Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

German girl names

69 replies

SnowmenMadeofIcecream · 03/04/2023 18:56

Hello

I'm looking for names for my baby girl due in a few weeks. I live in a German speaking country so the name needs to work well in German and English.

So far on our list we have:
Sabrina
Imogen
Cassandra/Cassie
Tessa

Any other ideas? We're a bit stuck. Thank you!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
YouSoundLovely · 04/04/2023 14:50

Apologise for insensitive phrasing in my last post and have reported.

Keiki · 04/04/2023 14:52

Lydia, Veronica, Julia

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 04/04/2023 15:02

Andrea

YouSoundLovely · 04/04/2023 15:09

More observations: Cassandra I wouldn't go for because the Greek myth is more well-known in Germany than in the UK generally - a 'Kassandraruf' means a prediction of doom. Cassie will turn into 'Kessie' in no time. I like Tessa - simple and virtually no pronunciation difference, not well-known as a name in Germany. You could go Theresa on the birth cert (although having a birth cert name and a known-as name isn't such a thing in Germany).

Claudia is very much in the 'equivalent to Janet/Beryl' category and Andrea is 60s-80s.

Thecatisboss · 04/04/2023 15:39

Be careful with names with a th in them as this is pronounced very differently. Dorothea was pronounced as Doroteaa.

Hbh17 · 04/04/2023 15:52

Sigrun
Martina
Sabine

petermaddog · 04/04/2023 16:02

peta

Baldieheid · 04/04/2023 16:04

I have a German friend called Nicole.

AndISeeNothingWrongWithThat · 04/04/2023 16:44

www.germannames.de/wiki/Name_List_Female

I found this site really useful when choosing a cat name, recently! (No children.) 😸

Personally, I really like Hannelore, Liesel(otte), Hildegard, Gretchen etc.

Most English-speakers will pronounce German/Austrian names exactly as spelled instead of the "proper" pronunciations, I guess, unless you correct it every time. Gretchen sounds quite scratchy in comparison to the softer "Great-hyen" pronunciation etc.

Original poster
SnowmenMadeofIcecream · 04/04/2023 19:01

YouSoundLovely · 04/04/2023 15:09

More observations: Cassandra I wouldn't go for because the Greek myth is more well-known in Germany than in the UK generally - a 'Kassandraruf' means a prediction of doom. Cassie will turn into 'Kessie' in no time. I like Tessa - simple and virtually no pronunciation difference, not well-known as a name in Germany. You could go Theresa on the birth cert (although having a birth cert name and a known-as name isn't such a thing in Germany).

Claudia is very much in the 'equivalent to Janet/Beryl' category and Andrea is 60s-80s.

Thank you, that's really helpful. And thanks to all the other posters too for the ideas. Lots to think about now!

OP posts:
EmmaGrundyForPM · 04/04/2023 19:03

Astrid
Anna
Greta

DuchessOfSausage · 04/04/2023 19:20

I agree with you @Igneococcus , and I see it on other different language baby names threads - the names usually seem middle-aged. Often, they won't even be from the language specified.

CattySam · 04/04/2023 19:26

I know sisters in UK with German parents.
Lotte and Clara, which I think are both beautiful.

AnnaMagnani · 04/04/2023 19:33

DuchessOfSausage · 04/04/2023 19:20

I agree with you @Igneococcus , and I see it on other different language baby names threads - the names usually seem middle-aged. Often, they won't even be from the language specified.

Totally agree with this. The names I know and love are all for adults - some I suspect would be seen like Ethel or Margery in their country of origin, let alone Linda or Tracy.

Looking at the actual top 100 baby names, none of my favourites are loved by current new parents at all.

coloursquare · 04/04/2023 22:12

Pia

Sugarfree23 · 04/04/2023 22:17

Gerda ? Might be a bit dated as it was my Grannies pal.

Armeins · 04/04/2023 22:22

Matilda
Edda
Emilia
Hanna
Romy

ImpunityJane · 04/04/2023 23:10

Frieda
Juliane (although different starting sound, but pretty)
Leonie
Vivien
Mila / Milla
Lucy
Ella
Matilda
Romy
Rosa
Annie

hjfl · 05/04/2023 02:05

My German friends (early 30's) whose names also work well in English are called:

  • Thea
  • Jessie
  • Melanie
  • Johanna, one goes by Anna
  • Natalie
  • Alina
  • Sophie

A few that I personally think are dated :

  • Julia
  • Vera
  • Marina
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread