185 Classic & Unique German Boy Names and Meanings

Achtung, baby! From traditional to trendy, you’re sure to find the perfect German boy names for your little Liebling.

Whether you want to honor your German heritage, you fell in love with the country while traveling, or you just want a name that sounds a little different, German boy names can deliver.

When it comes to naming your little one, you want something that’s unique and special — but perhaps not too out there.

If you’re looking for the perfect balance of cool and traditional, why not consider some of the best male German names?

From timeless classics like Ludwig and Ferdinand to modern favorites like Zindel and Milan, there’s something for every taste.

So, keep reading to discover the perfect name for your little Junge!

In this article: 📝

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What is the most popular German name for a boy?

The most common German boy name right now is Noah.

It comes from the Biblical figure, whose name means “rest” or “repose”.

Maybe all these German moms and dads are hoping for a good sleeper?

Popular German boy names

What other names are popular in Germany?

Here are the most common German boy names, according to the GFDS, the Association of the German Language.

1. Noah is number one.
   
2. Leon: Leonhard was a German name of old, but it has been replaced with the simpler and more international Leon, from the Latin meaning “lion”.
   
3. Paul: A classic all over Europe, Paul is a Biblical name meaning “the little one”. What could be more perfect for a baby boy?
   
4. Matteo or Mateo: The Italian form of Matthew, it’s a popular name in Germany, too.
   
5. Ben: Once Germany’s most popular name, Ben can be short for Benedict or Benjamin.
   
6. Elias: Elijah, Elia, and Elijahu are all popular variants of the Hebrew name meaning “God is Jehovah”. It’s a beautiful, ancient name.
   
7. Finn: An Irish name meaning “fair”, “bright”, or “blond”.
   
8. Felix: From the Latin meaning “fortunate or happy”.
   
9. Henry or Henri: Henry means “ruler of the house”. Might want to be careful with this one.
   
10. Louis or Luis: Ludwig is classic, old-fashioned German, but the French equivalent is much more popular these days.
    
11. Emil: There’s no English equivalent, but Emilio, Emile, and the German Emil are all popular across Europe. This one is particularly popular in northern Germany.
    
12. Theo: Theodore is a strong, traditional German boy name, but shorten it to Theo and you’ve got an adorable name perfect for a little boy. This one is also popular in northern Germany.
    
13. Lucas or Lukas: This name ‒ which means “bringer of light” ‒ is popular worldwide, and is especially popular in southern Germany.
    
14. Maximilian: Another strong name, Maximilian means “greatest”.
    
15. Jonas: Meaning “lover of peace”, this is a popular name in the south of Germany.
    
16. Jakob or Jacob: A Biblical name meaning “one protected by God”.
    
17. Oscar or Oskar: An Irish name, Oscar means “spear of the gods”. A favorite among west Germans.
    
18. Carl: A classic German name meaning “free man”. It’s the German form of Charles.

Arab-German Male Names

Germany is home to a large Turkish and Arab population, and these cultures have helped influence some of the most popular names in the country.

The most popular names from the German-Arab community are:

19. Mohammed: Meaning “praiseworthy”.
    
20. Ali: Meaning “champion or elevated”.
    
21. Malik: Meaning “king, ruler, or chief”.
    
22. Amir: Meaning “prince”.
    
23. Ilyas: From the Hebrew meaning “my god is Yahweh”, it is an alternative to Elias.
    
24. Miran: Actually the male equivalent of Miranda, it means “worthy of admiration”.
    
25. Emir: An alternative to Amir.
    
26. Yusuf: The Hebrew word for “God increases”.
    
27. Hamza: Meaning “lion”.
    
28. Omar: Meaning “speaker”.

Old-fashioned German boy names

If you’re looking for more traditional German boy names, or “old-fashioned” German names, these may inspire you.

You might not hear these names very often on your local playground, but they’re sure to make an impression.

29. Adalgiso: Meaning “precious promise” ‒ an unusual and unique German boy’s name.
    
30. Adam: Meaning “earth”, a Hebrew name.
    
31. Adolf: Meaning “noble”.
    
32. Albert: Meaning “noble and bright”.
    
33. Alvin: Meaning “noble friend”.
    
34. Andreas: Meaning “manly”.
    
35. Anthon: Meaning “praiseworthy”.
    
36. Arnold or Arnoldt: Meaning “eagle ruler”.
    
37. Artur: Meaning “bear-like”.
    
38. August: Meaning “exalted”.
    
39. Baldwin: Meaning “brave friend”.
    
40. Barend: Meaning “hard bear”.
    
41. Benedict: Meaning “blessed”.
    
42. Bernhard or Bernard: Meaning “brave as a bear”.
    
43. Bertram: Meaning “bright raven”.
    
44. Bjorn: Meaning “bear”.
    
45. Bruno: Meaning “armor”.
    
46. Christian: Meaning “follower of Christ”.
    
47. Christof or Christoph: Meaning “bearing Christ”.
    
48. Claus or Klaus: Meaning “victory of the people”.
    
49. Curt or Kurt: Meaning “wolf”.
    
50. Dagobert: Meaning “shining sun”.
    
51. Daniel: Meaning “God is my judge”.
    
52. Dennis: Meaning “follower of Dionysus”.
    
53. Derek: Meaning “power of the people”.
    
54. Diederich or Dieterich: Meaning “people’s ruler”.
    
55. Dieter: Meaning “warrior of the people”.
    
56. Dirk: Meaning “gifted ruler”.
    
57. Dustin: Meaning “brave warrior”.
    
58. Edwin: Meaning “wealthy friend”.
    
59. Emmerich: Meaning “brave and powerful”.
    
60. Ernst: Meaning “serious”.
    
61. Ferdinand: Meaning “bold and peaceful”.
    
62. Frank: Meaning “free”.
    
63. Franz: Meaning “free”.
    
64. Friedrich: Meaning “peaceful ruler”.
    
65. Fritz: Meaning “peaceful ruler”.
    
66. Georg: Meaning “farmer”.
    
67. Gerard: Meaning “brave spear”.
    
68. Gerhard: Meaning “spear ruler”, this is the name of recent German chancellor Gerhard Schröder.
    
69. Gilbert: Meaning “bright promise”.
    
70. Gunter or Gunther: Meaning “warrior”.
    
71. Gustav: Meaning “God’s staff”.
    
72. Hank: Meaning “home ruler”.
    
73. Hans: Meaning “God is gracious”, but it’s also the name of the dastardly prince from Frozen.
    
74. Harald: Meaning “army ruler”
    
75. Heinrich: Meaning “home ruler”.
    
76. Heinz: Meaning “home ruler”.
    
77. Helmut: Pronounced hehl-moot, this name means “healthy mind”.
    
78. Herbert: Meaning “bright warrior”.
    
79. Hermann or Herman: Meaning “soldier”.
    
80. Horst: Meaning “man from the forest”.
    
81. Imre: Meaning “archer’s bow”.
    
82. Jan: Meaning “God is gracious”.
    
83. Jasper: Meaning “treasurer”.
    
84. Johann: Meaning “God’s gift”.
    
85. Josef: Meaning “God will give”.
    
86. Jorg: Meaning “farmer”.
    
87. Jurgen: Meaning “son of George”.
    
88. Kaspar: Meaning “treasurer”.
    
89. Kiefer Meaning “barrel maker”.
    
90. Leopold: Meaning “brave”.
    
91. Luca or Luka: Meaning “light”.
    
92. Ludwig: Meaning “famous warrior”.
    
93. Manfred: Meaning “man of peace”.
    
94. Marcel: Meaning “young warrior”.
    
95. Marcus or Markus: Meaning “follower of Mars”.
    
96. Martin: Meaning “follower of Mars”.
    
97. Matthias: Meaning “gift of God”.
    
98. Michael: Meaning “who is like God”.
    
99. Niklas or Niclas: Meaning “people’s victory”.
    
100. Norbert: Meaning “northern brightness”.
     
101. Norman: Meaning “Northman”.
     
102. Obert: Meaning “wealthy or bright”.
     
103. Oliver: Meaning “olive” or “elf army”.
     
104. Otis: Meaning “wealthy”.
     
105. Otto: Meaning “wealth”.
     
106. Patrick: Meaning “esteemed commander”.
     
107. Peter: Meaning “rock”.
     
108. Philipp: Meaning “horse lover”.
     
109. Rainer or Rainier: Meaning “deciding warrior”.
     
110. Randall: Meaning “wolf shield”.
     
111. Roderick: Meaning “famous leader”.
     
112. Roland: Meaning “from the famous land”.
     
113. Rolf: Meaning “wolf counsel”.
     
114. Rudolph: Meaning “famous wolf”.
     
115. Sigmund: Meaning “protector”.
     
116. Stefan or Stephan: Meaning “crown”.
     
117. Theobald: Meaning “boldest people”.
     
118. Thomas: Meaning “twin”.
     
119. Tim: Meaning “God’s honor”.
     
120. Tobias: Meaning “God is good”.
     
121. Ulric: Meaning “wolf people”.
     
122. Uwe: Pronounced oo-veh, meaning “
     
123. Verner or Werner: Meaning “army defender”.
     
124. Wagner: Meaning “wagon-maker”.
     
125. Walter: Meaning “heritage”.
     
126. Werner: Meaning “defender”.
     
127. Wilhelm or Vilhelm: Meaning “resolute protector”.
     
128. Wolfgang: Meaning “wolf journey”. You can shorten this to Wolfie ‒ adorable!
     
129. Yannick or Jannick: Meaning “God is gracious”.
     
130. Zane: Meaning “God is gracious”.

Unique German boy names

Finally, let’s wrap it up with some more unusual German names.

Between Abelard and Zindel, we’re sure you’ll find something that you love.

131. Abelard: Meaning “noble strength”.
     
132. Adelbert: Meaning “noble and bright”.
     
133. Albrecht: Meaning “noble and bright”.
     
134. Arndt: Meaning “eagle ruler”.
     
135. Arno: Meaning “eagle”.
     
136. Axel: Meaning “father of peace”.
     
137. Bastian: Meaning “venerable”.
     
138. Berengar: Meaning “bear spear”.
     
139. Burke: Meaning “birch tree”.
     
140. Conrad: Meaning “brave counsel”.
     
141. Dalbert: Meaning “bright, shining one”.
     
142. Egbert: Meaning “shining sword”.
     
143. Egon: Meaning “edge of a sword”.
     
144. Eike: Meaning “edge of a sword”.
     
145. Ellery: Meaning “elder tree”.
     
146. Elmar: Meaning “noble and famous”.
     
147. Ewald: Meaning “powerful law”.
     
148. Filbert: Meaning “bright”.
     
149. Florian: Meaning “blooming flower”.
     
150. Fremont: Meaning “guardian of freedom”.
     
151. Garin: Meaning “warrior”.
     
152. Geert: Meaning “brave strength”.
     
153. Heller: Meaning “brilliant or bright”.
     
154. Hubert: Meaning “bright mind”.
     
155. Kellen: Meaning “slender”.
     
156. Keller: Meaning “cellar”.
     
157. Luther: Meaning “warrior”.
     
158. Merrill: Meaning “from the sea”.
     
159. Meyer: Meaning “farmer”.
     
160. Milan: Meaning “dear”.
     
161. Odell: Meaning “little wealthy one”.
     
162. Odolph or Odolf: Meaing “prosperous wolf”.
     
163. Packert: Meaning “noble”.
     
164. Penrod: Meaning “esteemed commander”.
     
165. Reinhardt: Meaning “strong counsel”.
     
166. Schaeffer or Schaffer: Meaning “steward”.
     
167. Schubert or Shubert: Meaning “shoe-maker”.
     
168. Schultz: Meaning “village judge”.
     
169. Stein: Meaning “stone”.
     
170. Strom: Meaning “brook”.
     
171. Tilman: Meaning “ruler of the people”.
     
172. Torsten: Meaning “Thor’s stone”.
     
173. Traugott: Meaning “faith in God”.
     
174. Uberto: Meaning “bright intellect”.
     
175. Udo: Meaning “power of the wolf”.
     
176. Ulbrecht: Meaning “noble”.
     
177. Ulf: Meaning “wolf”.
     
178. Valdemar: Meaning “renowned leader”.
     
179. Varick or Varrick: Meaning “protective leader”.
     
180. Volker: Meaning “people’s defender”.
     
181. Warner: Meaning “powerful warrior”.
     
182. Warren: Meaning “watchman”.
     
183. Zalman: Meaning “peace”.
     
184. Zelig: Meaning “blessed and holy”.
     
185. Zindel: Meaning “man’s defender”.

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We also have a complete list of German baby girl names with their meanings.

That’s it! If you haven’t found a German baby boy name that you love, why not try some other lists of baby names for inspiration?

Try Russian baby boy names or French baby names for boys for more!