German names

Known for its majestic castles, strong musical heritage, and robust beer culture, Germany is also an excellent source of baby names. Take Emma, a name that has been a top-five choice for American parents since 2003. The girls' name comes from the Germanic word "ermen," meaning whole or universal. Amelia, another top name with German origins, means "industrious" or "hardworking." Other popular names like Charles, William, and Henry are so common they feel American, but they're actually derived from older German names. The German language can sound harsh to Americans because it's heavy on consonants and emphasizes sounds made in the back of the throat. But Deutsch has softer tones as well: Consider names such as Ella and Johann. German is the second-most-spoken language in the European Union – and with that kind of influence, it isn't surprising that many German names have risen in popularity worldwide. Whether you have ties to Germany or not, German baby names are worth a look.