AHEAD: The ultimate list of German names for boys—plus their meanings and popularity.

On the hunt for an amazing German boys’ name that’s cool in the United States?

You’re in the right place!

Below, I’ve rounded up every single male German name that’s even the slightest bit modern and cool.

Let’s go check out this huge list of German boy names and find the perfect one for your son!

Feel free to use the Table of Contents to jump to a specific style, or keep on scrolling and view all of these German names for boys.

Related: German Girl Names

Popular German boy names in the U.S.

These names of German origin are ranking in the top 400 here in the United States.

Unless otherwise noted, the popularity data throughout this article is for names in the United States.

Archie

• Name meaning: Truly brave.
• Popularity: #399

Barrett

• Name meaning: Bear strength.
• Popularity: #192

Emmett or Emmitt

• Name meaning: Universal.
• Popularity: Emmett ranks #103 and Emmitt ranks #544.

Everett

• Name meaning: Strong and brave. Wild boar.
• Popularity: #82

Hendrix

• Name meaning: Son of Hendrik or estate ruler.
• Popularity: #275

Kyler

• Name meaning: Church. Monk’s cell.
• Popularity: Kyler ranks #242 and Kylar isn’t ranking.

Ryker or Riker

• Name meaning: Rich. (Will Riker is First Officer on the Enterprise in Star Trek: The Next Generation.)
• Popularity: #153

Zane or Zayn or Zayne or Zain

• Name meaning: God is gracious. Beauty and grace.
• Popularity: Zane ranks #238, Zayn is #281, and Zayne is #378, Zain is #588.

If you like these popular German boy names you might also like this list of two-syllable boy names.

Short German names for boys

All of these German boys’ names are as mini as they come—they’re just 3 or 4 letters.

Aldo

• Name meaning: Wise or noble.
• Popularity: #983

Bode

• Name meaning: Might mean messenger or enlightenment.
• Popularity: #823

Chaz

• Name meaning: Short for Charles, meaning free man.
• Popularity: This German C name last ranked in 2009.

Hank

• Name meaning: Short for Henry and Hendrik, meaning estate ruler.
• Popularity: #433

Hugh

• Name meaning: Mind.
• Popularity: #746

Kent

• Name meaning: Edge or border.
• Popularity: This German K name last ranked in 2003.

King or Kyng

• Name meaning: Ruler.
• Popularity: King ranks #185 and Kyng is #902 .

Kurt

• Name meaning: Courteous.
• Popularity: Kurt last ranked in 2005. Curt isn’t currently ranking either.

Milo or Mylo

• Name meaning: Dear or beloved. Soldier.
• Popularity: Milo ranks #127 and Mylo is #745.

Otis

• Name meaning: Wealth. Son of Ode.
• Popularity: #647

Otto

• Name meaning: Wealth. Son of Ode.
• Popularity: #336

Rod

• Name meaning: Short for Roderick or Rodney meaning famous ruler and Hroda’s island, respectively.
• Popularity: This German R name isn’t ranking.

Ross

• Name meaning: A narrow piece of land that projects from a coastline into the sea. Might also mean horse.
• Popularity: This one-syllable boys’ name hasn’t ranked since 2012.

If you like these mini German boy names you might also like this complete list of short boys’ names.

Rare German boy names

These badass German baby boy names aren’t ones you hear every day. That said, they’re not too far out there and are definitely suitable for a modern little dude.

Brenner

• Name meaning: Charcoal burner.
• Popularity: This German B name isn’t ranking.

Diesel or Diezel

• Name meaning: Fuel.
• Popularity: Neither spelling of this edgy boys’ name is ranking.

Jeter

• Name meaning: To throw.
• Popularity: This J name isn’t ranking.

Kepler

• Name meaning: Maker of cloaks and hoods. (The name of a famous astronomer and mathematician.)
• Popularity: This male German name isn’t ranking.

Knight

• Name meaning: Honored soldier.
• Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Levin or Levon

• Name meaning: Dear friend.
• Popularity: Neither spelling of this name is ranking.

