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Help[Opinions] German Names
WDYTO Adelheid? I've been mulling this one over in my head the last couple of days. It's a German/Dutch name that I think would be adorable for a daughter if I end up having children with X whose a German major (I'm falling in love with the language as well). His mother is German, adopted by Italians, and she named his sister Analise (Anneliese w/ shortened spelling), which was my all time favorite girl name long before I met X or his sister. Scary right? That gives me confidence that his mother and I have similar taste in names. But anyway I thought Adelheid nn Heidi might. be a sweet way to continue a tradition, with Adelheid's pronunciation slightly Anglicized from AH-del-hight to AH-del-ide, so that it's not so awkward for Americans to pronounce. I prefer this to the French Adelaide although I think Adelheid may actually be winning out as an mn rather than an fn. So maybe no nn Heidi then. So what do you think of Adelheid as a name. Mn or fn? Feel free to suggest combos if you like.
I've been thinking about Annegret and Annika too, but these may be too close to Analise who usually goes by Ana. I've been seaching for the perfect German girls first name for a while. Found some beauties, but nothing's had the magic of Anneliese for me so far. Do you know of any good ones that aren't on the database?
I'm having a bit more luck when it comes to German boys names. Some I'm seriously considering right now are...
Falk
Elias
Engel ("angel," has personal signifigance)
Jonas (unfortunately this is recently very popular)
Do these sound wierd to fellow English speakers? How bout German speakers. I'm curious to know how common these are or how dated they may seem in Europe.
I've been thinking about Annegret and Annika too, but these may be too close to Analise who usually goes by Ana. I've been seaching for the perfect German girls first name for a while. Found some beauties, but nothing's had the magic of Anneliese for me so far. Do you know of any good ones that aren't on the database?
I'm having a bit more luck when it comes to German boys names. Some I'm seriously considering right now are...
Falk
Elias
Engel ("angel," has personal signifigance)
Jonas (unfortunately this is recently very popular)
Do these sound wierd to fellow English speakers? How bout German speakers. I'm curious to know how common these are or how dated they may seem in Europe.
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Replies
I love German names and Adelheid is one of my favorites. As a former die-hard lover of Adelaide and Adeline, I was disheartened when they started becoming more popular and had to take them off my short list. I was sad until I found this gem! I love Heidi as a nn too.
I've never heard of Annegret before, but it's lovely. I ued to love Annika, but now it seems rather trendy and cutesy to me, especially if it's a fn instead of a nn. I wouldn't worry about them being similar to Analise, although I'd probably just use Anneliese anyway.
Elias and Jonas immediately jump out at me. I love them! Although, Jonas does seem a little teeny-bopper nowadays, but that's definitely not a lasting association (I hope...)
I've never heard of Annegret before, but it's lovely. I ued to love Annika, but now it seems rather trendy and cutesy to me, especially if it's a fn instead of a nn. I wouldn't worry about them being similar to Analise, although I'd probably just use Anneliese anyway.
Elias and Jonas immediately jump out at me. I love them! Although, Jonas does seem a little teeny-bopper nowadays, but that's definitely not a lasting association (I hope...)
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Seeing Adelheid or Engel would make me giggle a bit. They're both Dutch words. Actually seeing Engel on a boy would crack me up...
Jonas is the only one I'd like out of the boys. Having said that, I have to add, that even though Jonas is the Dutch name for the Biblical character, and most people will be familiar with the name, to see it used on an actual child may raise some eyebrows.
Jonas is the only one I'd like out of the boys. Having said that, I have to add, that even though Jonas is the Dutch name for the Biblical character, and most people will be familiar with the name, to see it used on an actual child may raise some eyebrows.
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I've seen both Heideliese / Heidelise (Heidi + Liese) and Greteliese / Gretelise (Gretel + Liese) - either of those appeal? I adore both of them lol.
I love Adelheid "Heidi" and would absolutely squee to see it used. It's gorgeous!
I love Annika, but I see the bird, egret, in Annegret and that makes it unappealing. I do think they're both too close to Anneliese (which is also gorgeous, for the record).
To spruik some of my favourites that are in the database, but might have been overlooked, what about:
Brigitta
Christiane
Dietlinde
Eleonore
Hannelore (I would use this in a heartbeat if I thought my family wouldn't look at me funny!)
