All about the name

Ritter

Male

« Ritter is a German name meaning "knight," derived from the Old High German word for "to ride. »

#11297 over 5 years

Meaning, origin, history

Ritter is a name of German origin that translates to "knight" in English. It is derived from the Old High German word "riddo," which means "to ride." The name Ritter has been used historically as a given name, but it is also often used as a surname. The use of Ritter as a given name can be traced back to the Middle Ages in Germany. During this time, knights were held in high regard and were considered to be among the most noble and courageous members of society. As such, the name Ritter was seen as an appropriate choice for boys born into these families. Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the name Ritter. For example, Heinrich Ritter von Südheim was a German astronomer who lived in the 19th century. He is known for his work on comets and for discovering several asteroids. Today, Ritter is still used as a given name, but it is relatively rare compared to more popular names like John or Michael. Despite its rarity, however, Ritter remains a strong and distinctive name with a rich historical legacy behind it.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Ritter since 1880

Total births
114
Total since 1880
Peak year
2016
17 births
in 2021
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
-42%
vs previous 5 years