Mayer or Meyer

• Name meaning: Superior.
• Popularity: This German boys’ M name isn’t ranking.

Worth

• Name meaning: Several possible meanings: fenced-in farm, to honor, value.
• Popularity: This male W name isn’t ranking.

Ziggy

• Name meaning: Victory.
• Popularity: This German Z name isn’t ranking.

If you like these unusual German boy names you might also like this list of hippie names.

Gender-neutral German names

These German baby names would work for a boy or a girl!

August

• Name meaning: Magnificent.
• Popularity: This German A name ranks #121 for boys and #843 for girls.

Emerson

• Name meaning: Son of Emery.
• Popularity: This E name ranks #279 for boys. For girls, Emerson ranks #167 and Emersyn is #148.

Emery or Emory

• Name meaning: Brave or industrious.
• Popularity: Emery ranks #764 and Emory is #817. For girls, Emery ranks #89, Emory ranks #477, and Emerie ranks #628.

Keller

• Name meaning: Cellar master. Overseer of the household.
• Popularity: This neutral K name isn’t ranking for either gender.

Landry

• Name meaning: Powerful land ruler.
• Popularity: This German L name ranks #962 for boys and #962 for girls.

Winter

• Name meaning: The coldest season.
• Popularity: This season name isn’t ranking for boys but ranks #324 for girls.

If you like these gender-neutral German first names you’ll also like this huge list of cool nonbinary names.

Timeless German baby boy names

The following German names for boys don’t tend to evoke any particular decade, making them timeless. Some of these are super traditional, but as you’ll see, they continue to rank in the top 1000 today.

Brant

• Name meaning: Sword.
• Popularity: This German boys’ name hasn’t ranked since 2001.

Charles or Charlie

• Name meaning: Free person.
• Popularity: Charles ranks #50 and Charlie is #189.

Conrad

• Name meaning: Bold counsel.
• Popularity: #534

Derek or Derrick

• Name meaning: From Theodoric, meaning ruler of the people.
• Popularity: Derek ranks #301 and Derrick is #611. Derick last ranked in 2012. Deric and Derrek aren’t ranking.

Frederick

• Name meaning: Peaceful ruler.
• Popularity: #476

Henry

• Name meaning: Estate ruler.
• Popularity: #9  FYI: Henry currently ranks #13 in Germany.

Hugo

• Name meaning: Mind.
• Popularity: #434

Jeffrey or Jeffery

• Name meaning: Peaceful.
• Popularity: Jeffrey ranks #425 and Jeffery is #989.

Robert

• Name meaning: Bright fame. Shining with glory.
• Popularity: #79

Walter

• Name meaning: Powerful warrior, bright warrior, forest warrior.
• Popularity: #271

William

• Name meaning: Vehement protector.
• Popularity: #6

If you like these timeless and old-fashioned German boys’ names you may also like this list of southern names.

Nature-inspired German baby names

If you’re a nature lover, these organic German boys’ names are for you!

Bergen

• Name meaning: One who lives on a hill or a mountain.
• Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Birch

• Name meaning: Tree.
• Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Boden

• Name meaning: Hill.
• Popularity: Boden ranks #827. Bowden and Beauden aren’t ranking.

Dresden

• Name meaning: People of the forest. One of the largest cities in Germany.
• Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Harlan

• Name meaning: Rocky land.
• Popularity: #637

Kellan or Kellen or Kellin

• Name meaning: Swamp. Slender.
• Popularity: Kellan ranks #835 and Kellen is #862. Kellin isn’t ranking.

Lance

• Name meaning: Land or territory.
• Popularity: #811

Lanzo

• Name meaning: Land or territory.
• Popularity: This German boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Morris

• Name meaning: Several possible meanings, such as of the marsh.
• Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Ridge

• Name meaning: A chain of mountains or hills.
• Popularity: #558

Rosen

• Name meaning: Roses.
• Popularity: This German boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Stone

• Name meaning: Rock.
• Popularity: This name last ranked in 2019.

