🇩🇪 Germany
4,390
Total names
2,044
Male names
2,346
Female names
Germany's Standesamt operates a moderate naming framework: there is no closed approved list, but registrars verify each proposal against the principle that names must clearly indicate sex and not harm the child. Parents who want unusual names can submit a linguistic dossier to support their case.
A strong revival is underway in Germany of pre-1914 short traditional names (Emil, Otto, Anton, Mia, Ida) alongside Latin and Greek classical names (Felix, Maximilian, Sophia, Anna). For families with Nordic heritage living in Germany, our Viking & Norse names guide explains which Old Norse names are accepted by the Standesamt.
Famous German names span Goethe (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe), Beethoven (Ludwig van Beethoven), and modern figures like Angela Merkel and Anne Frank. Bavarian and northern German naming traditions sometimes diverge: northern Germany favours short Hanseatic names, Bavaria leans toward longer Catholic and Habsburg-era choices.
Naming Rules
Must be recognizable as a first name
The name cannot be a surname, brand, geographic location, or object.
Must not harm the child's welfare
Names that could lead to ridicule or social difficulties are rejected.
Should indicate gender
Names should generally allow gender identification, though unisex names are increasingly accepted.
Foreign names accepted with proof
International names are allowed if the Standesamt can verify they are established first names in some culture.
Multiple first names allowed
There is no strict upper limit, though three or four is typical.
Legal basis: Personenstandsgesetz (Civil Status Act) and court precedents.
Authority: Standesamt (civil registry office)
Popular Names in Germany
Top 15 Boy Names
1.Noah
2.Matteo
3.Elias
4.Finn
5.Leon
6.Theo
7.Paul
8.Emil
9.Luca
10.Ben
11.Felix
12.Henry
13.Louis
14.Maximilian
15.Jonas
Top 15 Girl Names
1.Emilia
2.Sophia
3.Emma
4.Hannah
5.Mia
6.Lina
7.Ella
8.Mila
9.Clara
10.Lea
11.Marie
12.Luisa
13.Ida
14.Frieda
15.Charlotte
Check a specific baby name in Germany
50 of the most popular European baby names with full legal-status pages for Germany. Click any name to see its meaning, Germany spelling, registration process, and FAQ.
Further reading
Check a name in Germany
Search 4,390 names in our Germany database — plus 24 more European countries.
Check a Name →Last updated: April 2026. For informational purposes only. Always consult your local Standesamt for definitive answers.