German Boy Names
509 german boy names with meanings, U.S. popularity, and audio pronunciation on every page.
Looking for girl names instead? German Girl Names →
Say a name like Kaiser out loud and you can feel why parents are drawn here. German boy names tend to land with a definite thud of confidence — hard K sounds, blunt endings, nothing apologetic about them. The trade-strong group leads the way, names that began life describing what a man actually did all day and now read as pure Americana. Tanner and Decker both belong to that occupational family, and they wear denim well. Kaiser means emperor and does not pretend otherwise, with Kaizer and Kyzer following as spelling variants for parents who want the sound with a different silhouette.
Push past the bold ones and a much older, gentler roster is waiting. Jakob is the continental spelling of a name that has never really left the charts, and Anton has a cello-string elegance to it that suits a quiet, watchful kid. Hans is about as classically German as a name can get, a short form of Johannes, and Luther carries genuine historical heft. For something with a rock-and-roll streak instead, Ozzy is playful and instantly likeable, Zeppelin nods to the airship and the band in one breath, and Kellan offers a softer landing.
Every name below opens to its full page — a sourced meaning, its U.S. popularity, and a clear audio pronunciation so you can hear it before you fall for it.
German Boy Names
Tanner#475 in the U.S.English occupational surname from Middle English 'tannere' meaning a person who tans animal hid▶Brantley#499 in the U.S.English surname from German-derived 'brand' (fire, sword) and Old English 'leah' (woodland clea▶Ozzy#549 in the U.S.Pet form of Oswald or Oscar (and sometimes Ozymandias); Oswald derives from Old English os ('go▶Armando#556 in the U.S.Spanish and Italian form of Herman or Armand, from Old High German Hariman or Hartman, composed▶Kolter#600 in the U.S.Variant of Coulter or Colter, from Old English culter or Latin culter meaning 'knife' or 'ploug▶Kaiser#836 in the U.S.German title and given name from the Latin Caesar, the family name of Julius Caesar that became▶Kellan#919 in the U.S.Powerful; possibly from Irish Gaelic Caoilfhinn (caol: slender + fionn: fair/white) or related ▶Kellen#1030 in the U.S.Slender; possibly from Irish Gaelic caol (slender) or German Kellen (ladle, turner; also a Germ▶Jakob#1122 in the U.S.Supplanter; he who grasps the heel; German and Scandinavian spelling variant of Jacob, from Heb▶Decker#1185 in the U.S.Thatcher; roofer; one who decks or covers; from Dutch/German Decker (one who covers roofs, a th▶Kaizer#1237 in the U.S.Emperor, ruler, Caesar▶Hans#1324 in the U.S.God is gracious, God is good▶Kyzer#1396 in the U.S.Emperor, ruler, Caesar▶Zeppelin#1400 in the U.S.From Count Zeppelin; the great airship▶Anton#1477 in the U.S.Continental European form of Anthony, from the Roman family name Antonius, of uncertain (likely▶Luther#1499 in the U.S.Army of the people (Germanic origin)▶Wolfgang#1534 in the U.S.from the Germanic elements 'wolf' ('wolf') and 'gang' ('path, way, journey'), meaning 'wolf pat▶Keller#1621 in the U.S.from a German occupational surname meaning "cellar keeper, steward"▶Hansel#1661 in the U.S.German diminutive of Hans (from Johannes), from Hebrew Yohanan, 'God is gracious'.