German name ideas for girls: 150 traditional, pretty, popular names with meanings

We've included everything from popular German girl names to traditional and old-fashioned girl names of Germanic origin, and from modern and creative choices to totally pretty and cute ones. Short or long, common or unique, you've got 150 inspirational ideas right here to help you choose the right German baby name for your little girl.

Here's our list of beautiful German girl names to inspire you...

Most popular German girl names

The most popular girl names in the UK include several of German origin, so we've listed them all here – in the order they are ranked by the Office for National Statistics in their list of the 100 most popular girl names registered in England and Wales in 2021 (the 2022 list will be released towards the end of 2023). The Germanic girl names here include Amelia – perched right near the top of the English/Welsh list – as well as names that are steadily rising up the list, such as Millie, Matilda and Heidi...

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1. Amelia

Origin: Latin/German
Meaning: work and strive
Trend: no change

2. Millie

Origin: German
Meaning: gentle strength, industrious
Trend: moving up

3. Matilda

Origin: German
Meaning: strength in battle
Trend: moving up

4. Alice

Origin: German
Meaning: noble
Trend: moving down

5. Ada

Origin: German
Meaning: noble
Trend: moving down

6. Emma

Origin: German
Meaning: whole, universal
Trend: moving down

7. Harriet

Origin: German
Meaning: home ruler
Trend: moving down

8. Robyn

Origin: German
Meaning: bright, famous
Trend: moving up

9. Heidi

Origin: German
Meaning: of noble birth
Trend: moving up

10. Myla

Origin: Latin/German/French
Meaning: soldier, merciful
Trend: moving up

Traditional German girl names

If you like to keep things classic, this next selection of German girl names will rock your traditionally-made boat. All of them are girl names with time-tested Germanic roots that now have a vintage, old-fashioned charm. These old names often have meanings that conjure up nobility, duty and strength of purpose. Some them, such as Alesha and Eloise, are already well-known in the UK but many of these traditional German names for baby girls will stand out, to British ears, as strikingly unusual or winningly retro.

11. Adelaide

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: high-born

12. Adelheid

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: nobility

13. Adeline

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: noble
Also: Adelin, Adaline, Adalyn, Adalynn, Adelyn, Adalene, Adeleine

14. Albertina

Origin: Old German
Meaning: noble and bright

15. Alesha

Origin: Old Germanic
Meaning: noble
Also: Aleesha

16. Almut

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: noble mind

17. Alruna

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: one who maintains a secret

18. Alvina

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: noble friend
Also: Vina

19. Annalise

Origin: Old German
Meaning: devoted to God

20. Armgard

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: guardian

21. Bertha

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: bright one
Also: Berta

22. Carolin

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: the free one
Also: Karolin

23. Dietlinde

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: soft

24. Edelgard

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: noble guard or protector
Also: Adalgard, Edelgart, Ethelgard

25. Edeline

Origin: Old German
Meaning: noble, gracious
Also: Edaline

26. Eloise

Origin: Old German
Meaning: healthy

27. Emmeline

Origin: Medieval German
Meaning: hardworking
Also: Emiline, Emmaline, Ameline

28. Emmie

Origin: Old German
Meaning: universal
Also: Emmi, Emmy

29. Erna

Origin: Old German and Norse
Meaning: capable, earnest

30. Ernestine

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: serious

31. Federica

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: peaceful ruler

32. Friederike

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: peaceful ruler
Also: Friedl

33. Frodelinde

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: mature, wise

34. Frolinde

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: mature

35. Gerlinde

Origin: Old German
Meaning: flexible

36. Giselle

Origin: Old German
Meaning: a promise
Also: Gisela, Gisele

37. Helma

Origin: Old German
Meaning: protector

38. Hilma

Origin: Old German
Meaning: protective helmet

39. Irmgard

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: universal

40. Irmina

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: universal

41. Irmtraud

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: all loved

42. Liebtraud

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: lovely and powerful
Also: Liebetraud

43. Lotta

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: free man
Also: Lotty, Lote, Loti

44. Luitgard

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: guardian of the people

45. Orlantha

Origin: Old German
Meaning: from the land

46. Ortrud

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: sharp point
Also: Ortrude, Ortraud

47. Ramona

Origin: Old German, Romanian and Spanish
Meaning: wise protector

48. Ricarda

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: powerful ruler

49. Saskia

Origin: Old Germanic
Meaning: a Saxon woman

50. Ulrike

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: rich, powerful heritage
Also: Ulrikke, Ulrich, Ulrica

51. Wilhelmina

Origin: Old German
Meaning: will helmet or protection

What are the most popular girl names in Germany?

Here are the 10 most popular baby names for girls in Germany recorded in 2022, according to Knud Bielefeld, who compiles a much-awaited list every year using data from 423 German cities. As you'll see, while many of the top 10 are German in origin, others have clear origins from other countries and cultures, with Latin and Greek names featuring strongly.

