German Name Generator

German names: History, structure, and meaning

Given the Saxon roots in English, German names throughout history have reverberated in English media similar to Celtic names. But don’t sleep on the rest of German culture, where a diverse range of art, tradition, and folklore has shaped language from everyday words to modern names.

German folklore, legend, and myth are especially prevalent in Western media: think the Nibelungenlied, the Lorelei, and Grimm’s fairy tales. Many of these fairy tales continue in popular media through Disney films and modern adaptations.

German naming conventions

German naming conventions often assemble smaller words into compound words: even the name of Germany (“Deutschland”) is a country name doubling as a compound word. As with English, expect naming conventions to follow the typical structure of first name-last name, with many surnames denoting either deeds or occupations. 

German name inspiration

As is the case with many Viking names, symbolism in German names often derives from what you do—which is why surnames with the suffix -er are so common. “Schmidt” as a name and a suffix denote the profession of smithing, for example, reflecting how the occupation and daily routine of your forebears can transcend the passage of time.

Imagine your own German-sounding name today! Try our German name generator and uncover a title that echoes with the depth of German folklore and the craftsmanship of its language.

List of German Names

Otto, Bruno, Hans, Fritz—some of the world’s most distinguishable names come from German heritage. They’re often fun and have plenty of N and Z sounds in a way that many conventional English names do not—which makes them great for naming characters or inventing your own medieval folklore. Let’s explore some existing German names below.