▶Fred#1686 in the U.S.A short form of Frederick, from the Germanic 'frid' ('peace') + 'ric' ('ruler, power'), meaning▶Karl#1688 in the U.S.German/Scandinavian form of Charles, from Germanic 'karl' meaning 'free man, common man'.▶Oskar#1721 in the U.S.Form of Oscar, from Gaelic 'os' (deer) and 'cara' (friend), 'deer friend'.▶Hazen#1732 in the U.S.From a Dutch/Germanic surname related to haas/hase 'hare'.▶Johann#1792 in the U.S. Yahweh is gracious▶Justus#1807 in the U.S.Just, lawful, upright▶Wolf#1812 in the U.S.Wolf▶Fredy#1834 in the U.S.Peaceful ruler▶Kassius#1895 in the U.S.Empty, vain▶Konrad#1896 in the U.S.Brave counsel▶Fynn#1919 in the U.S.Spelling variant of Finn (Irish Fionn), meaning 'fair, white, bright'.▶Kolbe#1938 in the U.S.From Germanic kolbe/kolbo 'club, cudgel, mace'.▶Armin#1965 in the U.S.Whole, universal▶Ruger#2034 in the U.S.From the surname Ruger (firearms brand), ultimately a German form of Roger: hrod 'fame' + ger '▶Leopold#2082 in the U.S.People▶Kurt#2103 in the U.S.Brave counsel▶Kyzier#2104 in the U.S.Modern respelling of Kaiser/Kyzer 'emperor', from German Kaiser, ultimately from Latin Caesar▶Sylvester#2108 in the U.S.Wooded, wild▶Theodor#2109 in the U.S.Gift of god▶Oswald#2121 in the U.S.God▶Hagen#2153 in the U.S.Enclosure▶Kyzeir#2155 in the U.S.Respelling of Kaiser/Kyzer; emperor, from German Kaiser via Latin Caesar.▶Isaak#2399 in the U.S.He will laugh; he laughs; German and Russian spelling of Isaac, from Hebrew Yitzhak (he will la▶Klaus#2405 in the U.S.Victory of the people; German short form of Nikolaus (Greek Nikolaos: nike victory + laos peopl▶Arlin#2418 in the U.S.Pledge; oath; a variant of Arlen or Arlene, from German/Irish Arlin (eagle land) or from Celtic▶Herbert#2482 in the U.S.Army▶Tim#2514 in the U.S.Honouring God▶Fritz#2530 in the U.S.Peaceful ruler▶Othmar#2590 in the U.S.Othmar is an old German and Bavarian name from Old High German ot/ot ('wealth, riches') and mar▶Rainer#2615 in the U.S.Advice, counsel, decision▶Ewald#2709 in the U.S.Ewald is a Germanic name from ewa 'law' and wald 'rule, power', giving 'law-power' or 'one who ▶Hendrik#2716 in the U.S.Home ruler▶Pascal#2773 in the U.S.Relating to Easter▶Thoren#2858 in the U.S.Origin uncertain▶Lio#2891 in the U.S.Lion▶Brix#2911 in the U.S.Origin uncertain▶Kaspian#2922 in the U.S.Origin uncertain▶Kassian#2968 in the U.S.Empty, vain▶Johannes#3064 in the U.S.The German and Scandinavian Latin form of John, from the Hebrew Yochanan meaning Yahweh is grac▶Witten#3091 in the U.S.English surname from Old English hwit (white) and tun (settlement), meaning white settlement; a▶Eduard#3110 in the U.S.German, Romanian, Catalan, and other European form of Edward, from Old English Eadweard compose▶Diesel#3163 in the U.S.Modern word name taken from the diesel engine, itself named after German engineer Rudolf Diesel▶Ludger#3209 in the U.S.Ludger comes from the Old Germanic name Liudger, joining liut, 'people,' to ger, 'spear,' for a▶Bauer#3214 in the U.S.Farmer, peasant; a person who cultivates the land▶Ignatz#3219 in the U.S.Ignatz is the German and Yiddish form of Ignatius, a Latin name of uncertain deeper origin that▶Florian#3230 in the U.S.Flowering, blossoming; from Latin Florianus, a