77 Strong German Boy Names

German boy names have become very popular in recent years. Whether you're looking for a name that matches your family heritage or you like the meaning attached to a particular name, one of these German male names might be perfect for your son.

German Boy Names From the Bible

Names with biblical references are used by many parents, so using one of these German boy names can combine a biblical name coupled with a strong culture.

Matthias

This name is the German variation of "Matthew" and means "gift of God." It's a very common name used by German parents, and it has biblical connections.

Michel

This is the German version of "Michael." It's another popular name used in many languages, meaning "who is like God? " Naming a child for a famous archangel has its perks.

Josef

The German origin means "God will increase." The only disadvantage is having this child think they are the favorite child like Jacob's son in the bible.

Hiob

This is the German form of Job and means "persecuted or hated." This may not be the preferred name for a child when parents think of the biblical story of Job.

Jakob

This is the German equivalent of "James" and means "may God protect."

Peer

This is the German equivalent of "Peter." It's a popular German name with biblical roots meaning "rock" or "stone." It's considered an honor to be named for a disciple to Jesus.

Christoph

This is a German variant of Christopher and means "He who holds Christ in his heart." This name can be used as both first name and surname.

Hans

This German boy's name means "God is gracious." It also has Danish and Hebrew roots.

Jeremias

This name means "God is exalted." It's also a derivative of the name Jeremiah.

Salomo

This is the German translation of Solomon and means "peaceful one." It's a very strong Bible name that has connotations of wisdom.

Waldo

This baby name means "God's power." The name is associated with famous philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1832).

6 German Male Names That Relate to Bravery

Baby boy names in Germany tend to have strong consonants. This often evokes a feeling of bravery and can be reminiscent of wars fought.

Adalfuns

This is an Old High German name meaning "ready for battle." This name was commonly used in the 7th century.

Adalard

This is a lovely traditional German boy name that means "brave." The name is, however, not as popular as it used to be. In 2018, only five boys in the USA were given this name.

Baldwin

This Old German equivalent to Baldavin means "brave, bold friend." This was the personal name of the crusader who, in 1100, became the first Christian king of Jerusalem.

Burkhart

This medieval personal name means "hardy, brave and strong." It's derived from the Germanic name Burkard. Saint Burkhard was a bishop who founded several monasteries in Germany in the 8th century.

Gunther

This German name means "army" or "warrior." This is also the name of a semi-legendary 5th century Burgundian king who appears in the Germanic saga during the Nibelungenlied.

Milo

This is a derivative of the Old Germanic form of Miles and means "soldier." The name has gotten additional glam, as it is the given name of the actor Milo Ventimiglia, the star of the TV show "This Is Us."

Zigmund

This name is derived from the Old High German name "Sigmund." It means "protection through victory."

Volker

This German boy name means "army or warrior." This is not a very popular name.

Andreas

This name means "manly and brave". It is basically a jazzed-up version of Andrew, and it's very popular across Europe.

German Boy Names That Are Generational

Many German boys' names are Old High Germanic derivatives. These are commonly used and have strong family connections.

German Male Names That Denote Nobility

Ancient Germany had a social structure where the upper class were considered the nobility . The names of these families have been used through the years and still have the same impact.

Ales

This name means "noble or bright."

Adal

This is the German derivative of Adel and means "noble or elite." This name is also unisex.

Abelard

This name means "noble and steadfast." Notably, it's the name of the great 12th century Breton scholastic philosopher and theologian, Pierre Abelard.

Albertus

This name is derived from Old High German "Adalbrecht" and means "noble and bright."

Azzo

This is an old German name that means "noble at birth". The pet name for this is "Azzolino."

Alwin

This is the German form of "Alvin," and it means "noble friend."

Ulbrecht

This name means "noble/bright" and is mainly used in German-speaking countries.

9 German Boy Names That Mean Ruler

Some parents choose boys' names based on how masculine they sound. Names with meanings that express leadership are usually included in this batch.

Alrick

This is the shortened form of the name "Aldarich" and means "wise ruler."

Berchtwald

This original German boy name means "bright ruler."

Derex

This name is derived from the old German name "Theodoric" and means "people ruler."

Nikolaus

This is a German derivative of the Greek name "Nikolos" and means "conqueror of the people."

Reynold

This name is the English derivative of an Old High German personal name and cognate of Rognvaldr. The name means "advice/power."

Heinz

This name is the diminutive form of "Heinrich" and means "ruler of the home."

Waldemar

This means "ruler of the world" and is more popular in the Russian form "Vladimir."

Heimrich

This name means "ruler of the home." In the Middle Ages, this was one of the most popular names in Germany.

Kaiser

This is a very common German surname, originating partly as an occupational name for a servant in the Emperor's household. The name means "emperor."

Popular German Boy Names

There are many boys' names that parents choose every year. They sometimes choose the names of celebrities, and some of these names are of German origin.

Anton

This is the German form of "Anthony" and means "priceless."

Karl

This is the Germanic variant of "Charles" a d means "strong, free man."

Gerhard

This German version of "Gerald" means "brave spearman."

Emmett

This name has Germanic origin, probably originating as a hypocoristic form of women's name. It means "powerful."

Lars

This is the German form of "Larry" and means "victory."

Leo

This is the shortened form of the old German name Leopold and means "lion."

Otto

Can be used as both a first and surname, and it originates as an Old High german short form meaning "wealth and fortune."

Frantz

This is a German surname that may refer to Adrienne Frantz (born 1978). It means "free man."

Klaus

This is originally a diminutive form of "Niklaus" and means "victory of people."

Max

A shortened form of "Maximilian," this name means "greatest." This name was also borne by a 3rd century saint in a region of Passau.

Karsten

This is the German version of "Christian." It's a unisex name that means " anointed."

Nils

This is the German version of "Nick" and means "victory of the people."

Otis

This name of Old German origin means "wealth."

Stein

This is a surname of different origins derived from German and means "stone/rock."

Wolfgang

This is a traditionally popular name in Germany. This Old High German meaning "wolf's journey."

Xiomar

This popular German name is a variant of Geomar. It means "famous in battle."

Choosing German Boy Names

For years, families have chosen names for varying reasons, including giving a child a family name or a name that has significance. If one of the names from these lists has captured your imagination, choosing a German boy name might turn out to be the best choice for your own son.