List of Names
In general, the names for Germany can be arranged in six main groups according to their origin:
1. From Old High German diutisc or similar:a
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2. From the Latin Germania or Greek Γερμανία:
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3. From the name of the Alamanni tribe:
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4. From the name of the Saxon tribe:
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5. From the Protoslavic němьcьb
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6. Unclear origin:c
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Other forms:
- Medieval Hebrew language: Ashkenaz; from biblical Ashkenaz was the son of Japheth and grandson of Noah. Ashkenaz is thought to be the ancestor of the Germans.
- Tahitian language: Purutia (also Heremani) – a corruption of Prusse, the French name for the German Kingdom of Prussia.
- Lower Sorbian language: bawory or bawery (in older or dialectal use) – from the name of the Bavarian tribe.
- Old Norse: Suðrvegr – literally "south way" (cf. Norway)
- Navajo: Béésh Bich’ahii Bikéyah ("Metal Cap-wearer Land"), in reference to Stahlhelm-wearing German soldiers.
Notes:
- ^a Diutisc or similar, from Proto-Germanic *Þeudiskaz, meaning "of the people", "of the folk"
- ^b Němьcь ‘a foreigner, lit. a mute, e.g. who doesn't speak Slavonic’ or unlikely from the name of the ancient Nemetes tribe. See below.
- ^c Possibly from the name of the Scandinavian Vagoth tribe or a Baltic word meaning "speak" or "war cry"
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