
Origin: German
Isabelle
/EE-SAH-BEH-LLEH/Meaning: French form of Isabel.
Origin: German
German Names: A Practical Guide
An essential reference book detailing the history, pronunciation, and distribution of authentic German surnames and given names.
Iscah
/EE-SCAH-H/Meaning: To behold
Origin: German
Isidor
/EE-SEE-DOH-R/Meaning: German and Russian form of Isidore.
Origin: German
J
Jacob
/YAH-COH-B/Meaning: Holder of the heel
Origin: German
Janine
/YAH-NEE-NEH/Meaning: Variant of Jeannine
Origin: German
Jasmine
/YAH-SMEE-NEH/Meaning: It is derived via Arabic from Persian یاسمین (yāsamīn), which is also a Persian name.
Origin: German
Jason
/YAH-SOH-N/Meaning: Healer
Origin: German
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide
Step-by-step guide to tracing your German ancestry, understanding Germanic naming patterns, and researching family history.
Jasper
/YAH-SPEH-R/Meaning: Treasurer
Origin: German
Jehoiakim
/YEH-HOH-EE-AH-KEE-M/Meaning: Yahweh raises up
Origin: German
Jennifer
/YEH-NNEE-FEH-R/Meaning: From a Cornish form of the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar (see Guinevere) [1][2].
Origin: German
Jeremiah
/YEH-REH-MEE-AH-H/Meaning: Yahweh will exalt
Origin: German
Jo
/YOH/Meaning: Short form of Joan
Origin: German
Jorn
/YOH-RN/Meaning: Noble, classic
Origin: German
Josephine
/YOH-SEH-PHEE-NEH/Meaning: English, German and Dutch form of Joséphine.
Origin: Greek
German Names: A Practical Guide
An essential reference book detailing the history, pronunciation, and distribution of authentic German surnames and given names.
Joska
/YOH-SKAH/Meaning: Noble, classic
Origin: German
Judah
/YOO-DAH-H/Meaning: Praise
Origin: German
Judda
/YOO-DDAH/Meaning: Germanic name derived from the Jutes, an ancient Germanic tribe of Denmark.
Origin: Germanic
Julian
/YOO-LEE-AH-N/Meaning: This was the name of the last pagan Roman emperor, Julian the Apostate (4th century).
Origin: German
Jupiter
/YOO-PEE-TEH-R/Meaning: Father
Origin: German
Jurgen
/YOO-RGEH-N/Meaning: Dutch form of George.
Origin: German
K
Karen
/KAH-REH-N/Meaning: Short form of Katherine
Origin: German
Karl
/KAH-RL/Meaning: Free man
Origin: German
- Karl Marx (Famous German philosopher, economist, and political theorist)
- Karl Lagerfeld (Iconic German fashion designer and creative director)
Karlmann
/KAH-RLMAH-NN/Meaning: German form of Carloman.
Origin: German
Katalin
/KAH-TAH-LEE-N/Meaning: Hungarian and Basque form of Katherine.
Origin: German
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide
Step-by-step guide to tracing your German ancestry, understanding Germanic naming patterns, and researching family history.
Kathrin
/KAH-TREE-N/Meaning: Short form of Katharina
Origin: Greek
Kim
/KEE-M/Meaning: Short form of Kimberly
Origin: German
Kimberly
/KEE-MBEH-RLY/Meaning: The city came to prominence in the late 19th century during the Boer War.
Origin: German
Korbinian
/KOH-RBEE-NEE-AH-N/Meaning: Raven
Origin: German
Kord
/KOH-RD/Meaning: German contracted form of Conrad.
Origin: German
Kreszenz
/KREH-STSEH-NTS/Meaning: German form of Crescentia.
Origin: German
Kriemhild
/KREEMHEE-LD/Meaning: Mask of battle
Origin: German
German Names: A Practical Guide
An essential reference book detailing the history, pronunciation, and distribution of authentic German surnames and given names.
Krimhilde
/KREE-MHEE-LDEH/Meaning: Variant of Kriemhild
Origin: German
Kristiane
/KREE-STEE-AH-NEH/Meaning: German form of Christina.