Leonore
Lieselotte / Liselotte (this too)
Lisbeth
Marlis
Rosemarie
Sanne / Sanna
Swanhild (ok, ok, I know no one is going to use this. But it's so cute!)
Sieglinde
Tatjana
Anything appeal?
I love Adelheid "Heidi" and would absolutely squee to see it used. It's gorgeous!
I love Annika, but I see the bird, egret, in Annegret and that makes it unappealing. I do think they're both too close to Anneliese (which is also gorgeous, for the record).
To spruik some of my favourites that are in the database, but might have been overlooked, what about:
Brigitta
Christiane
Dietlinde
Eleonore
Hannelore (I would use this in a heartbeat if I thought my family wouldn't look at me funny!)
Leonore
Lieselotte / Liselotte (this too)
Lisbeth
Marlis
Rosemarie
Sanne / Sanna
Swanhild (ok, ok, I know no one is going to use this. But it's so cute!)
Sieglinde
Tatjana
Anything appeal?
This message was edited 10/1/2008, 2:13 AM
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You gave some wonderful suggestions. Gretelise nn Gretel I'm now considering. Christianne is actually one of my default mns. Glad to see Christiane is a German name. You should definitely use Hannelore! I don't think it's too out there at all. I would use it except I hate the name Hannah. But Hannelore I can really appreciate. Dietlinde, Leiselotte and Marlis are very pretty. I actually have a friend named Rosemary and a friend with the nn Lisbeth. And I've always been a fan of Tatiana. I actually know a girl who wants to name her daughter Leisel. Doesn't that make you so happy?
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I looove Swanhild/e
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Oh how I *love* German names!
I think my personal naming style has evolved to be mainly German and Eastern European names. They're just so fabulous! I think Adelheid would be adorable for a little girl, especially nn Heidi (which I also love). It's highly underused, but not at all nasty like Dorcas or anything. Anneleise is also lovely and it's got so much spunk compared to bland Anne. I'm not as wild about Annegret or Annika, but they're both still fine, no biggie. None of the German boys' names you listed are any of my favorites, but they're still nice. I love Franz, how do you feel about that one? I'd use it in a second. I think all of the names you listed would be fine in an English-speaking country. They're really quite phonetic.
I think my personal naming style has evolved to be mainly German and Eastern European names. They're just so fabulous! I think Adelheid would be adorable for a little girl, especially nn Heidi (which I also love). It's highly underused, but not at all nasty like Dorcas or anything. Anneleise is also lovely and it's got so much spunk compared to bland Anne. I'm not as wild about Annegret or Annika, but they're both still fine, no biggie. None of the German boys' names you listed are any of my favorites, but they're still nice. I love Franz, how do you feel about that one? I'd use it in a second. I think all of the names you listed would be fine in an English-speaking country. They're really quite phonetic.
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They sound fine, but keep in mind that most Germans don't use their own names and instead want to use American names on their children. Boy, I can't stand the way Europeans name their children.
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Aren't I doing the same thing?
I'd be a hyppocrite to criticize. Since I'm an American picking out German names.
I'd be a hyppocrite to criticize. Since I'm an American picking out German names.
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No, you aren't. I wouldn't use a name from another culture that was hard to say. I think that a name like Zvonimir, Kumar, Sayyida, or Abimbola would look weird on an American child. The same way I think a name like Kevin, Brian, Anthony, or Jessica would look weird on a child from Germany, Sweden, Poland, Belgium, or France.
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But what about my name?
Yes my name is Aileen. Yes I live in America. No, Aileen isn't traditionally English. Now it's considered fairly English just because of frequent (for lack of a better word... it's not common) use. Wouldn't you just be bored to death in a country where everybody had the same names? That would be absolutely horrible in every way imaginable. Brave New World, much?
Yes my name is Aileen. Yes I live in America. No, Aileen isn't traditionally English. Now it's considered fairly English just because of frequent (for lack of a better word... it's not common) use. Wouldn't you just be bored to death in a country where everybody had the same names? That would be absolutely horrible in every way imaginable. Brave New World, much?
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All cultures have hundreds of names.