derivative of flos, 'flower'▶Brandt#3269 in the U.S.From a German and Scandinavian surname rooted in Old Norse brandr — 'fire, firebrand', and by p▶Dietrich#3335 in the U.S.Ruler of the people; German form of Theodoric, from Germanic theud, 'people', and ric, 'ruler, ▶Myers#3358 in the U.S.English and German surname with several sources: mayor (Old French maire), physician (Middle En▶Humbert#3360 in the U.S.Humbert is an old Germanic name from hun, meaning 'warrior' or 'bear cub,' and beraht, 'bright'▶Erhard#3379 in the U.S.Erhard is an old Germanic name compounding ehre ('honor') with hard ('brave, hardy, strong'), r▶Gottlieb#3429 in the U.S.Gottlieb is a German name meaning 'God's love', from Gott, 'God', and lieb/Liebe, 'love' or 'de▶Milbert#3455 in the U.S.Milbert is a rare Germanic-style name whose most likely reading joins a first element such as m▶Renner#3493 in the U.S.From German Renner — 'runner, racer, messenger' — an occupational surname turned modern first n▶Teller#3504 in the U.S.From the surname Teller — 'one who counts/tallies' or 'a teller of tales'; English/German occup▶Mathis#3561 in the U.S.French and German form of Matthew — Hebrew Mattityahu, 'gift of Yahweh' — also the surname of p▶Hersel#3589 in the U.S.Hersel is a variant of Hershel or Herschel, a Yiddish name from hirsh, 'deer or stag,' with a d▶Wirt#3612 in the U.S.Wirt comes from the Middle High German wirt, meaning 'innkeeper, host, landlord,' an occupation▶Helmuth#3695 in the U.S.Helmuth is a German name from the elements helm, 'helmet' or 'protection', and muot, 'spirit', ▶Aloys#3700 in the U.S.Aloys is a German and Latinized short form of Aloysius, itself a Latin rendering of the Occitan▶Nikolaus#3742 in the U.S.German form of Nicholas — Greek Nikolaos, nike, 'victory', plus laos, 'people'▶Sutter#3759 in the U.S.Occupational surname — 'shoemaker' (Latin sutor) — famous from Sutter's Mill, where the Gold Ru▶Wallen#3769 in the U.S.From the surname Wallen — Walloon/'foreigner' or Walter-family lines — country-famous via Morga▶Custer#3790 in the U.S.Custer is chiefly a surname pressed into service as a first name. It is generally traced to a G▶Emmert#3837 in the U.S.Emmert is a German surname and personal name descended from Ermenhard or Irmhart, combining erm▶Karsten#3921 in the U.S.Low German/Scandinavian form of Christian — 'follower of Christ' — fjord-crisp▶Pershing#3923 in the U.S.A surname adopted as a given name to honor General John J. Pershing, who led American forces in▶Roczen#3953 in the U.S.From German motocross star Ken Roczen's surname — given-name use is fan-sparked; etymology info▶Selig#3957 in the U.S.Selig is a Yiddish and German name from the German selig, 'blessed, happy, blessed in memory.' ▶Tillman#3963 in the U.S.Occupational surname — 'one who tills' (or German Tilo-man lines) — Pat Tillman-honored▶Albie#3976 in the U.S.Pet form of Albert ('noble and bright') or Alban ('white'); routes layered▶Berthold#3995 in the U.S.Berthold is a Germanic name combining beraht, 'bright, famous,' with wald, 'rule, power,' givin▶Gil#4000 in the U.S.From Hebrew gil, 'joy, happiness', or a short form of Gilbert, 'bright pledge'; routes layered▶Hewitt#4004 in the U.S.From a surname, 'little Hugh' — a diminutive of Hugh, Germanic hug, 'heart, mind, spirit'▶Fread#4005 in the U.S.Fread is a spelling variant of Fred, the short form of Frederick, a Germanic name from frid, 'p▶Johnhenry#4008 in the U.S.Combined name John ('God is gracious') plus Henry ('home-ruler') — a Southern double-name tradi▶Rainier#4033 in the U.S.From Germanic Raginhari — ragin, 'advice, counsel', plus hari, 'army' — 'wise army, counsel-war▶Reymundo#4038 in the U.S.Spanish form of Raymond — Germanic ragin, 'counsel', plus mund, 'protection' — 'wise protector'▶Rich#4039 in the U.S.Short form of Richard — Germanic ric, 'ruler, power', plus hard, 'brave, strong' — 'powerful ru▶Astor#4070 in the U.S.From a surname linked to Occitan astur, 'hawk', with an echo of 'star' (Latin astrum); routes l▶Brando#4076 in the U.S.From Germanic brand, 'sword, firebrand', with an -o ending — Italian-styled; also a famous surn▶Brenner#4077 in the U.S.From a German occupational surname — 'one who burns' (a charcoal-burner or distiller)▶Enrico#4095 in the U.S.Italian form of Henry — Germanic haimric, 'home-ruler, ruler of the estate'▶Bernhardt#4100 in the U.S.Bernhardt is the German form of Bernard, from the Germanic elements bern meaning bear and hard ▶Gaston#4101 in the U.S.From French Gaston — likely 'from Gascony', or Germanic, 'guest, stranger'; routes layered▶Heinrich#4104 in the U.S.German form of Henry — Germanic haimric, 'home-ruler, ruler of the estate'▶Jona#4120 in the U.S.German/Scandinavian form of Jonah — Hebrew Yonah, 'dove'▶Berlin#4195 in the U.S.From the city of Berlin — likely from a Slavic word for 'swamp/marshland'; etymology debated▶Holstyn#4226 in the U.S.Modern coinage echoing Holstein — a German region ('forest dwellers') and cattle breed; -yn sty▶Jarell#4233 in the U.S.Modern coinage joining Ja- to -rell (echoing Darrell/Gerald, 'spear-ruler/brave'); no single fi▶Kemper#4247 in the U.S.From a German surname — from Kemper/Kämpfer, 'a fighter, combatant, champion'▶Mattis#4268 in the U.S.Scandinavian/German form of Matthias — from Hebrew Mattityahu, 'gift of God'▶Gearld#4271 in the U.S.Gearld is a spelling variant of Gerald, from the Germanic ger ('spear') and wald ('rule'), so '▶Gerhart#4273 in the U.S.Gerhart is a German spelling of Gerhard, built from the Old High German ger, 'spear,' and hard,▶Norberto#4276 in the U.S.Spanish/Italian form of Norbert — Germanic nord, 'north', plus beraht, 'bright' — 'bright north▶Rayner#4282 in the U.S.From Germanic Raginhari — ragin, 'counsel, advice', plus hari, 'army' — 'counsel-warrior, wise ▶Ritchie#4285 in the U.S.-ie spelling of Richie — a pet form of Richard, from Germanic ric, 'ruler', plus hard, 'brave, ▶Wilber#4299 in the U.S.-er spelling of Wilbur — from Germanic wil, 'will, desire', plus beraht, 'bright' (or beorht/bu▶Wilhelm#4300 in the U.S.German form of William — Germanic wil, 'will', plus helm, 'helmet, protection' — 'resolute prot▶Harvin#4340 in the U.S.From a surname echoing Harvey ('battle-worthy') and Marvin/Mervin ('sea/army friend'); routes l▶Raine#4388 in the U.S.From Germanic ragin, 'counsel, advice' (as in Rainer), and/or the word 'rain'; here for boys; r▶Roque#4392 in the U.S.Spanish form of Rocco/Roch — from Germanic hrok, 'rest', or linked to 'rock'; St Roch, patron a▶Rorik#4393 in the U.S.From Old Norse Hroerekr (Rurik/Roderick) — hrod, 'fame', plus rikr, 'ruler' — 'famous ruler'▶Wilkes#4404 in the U.S.From an English surname — 'son of Wilkin', a diminutive of William, 'resolute protector'▶Willy#4405 in the U.S.