Overview
Are you looking for popular baby names with German variations for your baby girl? You can find plenty of name lists for German girls so that you can pick a unique namefor your little one.
Note that German citizens can’t use surnames as given names for their babies. They can’t also use baby boy names for baby girls. (1)
But Germany doesn’t put restrictions on foreigners using German boy names for their little girls if they want to. So, if you’re not German, you’re still allowed to use a German baby name for your child.
What are the common names you can choose for your baby girl? Below are our top 100 German girl names and their meanings to help you pick.
What Are Good Female German Names?
In Germany, citizens are supposed to pick a name that shows the gender of their baby. Cross-gender names are not allowed. That’s why unisex German baby names are rare.
If you’re looking for the top names for girls, here are 100 German girl names for you to choose from:
Adelheid
- Origin: Old German and Dutch
- Meaning: Noble
- Variations/Synonyms: Adelaide, Adele, Ada, Adela, Heide, Heidi, and Adelina
- Description: It’s the German variation for “Adelaide.”
Adolfa
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Noble wolf
- Variations/Synonyms: Adolpha or Adolphina
- Description: It’s the female version of “Adolf.”
Adriane
- Origin: Greek, Latin, and German
- Meaning: Good and benevolent
- Variations/Synonyms: Adrianne
- Description: It also means “a dark woman from Hadria” (a place near the Adriatic Sea).
Agata
- Origin: German, Greek, Czech, and Polish
- Meaning: Good-hearted
- Variations/Synonyms: Agatha
- Description: It comes from the Greek word “agathos,” which means “good.”
Aili
- Origin: German, Finnish, Sami (an indigenous language in some parts of Europe), and Estonian
- Meaning: Sweet
- Variations/Synonyms: Aille, Áile, and Aile
- Description: It can also mean “holy” or “blessed.”
Albrun
- Origin: Old High German
- Meaning: A supernatural being
- Variations/Synonyms: Albruna
- Description: This name can also mean “secret magic.”
Aliz
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Sweet
- Variations/Synonyms: Alice
- Description: It can also mean “noble and exalted.”
Aloisa
- Origin: Irish and German
- Meaning: Famous warrior
- Variations/Synonyms: Eloise and Louisa
- Description: The name can also mean “miracle.”
Alviria
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Fair or dearly loved
- Variations/Synonyms: Alvira
- Description: It can also mean “friendly.”
Amalfrieda
- Origin: Old High German
- Meaning: Great friendship
- Variations/Synonyms: Amalfreda
- Description: This name can also mean “peace.”
Amelia
- Origin: German and Teutonic (an Indo-European language)
- Meaning: Defender
- Variations/Synonyms: Amella and Amellia
- Description: It can also mean “industrious.”
Andrea
- Origin: Greek and German
- Meaning: Brave
- Variations/Synonyms: Andreas and Andrei
- Description: This name is the German feminine variation of “Andrew.”
Angelika
- Origin: Greek, German, and Latin
- Meaning: Angelic
- Variations/Synonyms: Angelica
- Description: It comes from the Greek word “ángelos,” which means “messenger.”
Anja
- Origin: Russian and German
- Meaning: Grace
- Variations/Synonyms: Anna, Anne, Ann, and Anya
- Description: This name is the German variation of “Anna.”
Anneliese
- Origin: Dutch, German, and Nordic
- Meaning: Favor
- Variations/Synonyms: Annelies, Annaliese, and Annalies
- Description: This name can also mean “graced with God’s bounty.”
Annika
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Gracious or merciful
- Variations/Synonyms: Anika, Annike, Anike, and Anneke
- Description: This name can also mean “little Grace.”
Antonie
- Origin: German and French
- Meaning: Priceless and praiseworthy
- Variations/Synonyms: Antonia
- Description: It’s the female version of Anthony.
Barbara
- Origin: Greek, German, and Latin
- Meaning: Foreign woman
- Variations/Synonyms: Barbra and Bärbel
- Description: The name can also mean “the exotic one.”
Bathilda
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Warrior woman
- Variations/Synonyms: Batilda
- Description: It comes from the Germanic element “badu,” which means “battle.”
