German Names
- Eleonara
Origin:
Italian, German, Dutch, and Polish version of EleanorMeaning:
"bright, shining one"Description:
The usual form of Eleonara is Eleanora, with each syllable pronounced, but transposing, adding, or subtracting a vowel or syllable here or there works fine and adds to the international, feminine spin on a solid name.
- Velten
- Hanno
Origin:
Diminutive of Johan, German variation of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Nicknames ending in o are invariably cute, though this one is a boys' name in its own right. And not just any boy name, but a saint's name no less. Saint Hanno, aka Saint Anno, was an 10th century archbishop of Cologne, He is also known as, less attractively, Hanno of Worms, which is one of the oldest cities in Germany.
- Eberhard
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"brave boar"Description:
Much more niche and obviously Germanic than its anglicised cousins Everard and Everett, but with the same strong meaning. Eberhard is hardly ever used in the US - it's only made the charts once so far, back in 1918.
- Melisende
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"strong in work"Description:
Melisende, the mellifluous name of a 12th century queen of Jerusalem, gave rise to the more modern (but less lovely) Millicent. Other old forms include Melisent, Malasintha, and the French Melisande, a fairy tale heroine.
- Gannet
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"goose"Description:
A bird name that could be thought of as an animated spin on Garrett.
- Stefani
Origin:
Spelling variation of StephanieDescription:
Germans spell Stephanie with an f though the i ending is not traditional. Lady Gaga dropped the Stefani and No Doubt's Gwen sports is as a surname. Despite the celebrity connections, we say if you want to name your daughter Stephanie, name her Stephanie.
- Stefanie
- Verlin
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"true"Description:
Verlin is an obscure name that found some use in the US in the early part of the 20th century, but now it and variation Verlyn are extinct, given to no baby boys in the US last year.
- Luise
Origin:
German variation of LouiseDescription:
See LOUISE.
- Otthild
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"prospers in battle"Description:
Wears long blonde braids, carries a spear, and sings duets with Brunhild. But variations Ottilie, Ottiline, or Ottoline are both unusual and chic.
- Herrick
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"war ruler"Description:
When you like Eric, but wish it were longer; also the name of a great early English poet.
- Markell
- Adolpha
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"noble wolf"Description:
Nein.
- Isobelle
- Josefine
Origin:
Scandinavian and German variation of Josephine, FrenchMeaning:
"Jehovah increases"
- Lilli
- Evert
Origin:
English, variation of Everett, from German EberhardMeaning:
"brave boar"Description:
Though you might have been a fan of tennis star Chris Evert, stick with EVERETT, which everyone will think you're saying anyway.
- Fonso
Origin:
German, diminutive of AlfonsoDescription:
All anyone will think of is the Fonz.
- Amery