German Soldiers WW2 Names: A Comprehensive List and Meanings

Are you researching the history of World War II and seeking to understand the names of German soldiers? This comprehensive list provides detailed meanings for over 40 common German names, offering insights into their cultural and historical significance. From classic names like "Hans" and "Fritz" to less familiar ones like "Werner" and "Klaus," this resource provides valuable information for historians, genealogists, and anyone interested in learning more about the German experience during World War II.
1. **Adolf:** Noble wolf; meaning "noble wolf," Adolf was a popular name in Germany during the early 20th century, but its association with Adolf Hitler made it largely unpopular after the war.
2. **Albert:** Noble and bright; a Germanic name meaning "noble and bright," Albert was a common name in Germany throughout the 20th century.
3. **Alfred:** Wise counselor; of Germanic origin, Alfred means "wise counselor" and was a popular name in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries.
4. **Andreas:** Manly; a Greek name meaning "manly," Andreas was a popular name in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries.
5. **Anton:** Priceless; meaning "priceless," Anton is a German name of Latin origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany throughout the 20th century.
6. **Arthur:** Bear strength; an English name meaning "bear strength," Arthur was a popular name in Germany during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
7. **August:** Majesty; a Latin name meaning "majestic," August was a common name in Germany throughout the 20th century.
8. **Bernhard:** Brave bear; of Germanic origin, Bernhard means "brave bear" and was a popular name in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries.
9. **Bruno:** Brown; meaning "brown," Bruno is a German name of Latin origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
10. **Carl:** Man; a Germanic name meaning "man," Carl was a popular name in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries.
11. **Christian:** Follower of Christ; a Greek name meaning "follower of Christ," Christian was a popular name in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries.
12. **Daniel:** God is my judge; a Hebrew name meaning "God is my judge," Daniel was a popular name in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries.
13. **Dieter:** Ruler of the people; of Germanic origin, Dieter means "ruler of the people" and was a popular name in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries.
14. **Eberhard:** Strong as a boar; meaning "strong as a boar," Eberhard is a German name of Germanic origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
15. **Erich:** Ever ruler; of Germanic origin, Erich means "ever ruler" and was a popular name in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries.
16. **Ernst:** Serious; meaning "serious," Ernst is a German name of Germanic origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
17. **Franz:** Free man; meaning "free man," Franz is a German name of French origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
18. **Friedrich:** Peaceful ruler; of Germanic origin, Friedrich means "peaceful ruler" and was a popular name in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries.
19. **Fritz:** Peaceful ruler; a German name meaning "peaceful ruler," Fritz was a common nickname for Friedrich and a popular name in its own right during the early 20th century.
20. **Georg:** Farmer; a Greek name meaning "farmer," Georg was a popular name in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries.
21. **Gerhard:** Strong spear; meaning "strong spear," Gerhard is a German name of Germanic origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
22. **Günther:** Warrior; meaning "warrior," Günther is a German name of Germanic origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
23. **Hans:** God is gracious; a German name meaning "God is gracious," Hans was a common name in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries.
24. **Harald:** Army ruler; meaning "army ruler," Harald is a German name of Germanic origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
25. **Heinrich:** Ruler of the house; a Germanic name meaning "ruler of the house," Heinrich was a popular name in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries.
26. **Helmut:** Helmet of protection; meaning "helmet of protection," Helmut is a German name of Germanic origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
27. **Herbert:** Bright army; meaning "bright army," Herbert is a German name of Germanic origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
28. **Hermann:** Man of the army; meaning "man of the army," Hermann is a German name of Germanic origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
29. **Joachim:** God has favored; meaning "God has favored," Joachim is a German name of Hebrew origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
30. **Johannes:** God is gracious; a Hebrew name meaning "God is gracious," Johannes was a popular name in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries.
31. **Josef:** God will increase; a Hebrew name meaning "God will increase," Josef was a popular name in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries.
32. **Karl:** Man; a German name meaning "man," Karl was a popular name in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries.
33. **Klaus:** Anchor; meaning "anchor," Klaus is a German name of Greek origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
34. **Konrad:** Bold counselor; meaning "bold counselor," Konrad is a German name of Germanic origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
35. **Kurt:** Short form of "Conrad"; meaning "bold counselor," Kurt was a common name in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries.
36. **Leonhard:** Lion-hearted; meaning "lion-hearted," Leonhard was a common name in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries.
37. **Ludwig:** Famous warrior; meaning "famous warrior," Ludwig is a German name of Germanic origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
38. **Manfred:** Man of peace; meaning "man of peace," Manfred is a German name of Germanic origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
39. **Martin:** War-like; meaning "war-like," Martin is a German name of Latin origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
40. **Matthias:** Gift of God; meaning "gift of God," Matthias is a German name of Hebrew origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
41. **Max:** Greatest; meaning "greatest," Max is a German name of Latin origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
42. **Otto:** Wealthy; meaning "wealthy," Otto is a German name of Germanic origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
43. **Paul:** Small; meaning "small," Paul is a German name of Latin origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
44. **Peter:** Rock; meaning "rock," Peter is a German name of Greek origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
45. **Richard:** Strong ruler; meaning "strong ruler," Richard is a German name of Germanic origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
46. **Robert:** Bright fame; meaning "bright fame," Robert is a German name of Germanic origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
47. **Rudolf:** Famous wolf; meaning "famous wolf," Rudolf is a German name of Germanic origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
48. **Rupert:** Bright fame; meaning "bright fame," Rupert was a common name in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries.
49. **Walter:** Ruler of the army; meaning "ruler of the army," Walter is a German name of Germanic origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
50. **Werner:** Warrior's protector; meaning "warrior's protector," Werner is a German name of Germanic origin and was a common choice for boys in Germany during the 20th century.
51. **Wilhelm:** Resolute helmet; meaning "resolute helmet," Wilhelm was a popular name in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries.
52. **Wolfgang:** Wolf-gang; meaning "wolf's journey," Wolfgang was a common name in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries.