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Most popular German baby names

Looking for cool German names to give to your new baby boy or girl? Discover the most popular names for boys, girls, and gender-neutrals.

German names
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By Expatica

Updated 11-9-2025

Expectant internationals will be glad to hear that most common names are accepted in Germany. However, the country also has some strict naming rules and conventions in place to protect the well-being of your baby.

Names typically must be approved during the process of getting a German birth certificate. As such, parents can be overruled if they choose a name that is deemed inappropriate.

For international parents, navigating these administrative processes can be complex, especially when it comes to managing finances across borders. Having access to money transfer services like Wise can make it easier to manage finances when preparing for your new arrival in Germany.

Learn more about the most common German baby names, as well as historical trends:

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Overview of German names

Like elsewhere in the Western world, names in Germany consist of a first name (Vorname), sometimes a common name (Rufname), followed by a family name (Nachname). An example of this would be Aneliese Emma Weller.

A young baby sitting in the back garden and eating fresh, home grown tomatoes with her mom.
Photo: Tom Werner/Getty Images

The German alphabet has 26 letters, as well as an additional letter ß and three umlauted vowels Ä, Ö, and Ü). Certain letters are pronounced differently than in other languages. The J and W, for example, sound dissimilar to how an English speaker would pronounce them.

Germany has strict naming conventions, and baby names must be approved by the civil registration office (Standesamt). If they are unsure about your chosen name, they will consult the German Language Society (Gesellschaft für Deutsche Sprache – GfDs).

Acceptable names are listed in the International Handbook of First Names (Internationale Handbuch der Vornamen). Appropriate suggestions are sometimes included on the back of birth registration forms as well. If your baby name is refused, you can appeal or submit a new one. With each name, you have to pay a fee.

Naming restrictions and banned names

Children can be given several forenames. Often, the second name is inspired by family members (e.g., opa and oma) or given for religious reasons. For obvious reasons, Germany has implemented some restrictions on first names. First and foremost, suitable German first names should not affect the well-being of the child.

Naming conventions include:

  • Must be recognized as a proper name. It cannot be absurd or degrade the child in any way (e.g., King, Batman, or Dracula)
  • Cannot be associated with evil (e.g., Lucifer or Adolf) or deemed religiously insensitive (e.g., Christus or Messiah)
  • Cannot be a brand, surname, object, or the name of a place (e.g., Vespa or London)
  • Has to indicate the child’s gender. Gender-neutral names must be followed by a second gender-specific name.
  • Must not cross genders. Boys cannot be given a typical girl’s name or vice versa (with the exception of Maria, which can be placed as a boy’s second name).

In some cases, German name restrictions may be relaxed if a parent is an international. The registration office will consult your embassy to see what the naming laws are in your home country. However, this is not obligatory.

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What are popular first names in Germany?

There are plenty of masculine, feminine, and unisex names in Germany to choose from.

Mother pointing out a goose to her toddler son, who is looking at it in wonder.
Photo: From Hurricane1984/Getty Images

Most commonly, people take their first names from:

  • The Bible or saints (e.g., Christian, Benjamin, or Maria)
  • Latin or Greek (e.g., Felix, Jürgen, or Ursula)
  • Germanic or Slavic (e.g., Günther, Ludwig, or Wolfgang)

There are no official statistics for first names in Germany. That said, the GfDs publishes a list of the most popular names each year. As in most countries, the list of popular names changes annually and is typically influenced by trends, tradition, as well as popular sports and television stars.

In 2021, the top 10 German boys’, girls’, and gender-neutral names were:

BoysGirlsGender-neutral
NoahEmiliaCharlie/Charly
Matteo/MatheoHanna/HannahLou/Lu
LeonSophia/SofiaMika/Mica/Mikah
FinnEmmaJunis
PaulMiaRomy/Remy/Remi
Luca/LukaMilaSamy/Samie/Sammy
EliasLinaMarlo
EmilEllaRobin
FelixKlara/ClaraNiki/Nicki
Louis/LuisLea/LeahJesse

Rare names

The International Handbook of Forenames also lists names that have ‘interesting’ connotations. For example, Nazi is a Swiss boy’s name and should be approved by all registry offices in Germany. However, other parents and children might not be as forgiving.

