A 1920s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Germaine since 1895
Babies named Germaine per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 27 | 0 |
| 1900s | 230 | 0 |
| 1910s | 1,028 | 0 |
| 1920s | 1,644 | 0 |
| 1930s | 1,354 | 0 |
| 1940s | 809 | 0 |
| 1950s | 882 | 0 |
| 1960s | 939 | 7 |
| 1970s | 560 | 972 |
| 1980s | 231 | 564 |
| 1990s | 129 | 359 |
| 2000s | 43 | 265 |
| 2010s | 18 | 155 |
| 2020s | 16 | 42 |
Meaning & origin
Germaine is a French import that saw its peak in the U.S. in 1928, when it ranked highest. After a long decline, the name has been rising again since 2020, though it remains uncommon. In 2025, it ranked 13,208 with approximately 1 in every 267,878 newborns receiving the name. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1895, and its revival suggests a possible renewed interest in vintage French names.
Germaine is the feminine form of Germain, derived from the Latin name Germanus, meaning "from Germany" or, more literally, "brother" (from germanus, "sibling"). The name was used in France as a masculine and feminine name, and introduced to England after the Norman Conquest. It enjoyed some popularity in English-speaking countries in the early 20th century, particularly in the 1920s.
Where Germaine is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Germ, Maine
Sibling names for Germaine
Names that share Germaine's style, for a brother or sister.
