Maria and her German partner are expecting their second child, a sister for their daughter Sunniva. Maria wants a name which reflects both their heritages but finding a 'German' name they can both agree on is proving difficult.
First time round, they finally settled on Sunniva -- a Scandinavian form of a Saxon name -- to reflect the Germanic language, despite Maria suggesting several obscure German names.
Maria writes:
The problem seems to be that every Germanic name I suggest sounds to him and other Germans like Nazi names or just dowdy. Therefore, it would be necessary to choose a name that does not sound so typically Germanic (like Sunniva) or a name that is Germanic in origin in another language.
Also, I would like a relatively obscure name with a pleasant meaning-- that rules out names like Rosalind ("gentle horse!"). Scandinavian names are also an option, but they are very trendy in Germany and therefore I prefer not modern or obviously Scandinavian names.
Maria likes Idony, Fryswith, Amalindis and Minnegard. However, her partner has vetoed those.
They have agreed on Theodora as a strong candidate, but even if they use it as a first name, Maria still wants to find a Germanic middle name.
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Being completely honest, I am not particular au fait with current German name trends, so I don't have a natural feel for what is considered old fashioned or trendy to a German speaker. This request did set me down a fascinating path of discovery however, and so hopefully there will be a balance here between your taste for rare historic gems and your partner's aversion to anything dowdy. Fortunately, Germanic names are a staple among appellations. Longstanding for centuries, they have permeated into many cultures and societies.
The hardest part in your request was actually not finding suitable names, but finding ones which fit your criteria of a pleasant meaning for modern English speakers. The ancient Germanic cultures valued traits and viewed the world in a way which we cannot fully comprehend. The many Germanic names containing fierce elements such as "bear," "spear," "battle," "strife," "horse" etc most likely had a highly symbolic and positive, perhaps even protective, meaning for the bearers which is lost to us today. Though there were a great many, I've tried to skip over these names -- though one or two may have slipped past if they were too good to resist.
Uncommon "German" choices:
First let's look at some names, either from German heritage or from a German route, which have never been too popular in Germany and still remain uncommon both here and there:
Franziska -- The German feminine form of Franciscus, essentially meaning "a Frank" (the Germanic tribe) but later came to mean "free, generous, sincere." Ziska and Franzi are found as nickname forms in Germany.
Cölestine -- A German form of Celestine, a feminine form of the Roman Caelestinus ""of the sky, heavenly." Zölestine is another pretty German variant.
Kreszentia -- The German form of Crescentia, a Roman name meaning "blooming, blossoming." Kreszenz is a sleeker form of the name, while Zenzi and Senta are used as diminutives.
Annalena -- A German combination of Anna and Lena (a short form of Helena).
Euphemia -- Not a German name itself -- like Theodora, it's Greek meaning "well spoken." -- but what has caught my eye is an old German short form Femeke. Two birds with one stone!
Elzebe -- An old German (possibly Frisian) variant of Elizabeth. Elseby and Elzaby are found as old Swedish variants.
Tabea -- A German short form of Tabitha meaning "gazelle" in Hebrew.
Romy -- A short form of Rosemarie used in Germany.
Viveca -- The Latinised form of Wiebe, a medieval German name derived from wig "war" or wiga "warrior, fighter, hero."
Flower Power:
Flower names are fashionable choices with lovely associations. Here are some uncommon choices with German heritage:
Zinnia -- This sunflower-type flower was named after German botanist Johann Zinn.
Freesia -- A pretty pink flower named after German physician Friedrich Freese whose surname is a variant of Friese "a Frisian".
Fuchsia -- This flower was named after German botanist Leonhart Fuchs whose surname means "fox" in German.
Ancient Germanic (and their descendants):
Aveza -- An ancient Germanic name, a feminine form of Avo, which could either be connected to the Germanic tribe of the Aviones or from the old Germanic alfi "elf." Bear in mind, elves were regarded as magical, mystical beings and were highly revered by the Germanic tribes. They even used alfi in terms which meant "beautiful." Avice and Avis were medieval English versions, perhaps influenced by the Latin avis "bird."
Olenta -- A form of Audelinda, Odelind, Odelinda, Odelendis deriving from aud meaning "wealth, fortune" and linde "gentle, tender".
Fredelinde -- An old Germanic name derived from frithu "peace" and linde "gentle, tender."
Mazalina -- The Germanic staple Matilda, borne by empresses and warrior queens, can also be found in the medieval variant forms Mazalina and Matelina. Or perhaps you might like Portuguese form Mafalda.
Maganza / Meginza -- Feminine old Germanic name derived from magan "strength."
Clarimond -- A blend of the Latin clarus "bright, shining," which was adopted into Germanic languages, and mund "protection." Also found as Claremonde, Esclarmonde and Claramunda.
Amelot -- Amelot and Emelot were medieval diminutive forms of Emmeline, Ameline, derived from amal "work," or possibly a corruption of Adeline "noble."
Amiza/Amisa -- A rare medieval form of the ancient Germanic Amala, derived from amal "work.,"
The Adals:
Adal "nobel" is a key Germanic name element which had hundreds of names derived from it. The most famous, of course, is Ada, Adelheid/Adelaide, Adeline, Adela and Adele, but there are also several more uncommon choices:
Athala -- An older form of Adela.
Edila -- Another medieval variant form of Adela.
Acelina -- A feminine form derived from the Germanic name Azo. It's generally thought to be a derivation of adal but may also derive from anzus "a God." Azelina, Aceline and Azeline are variant forms.
Edelmira -- The Spanish feminine form of Adelmar adal + meri "famous, excellent." It can also be found as Almira.
Adeliza -- A variant form of Adela, borne by a queen of England. Other spellings include Adelize, Adelaisa, Adelais and Adelaisa.
Aline -- A slimmer variant of Adeline used in the Middle Ages.
Adelita -- The Spanish diminutive form of Adela.
Aleida -- A German short form of Adelheid.
The Swinthas:
Another common name element is swind meaning "strong, brave" which was used almost exclusively for girls. It lend to a variety of endings: -sind, -send, -senta, -sent, -cent, -sindis, -sant(e) and -sande, all of which can be added to any of the names below depending on your preference.
Millicent -- From amal "work" + swind. Variants include Melisande, Milesenda, Melisenda, Melissent etc.
Alsinda -- From adal "noble" + swind. Alsenta, Alsindis and Alisent are variants.
Maissent -- From mahti "mighty" + swind. Also found as Maysenda, Maysant etc.
Elissent -- From heil "whole, healthy" + swind. Also found as Helisent, Elysant, Elisind.
Belisent -- From bili "suitable, proper, fitting, amiable" + swind. Also found as Bellicent, Belissent, Belissenda, Belisencia, Belsante and Belisera.
Fressenta.-- From frith "peace" + swind. Also found as Fredesendis and Fressenda.
Old English:
When the Angles, Saxons and Jutes came to England, they brought with them their Germanic culture and languages, eventually evolving into Old English.
Sunniva also derives from Old English so the links seems quite easy.
Ailith -- Aileth, Ayleth and a range of variants derived originally from the Saxon name Æðelgýð, -- æðel "noble" and gyð "battle, combat."
Merewen -- A medieval form of the Anglo-Saxon name Mærwynn, -- mǣre "famous, renowned, great, excellent, sublime, splendid," and wynn "joy, rapture, pleasure, delight, gladness." Also found as Merewina, Merewenna, Merwenna and Meriwenna.
Lewenna -- A later form of Leofwynn -- leof "beloved" and wynn "joy," also found as Lewen. A similar name is Sewenna from sǣ "sea" + wynn.
Sedemay -- Also found as Sedemai, this name derives from sidu "custom, manner" and mægden "maiden."
Ancient Gaulish Deities:
Even further back, we can look to inspiration from the Ancient Gauls who lived in what is now Germany centuries ago.
Belisama -- A Gaulish goddess of light identified with the Roman goddess Minerva. Her name probably meant "most powerful."
Nehelennia / Nenhelennia -- A Celtic-Germanic mother goddess of commerce, sailing vessels and the hearth and home who is found in several inscriptions across Germany. Her name most like means "seafarer."
Lots of luck. I hope this lists provides some inspiration for you. Please keep us updated.
UPDATE: Welcome Theodora Merewen! What a lovely name.