Beatrix
- Origin: Latin and German
- Meaning: Happy
- Variations/Synonyms: Beatrice
- Description: This name comes from the Latin word “beatus,” which means “happy.”
Belinda
- Origin: Old High German
- Meaning: The pretty one
- Variations/Synonyms: Berlinda
- Description: It’s the modern version of the Old High German name “Betlinde.”
Bertina
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Intelligent and bright
- Variations/Synonyms: Bertie and Bertine
- Description: This name can also mean “famous.”
Bertrun
- Origin: Old German and Old French
- Meaning: Shining secret
- Variations/Synonyms: Bertrune
- Description: It can also mean “bright and famous raven.”
- In German mythology, ravens are a symbol of wisdom. The highest of the gods, Odin, was always accompanied by two ravens named Hugin and Munin.
Bettina
- Origin: German
- Meaning: God is my promise
- Variations/Synonyms: Beth, Betsy, Bessy, Bethany, and Betty
- Description: It can also mean “blessed.”
Bluma
- Origin: German, Hebrew, and Yiddish (a West Germanic language)
- Meaning: Blooming flower
- Variations/Synonyms: Blume
- Description: It can also mean “blossom.”
Cara
- Origin: German, Latin, Irish, Spanish, and Gaelic
- Meaning: An endearment for a beloved one
- Variations/Synonyms: Kara, Cheryl, Cherie, and Kari
- Description: It can also mean “dear friend.”
Chay
- Origin: German and Gaelic
- Meaning: A fairytale
- Variations/Synonyms: Charel or Karel
- Description: It can be a cute name for your baby girl, but it’s considered as a masculine name in the Gaelic language.
Chloris
- Origin: German and Greek
- Meaning: Green or greenish-yellow
- Variations/Synonyms: Kloris and Khloris
- Description: It’s the name of the spring goddess, according to Greek mythology.
Chole
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Blooming
- Variations/Synonyms: Chloe, Chloë, and Chloé
- Description: The name can also mean “victorious people.”
Clarissa
- Origin: Latin and German
- Meaning: Bright and clear
- Variations/Synonyms: Claire and Clarisse
- Description: This name comes from the Latin word “clārus,” which means clear.”
Dorothea
- Origin: German and Greek
- Meaning: Gift of God
- Variations/Synonyms: Dorothy and Dorothee
- Description: This name is the German variation of “Dorothy.”
Ediline
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Gracious
- Variations/Synonyms: Eddiline, Edilline, Eddilline, and Edilin
- Description: It can also mean “favor.”
Elisabeth
- Origin: Hebrew and German
- Meaning: Promise of God
- Variations/Synonyms: Elizabeth and Lisbeth
- Description: This German name comes from the Hebrew name “Elisheva.”
Elke
- Origin: East Frisian (an old Germanic dialect) and Low German
- Meaning: Noble
- Variations/Synonyms: Elkie, Elka, and Alke
- Description: This name can also mean “kind.”
Emilia
- Origin: German and Latin
- Meaning: Eager and hardworking
- Variations/Synonyms: Emmeline
- Description: This name comes from the Latin word “aemulus,” which means “eager.”
What Is The Most Common German Female Name? Emma
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Whole or universal
- Variations/Synonyms: Emme
- Description: This name comes from the Germanic element “ermen,” which means “universal.”
Erika
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Eternal ruler
- Variations/Synonyms: Erica, Frederica, and Ericka
- Description: It can also mean “ever powerful monarch.”
Evi
- Origin: German, Hebrew, and Latin
- Meaning: Life
- Variations/Synonyms: Evie, Eve, Eva, Evah, Ebah, and Eba
- Description: It can also mean “source of life” or “mother of life.”
Evonne
- Origin: German and French
- Meaning: Archer
- Variations/Synonyms: Yvonne
- Description: It can also mean “yew tree.”
Felicie
- Origin: French and German
- Meaning: Happy
- Variations/Synonyms: Felicity
- Description: This name can also mean “good fortune.”
