Why old German names are trending again
Names once carried by great-grandparents are back on birth announcements: old German first names sound like character, history and permanence. Names like Frieda, Greta or Emil feel familiar and special at the same time — a rare combination when many parents want a name that is not called three times across every playground.
Then there is the meaning: old German names are usually built from Old High German word roots — peace (fridu), fame (hruod), rule (rihhi) or protection (helm). Every name tells a little story. Below you will find the most beautiful old German girl names and boy names with their meanings.
Old German girl names
From Frieda to Wilhelmine: these German girl names combine vintage charm with strong meanings.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Frieda | Peaceful ruler | Germanic |
| Greta | Pearl | Germanic |
| Ida | Industrious | Germanic |
| Mathilda | Mighty in battle | Germanic |
| Adele | Noble | Germanic |
| Emma | Universal, whole | Germanic |
| Elsa | Pledged to God | Germanic |
| Hedwig | Battle, fighter | Germanic |
| Lotte | Free woman | Germanic |
| Wilhelmine | Resolute protector | Germanic |
| Amalia | Industrious, capable | Germanic |
| Irma | Universal, whole | Germanic |
| Berta | Brilliant, shining | Germanic |
Old German boy names
Emperors, poets, grandfathers: these German boy names wrote history — and sound surprisingly fresh again today.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Albert | Noble, bright | Germanic |
| Alwin | Noble friend | Germanic |
| Bruno | Brown, the bear | Germanic |
| Carl | Free man | Germanic |
| Conrad | Brave counsel | Germanic |
| Ferdinand | Bold voyager | Germanic |
| Franz | Free man | Germanic |
| Friedrich | Peaceful ruler | Germanic |
| Fritz | Peaceful ruler | Germanic |
| Gustav | Staff of the Goths | Scandinavian |
| Heinrich | Ruler of the home | Germanic |
| Hermann | Army man, warrior | Germanic |
| Karl | Free man | Germanic |
| Ludwig | Famous warrior | Germanic |
| Otto | Wealthy | Germanic |
| Oskar | God's spear | Germanic |
| Richard | Brave ruler | Germanic |
| Wilhelm | Resolute protector | Germanic |
| Leopold | Brave people | Germanic |
Every one of these names is in the baby name app Mini Marvin — with meaning, origin and popularity right on the name card. For more on the stories behind names, see baby name meanings and origins.
Old German roots, modern combinations
- 10,000+ baby names from more than 120 origins worldwide
- Every name with its meaning, origin and popularity
- Filter by origin — discover Germanic names on purpose
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Many parents pair an old German first name with a modern middle name — or the other way round. In Mini Marvin you can filter by Germanic origin and swipe through all the classics: right if you love it, left for the next. Beyond the well-known comebacks you will find forgotten treasures like Alwin or Wilhelmine. See how the search works in our guide to finding baby names.
Decide together: which old German name fits your family?
Grandma adores Frieda, dad is not so sure? Perfect: in Mini Marvin, partners, grandparents and friends can all swipe along — each independently. In the end the app shows your Perfect Matches: the names everyone truly loves. Learn more about baby names for couples.
You have seen 32 classics — 10,000+ names are waiting in the app.
Start free todayFrequently asked questions
Which old German names are popular right now?
For girls, Frieda, Greta, Ida and Mathilda lead the comeback; for boys it is Emil, Anton, Oskar and Karl. In Mini Marvin you can see each name's current popularity and filter specifically for Germanic origin.
What do old German names mean?
Old German names are usually built from Old High German word roots such as peace, fame, rule or protection. Frieda means "peaceful ruler", Wilhelm "resolute protector". In the app, the meaning is shown right on every name card.
Do old German names work outside Germany?
Many do — short classics like Emil, Ida or Otto are easy to pronounce in English too. Mini Marvin works for English- and German-speaking parents, so you can check popularity by country while you swipe.