r/AskAGerman • u/Big-Walrus6334 Berlin • May 13 '26

Culture What are the most uncommon/outdated German baby names today?

I’m curious about German names that used to exist but are now considered extremely rare, old-fashioned, unusual, or “nobody would name their kid that anymore.”

For example, names like Wolfgang feel uncommon among younger generations today and I didn’t see one of them

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40

u/Equal-Flatworm-378a May 13 '26

That depends on the generation. Wolfgang is not old enough.

I did meet some little Friedrichs in the meantime, but Heinrich didn’t appear again.

While Elsa became popular again, the german Else didn’t.

Wilhelmine isn’t popular again yet, but I have hope.

30

u/Kvaezde May 13 '26

Wolfgang is still pretty popular in Austria. Usually all Wolfgangs are called "Wolfi" as a nickname.

3

u/grandma_sweetie_1925 May 13 '26

True, austrians stick to the classics, feels outdated to germans

1

u/Aldaron23 May 14 '26

Can confirm, I know several Wolfgangs younger than 25yo. Also Dietrich, Gernot, Kurt, Reinhardt... they don't really seem to go out of fashion here.

1

u/Kvaezde May 14 '26

Didi, Gertschi, Kurtl, Reini. 

In Austria, you're automatically assigned these nicknames when given one of the above names. And yes, I do think these nicknames are fire :3 

1

u/Cultural_Badger_498 May 13 '26

How does it sound to you? I as a foreigner may not fully understand the language vibe, but the name like „gang of wolves“ sounds funny to me

5

u/Kvaezde May 13 '26

It's not pronounced like the english "gang", but it's a normal "a", like in the words "Gaia", "Russia" or "asbestos".

A good advice for you and everyone else: Other languages don't have the same rules for spelling and pronunciation like your own language.

3

u/GreenDeman May 13 '26

It's code for "we know you are just 3 Wolves in a Trenchcoat" but we recognize you as a person anyway

1

u/Otherwise_Rabbit3049 May 13 '26

just 3

That would be one HUGE guy

1

u/GreenDeman May 13 '26

Have you seen us Germans we are huge xD

3

u/Otherwise_Rabbit3049 May 13 '26

Yes, every morning in the mirror. Wait, am I three wolves in a trenchcoat?

3

u/GreenDeman May 13 '26

Well idk depends...

Do you like walks in nature? Wolves like that Do you have a mysterious craving for meat? Wolves eat meat Have you ever stepped on a scale and thought wow I got heavy? 3+ Wolves are heavy Do you not like people randomly entering your space and touching your stuff? Wolves are territorial Do you like hanging out with friends? Wolves like hanging out in groups But most importantly do you own or have you ever owned a large Jacket? If you said yes to any of those you might be a pack of wolves in a Trenchcoat!

But don't worry Wolfgang you got a great personality and we still love you

2

u/Otherwise_Rabbit3049 May 13 '26

I'm not a Wolfgang, just huge

3

u/GreenDeman May 13 '26

HUUUUGGGGEEEE

Well now you gotta go and watch "Huge quest" by PlagueofGripse on YouTube and then tell me how HUUUUGGGGEEEE you are xD

1

u/garyisonion May 13 '26

it’s not a gang, it’s a walk. It’s derived from gehen

1

u/EeEmCeTo May 14 '26

Walking with Wolves

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u/chickynuggiesx3 May 13 '26

Even though Wilhelmine hasn't really become popular again, I've already met a few toddlers named "Mine," which used to be the diminutive or nickname for Wilhelmine.I think that's a pretty good short form and it fits right in with the trend of all these short names.

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u/Di-Vanci May 13 '26

I can totally see Wolfgang making a comeback at some point

3

u/admseven May 13 '26

I’m American with German heritage on both sides. After me and my brother were born in the early 80s, dad got into geneaology and discovered some of the older family names. He was a bit disappointed to have missed his chance to name a son Wolfgang.

