Origin and Meaning of Berger

Shepherd

Origin: German - Derived from the Middle High German word 'bürger' which means 'a person who lives in a town or city'; it also can be associated with 'berg', meaning 'mountain'.

• Berger is often used as a surname in German-speaking countries and can also be adopted as a given name.
• As a surname, it is common in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, often denoting someone who lived or worked near a mountain or as a shepherd.
• Notable bearers include the French writer and philosopher André Berger, and various artists and academics from German-speaking regions.
• While mainly a surname, the name Berger has seen sporadic use as a first name, especially in the 20th century in some cultures.
• Variations of the name include 'Berg', 'Bergman', and 'Bergdorf', all of which share similar roots connected to mountains or elevated terrains.