would mean, would be called, would be named, would approve of
Das hieße, die Familie zu zerbrechen, sie nie mehr zu sehen.
That would mean breaking up the family, never seeing them again.
— Die Flucht ins Ungewisse (1988)
Stellt euch mal vor, ich hieße nach der Hochzeit Pia Chanchad.
Just imagine if my name were Pia Chanchad after getting married.
— 3 Idiots (2009)
In der Hand hieße es Handtuch.
In the hand, it would be called a hand towel.
— Er ist wieder da (2015)
Ich dachte, Toms Vater hieße Johannes.
I thought Tom's father's name was Johannes.
Ich dachte, dein Vater hieße Tom.
I thought your father's name was Tom.