For example, if a Spanish parent was bored with Diego and Ana, why not use a lesser-used name like Prudencia or Evaristo? Or if a French parent was bored with Jacques and Marie, why not use a name like Telesphore or Hippolyte? Europeans should use lesser-used names from their cultures and not American names like Kevin or Jessica.
For example, if a Spanish parent was bored with Diego and Ana, why not use a lesser-used name like Prudencia or Evaristo? Or if a French parent was bored with Jacques and Marie, why not use a name like Telesphore or Hippolyte? Europeans should use lesser-used names from their cultures and not American names like Kevin or Jessica.
This message was edited 9/30/2008, 6:24 PM
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Exactly.
Sometimes I just *boggle* at BR's "logic".
Sometimes I just *boggle* at BR's "logic".
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Also...
If you're going to have a child, shouldn't you name it something that you love and that means something to you regardless of the orgin instead of sticking to your culture w/ a lesser liked name? I named my son Sascha after his great grandfather Aleksandr. GGF lived in Russia where Sasha was a common nn for Aleksandr. We live in the states where Sasha is predominantly girls name. I wouldn't have let something as silly as not living in Russia deter me from naming my child what I want.
If you're going to have a child, shouldn't you name it something that you love and that means something to you regardless of the orgin instead of sticking to your culture w/ a lesser liked name? I named my son Sascha after his great grandfather Aleksandr. GGF lived in Russia where Sasha was a common nn for Aleksandr. We live in the states where Sasha is predominantly girls name. I wouldn't have let something as silly as not living in Russia deter me from naming my child what I want.
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But . . . you're from the USA. Why is it any of your business?
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You got me.
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What if they like the names Diego and Jacques?
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But why.
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Everyone has different naming styles. I'm doing the exact thing you speak out against. And most Americans will not pronounce Anneliese and Adelheid the same way German speakers do. But I also plan to use traditional "American" names like Eve and Ethan. I don't think I'm being unpatriotic (or whatever you want to call it) in my naming style.
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I don't even think
that we use many English names in Germany. We use a lot of French names and German names but not really lots of English names. a few of them, sure. Emma for example is not an English name. Neither are Zoe and Chloe. yes they have been used in america for a long time but their origin is elsewhere.
that we use many English names in Germany. We use a lot of French names and German names but not really lots of English names. a few of them, sure. Emma for example is not an English name. Neither are Zoe and Chloe. yes they have been used in america for a long time but their origin is elsewhere.
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I live in Germany and Adelheid and Anneliese are both really dated here so I wouldn't use them. Adelheid is less dated than Anneliese because it hasn't been used for some time but it isn't fashionable either. You could compare it to Mildred. Anneliese was popular from the 20s or 30s till the 60s so it is really dated, you could compare it to Carol or Barbara. Anne, Anna and Lisa are very common in Germany, though.
Anneliese is pronounced AHN-neh-lee-zeh. Anneliese is the most common spelling. I've never seen Annelise/Anelise or Aneliese. I've never met anyone named Annalise/Annaliese/Analise/Analiese and it would be pronounced differently. It would be AHN-nah-lee-ze as opposed to AHN-neh-lee-ze. It's quite a difference an "eh"/"ay" sound in Anneliese and an "ah" sound in Annaliese. I guess most people in Germany would use Anneliese or Annalisa (without the extra e in "lisa").
Heidi is also not fashionable in Germany at all. There was one at my high school (the only one I ever met) and she was made fun of (people would sing the Heidi song). When I first heard her name I thought she was kidding, it seemed so weird on a real person. It was her full name. Oh and there's a popular TV series (animated) based on the Heidi books that the episodes all the time so the name Heidi is really attached to the character. Then there's Heidi Klum but the name is really not used often in Germany it is very rare. It is pronounced HY-dee. Leni, the name of Heidi Klum's daughter, is quite trendy here now.
Anneliese is pronounced AHN-neh-lee-zeh. Anneliese is the most common spelling. I've never seen Annelise/Anelise or Aneliese. I've never met anyone named Annalise/Annaliese/Analise/Analiese and it would be pronounced differently. It would be AHN-nah-lee-ze as opposed to AHN-neh-lee-ze. It's quite a difference an "eh"/"ay" sound in Anneliese and an "ah" sound in Annaliese. I guess most people in Germany would use Anneliese or Annalisa (without the extra e in "lisa").
