Doppelname

Doppelname is a term used in German to describe a name that consists of two parts. It can refer to either two given names (a composite first name) or a surname that combines two family names into a single unit. The exact meaning and legal status of a Doppelname vary by country, culture, and context.

When referring to given names, many people in German-speaking regions are born with two first names, such as Anna Maria or Johann Paul. The second name often honors a relative or a saint. In everyday use, one of the names—a chosen Rufname or the commonly used first name—usually serves as the everyday name, while the full two-name form appears on official documents.

When applied to surnames, a Doppelname describes a double surname linked by a hyphen or a space, for example Schmidt-Schneider or Lange-Meier. Such combinations can arise through marriage, acknowledging both partners’ family names, or through personal or legal decisions to adopt a two-part surname. Laws governing double surnames differ by jurisdiction; in some countries couples may choose to create a Doppelname, while in others the practice is more restricted.

Across languages and cultures, similar concepts exist under different terms, such as double-barrelled surnames in English, or names with two given names in various European traditions. In practice, the use of a Doppelname reflects personal preference, family history, and legal rules, and individuals may employ different forms in different contexts.