Storm

• Name meaning: Weather event.
• Popularity: This name isn’t ranking.

Timber

• Name meaning: Growing trees. Wood suitable for building.
• Popularity: This T name isn’t ranking.

Wilder or Wylder

• Name meaning: Untamed.
• Popularity: Wilder ranks #368 and Wylder is #976.

If you like these nature German boys’ names you may also like this list of hippie names.

Animal-inspired German boy names

The following German names for boys have meanings related to animals!

Adler

• Name meaning: Eagle.
• Popularity: #910

Bernard

• Name meaning: Brave bear.
• Popularity: Bernard last ranked in 2008 and Bernardo last ranked in 2007.

Fox

• Name meaning: Wild animal.
• Popularity: #939

Hawk

• Name meaning: Bird of prey.
• Popularity: This German boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Ingram

• Name meaning: Raven.
• Popularity: This I name isn’t ranking.

Leonard

• Name meaning: Brave or strong lion.
• Popularity: #649

Wilbur or Wilber

• Name meaning: Brilliant. Wild boar.
• Popularity: Neither spelling of this German male name is ranking.

Wolf

• Name meaning: A large canine.
• Popularity: This name isn’t ranking.

If you like these animal German boys’ names you may also like this list of names for rainbow babies.

Unique German boy names

The following German names for boys are unique but not obscure. All of them are ranking in the top 1000 here in the United States.

Alaric

• Name meaning: Ruler.
• Popularity: #861

Jeremias

• Name meaning: German variation of Jeremiah, meaning appointed by God.
• Popularity: #947

Johan

• Name meaning: German version of John, meaning graced by God.
• Popularity: #628

Kaiser or Kaizer or Kyzer or Kyser

• Name meaning: Emperor.
• Popularity: Kaiser ranks #793. Kaizer, Kyzer, and Kyser aren’t ranking.

Niklaus

• Name meaning: People of victory.
• Popularity: #839

Rocco

• Name meaning: Rest.
• Popularity: #502

Roland

• Name meaning: Famous land.
• Popularity: #668

Stefan

• Name meaning: Wreath, crown, honor, reward, royalty, fame.
• Popularity: #892

Valentino or Valentin

• Name meaning: Strength.
• Popularity: Valentino ranks #561 and Valentin is #821.

If you like these unique German boy names you might also like this list of 3-syllable names.

Unusual German boy names

If you’re looking for German boys’ names that no one else has, this list is for you!

Ansel

• Name meaning: Follower of a nobleman. With divine protection.
• Popularity: This male German name isn’t ranking.

Bauer

• Name meaning: Peasant or farmer. Neighbor or fellow citizen.
• Popularity: This German baby boy name isn’t ranking.

Berlin

• Name meaning: The capital of Germany. The name comes from ‘river rake’, a scaffold of beams built over a river to prevent logs from jamming.
• Popularity: This very German boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Carsten or Karsten or Karston

• Name meaning: Christian.
• Popularity: None of the spellings of this German name are ranking.

Decker

• Name meaning: Roofer.
• Popularity: This D name hasn’t ranked since 2018.

Dodge

• Name meaning: Short for Rodger, meaning famous warrior.
• Popularity: This German male name isn’t ranking.

Gatsby

• Name meaning: A locational name. Best known for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby.
• Popularity: This boys’ baby name isn’t ranking.

Gunther

• Name meaning: Battle fighter.
• Popularity: This G name isn’t ranking.

Herald

• Name meaning: Messenger.
• Popularity: This H name isn’t ranking.

Kiefer

• Name meaning: Overseer of a wine cellar. Pine tree.
• Popularity: This German boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Kirby

• Name meaning: Settlement by a church.
• Popularity: This male name isn’t ranking.

Leopold

• Name meaning: Brave people.
• Popularity: This royal boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Merrick

• Name meaning: Fame and power.
• Popularity: This male name isn’t ranking.