Origin: German
Kristine
/KREE-STEE-NEH/Meaning: Variant of Christine
Origin: German
Kuno
/KOO-NOH/Meaning: Bold counsel
Origin: German
L
Lena
/LEH-NAH/Meaning: Short form of names
Origin: German
Leofgyth
/LEH-OH-FGYT/Meaning: Noble, classic
Origin: Greek
Leonore
/LEH-OH-NOH-REH/Meaning: Short form of Eleanor
Origin: German
Liam
/LEE-AH-M/Meaning: Resolute protector
Origin: German
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide
Step-by-step guide to tracing your German ancestry, understanding Germanic naming patterns, and researching family history.
Lina
/LEE-NAH/Meaning: Tender, free man
Origin: German
Linda
/LEE-NDAH/Meaning: Soft, flexible, tender
Origin: German
Lise
/LEE-SEH/Meaning: Short form of Elisabeth
Origin: German
Livius
/LEE-FEE-OO-S/Meaning: To envy
Origin: Latin
Lohengrin
/LOH-HEH-NGREE-N/Meaning: German name of the Knight of the Swan in Arthurian legend, popularized by Richard Wagner's opera.
Origin: German
Lore
/LOH-REH/Meaning: German contracted form of Eleonore.
Origin: German
Lothar
/LOH-TAH-R/Meaning: Famous army
Origin: Greek
German Names: A Practical Guide
An essential reference book detailing the history, pronunciation, and distribution of authentic German surnames and given names.
Luca
/LOO-CAH/Meaning: Italian and Romanian form of Lucas (see Luke).
Origin: German
Lydia
/LYDEE-AH/Meaning: From Lydia
Origin: Latin
Lydos
/LYDOH-S/Meaning: Meaning unknown.
Origin: German
M
Maerwine
/MAH-EH-RVEE-NEH/Meaning: Friend
Origin: German
Magdalene
/MAH-GDAH-LEH-NEH/Meaning: Of Magdala
Origin: German
Magnus
/MAH-GNOO-S/Meaning: Great
Origin: Latin
Maike
/MAH-EE-KEH/Meaning: Frisian diminutive of Maria.
Origin: German
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide
Step-by-step guide to tracing your German ancestry, understanding Germanic naming patterns, and researching family history.
Manu
/MAH-NOO/Meaning: Short form of Manuel
Origin: German
Marcellus
/MAH-RCEH-LLOO-S/Meaning: Roman cognomen that was originally a diminutive of Marcus.
Origin: Latin
Margherita
/MAH-RGHEH-REE-TAH/Meaning: Italian form of Margaret.
Origin: German
Margitta
/MAH-RGEE-TTAH/Meaning: German variant form of Margaret.
Origin: German
Marina
/MAH-REE-NAH/Meaning: Feminine form of Marinus.
Origin: German
Marinus
/MAH-REE-NOO-S/Meaning: Of the sea
Origin: Latin
Mark
/MAH-RK/Meaning: Form of Latin Marcus used in several languages [1].
Origin: German
German Names: A Practical Guide
An essential reference book detailing the history, pronunciation, and distribution of authentic German surnames and given names.
Marliese
/MAH-RLEESEH/Meaning: Combination of Maria and Liese.
Origin: German
Mary
/MAH-RY/Meaning: Sea of bitterness
Origin: German
Maurice
/MAH-OO-REE-CEH/Meaning: Saint Maurice was a 3rd-century Roman soldier from Egypt.
Origin: German
Maximiliane
/MAH-XEE-MEE-LEE-AH-NEH/Meaning: German feminine form of Maximilian.
Origin: German
Maxwell
/MAH-XVEH-LL/Meaning: Mack's stream
Origin: German
Melanie
/MEH-LAH-NEE/Meaning: Dark, black
Origin: German
Merten
/MEH-RTEH-N/Meaning: Variant of Martin
Origin: German
Mia
/MEE-AH/Meaning: Beloved, bitter
Origin: Latin
German-American Names Guide
Detailed study on the spellings, pronunciations, and historical background of German names brought to America.