What Is The German Name For Peace? Fenja
- Origin: German, Old Norse, and Russian
- Meaning: Peace, tranquility, and friendship
- Variations/Synonyms: Fenjah
- Description: It’s related to the Old High German name “Frithuric.”
Florentia
- Origin: German, Roman, and Latin
- Meaning: Prosperous or flourishing
- Variations/Synonyms: Florence
- Description: This name comes from the Roman name “Florus.”
Frieda
- Origin: Norse and German
- Meaning: Peaceful ruler
- Variations/Synonyms: Frida, Freya, Freda, Frinta, and Freida
- Description: This name comes from the German element “fried,” which means “peace.”
Fritzi
- Origin: Old German
- Meaning: Peaceful ruler
- Variations/Synonyms: Fritzie and Frietzi
- Description: This name can also mean “peace-keeper.”
Geraldine
- Origin: Old French and German
- Meaning: Ruler with a spear
- Variations/Synonyms: Geraldin, Jeraldine, and Jeraldin
- Description: This name is the female form for “Gerald.”
Gertraud
- Origin: Old German
- Meaning: Strong spear
- Variations/Synonyms: Gertraut, Gertraude, Gertrud, and Gertrude
- Description: The Old Germanic name meaning for this name comes from the words “gēr,” which means “spear,” and “prûþi,” which means “strength.”
Gisele
- Origin: German and French
- Meaning: Bright pledge
- Variations/Synonyms: Giselle, Gisela, and Gisselle
- Description: This name comes from the Germanic word “gisil,” which means “bright pledge.”
Gratia
- Origin: German and Latin
- Meaning: Grace or blessing
- Variations/Synonyms: Grace, Gracia, and Gratiah
- Description: This name can also mean “gift of God.”
Gretta
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Pearl
- Variations/Synonyms: Grretta and Greta
- Description: This can also be a nickname for “Margaret” or “Margarethe.”
Heidi
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Noble
- Variations/Synonyms: Adelheid, Heide, Heidrun, and Heidelinde
- Description: This name can also mean “kind.”
Helga
- Origin: Old German and Old Norse
- Meaning: Prosperous or successful
- Variations/Synonyms: Hege, Helle, Helge, and Helka
- Description: It can also mean “holy” or blessed.”
Hilma
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Resolute protector
- Variations/Synonyms: Wilhelmina or Hilmah
- Description: The name can also mean “protective helmet.”
Ida
- Origin: German and Scandinavian
- Meaning: The industrious one
- Variations/Synonyms: Idda and Idah
- Description: It comes from the Germanic word “id,” which means “labor or work.”
Ilina
- Origin: German, Hebrew, and Hindi
- Meaning: My Lord is Yahweh
- Variations/Synonyms: Illina and Illini
- Description: This name can also mean “a highly intelligent woman.”
- It’s often confused with “Elena,” which means “light of guidance.”
Ilse
- Origin: Hebrew and German
- Meaning: Pledged to God
- Variations/Synonyms: Else, Elsa, and Ilsa
- Description: This name comes from the Hebrew name “Elisheba,” which means “God’s promise.”
Ingeborg
- Origin: German and Old Norse
- Meaning: Stronghold and protection
- Variations/Synonyms: Ingebourg
- Description: The name can also mean “the help of Ing,” with Ing being the ancient god of fertility and peace.
Ingrid
- Origin: German, Scandinavian, and Old Norse
- Meaning: Beautiful
- Variations/Synonyms: Ingiríðr, Ingrida, and Ingirid
- Description: This name is also derived from Ing.
Irmgard
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Complete or universal
- Variations/Synonyms: Irmmgard and Irmghard
- Description: It’s the name of the goddess of war in German mythology.
Isolde
- Origin: German and Welsh
- Meaning: Ice ruler or fair lady
- Variations/Synonyms: Isolda
- Description: The name comes from the combination of Old High German words “īs,” which means “ice,” and “hiltja,” which means “battle.”
- Isolde was the Irish princess in “Tristan and Isolde,” the famous opera by Richard Wagner.
Ivana
- Origin: German, Slavic, and Russian
- Meaning: Gift from the heavens
- Variations/Synonyms: Ivanah, Ivvana, Ivvanna, Ivvanah, Ivvannah, and Ivannah
- Description: This name can also mean “God is gracious.”
