Switzerland, a small country with a large population, is renowned for its linguistic variation. Three-fourths of the total population speak German as their native language, a tad less than half of the total population have Italian as their native language, and the rest speak French. You will notice the same variation when looking at Swiss baby names with meanings. Speakers of these languages have their distinct naming traditions. German Swiss people select popular German and Austrian names, Italian speakers stick with Italian baby names, and French speakers find comfort in French baby names. Traditional Swiss names are rarely heard. Another thing to note is that the Swiss people do not experiment much regarding baby names. They cannot invent names because legal guidelines and social conventions are against them. The name must be gender-neutral, it shouldn’t be a dialect name or a nickname, and the Swiss authorities must approve it. Even creative spelling isn’t allowed. Also, there are only a handful of unisex baby names. Swiss people aim to identify a person's gender by hearing their name. Swiss culture mostly has names of Germanic, Latin, Hebrew, or Greek origin. Seekers of varied and exciting names will indeed find Swiss culture pleasant. Many words signify good virtues, while others are abbreviations of long traditional names. You will also find many occupational and habitational names in this language. Commonly, Swiss people speak in the Swiss-German dialect (2). It is the default language of daily life and is spoken irrespective of social class. This language is a mix of Alemmanic dialects. There are many variations in this language as well, but Swiss German speakers in different places can make out what others are speaking even if their dialect is varied. Deluge yourself in our distinctive Swiss baby name list below. Be it German, Italian, French, or traditional Swiss names, we have got everything here.
Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
Accola | Boy | Neighbor or to live near. | |
Adalheid | Boy | Golden | |
Adank | Boy | Adank is Swiss variant of Adam and means earth | |
Adolfus | Boy | A noble wolf | |
Aebi | Boy | Pet form of the personal name Adalbert, meaning noble. | |
Agnetta | Girl | Chaste or holy | |
Agon | Boy | The dawn | |
Altherr | Boy | The name means old master, or an older person of high status. | |
Amacker | Boy | Topographic name from ‘am Acker’, meaning by the field. | |
Anna | Boy | Grace; Favor | |
Annagret | Girl | The glorious one who is bright and nightless | |
Ardit | Boy | The golden day | |
Arjeta | Girl | Golden life | |
Armend | Boy | Golden intelligence, or golden mind | |
Arnborg | Boy | Eagle or protection | |
Babetta | Girl | Foreign woman. | |
Balthis | Boy | Swiss form of Balthazar, meaning Baal protects the King. | |
Barbel | Girl | Foreign or strange | |
Bastein | Boy | Short form of Sebastein, meaning one who is revered. | |
Beat | Boy | Blessed | |
Benziger | Boy | Someone from Benzingen. | |
Berlinger | Boy | A habitational name, meaning from Beroldingen. | |
Bertschy | Boy | A variant of Germanic name Bertwald, meaning bright and famous. | |
Billeter | Boy | Habitational name meaning someone from Bilten. | |
Blanda | Girl | Dazzling | |
Blerim | Boy | Flower or bloom | |
Blerina | Girl | Fresh greenness | |
Bothild | Girl | One who is best in the battle. | |
Caflisch | Boy | Shortened form of Kalbfleisch, literally meaning calf meat. It may mean an immature person. | |
Cajsa | Girl | Pure | |
Camenzind | Boy | An occupational name for a builder of fireplaces and chimneys. | |
Caspari | Boy | Variant spelling of Italian Gaspari. It means treasure bearer. | |
Danuser | Boy | Swiss variant of Tannhauser or Dannhauser. It means theatre of opera. | |
David | Boy | Beloved | |
Derrer | Boy | Occupational name for a flax or hemp worker. | |
Dettwiler | Boy | Variant spelling of Detweiler, a habitational name from Detweiler, a village in Zürich. | |
Diellza | Girl | Sun | |
Dietiker | Boy | A habitational name for someone from Dietikon near Zürich. | |
Disler | Boy | Occupational name for a maker of poles, frames, or wagons. Literally, it means shaft. | |
Dritan | Boy | Light | |
Eberly | Boy | A pet form of Eberhardt, meaning brave or hardy. | |
