Medieval German Names: A Guide to Historical Nomenclature

Delve into the rich history of medieval Germany with this comprehensive list of names, revealing the stories and meanings behind them. From noble knights to humble villagers, these names offer a glimpse into the lives and values of people living in the Middle Ages. Discover the significance of each name, understanding its origins, cultural context, and the character traits it symbolized. This exploration of medieval German names allows you to connect with the past and appreciate the enduring power of language.
1. **Adelheid:** Of noble kind; noble strength; noble nature.
2. **Agnes:** Pure; holy; chaste.
3. **Albert:** Noble; bright; shining.
4. **Alexander:** Defender of mankind.
5. **Alfred:** Wise counsel; elf-like counsel.
6. **Aloysius:** Famous warrior.
7. **Amalie:** Industrious; hard-working.
8. **Anna:** Grace; favor.
9. **Arnold:** Strong as an eagle.
10. **Arthur:** Bear; strong; noble.
11. **August:** Majestic; worthy of respect.
12. **Barbara:** Foreign; strange; from a foreign land.
13. **Beatrice:** She who brings happiness.
14. **Benedict:** Blessed; God's blessing.
15. **Bernhard:** Strong as a bear; brave as a bear.
16. **Bertha:** Bright; famous; illustrious.
17. **Brigitte:** Strong; powerful; exalted.
18. **Bruno:** Brown; dark.
19. **Carl:** Free man; strong man.
20. **Caspar:** Treasurer; steward.
21. **Catherine:** Pure; chaste; holy.
22. **Cecilia:** Blind; she who is blind to the world.
23. **Clara:** Bright; clear; shining.
24. **Conrad:** Bold counsel; brave advisor.
25. **Daniel:** God is my judge.
26. **David:** Beloved; friend.
27. **Dietrich:** Ruler of the people.
28. **Dorothea:** Gift of God.
29. **Edmund:** Wealthy guardian.
30. **Edward:** Wealthy guardian; rich protector.
31. **Elisabeth:** My God is an oath.
32. **Emanuel:** God is with us.
33. **Emma:** Universal; whole; complete.
34. **Eric:** Ever ruler; always powerful.
35. **Ernst:** Serious; earnest.
36. **Eva:** Life; living one.
37. **Ferdinand:** Brave journey; bold traveler.
38. **Franz:** Free man; French man.
39. **Frederick:** Peaceful ruler.
40. **Gabriel:** God is my strength.
41. **Georg:** Farmer; landworker.
42. **Gerda:** Protected by a spear.
43. **Gertrude:** Strength of war; spear strength.
44. **Gisela:** Hostage; pledge.
45. **Gotthold:** God's strength.
46. **Gregor:** Watchful; alert.
47. **Heinrich:** Ruler of the home; home ruler.
48. **Helene:** Light; torch; sun.
49. **Hermann:** Army man; warrior.
50. **Hildegard:** Holy warfare.
51. **Hugo:** Mind; spirit; intellect.
52. **Ida:** Industrious; hard-working.
53. **Ignatius:** Fiery; passionate.
54. **Ilse:** Promise; pledge; vow.
55. **Ingrid:** Beautiful; graceful; lovely.
56. **Isabella:** Dedicated to God.
57. **Jacob:** He will prevail; God is gracious.
58. **Jakob:** He will prevail; God is gracious.
59. **Johanna:** God is merciful.
60. **Johannes:** God is merciful.
61. **Joseph:** He will increase.
62. **Judith:** Praise; she who is praised.
63. **Julius:** Youthful; downy-bearded.
64. **Karl:** Free man; strong man.
65. **Katharina:** Pure; chaste; holy.
66. **Klaus:** Anchorite; hermit.
67. **Klara:** Bright; clear; shining.
68. **Konrad:** Bold counsel; brave advisor.
69. **Leonhard:** Brave lion; strong lion.
70. **Leopold:** Brave people.
71. **Ludwig:** Famous warrior; famous in battle.
72. **Magdalena:** From Magdala.
73. **Margarete:** Pearl; precious; valuable.
74. **Maria:** Bitter; rebellious; stubborn.
75. **Markus:** Dedicated to Mars; warrior.
76. **Martin:** Dedicated to Mars; warrior.
77. **Mathilde:** Mighty in battle.
78. **Matthias:** Gift of God.
79. **Maximilian:** Greatest; strongest.
80. **Mechthild:** Powerful; mighty; strong.
81. **Michael:** Who is like God?
82. **Monika:** Dedicated to the moon; moon worshipper.
83. **Moritz:** Black Moor.
84. **Nikolaus:** Victory of the people.
85. **Otto:** Wealth; prosperous.
86. **Paul:** Small; humble.
87. **Peter:** Rock; stone.
88. **Philipp:** Lover of horses.
89. **Reinhard:** Wise counsel; wise advisor.
90. **Richard:** Brave ruler.
91. **Robert:** Bright fame; shining glory.
92. **Rudolf:** Famous wolf; wolf of glory.
93. **Rupert:** Bright glory.
94. **Sabine:** Sabina; from the Sabine mountains.
95. **Salomon:** Peaceful; safe; at peace.
96. **Samuel:** God has heard me.
97. **Sebastian:** From Sebaste; from Sebastia.
98. **Siegfried:** Victorious peace; peace victory.
99. **Sigmund:** Victorious protector; protector of victory.
100. **Simon:** He has heard.
101. **Sofia:** Wisdom.
102. **Stefan:** Crown; diadem.
103. **Theodor:** God's gift.
104. **Thomas:** Twin.
105. **Ulrich:** Powerful ruler; strong ruler.
106. **Ursula:** Bear; strong; wild.
107. **Valentin:** Strong; healthy.
108. **Veronika:** Victorious bringer.
109. **Viktor:** Victorious; conqueror.
110. **Vilhelm:** Will helmet; protective will.
111. **Walter:** Ruler of the army; army ruler.
112. **Wilhelm:** Will helmet; protective will.
113. **Wolfgang:** Wolf's journey.
114. **Zacharias:** God has remembered.