German name

German names consist of one or several "Vornamen" (forenames) and a "Nachname" ("Familienname", family name). The "Vorname" is usually gender-specific.

Forenames

The "Vorname" ("forename", lit. "pre-name") is given to a child by the parents shortly after birth but not in all cases. It is not uncommon to give a child several "Vornamen", particularly for girls and among Catholics. Usually, one of them is meant to be normally used and called the "Rufname" (call name). This is often underlined on official documents, as it is often the second or third name in a list, even though it is the person's main name: the idea of first names being more important than middle names, as in some other cultureswho, is unknown. [ [http://www.frag-rechtstipps.de/Rufnamenbezeichnung__f10009.html Rechtstipps - der private Rechtsberater ] ]

Primary name of address

The "Rufname", or name of address, is usually chosen because it sounds pleasing to the parents. Additional names ("zweiter Vorname" etc., second given name) may be given by traditional Catholic parents in order to bond with saints of these names to enlist them as protectors. Also, it is common to use the "Rufnamen" of relatives, whom the parents want to honor, as additional names. A third reason might be to give the child the chance to later choose one of the other given names as his or her "Rufname".

Most people, when giving their name, specify only the "Rufname" and the "Nachname". Some specify a second name in full or, very rarely and then influenced by US practice, as a middle initial. There are a few common combinations of male first and second names that are usually hyphenated in writing and used as if they were just one name, such as "Hans-Peter" and "Karl-Heinz".

At least one of these has to be gender specific; the others may be neutral (but nearly all German names are gender specific). One must not give a name usually used for the opposite sex, with the sole exception of Maria (German for "Mary") as second name for boys, e.g., Klaus Maria Brandauer. (This is in respect of tradition among Roman Catholics.)

It is fairly uncommon to use shortened names officially (like "Bill Gates" instead of "William H. Gates, III"). So even if all of Benjamin's friends call him "Benni" (German short for Benjamin), he will always be referred in official documents as "Benjamin".

Germany is a bit more restrictive than some other countries in what names are allowed. The basic rule is that a name has to be known as a name for persons and must not be newly invented. Also, it must be decent in the sense that it cannot be considered offensive and derogative and so later pose a problem for the bearer. Sometimes a more unusual name will be allowed as a second name if the "Rufname" is a more conventional name.

It is up to the "Standesbeamte(r)" (the officer/clerk of the public authority for registering births, marriages, deaths etc.) to judge whether a name is allowed. For unusual names he might ask for precedent cases. (For example, until Chelsea Clinton became known in Germany, "Chelsea" would probably have been rejected, because it would have been considered the name of a place and not a person. Immigrants often ask their embassy to testify that the desired name is accepted within their country.) Of course, parents disagreeing with a "Standesbeamte"'s rejection can appeal to a court (which often gives rise to satiric articles in the newspapers about the strange names some people insist on). Some examples of first names that have not been allowed: Christus, Jesus (has been allowed with Spanish surnames), Princess, Prince, Lord, Huckleberry, Cheyenne, Berlin, Stone, Möwe (seagull), Tiger, Moon Unit, AJ, Amsterdam, B'Elanna, Filou, Gift (poison), Frühling (spring - the season), Baby, Fröken (miss - Swedish), Golddust, Nightingale, Shiatsu, Tsunami, Villa, Cézanne, Hoffmann, McCoy, Nilsson, Nilson, O'Neill, Picasso, Svensson, Trenk, Wiesengrund. [ [http://haus-der-namen.de/rufnamen.html Rufnamen ] ] [ [http://www.uni-leipzig.de/vornamen/wcms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41&Itemid=53 Gerichtsurteile-unzulässige Namen ] ]

Through precedent cases a child cannot have more than five first names. [ [http://www.faz.net/s/Rub02DBAA63F9EB43CEB421272A670A685C/Doc~E913AF111B008434EBDD02668199EABC4~ATpl~Ecommon~Scontent.html Urteil: Fünf Vornamen müssen reichen - Gesellschaft - FAZ.NET ] ] Two names can be linked with a hyphen and count as one name, however the parts of the linked name cannot be used separately.

urnames

Most surnames or family names ("Nachnamen") consist of only one word. Titles of former aristocrats (like "Graf" for "Count") have become parts of the "Nachname" in Germany, giving longer names of several words, usually including a "von" (meaning "of"). The legal rules for these names are the same as those for other Nachnamen, which gives rise to a number of cases where people legally bear such names but are not recognized by the associations of formerly noble families, which continue to apply the old rules of the German Empire in their publications. Most of these cases come about when a woman of noble descent marries a man with no title, and the two adopt the woman's name as their common "Nachname", which was impossible under imperial law.

In Austria, titles of nobility have been totally abolished, even particles like "von". The use of titles of nobility is punishable there. For example, Otto von Habsburg, Austria-Hungary's last crown prince is referred to as Otto Habsburg(-Lothringen) in Austria. In Switzerland, where titles of nobility have been rare for several centuries, they can be used in private conversation, but are not officially recognised.Fact|date=October 2007

Traditionally, the wife adopts her husband's Nachname on marriage and drops her own. However, due to the legal equality of sexes, the opposite is possible as well, though rare. A few examples of the practice under German law, if "Herr Schmidt" and "Frau Meyer" marry [ [http://www.familienrecht-ratgeber.de/familienrecht/eherecht/content_02_01.html Das Namensrecht - Doppelname, Geburtsname, Familienname ] ] :

*They can keep their former "Nachname". (Herr Schmidt and Frau Meyer). In the 1990s, the law was changed to allow both partners to keep their "Nachname".
*They can declare one name as a "marriage name" ("Ehename"). In doing so, they can either both adopt the husband's name, or both adopt the wife's name as an "Ehename". (Herr Meyer and Frau Meyer; Herr Schmidt and Frau Schmidt)
*There is the possibility that one partner can combine both names by a hyphen. Thus, one of them then bears a double name ("Doppelname"). (Herr Schmidt and Frau Meyer-Schmidt (or Frau Schmidt-Meyer); the children have to be called Schmidt). Only one partner can take this option, making it impossible for both partners to have "Doppelnamen" (So no Herr Meyer-Schmidt and Frau Meyer-Schmidt)

All children of a family have to receive the same non-hyphenated "Nachname" at birth, which may be either the mother's or the father's "Nachname" (traditionally it was the father's). If the parents adopted an "Ehename" this is the "Nachname" of the child. It is strictly forbidden to give children "Doppelnamen". [ [http://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/pressemitteilungen/bvg10-02.html Das Bundesverfassungsgericht ] ]

If a son bears the same "Vorname" as his father (which, with the exception of certain families of former nobility, is quite uncommon in most areas of Germany at least for "Rufnamen"; the son of Georg might be named Georg Johannes, but usually the "Rufname" then is Johannes), he might add a "Jun." after his "Nachname", and father might put a "Sen." The usage of "III" in case of three consecutive equal first names as in the US is uncommon. Roman numbers are considered reserved for monarchs and popes.

Pseudonyms

Pseudonyms can be used by artists ("Künstlername", "artist's name") and members of religious orders ("Ordensname"); If a pseudonym is widely known in public it can be added to the passport of that person (under the weaker legal status of "Künstlername") and be used instead of the original name in most situations. The same field in the passport also serves to show religious names, i.e. the new name somebody takes on when becoming a monk or nun. [ [http://www.schriftstellerverband.com/html/rechtswesen.html Rechtswesen ] ]

Grades and titles

The academic grades of "Doktor" ("Dr.") and "Professor" ("Prof.") are not considered part of the name in Germany in normal life. They might be entered into an identity card as a new formal name. In Austria, this is substantially different.

They are, however, always used in a written address (e.g., Dr. Meier, Prof. Dr. Müller), and will often be used in formal speech or sometimes by lower-ranked persons such as students, though many academics prefer being addressed just like anyone else, i.e. by "Herr" or "Frau" alone (see below).

Estate names

In rural areas it is common that farmers are known by the traditional name of their farm or estate (which often has been kept the same over centuries) rather than their "Nachname". Although the "Hofname" is not an official name, people know it rather than the "Nachname". In cases where "Nachname" and "Hofname" are not identical (usually because there was no male heir at some point in the family history) they are joined in official documents by "genannt" (abbr. "gen."), e.g. "Amann gen. Behmann".

