German shepherds are one of the most admired dog breeds. They’re a gorgeous, vigorous family dog with boundless energy and renowned loyalty. I have a rescued GSD mix of my own, and she fits that to a tee.
When you choose to bring one of these noble dogs into your home, you have a huge decision to make: their name! So, check the finest German Shepherd Names from the list below.
German shepherds are one of the most trendy dog breeds, and for excellent reason. These dogs are loyal, intelligent, athletic, and outstanding to look at. While picking your ideal pooch might have been effortless, selecting the best German shepherd name might be more of a challenge.
German Shepherd Names
Here are some immense names for German shepherds, including girl names, boy names, auto-inspired names, and unique names.
Welcome to our absolute guide to German Shepherd Names. We love giving you lots of creative name choices that entirely complement these spirited and stunning dogs.
So, you’re bringing home a German Shepherd dog or puppy. What are you going to call the attractive new addition?
When we adopted my dog, we had a long list of names prepared. During our hour-long drive from the shelter to our home, we tried all of the names out loud to see if one would fit.
But from Freyja to Lyra, none of them worked. While we sat in traffic, I started saying every name I could think of. Nothing actually sounded correct until suddenly, I came up with the winner. It was a spur-of-the-moment choice that stuck: Lana.
Turns out we picked a unique name for our GSD mix! See below for the most popular German shepherd dog names of the year from massive database of dog names.
If you’re looking for a name that stands out, look no further. Let’s start with the most popular German dog names given by real GSD owners, and go from there.
From cultural to mythological, this terrific list of dog names will inspire you!
According to the American Kennel Club, German shepherds are continually the second most popular dog breed on its annual list, just one slash below Labrador retrievers. And it’s no wonder!

These brave, regal, and intelligent dogs—also known as Alsatians—are also tender family pets dedicated to their human companions.
Their characteristic personalities make them worthy of the best moniker, so we’ve put together a list of over 300 German shepherd dog names to spark your imagination!
Top German Shepherd Names
- Luna
- Bella
- Max
- Bear
- Zeus
- Charlie
- Koda
- Nala
- Sadie
- Stella
- Bailey
- Harley
- Lucy
- Athena
- Duke
- Zoe
- Nova
- Rocky
- Roxy
- Loki
- Jax
- Cooper
- Shadow
- Gunnar
- Daisy
- Thor
- Apollo
- Kona
- Lola
- Riley
- Milo
- Mia
- Maverick
- Lily
- Sasha
- Jack
- Rex
- Scout
- Remi
- Beau
- Buddy
- Ace
- Leo
- Dakota
- Molly
- Diesel
- Moose
- Maggie
- Callie
- Rosie
- Ranger
- Oakley
- Ellie
- Willow
- Maya
- Blu
- Ava
- Layla
- Sophie
- Sam
- Coco
- Odin
- Piper
- Lexi
- Gracie
- Chloe
- Kai
- Chief
- Axel
- Xena
- Finn
- Millie
- Tucker
- Dixie
- Ruby
- Pepper
- Kobe
- Kaiser
- Toby
- Atlas
- Cash
- Dexter
- Ruger
- Hazel
- Raven
- Zeke
- Mila
- Heidi
- Penny
- Abby
- Klaus
- Chase
- Lady
- Marley
- Hank
- Bruno
- Bentley
- Jake
- Simba
- Gus
- Ginger
- Sarge
- Ghost
- King
- Freya
- Murphy
- Titan
- Hunter
- Aspen
- Jackson
- Bandit
- Izzy
- Samson
- Sammy
- Harper
- River
- Oliver
- Ollie
- Whiskey
- Archie
- Otis
- Kira
- Boomer
- Juno
- Winnie
- Jasper
- Luke
- Maximus
- Bruce
- Teddy
- Khaleesi
- Tank
- Zelda
- Sage
- Cleo
- Lucky
- Roscoe
- Olive
- Mac
- Echo
- Shiloh
- Kylo
- Ares
- Belle
- Ella
- Kane
- Onyx
- Honey
- Leia
- Kaya
- Theo
- Elsa
- Emma
- Storm
- Angel
- June
- Skye
- Chance
- Kenai
- Cody
- Bonnie
- Louie
- Jade
- Rogue
- Karma
- Arya
- Copper
- Zara
- Rocco
- Scooby
- Lincoln
- Major
- Kaia
- Frankie
- Quinn
- Oso
- Kali
- Remington
- Lobo
- Rusty
- Ryder
- Rambo
- Gypsy
Meet the German Shepherd Dog (GSD)
The GSD is a very versatile breed that’s a favorite service dog, pet, guard dog, or even pet. They are amazingly loyal dogs which bond tightly with their loved ones and are easy to train.
These are a few genuinely commendable and handsome dogs which deserve titles as majestic as they are now! And we would really like to assist you pick a name which matches your pooch.
Thus, we’ve broken down possible German Shepherd (Alsatian) puppy names into classes according to their looks, character, or occupation.
We have added several reader favorites along with other titles that are simply too fun to resist. Look no farther for a lot of inspirational and innovative GSD dog titles! We have got you covered if you are on the search for male German Shepherd titles or feminine German Shepherd titles.
Good German Shepherd Dog Names
The German Shepherd is a truly one-of-a-kind breed that is incredibly popular. In fact, it ranks second in the American Kennel Club’s list of most popular dog breeds in the United States!
They are generally perceived as working dogs that are fiercely loyal and excellent protectors.
Top 10 Female German Shepherd Dog Names
- Luna
- Bella
- Nala
- Sadie
- Stella
- Lucy
- Athena
- Zoe
- Nova
- Roxy
Top 10 Male German Shepherd Dog Names
- Max
- Bear
- Zeus
- Charlie
- Koda
- Bailey
- Harley
- Duke
- Rocky
- Loki
100 More German Dog Names
We selected these name ideas by digging through our enormous database and researching names from Germany, going way beyond the top 100 dog names to find the perfect German picks.
- Ada—noble, kind
- Adler—eagle
- Aldo—old, wise
- Alger—noble, bright
- Alfred—counselor
- Annika—graceful
- Arnold—eagle power
- Arvin—friend to all
- Aubrey—noble
- August—exalted, revered
- Axel—peaceful
- Ava—a variation of Eve
- Bernard—brave as a bear
- Berta—intelligent, glorious
- Bismarck—German statesman
- Britta—strength
- Cayden—the spirit of battle
- Clovis—famous warrior
- Damian—the fighter
- Dieter—the people’s ruler
- Donner—thunder
- Duxi—warrior of the people
- Elsa—noble
- Emmett—industrious, strong
- Ellard—noble, brave
- Felix—lucky
- Ferdinand—adventurous, courageous
- Franz—free
- Frauke—little lady
- Frederick—peaceful ruler
- Frido—powerful
- Frieda—peaceful
- Garin—warrior
- Gerda—protected
- Gretchen—pearl
- Greta—pearl
- Gunther—warrior
- Hamlin—one who loves his home
- Harbin—little shining fighter
- Heidi—noble, serene
- Helga—pious
- Helmar—famous protector
- Hendrik—home ruler
- Hugo—wise man
- Ida—hardworking
- Jaeger—hunter
- Kaja—alive
- Katrin—great beauty
- Keene—bold, sharp
- Klaus—the people’s victory
- Leona—brave as a lioness
- Leopold—bold leader
- Liebe—love
- Liesel—God is my oath
- Lorelei—alluring
- Lotti—little woman
- Luther—warrior
- Manfred—man of peace
- Matilda—mighty in battle
- Max—greatest
- Meyer—bringer of light
- Milla—industrious
- Milo—beloved
- Mozart—German composer
- Nadja—hope
- Nia—bright
- Norbert—hero
- Olinda—protector of property
- Otto—prosperous, rich
- Ozzy—divine spear
- Petra—solid as rock
- Prinz—prince
- Raina—mighty army
- Rainer—warrior
- Ritter—knight
- Romey—obstinate, rebellious
- Rowland—famous in the land
- Sascha—defender of mankind
- Schatzi—sweetheart
- Sigrid—beautiful victory
- Skye—sheltering
- Sonje—wisdom
- Theobold—the boldest
- Tilli—battle maiden
- Tobias (Toby)—God is good
- Trudi—strong spear warrior
- Ugo—mind, heart, spirit
- Ula—pearl
- Ulrika—all-ruling, wolf ruler
- Vera—faith, truth
- Vala—singled out
- Verner—defending army
- Waldo—ruler
- Wilfred—determined peacemaker
- Winifred (Winnie)—peaceful friend
- Wolfgang—wolf journey
- Zelda—battle maid
- Zelig—blessed one
- Zenzi—to spring up, grow, thrive
- Zita (also Hungarian)
Cool German Shepherd Names
Break out the shades and the bling as these cool names tell the world about your hip pup. Only you know the big mush puppet hiding under that too-cool-for-school attitude!