Micah
/MEE-CAH-H/Meaning: Contracted form of Micaiah.
Origin: German
Mirjam
/MEE-RYAH-M/Meaning: Dutch, German, Finnish, Estonian and Slovene form of Miriam.
Origin: German
Mischa
/MEE-SHAH/Meaning: Dutch and German form of Misha.
Origin: German
Misha
/MEE-SHAH/Meaning: Russian diminutive of Mikhail.
Origin: German
Moritz
/MOH-REE-TTS/Meaning: Dark-skinned, Moorish
Origin: German
N
Nadya
/NAH-DYAH/Meaning: Noble, graceful
Origin: German
Naomi
/NAH-OH-MEE/Meaning: Pleasantness, delightful
Origin: Hebrew
Natalie
/NAH-TAH-LEE/Meaning: Relating to birth, birthday
Origin: German
Nele
/NEH-LEH/Meaning: Horn, of noble birth
Origin: German
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide
Step-by-step guide to tracing your German ancestry, understanding Germanic naming patterns, and researching family history.
Nell
/NEH-LL/Meaning: Medieval diminutive of names beginning with El, such as Eleanor, Ellen 1 or Helen.
Origin: German
Nickolaus
/NEE-CKOH-LAH-OO-S/Meaning: Variant of Nikolaus
Origin: Latin
Nicola
/NEE-COH-LAH/Meaning: Feminine form of Nicholas.
Origin: German
Nicolaus
/NEE-COH-LAH-OO-S/Meaning: Variant of Nikolaus
Origin: Latin
Nikola
/NEE-KOH-LAH/Meaning: German, Polish, Czech and Slovak feminine form of Nicholas.
Origin: German
O
P
Paraskevi
/PAH-RAH-SKEH-FEE/Meaning: Modern Greek transcription of Paraskeve.
Origin: German
Petra
/PEH-TRAH/Meaning: Stone, rock
Origin: German
Pirmin
/PEE-RMEE-N/Meaning: Meaning unknown.
Origin: German
Pius
/PEE-OO-S/Meaning: Pious, dutiful
Origin: Latin
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide
Step-by-step guide to tracing your German ancestry, understanding Germanic naming patterns, and researching family history.
Priska
/PREE-SKAH/Meaning: German form of Prisca, as well as the form used in the Greek New Testament.
Origin: German
R
Ragnhild
/RAH-GNHEE-LD/Meaning: Advice, counsel
Origin: German
Rahel
/RAH-HEH-L/Meaning: Biblical Latin form of Rachel, as well as a German and Estonian form.
Origin: German
Raphaela
/RAH-PHAH-EH-LAH/Meaning: Feminine form of Raphael.
Origin: Greek
Reinhild
/REYENHEE-LD/Meaning: Advice, counsel, decision
Origin: German
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide
Step-by-step guide to tracing your German ancestry, understanding Germanic naming patterns, and researching family history.
Reynard
/REH-YNAH-RD/Meaning: Advice, counsel, decision
Origin: German
Reynold
/REH-YNOH-LD/Meaning: Advice, counsel, decision
Origin: German
Ria
/REE-AH/Meaning: Short form of Maria
Origin: Latin
Rike
/REE-KEH/Meaning: Short form of Friederike
Origin: German
Rita
/REE-TAH/Meaning: Short form of Margherita
Origin: German
Rochus
/ROH-KHOO-S/Meaning: Latinized form of Rocco, used in occasionally German and Dutch.
Origin: Latin
Rodolf
/ROH-DOH-LF/Meaning: German form of Rudolf.
Origin: German
German Names: A Practical Guide
An essential reference book detailing the history, pronunciation, and distribution of authentic German surnames and given names.
Rolf
/ROH-LF/Meaning: The Normans introduced this name to England but it soon became rare.
Origin: German
Romulus
/ROH-MOO-LOO-S/Meaning: From Roma, the Latin name of the city of Rome, combined with a diminutive suffix.
Origin: Latin
Ronald
/ROH-NAH-LD/Meaning: Scottish form of Ragnvaldr, a name introduced to Britain by Scandinavian settlers and invaders [1].