-y spelling of Willie — a pet form of William, from Germanic wil, 'will', plus helm, 'protectio▶Alfonzo#4417 in the U.S.Z-spelling of Alfonso — from Germanic adal, 'noble', plus funs, 'ready, eager' (or hild, 'battl▶Alfons#4421 in the U.S.Alfons is the German and Scandinavian form of Alphonse and the Spanish Alfonso, all from a Germ▶Amory#4422 in the U.S.From Germanic Emmerich — amal, 'work, industrious', plus ric, 'ruler' — 'brave/industrious rule▶Barret#4433 in the U.S.Single-t spelling of Barrett — possibly Germanic 'bear-strength/might' or Middle English 'quarr▶Becker#4434 in the U.S.From a German surname — Becker, 'a baker' (or 'dweller by a brook', from Bach); routes layered▶Dreux#4447 in the U.S.From the French town Dreux and the name Drogo — possibly Germanic 'to carry/bear' or 'ghost'; r▶Gunther#4457 in the U.S.From Germanic Gunthar — gund, 'war, battle', plus hari, 'army' — 'battle-warrior, bold in war'▶Hendryx#4458 in the U.S.Y-spelling of Hendrix — a Dutch/Flemish surname, 'son of Hendrik (Henry)', from Germanic 'home-▶Hutchinson#4460 in the U.S.From an English surname — 'son of Hutchin', a diminutive of Hugh, from Germanic hug, 'heart, mi▶Jaeger#4465 in the U.S.From a German surname — Jäger, 'a hunter, huntsman'▶Jaret#4469 in the U.S.Spelling of Jarrett/Garrett — from Germanic Gerard, 'spear-brave', or Gerald, 'spear-ruler'; ro▶Kepler#4486 in the U.S.From a German surname — Keppler, 'a maker of caps/hoods'; famed through astronomer Johannes Kep▶Robby#4519 in the U.S.-y spelling of Robbie — a pet form of Robert, from Germanic hrod, 'fame', plus beraht, 'bright'▶Thayer#4538 in the U.S.From an English surname — from Germanic Theudhar, 'of the people's army'; routes layered▶Bill#4572 in the U.S.Short form of William — from Germanic wil, 'will, desire', plus helm, 'helmet, protection' — 'r▶Dresden#4587 in the U.S.From the German city Dresden — from Old Sorbian Drezdzany, 'dwellers of the riverside forest/al▶Henrry#4603 in the U.S.Double-r spelling of Henry — from Germanic heim, 'home', plus ric, 'ruler' — 'home-ruler'▶Karston#4623 in the U.S.Spelling of Carsten/Karsten — a Low German/Scandinavian form of Christian, 'a Christian, follow▶Koehn#4629 in the U.S.From a German surname Koehn/Kuhn — a short form of Konrad, 'bold counsel/ruler', or 'bold, keen▶Rolan#4662 in the U.S.Spelling of Roland — from Germanic hrod, 'fame', plus land, 'land' — 'famous land; renowned thr▶Rosendo#4664 in the U.S.Spanish form of Rudesind — from Germanic hrod, 'fame', plus sinths, 'path, journey' — 'famous p▶Alanzo#4696 in the U.S.Spelling of Alonzo/Alphonso — from Germanic adal, 'noble', plus funs, 'ready, eager' — 'noble a▶Aloysius#4699 in the U.S.Latinized form of Louis/Aloys — from Germanic hlod, 'fame', plus wig, 'war' — 'famous warrior, ▶Carsten#4716 in the U.S.Low German/Scandinavian form of Christian — from Latin Christianus, 'a Christian, follower of C▶Albertus#4731 in the U.S.Albertus is the Latinized form of Albert, from the Germanic Adalbert, combining adal ('noble') ▶Elric#4732 in the U.S.From Old English Aelfric, 'elf-ruler', or Ealdric, 'old/noble ruler'; routes