Emilia. Origin: Latin; Meaning: rival
Mia. Origin: Italian; Meaning: mine
Sophia. Origin: Greek; Meaning: wisdom
Emma. Origin: German; Meaning: whole, universal
Hannah. Origin: Hebrew; Meaning: favour, grace
Lina. Origin: Latin; Meaning: strong
Mila. Origin: Slavic; Meaning: hardworking
Ella. Origin: Hebrew; Meaning: goddess
Leni. Origin: Greek; Meaning: bright
Clara. Origin: Latin; Meaning: bright, clear

Modern German girl names

Not all German baby girl names are traditional and rooted in the Old German language, of course; there are plenty of German girl names that have a much more modern, contemporary feel and linguistic origin. We've chosen our favourites here: some have meanings rooted in nobility – a common theme in more old-fashioned German girl names, too – but others have meanings that resonate a more present-day feel, with a focus on light, peace and the natural world.

52. Adalberta

Origin: German
Meaning: noble, bright
Also: Adelberta

53. Adela

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: noble

54. Adele

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: nobility
Also: Adelle, Adel

55. Adelia

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: noble

56. Annalise

Origin: German
Meaning: graced with God’s bounty
Also: Annaliese, Analiese

57. Aubrey

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: ruler of elves

58. Carly

Origin: German
Meaning: free woman
Also: Karlee

59. Carrie

Origin: German
Meaning: free

60. Elke

Origin: Low German and East Frisian
Meaning: of noble birth

61. Engela

Origin: German
Meaning: angel
Also: Engla

62. Ermengarde

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: universal protection
Also: Ermengard, Ermingarde

63. Frauke

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: little lady

64. Frida

Origin: German
Meaning: peace
Also: Frieda, Freda, Freida

65. Geneva

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: juniper tree

66. Geralyn

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: spear ruler

67. Gilda

Origin: German
Meaning: offering

68. Gretel

Origin: German
Meaning: pearl

69. Griselda

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: dark battle

70. Hattie

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: home ruler

71. Heike

Origin: Low German
Meaning: home ruler

72. Hilda

Origin: German/Danish
Meaning: maid of battle

73. Huberte

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: bright or shining intellect

75. Ingeborg

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: Under the protection of Ing
Also: Inge

76. Katrin

Origin: German and Swedish
Meaning: pure
Also: Kat

77. Leisl

Origin: German
Meaning: God’s promise
Also: Liesel, Liesl

78. Lieselotte

Origin: German
Meaning: oath to God
Also: Liselotte, Liselot

79. Louise

Origin: German/French
Meaning: famous warrior

80. Mareike

Origin: Low German
Meaning: of the sea

81. Marlene

Origin: German
Meaning: compound of Mary and Magdalene

82. Meike

Origin: German and Dutch
Meaning: sea of bitterness

83. Norma

Origin: German
Meaning: Norsewoman
Also: Normah, Normi, Normie

84. Ottilie

Origin: German
Meaning: wealth
Also: Otti

85. Rieka

Origin: German
Meaning: peaceful ruler

86. Roberta

Origin: German
Meaning: bright fame
Also: Roberte, Robertine

87. Senta

Origin: German and Latin
Meaning: journey

88. Sieglinde

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: victory and soft, flexible

89. Silke

Origin: German diminutive of Celia
Meaning: heaven
Also: Silja

90. Wilda

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: untamed

91. Wilma

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: wishing protection

92. Yvonna

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: Yew

How to choose the perfect German girl name
Choosing the right name for your baby girl can be a tricky task, so here are some tips to help you whittle down your favourites:
Think about nicknames. Before deciding on a name, have a really good think about all the possible ways people could shorten or customise it (or even rhyme with it) and see how happy you are with them. Can the name be shortened? Do you still like the name?
Look at the initials. Think about your baby's surname (and middle name if you've chosen one) and write down the initials of the combinations you're considering.
Pronunciations and spellings. Some German girl names are not very common in the UK and may be difficult for others to pronounce or spell. Will your child have to spend a lot of time correcting people?
Consider the meanings. Do you have an idea in mind of the type of name you want your baby girl to have? Traditional or modern? Strong or delicate? Or perhaps a name that reflects a theme that's important to you — such as nature or religion?

Short German girl names

These lovely German girl names only a few letters and no more than syllables, making them short but beautiful in their simplicity. They are also super-easy to say and spell – which may be important to you – and go well with last names that are longer and have more than 2 or 3 syllables.