Ebersold | Boy | Swiss variant of Ebersol, meaning wild boar or wallow. | |
Eggen | Boy | Patronymic from Egge, meaning ridge or edge. | |
Ehlii | Unisex | A noble and brave hearted person | |
Eiger | Boy | Sharp like a javelin; very strong | |
Eliana | Girl | God has given the answer | |
Elias | Boy | One who believes Yahweh is the Lord | |
Elov | Boy | Ever-heir or successor. | |
Elsinger | Boy | Probably a derivative of Elsing. | |
Emilia | Girl | Rival; To emulate; Excel | |
Emma | Girl | Whole; Universal | |
Erisman | Boy | An honorable man. | |
Evia | Girl | She is breathing and living | |
Fahrni | Boy | A variant of Farni, a topographic name for someone living in an area with ferns. | |
Fassnacht | Boy | Dervied from the word Fastnacht, meaning ‘Shrovetide carnival’ | |
Fessler | Boy | Occupational name for a cooper. | |
Fisnik | Boy | 高贵的 | |
Flamur | Boy | Flag, or banner | |
Floke | Girl | Guardian of the people. | |
Fricker | Boy | Derived from Middle English word frik(i)en, which means to move briskly or nimbly. | |
Friede | Girl | Elf strength | |
Frutiger | Boy | A habitational name from a place called Fruttigen. | |
Gabriel | Unisex | God is my strength | |
Gittan | Girl | The exalted one | |
Heilwig | Girl | One who remains strong in battle. | |
Inge | Girl | Ancestor | |
Ingegerd | Girl | Ing's enclosure | |
Ingram | Girl | Ing's raven | |
Jetmir | Boy | A good life | |
Jeton | Boy | Life | |
Julian | Boy | Youthful; Bright; Juvenile; Downy-bearded | |
Kettil | Boy | Cauldron or kettle | |
Kreshnik | Boy | Knight | |
Kushtrim | Boy | Cry of war | |
Lara | Girl | Protection; Water fairy | |
Laura | Girl | Laurel; Victory | |
Lena | Girl | Torch; Bright shining light | |
Leon | Boy | Lion | |
Leutrim | Boy | Brave, full of bravery | |
Liam | Boy | Strong-willed warrior | |
Lina | Girl | Tender; Sunlight | |
Liridona | Girl | One who is longing for freedom. | |
Louis | Boy | Famous warrior | |
Luca | Boy | Bringer of light | |
Marti | Boy | A soldier of Mars | |
Martina | Girl | Warrior | |
Meia | Girl | Strength, or star of the sea. | |
Mia | Girl | Mine; Dear; Darling | |
Mila | Girl | Gracious; Dear | |
Nisse | Boy | Victory of the people. | |
Noah | Unisex | Rest | |
Orell | Boy | Swiss accent of Aurelius (golden, glided) | |
Primin | Boy | The first born. | |
Samuel | Boy | Name of God | |
Silvan | Boy | He who is from the woods | |
Sira | Girl | She who comes from Syria | |
Sofia | Girl | Wisdom; Learned | |
Sylvette | Girl | Sylvette is a version of Sylvia, meaning wood or tree. | |
Sylviane | Girl | Wood or forest | |
Torkel | Boy | Thor's cauldron. | |
Swiss names are a wonderful mix of various languages. You can find immense variety in this list of Swiss baby names with meanings mainly because of the many national official languages, such as German, Italian, and French. The names hold deep meanings and signify many societal values. You may opt for a classic Swiss name or go for the ones trending right now. It doesn't matter what you choose; the final choice will undoubtedly be admirable.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do Swiss parents choose a name for their baby?
瑞士婴儿名字选择3个e months before the baby's birth and submitted for the government's approval. Parents are to select names that are not offensive, do not harm or shame the child, and avoid unsuitable names (1).
2. Are there any rules about baby names in Switzerland?
Some Swiss rules for naming your baby include picking a linguistically Swiss name since strange or creative names are not accepted. The International Book of First Names 2008 edition is used as a reference for genuine names. Names that are harmful or offensive are not permitted. Names that consist of numbers and single letters like 'J' are prohibited, farm names may be removed or the order changed (1). Babies cannot be named after popular Swiss brands. Parents are not allowed to name their children after negative characters from the Bible like Cain, Judas, or Lucifer.
References:
- Act (2016:1013) on personal names
https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/lag-20161013-om-personnamn_sfs-2016-1013/ - Languages and dialects
https://www.eda.admin.ch/aboutswitzerland/en/home/gesellschaft/sprachen/sprachen-und-dialekte.html