Heidi is also not fashionable in Germany at all. There was one at my high school (the only one I ever met) and she was made fun of (people would sing the Heidi song). When I first heard her name I thought she was kidding, it seemed so weird on a real person. It was her full name. Oh and there's a popular TV series (animated) based on the Heidi books that the episodes all the time so the name Heidi is really attached to the character. Then there's Heidi Klum but the name is really not used often in Germany it is very rare. It is pronounced HY-dee. Leni, the name of Heidi Klum's daughter, is quite trendy here now.
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Thank you for warning me about Heidi and Engel in case we ever move there. Heidi is occasionally used as a full name by here Americans and is pronounced the same way. Angel is actually rarely given as an English name too and does seem a bit feminine. The name you see on the charts is usually given by hispanic parents, in which I think it's charming. I was tempted by it because it has a musical connection for us and I thought it was a legitimate German name.
I do see how Analise is a wierd spelling to German people. It may actually be Analiese, but I think this was changed for three main reasons: So that her nickname Ana would be more apparent to Americans, so that she and Americans would have an easier time spelling it, and possibly because her last name was just so long. (I know from experience that it can be tiring having to write out a long full name.) The first reason was probably biggest. I personally think I would have used Anneliese had I named my daughter that, but I also considered Analise as I was inspired by the Spanish Analisa.
The thing about Falk is interesting. I usually try to stay away from hippie names, but it is unheard of in America, so I'm not too worried about that. To my ears it actually sounds kind of dark and punkish.
Reading over your pronunciations, it looks like I'm in good shape. I'm just starting out learning German, though X is nearly fluent. Thanks for all your help! It was really interesting and greatly appreciated.
I do see how Analise is a wierd spelling to German people. It may actually be Analiese, but I think this was changed for three main reasons: So that her nickname Ana would be more apparent to Americans, so that she and Americans would have an easier time spelling it, and possibly because her last name was just so long. (I know from experience that it can be tiring having to write out a long full name.) The first reason was probably biggest. I personally think I would have used Anneliese had I named my daughter that, but I also considered Analise as I was inspired by the Spanish Analisa.
The thing about Falk is interesting. I usually try to stay away from hippie names, but it is unheard of in America, so I'm not too worried about that. To my ears it actually sounds kind of dark and punkish.
Reading over your pronunciations, it looks like I'm in good shape. I'm just starting out learning German, though X is nearly fluent. Thanks for all your help! It was really interesting and greatly appreciated.
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I love Adelheid, nn Heidi. Very cute. Serious Adelheid yielding to adorable Heidi. Great idea.
By the way, as an American the way I would say Adelheid is closer to the German way than the one you've posted, "AH-del-highd," not "AH-del-ide." It's difficult for me NOT to put the "h" sound in there.
Hmm. I don't know if it's in the database or not, but Ermengarde ("EHR-men-gard") is fun. England's King George I's German mistress was Ermengarde Melusine von der Schulenburg*.
Amalia is also dancing around in my head through this comment. I love that she's not as common as Amelia.
I was watching a Biography Channel piece on Leonardo di Caprio (sp?). I was surprised that his mother is German. They pronounced her name "UR-ma-lin." Ermalin? Irmalin? Does anyone know?
As for the boys, I love Elias and Jonas, although I don't think of them as German per se. How about Alois, Rainer, Emil? Or how about X's mother's family tree? I bet she has a lot of great names.
* I just did a google search to make sure I was spelling George I's mistress' name correctly. I comes up as either "Ermengarde" or "Ehrengard." Ehrengard, nn Erin?
By the way, as an American the way I would say Adelheid is closer to the German way than the one you've posted, "AH-del-highd," not "AH-del-ide." It's difficult for me NOT to put the "h" sound in there.
Hmm. I don't know if it's in the database or not, but Ermengarde ("EHR-men-gard") is fun. England's King George I's German mistress was Ermengarde Melusine von der Schulenburg*.
Amalia is also dancing around in my head through this comment. I love that she's not as common as Amelia.
I was watching a Biography Channel piece on Leonardo di Caprio (sp?). I was surprised that his mother is German. They pronounced her name "UR-ma-lin." Ermalin? Irmalin? Does anyone know?