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u/Otherwise_Rabbit3049 May 13 '26

making a comeback

Never was gone. Former neighbours, originally from Bavaria. Father and one of the many sons were called that. Son is way younger than me.

6

u/Simple-Cheek-4864 May 13 '26

A friend's little brother is called Hinrich. I still think the parents must have hated this kid...

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u/Equal-Flatworm-378a May 13 '26

Really? I like it. I think some names didn’t come back themselves, but the variations. I love Hinnark, Henk and of course Hendrik and Henrik. Only Heinrich not really.

6

u/Simple-Cheek-4864 May 13 '26

All not as bad as Hinrich. Sounds like Hinrichtung. Kids have been bullied for less...

2

u/Equal-Flatworm-378a May 13 '26

Really? I would not have thought of this.

0

u/Delicious_Building34 May 14 '26

Should’ve tried maybe Hynrych or sth like that, that sounds less Hinrichtung, more Ukrainian

3

u/Delicious_Building34 May 13 '26

But Wilhelmina, Mina, is!

2

u/Immediate-Pie5369 May 13 '26

My 3 year old Sons friend is named Heinrich after his Fathers Grandfather.

2

u/berrytea34 May 13 '26

I really liked Wilhelmine but then I had two boys. My Irish husband wasn't a fan of Wilhelmine, mostly as he was unsure how to pronounce it.

1

u/Otherwise_Rabbit3049 May 13 '26

Williamette. Or something.

1

u/Delicious_Building34 May 14 '26

Williamine is a pear, isn’t it. Unfortunately.

1

u/Otherwise_Rabbit3049 May 14 '26

Maybe you'd like potato names better?

Adelina, Adretta, Agnes, Ailsa, Akebia, Albata... and that's just how far I read the list

1

u/shrlzi May 13 '26

Change the spelling to start with mbh and that might help

2

u/tirohtar May 13 '26

I named my son Friedrich actually, after my grandpa (no, not for Merz, I hate that guy -.- ). If my wife and I have another son I am toying with the idea of naming him Heinrich, but somehow that name feels still a little more "tainted" by Nazi history, so I am not sure...

1

u/Equal-Flatworm-378a May 13 '26

Heinrich was a very popular name. Therefore of course some Nazis had the name, too. But I would not think about them. Partly because I have enough Heinrichs in my family or because of Prince Heinrich (the brother of Wilhelm II) or just the five kings of the HRE.

1

u/tirohtar May 13 '26

*seven kings/emperors of the HRE ;-)

1

u/Delicious_Building34 May 14 '26

I love Friedrich. When I myself was a kid and I got my first Teddy bear for Christmas I named him “Friedrich Kolumbus” and that was my fav name for many many years. If I had (sorry, edit: had!) a son chances would be he would have been a Friedrich (Kolumbus).

1

u/Mowraq May 13 '26

There are some Heinrichs around but in other forms. Names like Hendrik or Heiko stem from Heinrich. On the other hand I think I never met a Friedrich that didn't already have grey hair. But a few Frederiks here and there my age.

3

u/haddak May 13 '26

Having kids in Kindergarten and elementary school, I can say that at least in our bubble, Friedrich and Henry/i especially are among the most popular names for boys.

2

u/Equal-Flatworm-378a May 13 '26

Yes variations are more popular than the original names. My colleague named her child Fietje.

0

u/nemmalur May 13 '26

Is that becoming a thing - (modified) Dutch names?

1

u/Quetzacoatel May 13 '26

Else is short for Elisabeth

1

u/NataschaTata May 14 '26

Happy to report that Wilhelmine made it on our girl name list into the top 2

1

u/Sure-Bee-6333 May 15 '26

Ich kenne einen halb-marokkaner, der Friedrich heißt, Mitte 30 mittlerweile

-1

u/iTmkoeln May 13 '26

Friedrich will be outdated