Sophia has become the most popular name for girls in Germany, according to a ranking released Tuesday by name expert Knud Bielefeld. Bielefeld has been evaluating birth announcements from across Germany since 1996. This marks the first change at the top of the girls’ name list since 2022, when Emilia held the top spot.
Shifting Preferences
“Overall, there hasn’t been much movement in names,” Bielefeld explained. “It’s fascinating that the most popular names remain largely the same.” The Greek name Sophia rose from second to first place, Emma moved from third to second, and Emilia fell from first to third.
For boys, the Hebrew name Noah is the most frequently chosen by parents. It means “rest,” “calm,” or “comfort.” Matteo, an Italian name, ranks second, followed by Elias in third. Elijahu and Elija are additional variations of this Hebrew name, meaning “My God is Jahwe.”
Regional Variations
Significant regional differences exist. In Bavaria, Felix topped the list this year, followed by Lukas, Elias, Louis, and Maximilian. The ranking in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern differs considerably from the national list, with Frieda, Mathilda, Emma, and Ida being the most popular girls’ names. For boys in that region, Emil, Matteo, Oskar, and Milan lead the way.
In Berlin and Brandenburg, a Jewish name also holds the top position on the popularity list for girls: Hannah.
Bielefeld and his team based their nationwide evaluation on 260,000 birth announcements received from registry offices and maternity hospitals in 375 cities as of the end of December. This represents approximately 40 percent of babies born in Germany.
The Society for the German Language also publishes a similar name statistic, but later than Knud Bielefeld, and based on around 90 percent of names given in the previous year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular boy’s name in Germany?
Noah is the most popular name for boys in Germany, according to the ranking.
How many birth announcements were used for the nationwide evaluation?
The evaluation was based on 260,000 birth announcements from 375 cities.
Are there other organizations that track baby names in Germany?
Yes, the Society for the German Language also publishes a name statistic, but it is released later and based on a different percentage of birth records.
Will regional naming trends continue to diverge from the national average, or is a convergence likely as cultural influences spread?