- Farrah
- River
- Monty
- Sonic
- Nia
- East
- Drake
- Kona
- Venus
- Shadow
- Elon
- Lane
- Quinn
- Kai
- Raven
- Halsey
- Forest
- Elvis
- Annika
- Suki
- Batiste
- Tide
- Jet
- Tenley
- Sheena
- Knox
- Fir
- Beckett
- Jazz
- Calyx
- Zander
- Enrique
- Nico
- Skye
- Indigo
Strong German Shepherd Dog Names
These athletic, powerful medium- to large-sized dogs can amaze you with their spirit and perseverance, so give them a name that reflects their strength.
- Isa (strong-willed)
- Kenzo (strong and healthy)
- Nina (fire)
- Anders (manly)
- Bree (power and strength)
- Pacome (strong nature)
- Lenna (lion-hearted)
- Zale (power of the sea)
- Kelsey (brave)
- Adira (noble and powerful)
- Griffin (strong lord)
- Sage (wise)
- Emerson or Emersyn (brave and powerful)
- Mahogany (rich and strong)
- Oz (warrior of God)
- Ryker (strength)
- Asta (divine strength)
- Etana (strength of purpose)
- Kano (masculine power)
- Minka (strong-willed warrior)
German Names for German Shepherds
Honor your dog’s heritage with these namen aus Deutschland. Plus they’re great conversation starters at the dog park.
- Caspar
- Riesling
- Lena
- Süsser/Süsse
- Franz
- Sabine
- Blitz
- Dieter
- Petra
- Elyna
- Jannik
- Mahler
- Aldo
- Sascha
- Liebling
- Bärchen
- Rommel
- Oskar
- Mairke
- Schatzi
- Fritz
Female German Shepherd Names
Whether she joins your family as a puppy or an adult, certain dogs seem to name themselves. She might just look like a Daisy—who knows?
- Bambi
- Andra
- Payton
- Serena
- Zuri
- Coco
- Pearl
- Honey
- Oki
- Trixie
- Yasmin
- Babs
- Stella
- Elsa
- Aster
- Willa
- Sugar
- Magnolia
- Zoe
- Portia
- Fiona
- Belle/Bella
- Adele
- Una
- Piper
- Yumi
German Shepherd Boy Names
Calling out to your dog like he’s a regular dude keeps him firmly in the bro pack. In fact, names like Max, Charlie, and Jack were some of the most popular dog names of 2020.
- Archie
- Ike
- Joey
- Gus
- Andy
- Parker
- Ned
- Levi
- Barry
- Otis
- Buddy
- Tex
- Chester
- Quincy
- Hank
- Ralph
- Starsky
- Clyde
- Vinnie
- Eddie
- Jake
Cute German Shepherd Dog Names
These pups have such playful sides that it’s only natural to want to give them cute tags and speak to them in funny voices.
- Pez
- Banjo
- Jolly
- Pepper
- Funko
- Wishbone
- Dimples
- Twinkie
- Pikachu
- Zippo
- Squirtle
- Lolo
- Bucky
- Jenga
- Smooch
- Fonzie
- Zipper
- Rowlf
- Nola
- Buffy
Badass German Shepherd Names
Announce these and see if your dog barks twice with approval! Except they’re so badass, they’ll probably just sniff, lift their muzzle, and trot away without acknowledging you.
- Bruno
- Crag
- Striker
- Harley
- Ink
- Diesel
- Nikita
- Tank
- Rambo
- Dude
- Kong
- Nash
- Vader
- Butch
- Jada
- Duke
- Zena
- Spike
- Vito
- Rivka
- King
- Rocco
- Blaze
- Vixen
- Brock
Unique German Shepherd Names to Help Your Dog Stand Out
Your dog is one-of-a-kind, so she needs a name as special as she is.
- Cedric
- Marisol
- Serafina
- Roman
- Inez
- Duncan
- Moira
- Echo
- Zeke
- Paris
- Augustine
- Maple
- Briar
- Maddox
- Hazel
- Chord
- Eloise
German Shepherd Names Inspired by Famous Celebrities
These options come from a variety of sources, including college mascots, movies, video games, pop culture, and more.
