It's possible you're thinking of Bruno, the main character of the story. He is a young boy who lives in a German family and befriends a boy named Shmuel, who lives on the other side of a fence in a concentration camp.
It's important to note that the author, John Boyne, carefully chose names for the characters to represent their innocence and naivety. Bruno, for example, is a common German name, signifying his lack of awareness about the true nature of the camp.
If you have any other questions about "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas", feel free to ask!