93. Alda

Origin: German
Meaning: old

94. Ebba

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: strong
Also: Ebbe

95. Elma

Origin: Old German
Meaning: noble, famous

96. Erna

Origin: Old Norse and Old High German
Meaning: earnest, serious

97. Ida

Origin: Ancient Germanic
Meaning: hard-working

98. Ilse

Origin: German
Meaning: pledged to God

99. Irma

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: ubiquitous, universal, complete

100. Maud

Origin: Old German
Meaning: powerful battler
Also: Maude, Maudy

101. Uta

Origin: Medieval German
Meaning: prosperity

102. Ute

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: prosperous

Strong German girl names

Girl names that emanate strength and power are having bit of a moment, with most-popular baby-name lists the world over teeming like never before with 'kickass' name choices. We've found some great strong German girl names to consider for your baby girl, most of them with meanings that speak of warrior glories and bravery in battle.

103. Adalgunde

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: noble battle
Also: Adalgund, Adelgunde, Adelgonda, Adelgonde

104. Brunhild

Origin: Modern German
Meaning: ready for battle
Also: Brunhilde, Hilde

105. Clotilda

Origin: Old German
Meaning: the noise of battle
Also: Clotilde

106. Edeltraud

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: noble strength
Also: Edeltraut, Adeltraud, Adeltrud, Trude

107. Ermyntrude

Origin: Old German
Meaning: universal strength
Also: Ermentrude

108. Ernestine

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: warrior

109. Geralde

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: spear ruler

110. Geraldine

Origin: Old German/French
Meaning: ruler
Also: Jeraldine

111. Gertrude

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: spear of strength
Also: Gert, Gertrud, Gertraud, Gertie, Trudy, Trudie, Trudi

112. Gesine

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: strength of a spear

113 Gundula

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: fighter

114. Hedda

Origin: Old German
Meaning: warfare

115. Hedwig

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: battle, combat
Also: Edwige, Hedvig, Hedy

116. Hidegard

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: warfare
Also: Hidegarde, Hildegarda

117. Hildebrand

Origin: German
Meaning: sword of battle

118. Hiltrud

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: strength in battle
Also: Hiltrude

119. Irmhild

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: great battle

129. Kunigunde

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: brave, fight
Also: Kunigunda

120. Louisa

Origin: German and French
Meaning: famous warrior
Also: Luisa

121. Ludwiga

Origin: Old German
Meaning: famous warrior

122. Mattie

Origin: German
Meaning: might in battle

123. Mechel

Origin: German
Meaning: strength in battle

124. Mechthild

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: powerful in combat

125. Meinhild

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: strong in battle

126. Millicent

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: strong in work
Also: Milee, Milly, Millie

127. Ottoline

Origin: Old German
Meaning: prosperity in battle

128. Roswitha

Origin: Old German
Meaning: fame and strength

129. Svenja

Origin: Low German
Meaning: young warrior

130. Swanhild

Origin: Old German
Meaning: fighting swan
Also: Swanhilde, Swanhilda, Swanild

131. Tilda

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: strength in battle
Also: Tilde

132. Traudl

Origin: Old German
Meaning: strength of a spear

133. Traute

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: strength

134. Trudhild

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: power, fight
Also: Trudhilde

135. Waldina

Origin: Old German
Meaning: ruler

136. Waltraut

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: ruler of strength
Also: Waltraud, Waltrud, Waltrude

137. Wiebke

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: warrior

138. Wiltrud

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: strength of a spear

139. Zelda

Origin: Old German
Meaning: grey battle

Pretty German girl names

We think all the names in our list of German girl names are beautiful but we've saved these ones for last because we think they are especially pretty and cute – just like we're sure your little girl will be!

140. Adaliya

Origin: German
Meaning: noble one

141. Annika

Origin: Low German
Meaning: gracious
Also: Anika

142. Elsa

Origin: German
Meaning: pledged to God
Also: Elsie

143. Greta

Origin: German
Meaning: pearl

144. Hannelore

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: God is gracious
Also: Hannelora

145. Lorelei

Origin: German
Meaning: lure to the rocks
Also: Lorelai

146. Nele

Origin: German
Meaning: horn

147. Rowena

Origin: German
Meaning: fame and happiness

148. Siegrune

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: secret of victory

149. Tilly

Origin: German
Meaning: might in battle

150. Uda

Origin: Germanic languages
Meaning: prosperous

When do I have to choose my baby girl's name by?

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you have 42 days to register the baby's name once they have been born. In Scotland, new parents must register the baby's birth and name within 3 weeks.

You will need to contact your local register office for an appointment to register your baby's birth.

Remember to take some identification with you and some registrars may ask to see your baby's red book, which is their personal health record. You will then be asked your baby's full name and details about when and where they were born.

The birth must be registered by the baby's mother or father. If you are unmarried and go to the register office alone, you must take a declaration of parentage form signed by the other parent with you.

Pic: Getty

Emily Longman WallDigital Content Producer

Emily is the Digital Content Producer at MadeForMums, working across the brand on everything from pushchairs and car seats to baby names and the latest product launches. She researches topics thoroughly to make sure our content is accurate and helpful for parents and loves bringing the details about latest parenting products and innovations to our audience.