German baby names continue to win hearts around the world for one simple reason: they carry a unique mix of strength, tradition, and elegance. In 2025, there’s been a noticeable rise in parents choosing German names for boys and girls, both for their classic roots and global versatility. Whether you’re naming your firstborn or adding to a growing list of favorites, German names are having a well-earned moment.

In Germany, naming traditions go way back. It’s common for names to reflect family lineage, honor grandparents, or echo virtues like bravery and kindness. You’ll often find names like Fritz, Klara, and Wilhelm passed down through generations. According to Germany’s federal statistics office (Statistisches Bundesamt), Noah and Mia held the top spots in early 2025—showing a trend toward short, clean names with deep meaning and broad appeal.

Boys Names

Rank Name Meaning/Origin
1 Noah Hebrew origin, meaning “rest” or “comfort”
2 Ben Hebrew origin, short for Benjamin, meaning “son of the right hand”
3 Matteo Italian/Hebrew origin, meaning “gift of God”
4 Finn Irish/German origin, meaning “fair” or “white”
5 Leon Greek/Latin origin, meaning “lion”
6 Elias Hebrew origin, meaning “my God is Yahweh”
7 Paul Latin origin, meaning “small” or “humble”
8 Henry Germanic origin, meaning “ruler of the home”
9 Luis Germanic origin, meaning “famous warrior”
10 Felix Latin origin, meaning “happy” or “lucky”
11 Jonas Hebrew origin, meaning “dove”
12 Emil Latin origin, meaning “rival” or “eager”
13 Luca Latin origin, meaning “light”
14 Anton Latin origin, meaning “priceless”
15 Theo Greek origin, meaning “God”
16 Maximilian Latin origin, meaning “greatest”
17 Jakob Hebrew origin, meaning “supplanter”
18 Alexander Greek origin, meaning “defender of men”
19 Samuel Hebrew origin, meaning “heard by God”
20 David Hebrew origin, meaning “beloved”
21 Julian Latin origin, meaning “youthful”
22 Oskar Germanic origin, meaning “divine spear”
23 Leo Latin origin, meaning “lion”
24 Carl Germanic origin, meaning “free man”
25 Moritz Latin origin, meaning “dark-skinned”
26 Jonathan Hebrew origin, meaning “gift of Jehovah”
27 Milan Slavic origin, meaning “gracious” or “dear”
28 Benjamin Hebrew origin, meaning “son of the right hand”
29 Adrian Latin origin, meaning “from Hadria”
30 Friedrich Germanic origin, meaning “peaceful ruler”

Girls Names

Rank Name Meaning/Origin
1 Emma Germanic origin, meaning “whole” or “universal”
2 Hannah Hebrew origin, meaning “grace” or “favor”
3 Mia Various origins, meaning “mine” or “bitter”
4 Sophia Greek origin, meaning “wisdom”
5 Emilia Latin origin, meaning “rival” or “eager”
6 Lina Various origins, often short for names ending in -lina
7 Ella Germanic origin, meaning “all” or “other”
8 Clara Latin origin, meaning “bright” or “clear”
9 Marie Hebrew origin, meaning “bitter” or “beloved”
10 Lea Hebrew origin, meaning “weary”
11 Anna Hebrew origin, meaning “grace”
12 Leni Germanic origin, short for Helena, meaning “light”
13 Luisa Germanic origin, meaning “famous warrior”
14 Lia Hebrew origin, meaning “weary”
15 Amelie Germanic origin, meaning “work”
16 Lara Latin origin, meaning “cheerful”
17 Luna Latin origin, meaning “moon”
18 Nora Various origins, meaning “honor” or “light”
19 Mathilda Germanic origin, meaning “mighty in battle”
20 Ida Germanic origin, meaning “work” or “labor”
21 Johanna Hebrew origin, meaning “God is gracious”
22 Frieda Germanic origin, meaning “peace”
23 Paula Latin origin, meaning “small”
24 Laura Latin origin, meaning “laurel”
25 Elena Greek origin, meaning “light”
26 Mila Slavic origin, meaning “gracious” or “dear”
27 Charlotte Germanic origin, meaning “free woman”
28 Greta Germanic origin, short for Margarete, meaning “pearl”
29 Zoe Greek origin, meaning “life”
30 Elsa Germanic origin, short for Elisabeth, meaning “God is my oath”

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