Origin: German
Rosalie
/ROH-SAH-LEE/Meaning: French, German and Dutch form of Rosalia.
Origin: German
Rosemary
/ROH-SEH-MAH-RY/Meaning: Dew of the sea
Origin: German
Ruben
/ROO-BEH-N/Meaning: Form of Reuben in several languages.
Origin: German
Rudi
/ROO-DEE/Meaning: Diminutive of Rudolf.
Origin: German
Ruth
/ROO-T/Meaning: Female friend
Origin: Greek
S
Sabine
/SAH-BEE-NEH/Meaning: Sabine woman
Origin: German
Sarai
/SAH-RAH-EE/Meaning: My princess
Origin: German
Sarina
/SAH-REE-NAH/Meaning: Variant of Serena
Origin: German
Sebastian
/SEH-BAH-STEE-AH-N/Meaning: Venerable, from Sebaste
Origin: German
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide
Step-by-step guide to tracing your German ancestry, understanding Germanic naming patterns, and researching family history.
Senta
/SEH-NTAH/Meaning: Diminutive of Kreszentia.
Origin: German
Sepp
/SEH-PP/Meaning: He will add
Origin: German
Seppel
/SEH-PPEH-L/Meaning: German diminutive of Joseph.
Origin: German
Severin
/SEH-FEH-REE-N/Meaning: German and Scandinavian form of Severinus.
Origin: German
Sieglinde
/SEEGLEE-NDEH/Meaning: Victory shield
Origin: German
Sigi
/SEE-GEE/Meaning: Victory
Origin: German
Sigrid
/SEE-GREE-D/Meaning: Beautiful victory
Origin: German
German Names: A Practical Guide
An essential reference book detailing the history, pronunciation, and distribution of authentic German surnames and given names.
Sigurd
/SEE-GOO-RD/Meaning: Victory
Origin: German
Silvester
/SEE-LFEH-STEH-R/Meaning: Wooded, wild
Origin: German
Simon
/SEE-MOH-N/Meaning: He has heard
Origin: German
Soren
/SOH-REH-N/Meaning: English form of Søren.
Origin: German
Stefan
/STEH-FAH-N/Meaning: Crown, wreath
Origin: German
Susann
/SOO-SAH-NN/Meaning: Short form of Susanne
Origin: German
Sven
/SFEH-N/Meaning: Boy
Origin: German
Svyatoslav
/SFYAH-TOH-SLAH-F/Meaning: Sacred, holy
Origin: German
German-American Names Guide
Detailed study on the spellings, pronunciations, and historical background of German names brought to America.
Swanhilda
/SVAH-NHEE-LDAH/Meaning: Variant of Swanhild
Origin: German
Sybille
/SYBEE-LLEH/Meaning: German and French form of Sibyl.
Origin: German
T
Tabea
/TAH-BEH-AH/Meaning: Short form of Tabitha
Origin: German
Tatius
/TAH-TEE-OO-S/Meaning: Roman family name of unknown meaning, possibly of Sabine origin.
Origin: Latin
Theres
/TEH-REH-S/Meaning: Variant of Therese
Origin: Greek
Therese
/TEH-REH-SEH/Meaning: Variant of Theresa
Origin: Greek
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide
Step-by-step guide to tracing your German ancestry, understanding Germanic naming patterns, and researching family history.
Theresia
/TEH-REH-SEE-AH/Meaning: German and Dutch form of Theresa.
Origin: Greek
Thorben
/TOH-RBEH-N/Meaning: Variant of Torben
Origin: Greek
Tim
/TEE-M/Meaning: Honoring God
Origin: German
Timotheus
/TEE-MOH-TOYS/Meaning: Latinized form of Timotheos (see Timothy).
Origin: Greek
Titus
/TEE-TOO-S/Meaning: Title of honour
Origin: Latin
Torben
/TOH-RBEH-N/Meaning: Danish form of Torbjörn.
Origin: German
Torbjorn
/TOH-RBYOH-RN/Meaning: Noble, classic
Origin: German
U
Uli
/OO-LEE/Meaning: Diminutive of Ulrich or Ulrike.
