German Names

A male character in The Chronicles of Narnia, but could conceivably be used for a girl.

The name of a monk who is the patron saint of blacksmiths -- not a twentieth-century occupation or baby name.

Cute tomboyish diminutive that's popular in Germany but has not spread far. An interesting choice for the parent who wants an elaborate feminine proper name with a modern short form.

One you might like for its cozy meaning, but there is that Pied Piper rat connection.

Hip short form of Bernard, also Swiss place-name.

Rebekka is a more creative spelling -- at least in some people's opinion -- of the biblical favorite Rebecca. Rebekka is also the usual German version. The Rebekkah spelling was commonly used in Early America.

Conjures up the military image of Fort Benning in Georgia — or the surname of actress Annette.

Concise and clipped European version of the earnest Ernest.

Nein.

This is a rarely heard feminization of the rarely heard Roland.

Futuristic, in a 1930s kind of way.

Most famous as the name of King Pepin the Short, this choice might feel somewhat belittling. The even-shorter form is Pippin, a name adopted for musical theater, and the Dutch form Pepijn is in that country's Top 100.

Along with the more common Silke, a diminutive used in Germany for Cecilia and Celia. Both Silke and Zilke are unknown yet usable German names for girls.

All anyone will think of is the Fonz.

A preppy surname of hidden German origin that would fit right in with currently trendy s-ending boy names like Brooks.