- Alyx (Half-Life 2)
- Mando (The Mandalorian)
- Leeloo (The Fifth Element)
- Enzo (The Art of Racing in the Rain)
- Geralt (The Witcher)
- Kobe (basketball star)
- Rin or Rin Tin Tin (dog actor)
- Marvel (Marvel comic books)
- Lizzo (musician)
- Anya (Shepherd: The Hero Dog)
- Barkin (All Dogs Go to Heaven)
- Tuffy (North Carolina State University)
- Khaleesi (Game of Thrones)
- Zelda (Legend of Zelda)
- Ace (Batman comic books)
- Deckard (Bladerunner)
- Hanzo (Overwatch)
- Strongheart (dog actor)
- Shuri (Black Panther)
- Gorillaz (musicians)
German Shepherd Names Inspired by Mythology
A dog this noble can carry a moniker of an ancient god or goddess well. Plus it sounds awesome when you call her to dinner: “Athena! Here girl!”
- Loki
- Xena
- Apollo
- Indra
- Gandalf
- Chen
- Nike
- Dalia
- Jimmu
- Odin
- Isis
- Luna
- Chanda
- Hermes
- Anil
- Spartacus
- Freya
- Rama
- Pax
- Vulcan
- Grimhilt
- Balder
- Devi
- Jupiter
- K’awi
- Signy
- Akna
- Nanaya
- Fergus
- Kamala
- Thor
- Ziva
- Artemis
- Hela
- Manu
- Taranis
Names of German Shepherd Dog Heroes
Right now, our top favs include Arlo, the K-9 hero dog shot in the line of duty; Sadie, who saved her owner when he had a stroke; and Major and Champ, President Biden’s dogs who live with him and First Lady Jill Biden in the White House. There are many military German Shepherd hero dogs, too. Here are some others.
- Haus (saved child from rattlesnake)
- Zoran (patrol explosive detector dog)
- Chips (World War II sentry dog)
- Luca (police K-9)
- Rek (explosive detection dog)
- Dasher (protected child during storm)
- Ty (search and rescue dog)
- Mazz (guided firefighters to children trapped in home)
- Finn (police K-9)
- Rex (protected homeowner from intruders)
- Adak (explosive detection dog)
Names to Emulate These German Shepherd Insta-Influencers

Without a doubt, there are few pastimes we like more than seeing what pets are up to on social! Here are a few top contenders under #germanshepherd.
- Lance
- Moki
- Zas
- Iris
- Mojito
- Phoenix
- Ozzy
- Jade
- Mimi
- Logan
- Storm
- Yeti
- Cas
- Drako
- Beau
- Bosely
- Kaos
- Murphy
- Freja
- Linc
- Donner
- Murray
- Cario
- Topi
- Sable
- Boyka
- Lola
- Grizzly Bane
- Willow
- Tulsa
- Chewy
- Jax
- Strider
- Presley
German People Names for Dogs
Would you enjoy the noise of a person name onto a puppy? If this is so, you’re not alone. It was that many people agreed on a fantastic name for a puppy. Fido, Rex, Lady: ” We anticipated generic options. Now, but you are more inclined to hear individual names on puppies.
Our data demonstrates that every calendar year, pet owners turn to individual names to their own pets. Because you can see in the listing above, this can be true for female and male dog names.
This reflects the cultural trend that disturbs dogs as full-time household members that deserve their own unique place in our hearts and homes. Dog love runs deep.
German Dog Naming Advice
If you are having difficulty choosing a name, remember a fantastic pet may come from a number of distinct sources of inspiration, including your favourite meals, books, actors, your legacy, or perhaps dog breed background.
By way of instance, a chocolate Lab pup may fit a water-inspired title such as Lily, even though a Muslim puppy breed may take a cute name such as Canela (Spanish for”cinnamon”).
Another consideration when picking your pet’s name? Dog training. This can be of specific significance for dogs. When you are teaching your new puppy to respond to commands such as sit, stay come, you are going to want to be certain that their name is not a source of confusion.
To put it differently, avoid puppy titles which seem like a frequent dog training suggestion, like”Bit,” that could simply be misheard as”sit”
Needless to say, what matters most is the puppy name you select rolls off your tongue. The top names will probably make you happy. We are lovers of this”backdoor test” for puppy name choice.
It is pretty much exactly what it seems like: rack in the rear door and call your pet’s possible name. Gradually “Zelda, it is time for supper!” Or even “Skye, make it!” Helps to take the title from your creativity and to reality.
More Top Dog Names
For more on naming your German shepherd, check out these articles! We are a leading expert in dog names and we’ve got tons of ideas and tips for you.
