34 Unique German Girl Names & Meanings

The German language is spoken by a majority of citizens in Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Austria. So, I have selected 34 unique German girl names, and their meanings are included.

Freya

Freya comes from the name of the Old Norse word for noble woman. It is popular in Germany and Scandinavian countries. In Norse mythology, Freyja is a goddess linked with magic, fertility, beauty, and love.

Yvonne

Yvonne is the feminine form of Yvon and means ”Yew tree.” German singer Yvonne Catterfeld released her debut single “Bum” in 2001.

Thekla

Thekla is a name of Greek origin which means “fame of God.” Thekla has been used in Germany for hundreds of years, especially in noble families. German architect Thekla Schild is the 2nd woman in Germany to receive a degree in architecture.

Ursula

Ursula von der Leyen has been the President of the European Commission since 2019. Meaning ”bear,” Ursula is from a diminutive of the Latin ”ursa.”

Monika

Monika finds its roots in the Greek language, and is symbolizing “unique” as all girls are. It is a variation of Monica.

Sibylle

Sibylle is the German variation of Sybil, a name with Greek roots.

Hedwig

The German girl’s name Hedwig comes from Old High German Haduwig meaning ”battle” or ”combat.” Hedwig of Babenberg was the mother of King Henry the Fowler. Hadewi, Hathuwic, Hatuwig, Hathewiga, Hatuuih, Hedewiga are different variations of the name Hedwig.

Bathilda

Bathilda is of Old Germanic origin and means “bright battle.”

Brigitte

Brigitte is a French and German variant of Bridget, a name from the Gaelic noun brígh (vigor).

Heidi

Heidi is the German form of the English girl name Adelaide, which means “of noble birth.” In Germany, Heidi became popular after the Swiss author Johanna Spyri released the children’s book, Heidi. About 50 million books have been sold.

Brunhilde

Brunhilde is composed of the Germanic elements ”brun” (meaning armor) and ”hild” (meaning battle). German composer Brunhilde Sonntag worked as co-editor of the Journal of Music Education.

Kamilla

Kamilla is the German variant of Camilla which means “helper to the priest.”

Facts about the German language

German is part of the West Germanic language family. All nouns in the German language are capitalized.

English and German share 60% of their vocabulary. Denglish is the term used to describe German-English hybrid words.

The “Gutenberg Bible” was published in 1454 and was written in German.

The word “German” is from the Latin alamanus, which means “all men.”

Käthe

Käthe is from the Germanic name Katharina that itself is the German form of Katherine.

Dietlinde

Dietlinde means “soft person.”

Roswitha

Roswitha means ‘famous strength’ and is made of the German elements *hrod* (fame) and *swith* (strong).

Lieselotte

Lieselotte is composed of the names Lise and Lotte. Lise is a diminutive form of Elisabeth which is a variation of the Hebrew name Elisheva (“My God is abundance”). Lotte is a diminutive of Charlotte the female form of the name Charles (“free man”). German chemist Lieselotte Feikes was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Gretel

Gretel is a variant of Greta, a name that I love and with origins in the Greek ”margarites.”

READ MORE: Beautiful Biblical Girl Names

Ingeborg

Meaning “stronghold,” Ingeborg is from Old Norse Ingiborg. Ingeborg is popular in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany.

Ottilie

Ottilie is rooted in the masculine name Otto which means ”wealth.” Ottilie of Katzenelnbogen was the daughter of Philipp II ”the Younger” of Katzenelnbogen.

Hannelore

Hannelore is symbolizing “God is gracious.” Hannelore is made of Hanne (short form of Johanna) and Lore (diminutive of Eleanor).

Marlies

Marlies comes from the name Mary which has its origins in the Greek María (beloved).

Angelika

Angelika is rooted in the Greek ángelos, which means “messenger.” German para cyclist Angelika Dreock-Käser represented Germany at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.

How to choose a unique German name for your baby girl

Look within your extended family tree.

Say the German name out loud to hear how it sounds.

Consider the practicality of the name in both German and international contexts.

Don’t forget to consider nicknames.

Agathe

Agather is the German form of Agatha, a name that has its origins in the Greek adjectiveagathós (meaning “good”).

Katrin

Katrin means “pure.” Katrin is a shortened version of Katherine.

Hannah

”Grace.” It is also spelled Chana or Hanah.

Johanna

Johanna is a form of Joanna, a name rooted in the Hebrew Yôḥānāh which means ”God is gracious.”

Karla

Meaning ”ree man,” the feminine Germanic name Karla comes from the word ”karl.”

Bertha

Bertha comes from Old High German ”berhta,” which means “bright one.” Bertha of Kent was the queen of Kent.

Edelgard

Edelgard means “noble enclosure.”

Emilia

Emilia is the feminine form of Emilio and it means “strive to equal.”

Gunda

“Female warrior.” In the late 19th century Gunda was popular in the Scandinavian countries.

Lotte

Lotte is a diminutive of Lieselotte. I have explained the meaning of the name Lieselotte above.