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Home › Baby Names Directory › Berlin

Berlin

♂ Boy

Pronounced bər-LIN /bərˈlɪn/High

Meaning: From the city of Berlin — likely from a Slavic word for 'swamp/marshland'; etymology debatedLow

In 30 seconds: A bold city-name: Berlin is the German capital — its name likely from a Slavic word for 'marshland'. Cosmopolitan, strong, and distinctive (composer Irving Berlin).
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Origin MediumGerman, Slavic
MeaningFrom the city of Berlin — likely from a Slavic word for 'swamp/marshland'; etymology debated
U.S. rank (2025)#5061 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births19 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1916
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,635

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192118992025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Berlin comes from the German capital — its name likely from a Slavic word for 'swamp/marshland' (the etymology is debated, which we note). A bold, cosmopolitan place-name (and surname, as in Irving Berlin), it's strong and worldly.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, marshland at the (likely) root, and cosmopolitan.

Did you know? Berlin's name likely comes from a Slavic root for 'swamp/marshland', not the German 'bear' — though a bear is the city's symbol; composer Irving Berlin bore it as a surname.
Overall data confidence 65%
Place-name references — Berlin — etymology debated

Variations

BerlynBerline

Nicknames

Ben

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Berlin…

Bronx— a fellow bold place-name
Memphis— a companion city-name
Cairo— another worldly place-name
Milan— a fellow European city-name

Explore names like Berlin

By themeuncertainplace-namegermanslavic

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Berlin mean?

Berlin names the German capital — its own name likely from a Slavic word for 'marshland'; the etymology is debated.

How do you pronounce Berlin?

It's said bər-LIN /bərˈlɪn/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Berlin a boy or girl name?

Berlin is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Berlin?

Berlin is a rare name in the U.S.

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