Top German Shepherd Names
- Rocky
- Heidi
- Moose
- Aldo
- Annika
- Arvin
- Astrid
- Blitz
- Schnitzel
- Ranger
- Hansel
- Gretel
German Shepherd dogs are the first breed you think of when a police dog or guard dog is mentioned. You might consider naming your GSD based on his bold personality. Or, you might even want to name them based on their beautiful profile or quirky personality.
We’ve split up German Shepherd names by gender in the following sections.
Female German Shepherd Names
Female German Shepherd names can reflect your dog’s feminine looks and “pampered pooch” status. They may also reflect her strong female personality, if you prefer.
We think that powerful and independent women, both real and fictional, serve very well as an inspiration for your German Shepherd girl’s name!
Here is a list of names reminiscent of strong women that would perfectly complement a female German Shepherd.
- Ella (short for Eleanor Roosevelt)
- Amelia (Amelia Earhart)
- Katniss (after the main character in The Hunger Games trilogy)
- Liz (short for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II)
- Hermione (Harry Potter)
- Nancy (Nancy Drew series)
- Xena (Xena the Warrior Princess)
- River (Dr. Who)
- Jackie (Kennedy)
- Cleo (Cleopatra of Egypt)
- Ursula
Male German Shepherd Names
Not only are there powerful women in history, but there are also plenty of courageous and heroic male figures. You have ample choice of male German Shepherd names as you make your selection.. f
Here is a list of male German Shepherd names that will help to convey your boy’s intelligence or strength.
- Apollo
- Julius (Caesar)
- Caesar
- Achilles (of Troy)
- Bert (short for Albert Einstein)
- Huck (Finn)
- Teddy (Roosevelt)
- Thor (Norse god)
- Stallone (Sylvester)
- Rambo
- Aladdin (Disney)
- Rocky (from the movie)
- Zorro (Legend of)
- Zeus
German Dog Names – Male
A list of German Shepherd Dog names wouldn’t be complete without a few names from the GSD’s country of origin!
As its name suggests, the GSD breed was created in Germany back in 1899.
Here are some German names and their meanings that may suit a male German Shepherd.
- Adalard (“brave”)
- Agustine (“majestic”)
- Alaric (“noble leader”)
- Dolphus (“noble wolf”)
- Fonsie (“noble and eager”)
- Fremont (“noble protector”)
- Gregor (“vigilant watchman”)
- Hubbard (“bright mind”)
- Kaiser (“long haired”)
- Kort (“bold”)
- Otto (“wealthy”)
German Dog Names – Female
Here are some German names and their meanings that may suit a female German Shepherd.
- Ada (“noble and serene”)
- Bathilda (“heroine”)
- Erma (“warrior)
- Ethel (“noble”)
- Felisberta (“intelligent”)
- Githa (“bright and shiny”)
- Schatzi (“sweetheart”)
- Holle (“beloved”)
- Ida (“hard working”)
- Joli (“pretty”)
- Mady (“maiden”)
- Minne (“resolute protector”)
Police Dog Names
As we mentioned previously, German Shepherds are commonly used as police dogs.
When they’re part of a K-9 unit, GSD dogs need a name that’s easy to pronounce when the handler gives commands, but that also packs a little “oomph.” Besides, police dogs are hard workers and deserve a commanding name!
Here are a few names we think would be suitable for police dogs or those who clearly have aspirations in that area!
- Sarge
- Scout
- Blue
- Tracker
- Duke
- Hooch
- Chip
- Gunner
- Boots
- Flash
- Storm
- Buzz
- Ritz
- Blitz
- Rango
- Ranger
- Tazz
- Bells
- Captain
- Snoop
- Scooby
White German Shepherd Names
Some solid-colored German Shepherd Dogs are white. Bicolor Shepherds can also be white with dark points.
The following is a list of names that draw attention to your pooch’s pearly white fur coat!
- Lacey
- Cloud
- Glacier
- Nilla
- Puff
- Clover
- Skylark
- Ivory
- Champaign
- Bones
- Whiteout
- Powder
- Sugar
- Doily
- Pasty
- Alabaster
- Prism
- Snowman
- Suds
- Coolwhip
Black German Shepherd Names
There’s nothing more visually striking than a solid black German Shepherd Dog—what a handsome sight!
Here are some names inspired by your pup’s dark coloring.
Does the dog in your life have a cat in theirs? Don’t miss out on the perfect companion to life with a purrfect friend.
The Happy Cat Handbook – A unique guide to understanding and enjoying your cat!