layered▶Ferran#4737 in the U.S.Catalan form of Ferdinand — from Germanic, 'bold/brave journey/adventurer' (frith, 'peace/prote▶Giancarlos#4742 in the U.S.Compound of Gian (from Giovanni, 'God is gracious') and Carlos ('free man'); a Latino double na▶Jarrell#4759 in the U.S.From a surname related to Gerald/Gerard — Germanic, 'spear-ruler' or 'spear-brave'; routes laye▶Karlos#4781 in the U.S.K-spelling of Carlos — the Spanish Charles, from Germanic karl, 'free man'▶Leib#4793 in the U.S.From Yiddish Leib, 'a lion' (from Germanic lowe/lewe) — often paired with the Hebrew Yehuda (Ju▶Luisangel#4796 in the U.S.Compound of Luis ('famous warrior') and Angel ('angel, messenger'); a Latino double name▶Manning#4803 in the U.S.From an English surname — 'son of the man/hero' (from Old English/Germanic mann, 'man, hero'); ▶Olvin#4818 in the U.S.Latino name echoing Alvin ('noble friend' or 'elf friend', Germanic); construction layered▶Rolland#4831 in the U.S.Double-l spelling of Roland — from Germanic hrod, 'fame', plus land, 'land' — 'famous throughou▶Rollin#4832 in the U.S.From a surname related to Roland/Rollo — Germanic, 'famous land', or 'son of Roul (Rollo)'; rou▶Ryken#4834 in the U.S.Modern coinage joining a Ry- opening to a -ken ending (echoing Ryker/Rikard, 'rich/ruler'); no ▶Sigmond#4837 in the U.S.Sigmond is a respelling of Sigmund, an old Germanic name from sig, 'victory,' and mund, 'protec▶Dodge#4912 in the U.S.From the surname Dodge — a medieval pet form of Roger, from Germanic, 'famous spear'▶Friedrich#4921 in the U.S.German form of Frederick — from Germanic frid, 'peace', plus ric, 'ruler' — 'peaceful ruler, ru▶Herschel#4929 in the U.S.From Yiddish Hirsch, 'a deer, a stag', plus the diminutive -el — 'little deer' (often paired wi▶Hughes#4932 in the U.S.From the surname Hughes — 'son of Hugh', from Germanic hug, 'mind, heart, spirit, intellect'▶Jerrell#4947 in the U.S.From a surname related to Gerald/Gerard — Germanic, 'spear-ruler' or 'spear-brave'; routes laye▶Kyser#4966 in the U.S.Spelling of Kaiser/Keyser — from German Kaiser, 'an emperor' (from Latin Caesar)▶Rand#4991 in the U.S.From Old English rand, 'a shield, the rim/edge of a shield; a border'; also a short form of Ran▶Reynolds#4994 in the U.S.From the surname Reynolds — 'son of Reynold', from Germanic ragin, 'counsel/advice', plus wald,▶Amerigo#5010 in the U.S.Amerigo is the Italian form of the Germanic Emmerich, usually parsed as 'ermen', whole or unive▶Statler#5014 in the U.S.From a German occupational surname — linked to 'a stable/stall keeper' or 'a place/settled one'▶Wilfred#5038 in the U.S.From Old English Wilfrith, 'desiring peace', from wil, 'will, desire', plus frith, 'peace'▶Anselmo#5057 in the U.S.Italian/Spanish form of Anselm — from Germanic ans, 'a god', plus helm, 'helmet, protection' — ▶Averi#5067 in the U.S.