Origin: German
Ulrika
/OO-LREE-KAH/Meaning: Swedish feminine form of Ulrich.
Origin: German
Urban
/OO-RBAH-N/Meaning: City dweller
Origin: German
Uta
/OO-TAH/Meaning: Feminine form of Udo 1.
Origin: German
V
Valentine
/FAH-LEH-NTEE-NEH/Meaning: Noble and strength
Origin: German
Valerie
/FAH-LEH-REE/Meaning: Variant of Val
Origin: German
Vanessa
/FAH-NEH-SSAH/Meaning: Invented by author Jonathan Swift for his 1726 poem Cadenus and Vanessa [1].
Origin: German
Veronica
/FEH-ROH-NEE-CAH/Meaning: True image
Origin: German
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide
Step-by-step guide to tracing your German ancestry, understanding Germanic naming patterns, and researching family history.
Victorius
/FEE-CTOH-REE-OO-S/Meaning: Variant of Victor
Origin: Latin
Viktoryia
/FEE-KTOH-RYEE-AH/Meaning: Belarusian form of Victoria.
Origin: Latin
Vinzent
/FEE-NTSEH-NT/Meaning: German variant form of Vincent.
Origin: German
- Markus Vinzent - Markus Vinzent (born 12 April 1959) is a German academic and historian of religion, specializing in early Christianity, Patristics, Medieval Studies, Historiography, Retromodernity, Religion and Business. He was a professor in the Department of Theology & Religious Studies at King's College London, and fellow of the Max Weber Center for Advanced Social and Cultural Studies, Erfurt, Germany.
- Vinzent Porombka - Vinzent Porombka (2 January 1910 – 28 November 1975) was a German Communist political activist who became a party official, a member of the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War, and an active participant in resistance to Nazism. In his later years he became a party functionary in the German Democratic Republic.
Vitus
/FEE-TOO-S/Meaning: Life
Origin: Latin
Volkhard
/FOH-LKHAH-RD/Meaning: People
Origin: German
Vreni
/FREH-NEE/Meaning: Swiss diminutive of Verena.
Origin: German
W
Walburga
/VAH-LBOO-RGAH/Meaning: Power of the fortress
Origin: German
Waldemar
/VAH-LDEH-MAH-R/Meaning: Famous ruler
Origin: German
Walter
/VAH-LTEH-R/Meaning: Ruler of the army
Origin: German
Wendel
/VEH-NDEH-L/Meaning: A Vandal
Origin: German
The Family Tree German Genealogy Guide
Step-by-step guide to tracing your German ancestry, understanding Germanic naming patterns, and researching family history.
Wenzel
/VEH-NTSEH-L/Meaning: German form of Václav.
Origin: German
Wiebe
/VEEBEH/Meaning: War
Origin: German
Wieland
/VEELAH-ND/Meaning: Skillful smith
Origin: German
Wilfred
/VEE-LFREH-D/Meaning: Desiring peace
Origin: German
Wilfried
/VEE-LFREED/Meaning: German cognate of Wilfred.
Origin: German
Willibald
/VEE-LLEE-BAH-LD/Meaning: Will, desire
Origin: German
Wiltrud
/VEE-LTROO-D/Meaning: Will, desire
Origin: German
German Names: A Practical Guide
An essential reference book detailing the history, pronunciation, and distribution of authentic German surnames and given names.
Wojciech
/VOH-YCEEKH/Meaning: Warrior, soldier
Origin: German
Wolf
/VOH-LF/Meaning: Wolf
Origin: German
Wolfgang
/VOHLF-gahng/Meaning: Path of the wolf
Origin: Old High German
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Germanic musical genius and composer)
- Wolfgang Puck (Celebrated Austrian-born chef and restaurateur)
Y
What Makes a Name Feel Rare?
This page groups names by shared style signals, but the final choice should still come from the meaning, origin, pronunciation, and everyday usability of each name. Open individual name pages to compare similar names, sibling ideas, nickname options, and cultural notes before deciding.