Oswald

• Name meaning: Power of God.
• Popularity: This O name isn’t ranking.

Roderick

• Name meaning: Famous ruler.
• Popularity: This boys’ name last ranked in 2012.

Wagner

• Name meaning: Wagon driver or builder (occupation).
• Popularity: This German name isn’t ranking.

Werner

• Name meaning: The defender. The defending warrior.
• Popularity: This name isn’t ranking.

If you like these rare German boy names you might also like this list of space names.

German names for boys that are past their prime

Even though the following German male names are ranking in the top 1000, I personally think they’ve seen better days.

Alan or Allen or Allan

• Name meaning: Many possible meanings including rock, handsome, cheerful, fox, deer, etc.
• Popularity: Alan ranks #197, Allen is #529, and Allan is #836.

Albert or Alberto

• Name meaning: Noble or bright.
• Popularity: Albert ranks #564 and Alberto is #702.

Bobby

• Name meaning: Short for Robert, meaning shining with glory.
• Popularity: #845

Bruno

• Name meaning: Brown.
• Popularity: #664

Carl

• Name meaning: German version of Charles, meaning free person.
• Popularity: #927

Frank

• Name meaning: Short for Francis or Franklin, meaning Frenchman or free man.
• Popularity: #444

Gary

• Name meaning: Spear or spear king.
• Popularity: #904

Gerald

• Name meaning: Spear king.
• Popularity: #954

Randy

• Name meaning: Short for Randall or Randolph, meaning shield wolf.
• Popularity: #917

Raymond

• Name meaning: Counseling protector or famous protector.
• Popularity: #330

Richard

• Name meaning: Powerful, brave, strong.
• Popularity: #216

Ricky

• Name meaning: Short for Richard, meaning powerful, brave, or strong.
• Popularity: #770

Roger

• Name meaning: Renowned spear.
• Popularity: #686

Rudy

• Name meaning: Short for Rudolph, meaning famous wolf.
• Popularity: #819

Of course, if any of these male German baby names appeal to you, forget what I think and go with what you like!

Common German names in Germany

All of these German boy names are currently popular in Germany.

Anton

• Name meaning: From Anthony, a Roman family name.
• Popularity: This German boys’ name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but ranks #18 in Germany.

Fritz

• Name meaning: A nickname for Friedrich or Frederick, meaning peaceful ruler.
• Popularity: This German F name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but ranks #76 in Germany.

Hannes

• Name meaning: From Johannes, meaning God is gracious.
• Popularity: This German baby name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but ranks #46 in Germany.

Johannes

• Name meaning: From John, meaning God is gracious.
• Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but ranks #79 in Germany.

Ludwig

• Name meaning: Famous warrior.
• Popularity: This German boys’ name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but ranks #86 in Germany.

Malte

• Name meaning: Helmet-govern or assembly.
• Popularity: This male German baby name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but ranks #85 in Germany.

Mats or Mattis

• Name meaning: From Matthias or Matthew, meaning gift of God.
• Popularity: Neither of these German boy names are ranking in the U.S. but they rank #33 and #77 in Germany, respectively.

Moritz

• Name meaning: German version of Maurice, meaning dark-skinned.
• Popularity: This German name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but ranks #23 in Germany.

Oskar

• Name meaning: Friend of deer.
• Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but ranks #21 in Germany.

Thilo

• Name meaning: A variation of Theodore or Theodoric, meaning ruler of the people or God-given.
• Popularity: This German boys’ name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but ranks #98 in Germany.

If you like international names you might also like this list of French boy names.

Bonus List: Popular names in Germany that *aren’t* actually German

Here are a bunch of boys’ names that are currently popular in Germany but originate from other parts of the world.

As you’ll see, almost all of these are popular in the States as well.

Ben

• Name meaning: Son of my right hand.
• Popularity: Benjamin ranks #7 and Ben is #763.  This Hebrew name ranks #7 in Germany.

Elias

• Name meaning: Greek version of Elijah, meaning Yahweh is God.
• Popularity: #48  This Greek name ranks #5 in Germany.

