A 1980s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Germain since 1913
Babies named Germain per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 40 |
| 1920s | 61 |
| 1930s | 53 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 187 |
| 1980s | 197 |
| 1990s | 191 |
| 2000s | 140 |
| 2010s | 95 |
| 2020s | 18 |
Meaning & origin
Germain is an extremely rare masculine name in the United States, first recorded in 1913 with just minimal usage over the decades. Its peak popularity came in 1981, though even then it was uncommon. In 2025, the name ranked 9,714th with only 1 in 244,011 boys given the name. The name has shown a recent upward trend since 2022, possibly reflecting a revival of interest in vintage French names. Despite its rarity, Germain has a distinguished history through early Christian saints and remains a recognizable classic in France.
Germain is the French form of the Latin name Germanus, which may mean 'brother' or 'from Germany'. It was borne by several early saints, including Saint Germain of Auxerre, a 5th-century bishop. The name saw moderate use in France and among French-speaking populations, but remains rare in English-speaking countries.
“Germain” around the world
Where Germain lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
45
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Germain
Names that share Germain's style, for a brother or sister.