Rare German names include:

NameMeaning
Bent (boys)Slang for ‘homosexual’ in British
Erik (boys)‘Plum’ in Turkish
Tjorven (boys)‘Big sausage’ in Swedish
Fanny (girls)Slang for ‘female genitalia’ in British
Slang for ‘bottom’ in American
Mona (girls)‘Female monkey’ in Spanish
Sida (girls)AIDS in French and Spanish

When naming your baby, you should always pay attention to their initials as well. Initials such as B.T.K., S.S., S.M., W.C., and W.T.F., will give your child a hard time later in life.

Bit of history on baby names

In the early 1900s, German names with strong constants were popular. These included Friedrich, Heinrich, or Wilhelm for boys, and Bertha, Elisabeth, Frieda, and Maria for girls.

Father and his partner feeding their son a bottle. His partner is looking over the other dad's shoulder looking at the baby eat.
Photo: Willie B. Thomas/Getty Images

Some classical names have largely fallen out of fashion or been adapted (e.g., Elfriede, Hildegard, Irmgard, and Lieselotte). Others remained popular for several decades (e.g., Hans, Karl, Klaus, Peter, and Uwe).

Over time, the most popular names have tended to get shorter. Examples include the names Finn, Jonas, Niklas, and Tim for boys, and Lara, Lea, Mia, and Sara for girls.

Many traditional German names are making a comeback as parents search for unique and beautiful names for their little ones. These include:

BoysGirls
AlexanderAnja/Anna
ChristianChrista/Christina
DanielElke
DieterGabriela
ErnstGisela
FrankIlse
FritzIngrit/Ingrid
OttoKarin/Katrin
PaulMonika
SebastianSabine/Sabrina

How to change your name

In Germany, there are only a few ‘important reasons’ that allow you to change your name. These are listed in the Law on changing surnames and first names (Namensänderungsgesetz – NamÄndG). Instances include:

  • An error was made when recording a name
  • Someone has undergone gender reassignment
  • Someone’s name invites puns, leads to confusion, or is insensitive (e.g., Osama)
  • You’re a recently naturalized citizen who was previously forbidden from using your name in your country of origin
Father playing with a toddler daughter and baby son on a large bed.
Photo: Simon Ritzmann/Getty Images

To change your name, you can request a name-changing form from your local registry office or citizens’ registration office. You will have to enclose:

  • Copy of your registration certificate or ID card
  • Birth certificate

In some cases, the office might ask for a psychological report or a certificate of good conduct.

The cost of the application can vary per region and could be anything between €2.50 and €255. If the German court rules allow your name change, you will face additional costs for official documents such as your driver’s license and passport.

If they refuse your application for a name change, you can file a formal objection or complaint with the Administrative Court (Verwaltungsgerichte).

Financial considerations for international parents

Having a baby in Germany as an expatriate involves various financial aspects that require careful planning. From healthcare costs to administrative fees, being prepared financially can make the experience much smoother.

Administrative costs to consider

When registering your baby’s birth and name in Germany, you’ll encounter several administrative fees:

  • Birth certificate fees: €12 on average
  • Name registration fees: €25-80 depending on the region
  • Translation of foreign documents: usually up to €200

For international parents, managing these expenses can be complicated if your finances are spread across different countries. Banks in Germany can charge high fees for international transfers, and unfavorable exchange rates can increase costs further.

Managing cross-border finances efficiently

If you’re maintaining income or savings in your home country while living in Germany, exploring international money transfer services like Wise can be an option to consider. Wise offers several features that may benefit expatriates:

  • Transfers at the mid-market exchange rate
  • Ability to hold multiple currencies (including euros) in one account
  • A debit card for everyday expenses

By comparing different options for transferring and managing money internationally, you can potentially reduce costs during an already expensive period of welcoming a new family member.

Conclusion

Choosing a name for your baby is one of the most significant decisions you’ll make as new parents. When doing so in Germany, understanding the country’s naming conventions and administrative requirements can help ensure a smooth process. While the restrictions might seem strict compared to other countries, they’re designed with your child’s best interests in mind.

For international parents, the process involves additional considerations – from navigating cultural differences to managing the practical aspects of documentation and fees. Planning ahead is key, especially when it comes to financial preparations.

Managing your finances efficiently across borders can remove one source of stress during this exciting time. Services like Wise offer an alternative solution for handling international transfers and payments. Their multi-currency accounts and mid-market exchange rates can be worth exploring when managing expenses in both your home country and Germany.

Useful resources

  • German Language Society – website that lists popular baby names in Germany
  • Wise – financial services for international transfers and multi-currency accounts