Emil

• Name meaning: Rival. Eager. Excel.
• Popularity: Emil isn’t ranking.  This Latin name ranks #9 in Germany.

Felix

• Name meaning: Fortunate.
• Popularity: #193  This Latin name ranks #12 in Germany.

Finn

• Name meaning: White.
• Popularity: #184  This Irish boys’ name ranks #4 in Germany.

Jakob

• Name meaning: To follow. Supplanter.
• Popularity: Jacob ranks #24 and Jakob is #850.  This Hebrew name ranks #19 in Germany.

Jonah

• Name meaning: Dove.
• Popularity: #140  This Hebrew name ranks #29 in Germany.

Jonas

• Name meaning: Greek version of Jonah, meaning dove.
• Popularity: #525  This Greek name ranks #14 in Germany.

Leo

• Name meaning: Lion.
• Popularity: #31  This Latin name ranks #17 in Germany.

Leon

• Name meaning: Greek version of Leo, meaning Lion.
• Popularity: #177  This Greek/Latin name ranks #3 in Germany.

Levi

• Name meaning: Joined.
• Popularity: #12  This Hebrew name ranks #22 in Germany.

Liam

• Name meaning: Will. Resolution. Helmet. Protector.
• Popularity: #1  This Irish name ranks #15 in Germany.

Related: Middle Names for Liam

Luca

• Name meaning: Man from Lucania, a historical region of Southern Italy.
• Popularity: Luca ranks #42, Luka is #115, and Lucca is #469. This Italian boy name ranks #8 in Germany.

Lukas

• Name meaning: Man from Lucania, a historical region of Southern Italy.
• Popularity: Lucas ranks #8 and Lukas is #227.  This Latin name ranks #16 in Germany.

Louis

• Name meaning: Warrior or knight.
• Popularity: Luis ranks #137, Louis is #251, and Lewis ranks #487.  This English name ranks #10 in Germany.

Matteo

• Name meaning: Italian version of Matthew, meaning Gift of God.
• Popularity: #166  This Italian name ranks #1 in Germany!

Max or Maximilian

• Name meaning: The greatest.
• Popularity: #547  These Latin names rank #27 and #20 in Germany, respectively.

Milan

• Name meaning: A city in Italy known for fashion.
• Popularity: This name ranks #388 for boys and #655 for girls.  This Italian name ranks #25 in Germany.

Noah

• Name meaning: Motion. Or rest.
• Popularity: For boys, Noah ranks #2. For girls, Noah ranks #692 and Noa is #330.  This Hebrew N name ranks #2 in Germany.

Paul

• Name meaning: Small or humble.
• Popularity: #257  This Latin P name ranks #6 in Germany.

Theo

• Name meaning: God-given. Divine gift.
• Popularity: Theodore ranks #10 and Theo is #142.  This Greek name ranks #11 in Germany.

Related: Middle Names for Theo

Hopefully, you’ve found a few lead contenders on this list of German names for boys, or at least come away with some baby name inspiration.

If you still haven’t found the perfect baby name for your son, here are some additional lists to check out…

More baby names for boys:

• 135 Short Boy Names for Modern Babies
• 60 Modern Nonbinary Names
• 250 Hippie Names for your Boho Baby

Final thoughts on German boy names

Perhaps you’re looking to honor your German heritage…

Or you’ve got a German theme for your kids’ names…

Or maybe you just happen to like anything and everything German! (Totally valid, btw).

No matter your motivation, thankfully, German names for boys are abundant!

Here are the 10 most popular (in America) male German names in rank order:

#6   William
#9   Henry
#50  Charles
#79  Robert
#82  Everett
#103 Emmett
#121 August
#127 Milo
#153 Ryker
#279 Emerson

Whether you choose to go with a moniker that’s popular or more obscure, all of the names on this enormous list of German boy names are solid!

Congratulations and good luck choosing the perfect name for your kleiner junge!

German Boy Names