Johanna
- Origin: Hebrew and German
- Meaning: God is gracious
- Variations/Synonyms: Johanne, Johannah, Joanna, and Joanne
- Description: This name is the female form of “Johann.”
Juliane
- Origin: German, Latin, French, and Italian
- Meaning: Youthful
- Variations/Synonyms: Julia, Juliana, Giulia, and Julianne
- Description: This name can also mean “dedicated to Jove or Jupiter.”
Jutta
- Origin: German and Hebrew
- Meaning: Descendant
- Variations/Synonyms: Jude, Judith, and Judy
- Description: This name is the German variation of “Judith.”
Karin
- Origin: German, Greek, and Swedish
- Meaning: Pure
- Variations/Synonyms: Karen
- Description: This name can also mean “dearest little one.”
Katharina
- Origin: Greek, German, and Swedish
- Meaning: Pure
- Variations/Synonyms: Käthe, Katja, Katarina, Käthlyn, Katherine, and Catherine
- Description: This name comes from the Greek word “katharós,” which means “pure.”
Klara
- Origin: German and Latin
- Meaning: Clear, famous, and bright
- Variations/Synonyms: Klaire, Clara, Claire, and Clare
- Description: This name comes from the Latin word “clarus,” which means “clear.”
Krista
- Origin: German and Czechoslovakian
- Meaning: A follower of Christ
- Variations/Synonyms: Khrista, Crista, and Christa
- Description: It’s a name related to Christine.
Layla
- Origin: Swiss, German, Arabic, and Hebrew
- Meaning: Dark or night
- Variations/Synonyms: Leila, Laila, Laylah, Leilah, and Lailah
- Description: It can be a good name for a baby born at night or one with dark features (hair, skin, eyes, etc.).
Leni
- Origin: German, Greek, and Latin
- Meaning: Light
- Variations/Synonyms: Lena
- Description: It can also mean “sunshine” or “ray of sunlight.”
Liezel
- Origin: German
- Meaning: God is beautiful
- Variations/Synonyms: Liezl, Lizzie, and Lizel
- Description: It can also mean “promise of God.”
Lina
- Origin: Arabic and German
- Meaning: Tender
- Variations/Synonyms: Linna
- Description: This name can also mean “united.”
Lisette
- Origin: German, Hebrew, and Latin
- Meaning: Devoted to God
- Variations/Synonyms: Lizette, Lizza, Liza, and Lisa
- Description: This name can also mean “God’s promise.”
Lorelei
- Origin: German
- Meaning: An enchantress
- Variations/Synonyms: Lorelie
- Description: This name can also mean “mermaid” or “siren.”
Lotte
- Origin: German and French
- Meaning: Strong
- Variations/Synonyms: Lottie and Lottchen
- Description: This name can also mean “God is my oath.”
Louisa
- Origin: German and French
- Meaning: Famous warrior
- Variations/Synonyms: Luisa, Eloise, Luise, and Louise
- Description: This name is the female form of “Louis.”
Luana
- Origin: German and Hawaiian
- Meaning: Enjoyment
- Variations/Synonyms: Luanna, Luann, and Luane
- Description: This name can also mean “graceful battle maiden.”
Margarethe
- Origin: German and Greek
- Meaning: Pearl
- Variations/Synonyms: Margaret, Margo, and Margarete
- Description: This name comes from the Greek word “margarī́tēs,” which means “pearl.”
Marlene
- Origin: German and Latin
- Meaning: Star of the sea and the woman from Magdala (an ancient city on the shores of Galilee, located on land that’s now a part of Israel)
- Variations/Synonyms: Marline, Marleen, and Marleene
- Description: This name was made as a combination of “Maria” and Magdalene.”
Mathilde
- Origin: Old English and German
- Meaning: Strong in battle
- Variations/Synonyms: Matilda, Mechtild, and Tilly
- Description: This name is the German form of “Matilda.”
Maude
- Origin: Hebrew, Old German, and French
- Meaning: Powerful warrior
- Variations/Synonyms: Maud
- Description: It may also be related to “Matilda.”