Name changes

There are only five circumstances in which one is allowed to change one's name:
#On marriage: the couple can choose the name of one of the partners or they can keep their original names.
#Correction of a name: if the state has made an error with the name and this can be proven, the original name can be restored. Example: "Maſs" became "Mahs" and is corrected to "Mass".
#Unfortunate name: If a name is considered to be offensive (like "Hitler" or "Adolf", or if it is a swear word) it can be replaced by a better name.
# Gender reassignment in case of transsexuals.
#Naturalisation of a foreigner in Germany (Art. 47 EGBGB). In this case, the person may choose to adopt German forms of his first and last name, or a new first name if the old first name cannot be translated into German.

The entry of a "Doktor" grade (in Germany) or any other academic grade (in Austria) into one's identity card is not considered a change of name.

Order of names and use of articles

The "Nachname" is put after the "Vorname". In the rural use of several regions where heavy dialect is spoken (i.e. Bavaria, Saxony, the Palatinate or the Saarland), the order is reversed, e.g. "Mühlbach Klaus" instead of "Klaus Mühlbach". The definite article, varying with the dialect, is also typically added in this style of naming.

Except for the North of Germany, usage of the definite article with the name outside of dialect is very common. It is considered familiar language, but not as a mark of rough, rural manners as in French. It is used especially when talking of and/or with children, but also in some other situations. As a rule of thumb, the article is usually only used when referring to a person who is still alive and with whom one is at least casually acquainted. E.g., "Ich bin der Nils", or even "Ich gab der Eva einen Hund". Respectively, these sentences mean, "I am [the, masculine] Nils", and "I gave [to the, feminine] Eva a dog". Once again, such usage is optional, and is often used in clarification or in emphasis.

In Austria, the definite article is always used in informal spoken language, but strictly forbidden in formal or written language.

In some dialects (such as those spoken in the Western Palatinate and parts of the Rhineland), the article used with women's and girls' names is not the female, but the neuter article. This is because the German word for "girl", "Mädchen", is a neuter noun, due to the suffix "-chen".

Addressing people

German is a language with T-V distinction. It is common that people who are informally addressed with "du" (friends, relatives, children) are also called by their first name, while people who are formally addressed with "Sie" are called by their last name, with "Herr" or "Frau" ("Mr." and "Mrs.") put in front. When addressing nobility, these 'bourgeois' addresses are dropped and the title (such as "Graf" or "Freifrau") is used instead of "Herr" or "Frau".

At the transition from childhood to adulthood, one might be called in a third form, namely using "Sie" with the first name. "Sie" is common for persons over the age of 15. This is how highschool teachers may address their pupils from the 10th or 11th form (age 16/17) onwards, and parents might rarely use the same way to address their teenage children's friends if they have not known them since childhood. This usage is considered somewhat highbrow; noted humourist Max Goldt has remarked that this is the way upper-class parents would address their daughter's boyfriend over the breakfast table. Usage of "Sie" for family members or even among engaged couples has become extremely rare and considered the pinnacle of stiff, old-fashioned etiquette.

The opposite form, i.e. "du" with the last name ("Berliner Du") is frequently used among retail workers wearing badges with just their title and last name (e.g., Herr Schmidt, Frau Müller), who will address each other in the colloquial way while, for convenience, sticking to the name form on the badge. It is also common among kindergarten teachers which thus address each other the same way small children, who are yet to learn the Du/Sie distinction, address them. The latter usage is a product of pedagogical reform in the 1960s and 1970s; before, children in kindergarten addressed their teachers as "Tante" ("aunt") or "Onkel" ("uncle") and with their first names. Further, in some areas it is common in schools that students call each other by last name, in order to avoid ambiguity (since all students are born at about the same time, naming fashion causes many call names to be non-unique).

The form "Fräulein" (meaning "Miss") to designate an unmarried woman is not considered politically correct anymore and thus has fallen out of official use. A minority of women, especially elderly unmarried women, may still insist on being addressed in this manner (seeing it as an honorific rather than a discrimination), but most consider it to be somewhat offensive.

It is very unusual to refer to a woman by her husband's first name. Laura Bush would not be Mrs. George W. Bush (Frau George W. Bush), but Mrs. Laura Bush. So you will never read "Frau Gerhard Schröder"; Doris Schröder-Köpf is referred to as "Frau Doris Schröder-Köpf".

