German
Meaningbrother · Latin
German is a Mexican boy name meaning “brother”, with Latin roots. Names from Latin have been passed down since Roman times and still feel polished and timeless. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Word funGerman doesn't repeat a single letter: 6 letters, all different.
- GenerationGerman peaked in 1991, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical German you'd meet today is about 34 years old. Now it's back in style, so there's a whole new generation of baby Germans too.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your German would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 15,244 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryGerman first shows up in US birth records in 1882, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 143 years since.
- Where it's lovedWant to meet a lot of Germans? Head to Arizona, where it's the #634 boy name, its best showing of any state.
US births per million boys, 1882–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name German
German is a boy name of Mexican origin meaning “brother”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the consonant at the end gives it a confident finish. It hit its peak in the 1990s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Mexican names
More Mexican boy names
- Boy name: Liam · resolute protector
- Boy name: Oliver · olive tree
- Boy name: Mateo · gift of God
- Boy name: Lucas · man from Lucania
- Boy name: Benjamin · son of the right hand
- Unisex name: Elias · my God is Yahweh
- Unisex name: Luca · man from Lucania
- Boy name: Sebastian · venerable
Questions about the name German
What does the name German mean?
German means “brother” and comes from Latin. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Jermaine (“brother”), Hiram (“exalted brother”), Germaine (“brother”) and Bubba (“brother”).
What is the origin of the name German?
German is Mexican in origin, and its meaning traces back to Latin. Other Mexican names to consider are Liam (“resolute protector”), Oliver (“olive tree”), Mateo (“gift of God”) and Lucas (“man from Lucania”).
Is German a boy or girl name?
German is a boy name. In 2025, 112 US boys were named German.
How popular is the name German?
German ranked #1,539 for US boys in 2025, given to 112 babies. Its best year was 1991, when it reached #581. Over the last five years it has slipped 116 places.
What names are similar to German?
If you like German, you might also like Jermaine, Hiram, Germaine and Bubba.
What should I know before naming my baby German?
German is a Mexican boy name meaning “brother”, with Latin roots. Names from Latin have been passed down since Roman times and still feel polished and timeless. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.