Mia
- Origin: German
- Meaning: The queen
- Variations/Synonyms: Maya
- Description: This name can also mean “guardian of justice” or “ocean goddess.”
Millicent
- Origin: German and Old French
- Meaning: Strong at work
- Variations/Synonyms: Milicent, Milicente, Millicente, Millicenta, Milicenta, and Melisande
- Description: The name comes from the Old High German name “Melisende.”
Monika
- Origin: German and Latin
- Meaning: Advisor or counselor
- Variations/Synonyms: Monica
- Description: This name comes from the Latin word “monere,” which means “to advise.”
Nadia
- Origin: German, Old Polish, Ukrainian, and Greek
- Meaning: Hope
- Variations/Synonyms: Naida, Naddia, Naddiah, Nadiah, and Naidah
- Description: This name can also mean “one who will not give up.”
Olga
- Origin: German, Old Norse, Russian, Bulgarian, and Scandinavian
- Meaning: Blessed and holy
- Variations/Synonyms: Oleg and Helga
- Description: This name can also mean “successful.”
Rapunzel
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Lamb’s lettuce
- Variations/Synonyms: Rapunsel
- Description: This name is popular among young parents who wish to name their baby girl after a Disney princessor a fairytale character.
Rebekah
- Origin: German and Hebrew
- Meaning: To tie or bind
- Variations/Synonyms: Rebecca, Rebeccah, Rebeka, and Rebekka
- Description: This name can also mean “captivating.”
Renate
- Origin: German, Latin, and Italian
- Meaning: To be born again
- Variations/Synonyms: Renata and Renee
- Description: This name comes from the Latin word “renatus,” which means “reborn.”
Rheta
- Origin: Greek and German
- Meaning: Expressive or eloquent speaker
- Variations/Synonyms: Reta
- Description: This name can also mean “pearl.”
Robyn
- Origin: Old German and Old English
- Meaning: Famous
- Variations/Synonyms: Robin
- Description: This name can also mean “bright and shining.”
Sabine
- Origin: Latin and German
- Meaning: Woman of Sabine (an ancient Italian tribe)
- Variations/Synonyms: Sabina
- Description: This German name comes from the Latin name “Sabini.”
Sascha
- Origin: French and German
- Meaning: Defender
- Variations/Synonyms: Sasha
- Description: This name is considered as a female German variation to “Alexander.”
Sophia
- Origin: German, Latin, Roman, and Greek
- Meaning: Wisdom
- Variations/Synonyms: Sofia, Sofie, Sophie, Sofiya, Sofya, and Sofija
- Description: This name comes from the Greek word “sofia,” which means “wisdom.”
Stefanie
- Origin: German and Greek
- Meaning: Victorious
- Variations/Synonyms: Stephanie
- Description: This name can also mean “crown.”
Truda
- Origin: Polish and German
- Meaning: Brave fighting woman
- Variations/Synonyms: Trudy
- Description: This name can also mean “spear strength.”
Ursula
- Origin: Scandinavian, German, and Latin
- Meaning: Little she-bear
- Variations/Synonyms: Urzula
- Description: This name comes from the Latin word “ursa,” which means “bear.”
Willa
- Origin: German and Hebrew
- Meaning: Resolute protection
- Variations/Synonyms: Wilella, Wiella, Wila, Wilah, and Willah
- Description: This name is one of the female versions of “Wilhelm.”
Winola
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Charming and peaceful friend
- Variations/Synonyms: Winnola, Winnolla, and Winolla
- Description: This can be a sweet name for your baby girl.
Zelda
- Origin: Yiddish (a German dialect) and German
- Meaning: A strong woman
- Variations/Synonyms: Selig, Zelde, and Griselda
- Description: This name can also mean “blessed” or “happy.”
Zemirah
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Blessed and happy in life
- Variations/Synonyms: Zemira, Zemmira, and Zemmirah
- Description: This name can also mean “joyous melody.”
REFERENCES
(1) https://www.germany.info/us-en/service/04-FamilyMatters/name/902854
