Using German names as inspiration for your new baby girl is a great choice. You can easily find something that both honors your European heritage and is also easy to recognize and pronounce by a wider audience.
Below I have gathered together 100+ great German girl’s names along with the origin and meaning of each one. I’ve also given you the English equivalent for each name but note that many of these names are simply the same in English (perhaps with slightly different spelling).
So whether you want a traditional German name or something a little more modern, you will find it in the list below. Note that in Germany you must conform to gendered names, so if you are also looking for inspiration for German boy names, check out my other post.
Things to Think About When Choosing A German Girl Name
In Germany, you can pick a name from the already approved list, or create your own unique name for your baby.
If you choose to create a new name, along with indicating the child’s gender and following some strict guidelines, it must also be officially approved by the civil registration office. If your name is rejected, be prepared with some backups but know that every time you appeal the decision it will cost you!
You are only allowed to give your child a gender-neutral name if you make it double barrel and the second name is gender specific.
To give you an idea of some of the rules, German names cannot already be a surname, place, or product. Additionally, the name cannot be insensitive to religion or associated with evil.
Most Popular Baby Girl Names in Germany
Emilia is the most popular German female name, followed by these German names for girls:
- Klara
- Sofia
- Emma
- Hannah
- Lina
- Leonie
100+ German Names for Girls
| Name | Origin | Meaning | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ada | German | Noble, nobility | |
| Aletta | German | Noble, graceful | |
| Amalia | German | Work, industriousness | |
| Amelie | French/German | Hardworking | |
| Amina | Arabic/German | Trustworthy | |
| Anahi | Guaraní/German | Grace, beautiful | |
| Annika | Dutch/German | Grace | |
| Anna | Hebrew/German | Grace, gracious | |
| Anni | German | Grace | Anne |
| Anouk | Dutch/German | Grace | |
| Anselma | Germanic | Divine helmet | |
| Antonia | Latin/German | Priceless | |
| Klara | Latin/German | Bright, clear | Clara |
| Dina | Hebrew/German | Judged, vindicated | |
| Edda | Norse/German | Great grandmother | |
| Elena | Greek/German | Torch, light | |
| Elin / Elina | Greek/German | Torch, light | |
| Elisabeth | Hebrew/German | God is my oath | Elizabeth |
| Elke | German | Noble, noblewoman | |
| Ella | German | Beautiful fairy | |
| Elsa | German | Pledged to God | |
| E | |||
| Emilia | Latin/German | Rival | |
| Emma | German | Universal | Emma |
| Enna | German | Bird-like | |
| Esme | Arabic/German | Precious, valuable | Esma |
| Eva | Hebrew/German | Life, living | |
| Felia | Latin/German | Lucky, successful | |
| Fine | German | Free | |
| Fiona | Irish/German | Fair | |
| Frieda | German | Peace | Frieda |
| Gisela | German | Pledge, hostage | Giselle |
| Gitta | German | Strength, power | |
| Greta | German | Pearl | |
| Hannah / Hanne | Hebrew/German | Grace | Hannah |
| Heidi | German/Swiss | Noble, kind | Heidi |
| Heike | German | Home ruler | |
| Helga | Norse/German | Holy, blessed | |
| Hella | Greek/German | Bright, shining | |
| Ida | German | Hardworking | |
| Ilse | German | Pledged to God | |
| Ingrid | Norse/German | Beautiful, loved | |
| Iva | Hebrew/German | God is gracious | Iva |
| Jana | Czech/German | God is gracious | Janine |
| Jara | Hebrew/German | God gives sweetness | |
| Jette | German | Home ruler | |
| Johanna | Hebrew/German | God is gracious | Joanna |
| Jule | German | Youthful, downy-bearded | Jules (Julie) |
| Karla | Germanic | Free woman | Carla |
| Käthe | German | Pure | Kate |
| Katja | Greek/German | Pure, chaste | Katya |
| Kira | Russian/German | Lord, ruler | |
| Laura | Latin/German | Laurel | |
| Leandra | Greek/German | Lioness, man | |
| Lena | German | Short for Helena | |
| Leonie | Latin/German | Lioness | |
| Leonora | Greek/German | Light | |
| Lina | German | Noble | |
| Linnea | Swedish/German | Twinflower | |
| Lisanne | Dutch/German | God is my oath | |
| Liv | Old Norse/German | Life | Elisabeth |
| Livia | Latin/German | Blue, envious | Olivia |
| Lotta | German | Free woman | Charlotte |
| Luise | German | Renowned warrior | Louise |
| Maike | German | Pearl | |
| Maira | Latin/German | Sea, ocean | Myra |
| Maja | Greek/German | Great | Maya |
| Malea | German | Strength, power | |
| Malia | Hawaiian/German | Calm, peaceful | |
| Malin | German | Little warrior | |
| Margot | French/German | Pearl | |
| Maria / Marie | Hebrew/German | Bitter, beloved | Mary |
| Marieke | German/Dutch | Bitter, beloved | Mariah |
| Marit | Germanic | Of the sea | |
| Marlena | German | Combination of Maria and Magdalene | Marlene |
| Mathilda | German | Mighty in battle | Matilda |
| Mia | German | Mine | |
| Mila | Slavic/German | Gracious, dear | |
| Milla | German | Strong, determined | |
| Mina | German | Love, affection | |
| Mira | Sanskrit/German | Sea, ocean | |
| Mirella | Italian/German | Admirable, wonderful | Mirella |
| Nele | German | Bright, shining | Nellie |
| Nora | Irish/German | Honor, light | |
| Paula | Latin/German | Small | Paula |
| Pia | Latin/German | Pious, devout | |
| Rieke | German | Ruler of the home | |
| Romy | German | Rosemary | |
| Ronia / Ronja | Swedish/German | Strong, to cry | |
| Rosalie | Latin/German | Rose | |
| Runa | Old Norse/German | Secret lore | |
| Seraphina | Hebrew/German | Fiery, angelic | Seraphine |
| Sinja | German | Victorious, helper | |
| Smilla | Danish/German | Smile | |
| Sofia | Greek/German | Wisdom | Sophia |
| Stella | Latin/German | Star | |
| Talia | Hebrew/German | Dew of God | |
| Tara | Sanskrit/German | Star | |
| Thea | Greek/German | Goddess | |
| Thora | Old Norse/German | Thunder | |
| Tilda | German | Mighty in battle | |
| Ursula | Latin/German | Little bear | |
| Verena | Latin/German | Truth | |
| Viola | Latin/German | Violet |
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