As for the boys, I love Elias and Jonas, although I don't think of them as German per se. How about Alois, Rainer, Emil? Or how about X's mother's family tree? I bet she has a lot of great names.
* I just did a google search to make sure I was spelling George I's mistress' name correctly. I comes up as either "Ermengarde" or "Ehrengard." Ehrengard, nn Erin?
This message was edited 9/30/2008, 5:03 PM
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I agree. Ermengarde is very fun. A bit too bold for my taste though. Ehrengard is also interesting but looks very strange to me. Amalia's nice, but is too close to my name, Amy imo. I have a wierd thing about naming children after parents, at least in fns. I actually really like Rainer. I've been mulling that over, but with English pronunciation. I want to like Emil, but I'm reminded of Emeril, the Italian TV chef. Hmm I bet there would be some wonderful names on X's mother's family tree, but she probably doesn't know who real parents are since she was adopted by Italians. She might though. Maybe I'll look into that one day. You've given me a couple things to think about. Thanks.
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Or . . .
How about Italian forms of German names. I love seeing how one culture alters another. It's like seeing someone you know dressed up in clothing that's obviously not their own. (Yes, I know English does this too. But the perspective makes it much more difficult to see than if two other cultures are doing it, if that makes sense.)
Anyway, something along the lines of Federica, Sigefriedo, Matelda, Rudolpho, Ludovica, Osvaldo, Imelda, Erminia, Ersilia, Ermelinda, Bertoldo? OK. So a little "out there." But so is Adelheid. A cute nn could really make it work: Ludovica, nn Vicky? Erminia, nn Minnie? Bertoldo, nn Bertie?
Well, it's the end of the day and I'm bored. What do you expect? :-)
How about Italian forms of German names. I love seeing how one culture alters another. It's like seeing someone you know dressed up in clothing that's obviously not their own. (Yes, I know English does this too. But the perspective makes it much more difficult to see than if two other cultures are doing it, if that makes sense.)
Anyway, something along the lines of Federica, Sigefriedo, Matelda, Rudolpho, Ludovica, Osvaldo, Imelda, Erminia, Ersilia, Ermelinda, Bertoldo? OK. So a little "out there." But so is Adelheid. A cute nn could really make it work: Ludovica, nn Vicky? Erminia, nn Minnie? Bertoldo, nn Bertie?
Well, it's the end of the day and I'm bored. What do you expect? :-)
This message was edited 9/30/2008, 6:33 PM
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I'm stealing Osvaldo
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That is always interesting to see. Niether X or his mother, or I for that matter identify much with the Italian culture though. Same with my Irish heritage. I respect it but I can't relate to it much personally. Also I tend not to like long girl's names that end in -a with a few exceptions and I like shorter boys names for the most part. Just my personal style. But those are fun to see = ).
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I think Leonardo DiCaprio's mom is Irmelin. Irmgard is also quite popular for women born in the 40s and 50s.
I like Emil. Please not Rainer hehe it is so dated you can't imagine :P
I like Ermengarde. I guess it would be EHR-men-gar-deh in German. We usually pronounce final "e"'s. We also pr. Helene as he-LAY-neh. but I could be wrong I never met an Ermengarde. It is much better than Ehrengard. "Ehre" means "honor" in German and as we usually don't use word names it seems a bit weird.
I like Emil. Please not Rainer hehe it is so dated you can't imagine :P
I like Ermengarde. I guess it would be EHR-men-gar-deh in German. We usually pronounce final "e"'s. We also pr. Helene as he-LAY-neh. but I could be wrong I never met an Ermengarde. It is much better than Ehrengard. "Ehre" means "honor" in German and as we usually don't use word names it seems a bit weird.
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Thanks. Although I was thinking more along the lines of Annegret nn Ana and Annika possibly with the nn Ana, but I don't think I can do them as fn's because they're aunt's name would be Ana (Analise) and it would get confusing. *sigh* Such beautiful names too. Brigitte's cute but it looks like an alternate spelling of Bridget, which is a bit dated now in my opinion. Plus, it's sort of the name of so-and-so's ex-girlfriend =/.
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I figured that, but I don't expect the majority of Americans to pronounce it that way unfortunately.
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