-i spelling of Avery — from Old English/Germanic Aelfred/Alberich, 'elf counsel' or 'elf ruler'▶Cord#5080 in the U.S.Short form of Cordell ('a cord-maker') or Conrad ('bold counsel'); also the word 'cord' (a rope▶Frederik#5102 in the U.S.Scandinavian/Danish form of Frederick — from Germanic frid, 'peace', plus ric, 'ruler' — 'peace▶Garry#5103 in the U.S.Double-r spelling of Gary — from a short form of Germanic names with gar, 'spear' (as in Gareth▶Henson#5108 in the U.S.From the surname Henson — 'son of Henry/Hendrick', from Germanic, 'home-ruler'▶Hobie#5109 in the U.S.Pet form of Hobart/Hobson (from Robert/Hubert) — from Germanic, 'bright fame' or 'bright heart/▶Jeancarlos#5122 in the U.S.Compound of Jean (the French John, 'God is gracious') and Carlos ('free man'); a Latino double ▶Lliam#5154 in the U.S.Double-l spelling of Liam — a short form of William, from Germanic, 'resolute/will + helmet/pro▶Luiz#5156 in the U.S.Portuguese form of Louis/Luis — from Germanic hlod, 'fame', plus wig, 'war' — 'famous warrior; ▶Messer#5162 in the U.S.From a German occupational surname ('a brass-worker/cutler') or the Italian Messer ('my lord, s▶Fremont#5175 in the U.S.Fremont is a surname and American place-name, most often read through French or German elements▶Rawlings#5184 in the U.S.From the surname Rawlings — 'son of Rawlin', a medieval pet form of Roland/Ralph (Germanic, 'fa▶Royer#5190 in the U.S.From a French/German occupational surname — Old French roier, 'a wheelwright' (or linked to 're▶Wilbert#5207 in the U.S.From Old English/Germanic Wilbeorht, 'bright will', from wil, 'will, desire', plus beorht, 'bri▶Harless#5210 in the U.S.Harless is a transferred surname of German origin, likely from a personal name in the Herl or H▶Burtis#5212 in the U.S.Burtis reads as an -is extension of Burt, from Germanic beraht meaning bright, or as a variant ▶Adalberto#5224 in the U.S.Italian/Spanish form of Adalbert — from Germanic adal, 'noble', plus beraht, 'bright' — 'noble ▶Aldrick#5232 in the U.S.-ck spelling of Aldric/Aldrich — from Germanic ald, 'old, wise', plus ric, 'ruler' — 'old/wise ▶Amaro#5234 in the U.S.From the Galician/Spanish San Amaro — possibly from Germanic, 'dark', or linked to Latin amarus▶Ameris#5235 in the U.S.A modern coinage echoing Amerigo/America (Germanic, 'home-ruler' or 'work-power'); no single fi▶Arno#5242 in the U.S.Short form of Arnold/Arnulf — from Germanic arn, 'eagle' — 'eagle-ruler/eagle-wolf'; also the T▶Breyer#5252 in the U.S.From the German surname Breyer/Breuer, 'a brewer'; also echoes 'brier', a thorny shrub; routes ▶Dedrick#5270 in the U.S.From Diederik/Theodoric — from Germanic theud, 'people', plus ric, 'ruler' — 'ruler of the peop▶Ottie#5285 in the U.S.Ottie is a homey diminutive of Otto or Otis, names from the Germanic element ot-/aud-, 'wealth,▶Howie#5288 in the U.S.Pet form of Howard — from Germanic, 'high guardian; brave heart' (hu, 'heart/mind', plus ward, ▶Ivo#5292 in the U.S.From Germanic iv, 'yew' (the wood for bows) — 'yew; an archer/bowman' (St Ivo)▶
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Frequently Asked
What are strong German boy names?
For sheer force, look at Kaiser, Luther and Decker. All three have the clipped, consonant-heavy sound that gives German boy names their backbone.
What is a traditional German name for a boy?
Traditional picks include Hans, Jakob and Anton. These are the names you would actually meet across German-speaking Europe, rather than modern American coinages.
Are German boy names common in the United States?
Many are, though often in Anglicised spellings. Our pages show the real U.S. birth counts year by year, so you can see whether a name like Tanner is rising or easing off before you commit.