The ten most common family names

# Müller (Miller)
# Schmidt, Schmitt, Schmitz (Smith)
# Schneider (Tailor)
# Fischer (Fisher)
# Meyer, Meier, Meir, Meyr, Mayer, Maier, Mair, Mayr (Mayor)
# Weber (Weaver, Webster)
# Wagner (Carter/Cartwright, Wagoner/Waggoner)
# Becker, Bäcker (Baker)
# Schulz, Schulze, Schultze, Schulte (Constable/Mayor)
# Hoffmann (Mayor) [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_der_h%C3%A4ufigsten_Familiennamen_in_Deutschland]

The ten most common given names from 1600 to 2006

These are the most frequently names, given to babies in 2006. [ [http://www.gfds.de/vornamen/beliebteste-vornamen/ Gesellschaft für deutsche Sprache (GfdS): Beliebteste Vornamen ] ]

Girls:
# Marie
# Sophie/Sofie
# Maria
# Anna, Anne
# Leonie
# Lena
# Emily
# Johanna
# Laura
# Lea/Leah

Boys:
# Leon
# Maximilian
# Alexander
# Lukas/Lucas
# Paul
# Luca
# Tim
# Felix
# David
# Elias

Most popular names between 1957 and 2006 for girls:
Andrea,Angelika,Anja,Anke,Anna, Anne,Annett,Antje,Barbara,Birgit,Brigitte,Christin,Christina, Christine,Claudia,Daniela,Diana,Doreen,Franziska,Gabriele,Heike,Ines,Jana,Janina,Jennifer,Jessica, Jessika,Julia,Juliane,Karin,Karolin,Katharina,Kathrin, Katrin,Katja,Kerstin,Klaudia,Kristin,Laura,Lea,Lena,Lisa,Mandy,Manuela,Maria,Marie,Marina,Martina,Melanie,Monika,Nadine,Nicole,Petra,Sabine,Sabrina,Sandra,Sara, Sarah,Silke,Simone,Sophia, Sophie,Stefanie, Stephanie,Susanne,Tanja,Ulrike,Ursula,Uta, Ute,Vanessa,Yvonne.

Most popular names between 1957 and 2006 for boys:
Alexander,Andreas,Benjamin,Bernd,Christian,Daniel,David,Dennis,Dieter,Dirk,Dominik,Eric, Erik,Felix,Florian,Frank,Franz,Jan,Jens,Jonas,Jörg,Jürgen,Karl-Heinz,Kevin,Klaus,Kristian,Leon,Lukas,Marcel,Marco, Marko,Mario,Markus,Martin,Mathias, Matthias,Max,Maximilian,Michael,Mike, Maik,Niklas,Patrick,Paul,Peter,Philipp, Phillipp,Ralf, Ralph,René,Robert,Sebastian,Stefan, Stephan,Steffen,Sven, Swen,Thomas,Thorsten, Torsten,Tim,Tobias,Tom,Ulrich,Uwe,Wilhelm,Wolfgang

Most popular names for girls in 1900:

# Frieda
# Anna
# Martha
# Erna
# Gertrud
# Emma
# Elisabeth
# Margarete / Margarethe
# Marie
# Else

Most popular names for boys in 1900:

# Walter
# Karl
# Heinrich
# Wilhelm
# Hans
# Ernst
# Otto
# Paul
# Friedrich
# HermannMost popular names for boys in 1616 in Darmstadt (Hesse) [ [http://www.beliebte-vornamen.de/1675.htm alte Vornamen aus den Jahren 1616 und 1675 ] ] :

# Johann, Johannes
# Hans
# Georg
# Henrich, Heinrich
# Caspar
# Balthasar
# Conrad
# Melchior
# Jost
# Adam

Most popular names for males between 1600 and 1900 in Württemberg:
# Johann, Johannes, Hans
# Georg, Jörg, Jerg
# Jakob/Jacob
# Michael/Michel
# Martin
# Friedrich
# Christoph
# Ludwig
# Konrad
# Andreas

Most popular names for females between 1600 and 1900 in Württemberg:
# Anna
# Maria/e
# Katharina/Catharina
# Barbara
# Christina/Christine
# Margarethe/a
# Elisabeth/Elisabetha
# Rosina
# Magdalena
# Agnes

External links

* [http://www.behindthename.com/glossary/view/german_names German names]
* [http://books.google.com/books?id=4qkM7k6-5SoC&pg=PA624&lpg=PA624&dq=rufname+information&source=web&ots=weFkwF27i5&sig=_283dmiY5SToNJ3gv8UspU-iTOs The Information Universe]

ee also

* German family name etymology

References