Characters like Eren, Mikasa, and Armin from Attack on Titan all have hidden meanings to their names that may hint at what is in store for them.

The immensely popular Attack on Titan anime includes characters from around the world, as humanity has become condensed and packed into a small confined area, surrounded by walls. The diversity of the cast means that the author had to find creative ways of naming the characters, and they did so by pulling names from Germanic, English, and Asian history.

These characters are beloved by fans, and looking into their names gives them more dimension. By looking at where their names originated, fans can find hidden meanings that could hint at the characters' possible futures.

10 Eren Jaeger - Saint, Wise, Honor, Hunter

Eren Jaeger is a strong-willed and determined man who often acts on instinct. His given name Eren is Turkish, meaning "saint" or "wise," but given Attack on Titan's fondness for using Germanic names, his name could be related to the German word "ehre," which means "honor."

Eren's family name is Jaeger - also spelled Yeager or Jäger, depending on the translation - and it is another German word meaning "hunter," linking Eren directly to the Survey Corps' goal of eradicating the Titans, as well as the line, "Are you the prey? No, we are the hunters," in the first anime's opening. Some of Eren Yeagers best moments are when he fights the Titans and other characters, demonstrating his hunter nature.

9 Mikasa Ackerman - Strength, Plowman

Mikasa's given name is a reference to the Japanese battleship, Mikasa, alluding to Mikasa's strength and role as the ideal Survey Corps soldier. Mikasa is also named after a mountain in Nara, Japan, as well as a member of Japanese royalty who opposed the cruelty of the military towards civilians. This naming sense directly relates to Mikasa's strong convictions and the super rewatchable moment in the first season when she saved a group of innocent people by killing a charging Titan.

Captain Levi shares Mikasa's family name, which means "plowman." An "acker" is a plowed field, relating to the word "acre," so an Ackerman would mean a person that plows a field. In addition, Levi's given name means "united."

8 Armin Arlert - Army Man, Hero, Eagle

The name Armin could come from Herman, meaning "army man", or Arminius meaning "hero," which is a very applicable word to Armin's character arc. Arminius was a Germanic tribal leader that fought the Romans, relating to the Survey Corps' combat of the Titans, as well as their complications with the governments of Paradis and Marley.

Arlert - sometimes spelled Arlelt, depending on the translation - is an English name that is derivative of "arlet," meaning eagle. According to the manga artist, Hajime Isayama, he chose the name because Armin Arlert sounds like the word "aluminum," a metallic element.

7 Sasha Braus - Man's Defender, Helper Of Mankind, One Who Lives In Luxury

Attack on Titan's Sasha is a fan-favorite character that is often cosplayed since she brings a lot of comedy and heart to the show. Sasha means "man's defender," and is a shortened version of Alexander, meaning "helper of mankind." Sasha is certainly brave, showing off her selflessness when she saved a little girl from a Titan that was slowly devouring the girl's mother.

The family name Braus comes from the German saying "In Saus und Braus Leben" meaning "to live off the fat of the land" or live in luxury, which is much more fitting for the gluttonous Sasha. Some translations spell her family name as Blouse. The name Blouse comes from the French word to mean "workman's or peasant's shirt," fitting Sasha's rustic country background.

6 Erwin Smith - Respected Friend, To Strike Or Destroy

Erwin comes from the Old German for "army", heri, and "friend", wini. The overall name means "respected friend," which definitely suits Erwin with connections to his army background, and the fact that everyone around him genuinely respects him as a leader. Erwin steals the show consistently with his steadfast and respected nature.

Smith is the most common surname in the U.K., meaning "metalworker" or "blacksmith." The root of the word comes from the verb "to smite," which in blacksmithing terms means to "strike" or shape the metal to fit its purpose. However, smite also means to destroy, which is in line with Erwin's goal of destroying the Titans.

5 Reiner Braun - Counseling Warrior, Judgement, Strength

Reiner comes from the Old Norse word to mean "counseling warrior," which links to his title as a warrior working for Marley. His name could also mean "judgment," especially as Reiner often takes the law into his own hands and makes decisions based on his past traumatic experiences.

Braun is a common name meaning the color brown in German, which in the anime could reference the color of the Survey Corps uniform jackets. The surname is often pronounced as "brawn," relating to Reiner's Armored Titan strength and physically muscular body.

4 Historia Reiss - History, Anoited One, Branch

Historia means "history" in Greek, but could also mean "investigation" or "research," relating to her time investigating the Titans with the Survey Corps. Historia's fake name, Christa, means "anointed one" or "chosen by God," which immediately hints that she is someone important and truthfully puts more attention on her than her real name.

Reiss has different meanings, such as "a dealer of rice," or a person tasked with making charcoal out of wood. The name could also come from the Old German for "twig" or "branch," possibly relating to the family tree that is so important to Historia's character arc.

3 Conny Springer - Bravel Counsel, Conviction, To Leap

The outgoing and eager Conny goes through a lot in the show, becoming friends with most of the Survey Corps, but losing his naivety over the seasons due to traumatic events. Conny's name means "brave counsel" and indicates a steadfastness in character. The name is shorthand for "constancy" and "conviction," as well as a "strong will," which Conny demonstrates a few times throughout the show.

Springer means "knight" but also the verbs "to jump" and "to leap," which are both integral to Conny's job as a soldier and relates to his speed using the 3D Maneuver Gear. The name Springer could also mean a person who lives by a fountain or a spring of water.

2 Annie Leonhart - Grace, Bold As A Lion

Annie means "grace," coming from the Hebrew name Hanna which means "gracious" or "merciful." Annie turns out to be a good double agent name, as it conceals the character's true intentions, creating a heroic image for her as a red herring to throw off her enemies.

Annie's surname is French and means "as bold as a lion." The nickname Lionheart is often given to proud kings who succeed in battle and act with honor. Broken down further, Leon means lion and Hart is a type of deer. Her surname indicates that Annie preys on others like a lion hunts a deer, foreshadowing her Female Titan reveal.

1 Jean Kirschtein - Gracious God, Cherry Stone

Jean is a French variant of John, meaning "God is gracious," which clashes with Jean's personality as he was originally designed as an antagonistic force to Eren. However, Jean grows into his name throughout the show, becoming more heroic and selfless.

Jean's surname can be deciphered by breaking it into pieces. The german "kirsch" means cherry, and "stein" means stone. This is perhaps a reference to springtime in Japan when the cherry blossoms bloom. Kirsch is also a cherry liqueur, using Morello cherries that originated in the Black Forest region.

NEXT: 10 Scenes In Attack On Titan Viewers Love To Rewatch Over And Over

Next 10 Best Male Anime Characters, According To Ranker