Old-German unisex names
Many of these names, like Jeffrey and Raymond, descend from Germanic roots meaning "peace" and "counsel." They entered English through Norman settlers who adapted Old-German elements into functional family names.
- Jeffrey Perfectly Tranquil #11
- Minnie Love #13
- Harry Home Ruler #14
- Jerry Mighty #24
- Louise Protectress #26
- Raymond Mighty Protector #26
- Ella Beautiful, Other #29
- Gerald Mighty, Rule of the spear #34
- Billy Resolute Protector #35
- Willie Resolute Protector #37
- Hattie Ruler of the Household #45
- Aubrey Noble #59
- Ricky Powerful Ruler #63
- Luis Famous Warrior #83
- Jeff Perfectly Tranquil #90
- Jeffery Perfectly Tranquil #90
- Wanda Wanderer #90
- Della Noble Maiden #96
- Herman Noble Soldier #117
- Heidi Honored #119
- Velma Determined Protector #123
- Harriet Ruler of the Household #126
- Bill Resolute Protector #128
- Jocelyn Joyous #137
- Luther Famous Warrior #147
- Leonardo Strong as a Lion #154
- Rick Powerful Ruler #162
- Alison Truthful #194
- Gilbert Bright Pledge #208
- Wilbur Resolute #210
- Louisa Protectress #211
- Millie Industrious #219
- Ricardo Powerful Ruler, Strong ruler #223
- Lou Famous Warrior #226
- Rickey Powerful Ruler #227
- Rudolph Great and Famous #254
- Wendell Wanderer #261
- Wilson Resolute Protector #283
- Raven Blackbird #284
- Eloise Wise #289
- Giselle Pledge #294
- Harriett Ruler of the Household #302
- Mina Love #321
- Geoffrey Perfectly, Tranquil #351
- Allyson Truthful #387
- Gerardo Strong, Powerful #397
- Milo Generous #403
- Joselyn Joyous #454
- Rickie Powerful Ruler #479
- Roderick Famous Ruler #488
Old-German names come from the Germanic peoples of medieval central Europe, where names were built from meaningful elements—think Jeffrey (peace-giver) or Harry (home ruler). Many show up in the old court records and religious texts of the Holy Roman Empire, stripped of their Old High German roots but still recognizable. Names that worked for warriors and merchants alike often stayed unisex, passed down through families without hard boundaries between who could carry them.
Minnie, Jerry, and Louise remind us how Old-German names traveled through time and language, softening in spelling and sound but keeping their German bones. The entries below show you the meaning and origin of each one, so you understand what the name actually said to people who first gave it.