German girl names
Most widely given today: Mia, Elise and Ema.
21 girl names whose etymology traces to German, with the rank in the home country where one publishes a list.
Germany publishes no national statistics on first names. German figures here are city lists (Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Bonn, Leipzig, Rostock), never the country.
from Miriam,
possibly bitter
Say it MEE-uh
Roots in German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian and Danish from Miriam,
possibly bitter
2 syllablesGiven in her home country: Berlin 5th and Munich 8th
Loved in four German cities, Slovenia, Switzerland and ten more places. Common across Ireland, British Columbia, Quebec and 14 more places. Rare in Sweden.
1 in 102 girls born in Ireland in 2025
1 in 1,278 in Scotland
Say it eh-LEES
Roots in French, German and Hebrew 2 syllables
Given in her home country: Berlin 153rd
Common across Sweden, Norway and one more place. Rare in the Netherlands, France, Canada and 11 more places.
1 in 1,278 girls born in Scotland in 2025
from Emma,
entire
Say it EM-uh
German origin from Emma,
entire
2 syllablesGiven in her home country: Berlin 339th
Loved in Slovenia and one more place. Rare in Switzerland, Austria, Berlin and ten more places.
1 in 5,282 girls born in Ireland in 2025
from Elisabeth,
my God is an oath
Say it EL-suh
Roots in German and Hebrew from Elisabeth,
my God is an oath
2 syllablesGiven in her home country: Berlin 428th
Loved in Sweden. Common across Spain and one more place. Rare in Catalonia, France, Norway and 15 more places.
1 in 2,236 girls born in Scotland in 2025
1 in 2,429 in Northern Ireland
Say it MEE-nuh
Roots in German, Arabic and Sanskrit 2 syllables
Given in her home country: Berlin 42nd and Munich 78th
Common across six German cities, Norway, Slovenia and one more place. Rare in Austria, the Netherlands, Canada and seven more places.
1 in 2,429 girls born in Northern Ireland in 2025
1 in 324 in England and Wales
Say it OT-ih-lee
German origin 3 syllables
Common in England and Wales. Rare in three German cities, Scotland, Ireland and two more places.
1 in 324 girls born in England and Wales in 2025
1 in 100 in Norway
Say it HED-vig
German origin 2 syllables
Common across Norway and Sweden.
1 in 100 girls born in Norway in 2025
1 in 63,320 in England and Wales
Say it mar-LEEN
Roots in Hebrew and German 2 syllables
Given in her home country: Berlin 71st and Munich 40th
Common across six German cities and Austria. Rare in Norway, Italy, Switzerland and two more places.
1 in 63,320 girls born in England and Wales in 2025
ermine
Say it her-MEEN
German origin
ermine
2 syllablesCommon in Norway. Rare in four German cities, Austria, Sweden and two more places.
1 in 225 girls born in Norway in 2025
1 in 411 in Norway
Say it VIL-mah
Roots in German and English 2 syllables
Common across Sweden and two more places. Rare in Norway, France, Italy and one more place.
1 in 411 girls born in Norway in 2025
1 in 179,169 in Italy
Say it IL-seh
German origin 2 syllables
Common in Sweden. Rare in the Netherlands and Italy.
1 in 179,169 girls born in Italy in 2024
white
Say it bee-AHN-kah
Roots in German and Italian
white
3 syllablesCommon across Poland and one more place. Rare in Austria, England and Wales, France and two more places.
1 in 14,071 girls born in England and Wales in 2025
riches
Say it OH-dah
German origin
riches
2 syllablesCommon in Norway. Rare in Poland.
1 in 311 girls born in Norway in 2025
loud; famous + battle
Say it loo-EE-zeh
German origin
loud; famous + battle
3 syllablesGiven in her home country: Berlin 80th and Munich 102nd
Common in five German cities. Rare in Munich, Austria, Switzerland and one more place.
1 in 1,429 girls born in Austria in 2025
1 in 5,628 in England and Wales
Say it NEL-uh
German origin 2 syllables
Rare in Poland, Austria, Sweden and five more places. Common in Finland.
1 in 5,628 girls born in England and Wales in 2025
1 in 829 in Switzerland
Say it SEE-nah
German origin 2 syllables
Rare in three German cities, Switzerland, Austria and two more places.
1 in 829 girls born in Switzerland in 2025
1 in 36,183 in England and Wales
Say it mar-LAY-nuh
Roots in Hebrew and German 3 syllables
Given in her home country: Berlin 465th and Munich 201st
Rare in Poland, five German cities, Austria and three more places.
1 in 36,183 girls born in England and Wales in 2025
serious, earnest
Say it ER-nah
Roots in German and Germanic
serious, earnest
2 syllablesRare in Slovenia, Cologne, Austria and four more places.
1 in 11,907 girls born in Austria in 2025
1 in 63,320 in England and Wales
Say it NEL-ee
German origin 2 syllables
Rare in four German cities, Sweden, Switzerland and two more places.
1 in 63,320 girls born in England and Wales in 2025
1 in 63,320 in England and Wales
Say it MEE-ah
Roots in German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian and Danish 2 syllables
Rare in Poland, Austria, France and one more place.
1 in 63,320 girls born in England and Wales in 2025
noble
Say it AH-deh-leh
German origin
noble
3 syllablesLast listed in Estonia, 22nd in 2024.