- Ember
- Ash
- Knight
- Midnight
- Moonshine
- Bear
- Panda
- Tophat
- Panther
- Shade
- Thunder
- Tornado
- Jet
- Smoke
- Shadow
- Pebbles
- Rocky
- Black Top
- Pumice
- Vulcan
- Twilight
Cute German Shepherd Puppy Names
Let’s be honest, all puppies are super adorable, regardless of their breed.
Still, your German Shepherd pup won’t stay little forever. But you can still give them a name that will preserve their cuteness even after they’re grown.
If you’ve got a cute puppy, consider one of these names for your fur baby!
Cute Male German Shepherd Names
- Gremlin
- Tater Tot
- Tudball
- Mudbug
- Ruger
- Chewy
- Bugsy
- Nipper
- Zippy
- Bowser
Cute Female German Shepherd Names
- Bunny
- Baby
- Geisha
- Missy
- Daisy
- Marbles
- Butterbean
- Thimble
- Tiny Tot
- Tink
- Screech
- Barky
Cool German Shepherd Names
If there ever was a cool dog, it’s definitely the German Shepherd Dog.
With his noble profile and stoic physique, the Shepherd just oozes confidence and style.
So, if you’d like to play up how cool your pup is, we recommend selecting one of the following super suave names.
Cool Male German Shepherd Names
- Ice
- Maverick
- Mr. Freeze
- Rico Sauvé
- Dash
- Arrow
- Dude
- Titus
- Axle
- Ferris
- Zarr
- Kai
- Blaze
Cool Female German Shepherd Names
- Harper
- Gwen
- Pizazz
- Estella
- Quinn
- Annala
- Sonora
- Branwen
- Claude
- Damaris
- Juniper
- Neva
Unique German Shepherd Names
Every dog is a unique individual with their own personality and mannerisms. Their name should set them apart from the crowd!
You can find inspiration for a unique name in everyday objects. You might also try looking up famous landmarks or even city, country, or state names for ideas.
Here are a few of our top choices for truly unique names.
Unique Male German Shepherd Names
- Arris
- Cairo
- Monticello
- Forge
- Kylo
- Gunther (“Gunny” for short)
- Big Ben
- Berlin
- Bangor
- Peru
- Taj
- Hollywood
- Macchu
Unique Female German Shepherd Names
- Liberty Bell
- Paris
- Nevada
- Asia
- Sydney
- Topeka
- Indiana
- Mississippi (Missy for short)
- Arizona
- Niagara
- Kaya
- Fergie
- Zelda
- Zedakia
Strong German Shepherd Names
As we mentioned earlier, German Shepherds are working dogs that know their jobs. They have an incredible work ethic. As a working dog, the Shepherd is built to withstand long hours and tough conditions. So, his name should highlight your dog’s role as man’s best friend and work partner.
Below are some names that literally mean “strong” in different languages.
Strong Male German Shepherd Names
- Ethan
- Ekon
- Zale
- Neron
- Takeshi
- Angus
- Barrett
- Bernard
- Brian
- Denzell
- Steele
Strong Female German Shepherd Names
- Adira
- Bree
- Briana
- Gabriella
- Isa
- Ivy
- Keren
- Rita
- Valentina
- Valerie
- Kwan
Big Dog Names – German Shepherd
Your big dog should have a name to complement their formidable (but totally hug-able) size!
After all, what’s the fun in having a large dog if you can’t emphasize their “gentle giant” status?
Here is a list of names that complement a big dog rather nicely.
- Tank
- Bear
- Titan
- Gulliver
- Mammoth
- Bull
- Mama Bear
- Mac
- King
- Trooper
- Cargo
- Queenie
- Goliath
- Tonka
- Maximus
- Big Bertha
- Tex
- Moose
- Moo-Moo
- Little John
Tough German Shepherd Names
A hard-working dog with a can-do attitude needs a name as macho as they are!
Here are a few tough names for your favorite tough dog.
- Jagger
- Lucrezia
- Major
- Rebel
- Bane
- Terminator
- Diesel
- Roxy
- Fang
- Jaws
- Nikita
- Hawkeye
- Natty Bumpo
- Bond
- Kade
- Trinity
- Uma
- Carmen
- Rizzo
- Scully
- Havoc
- Chaos
German Shepherd Names – Foodie Edition
If you’re a foodie like I am, you’ll catch yourself often leaning toward food names for your pets. Not because you want to eat them (they’re cute, but not THAT cute), but because some of these names are just perfect! And we love food just as we love our pets. Win-win!
- Juice
- Sushi
- Kale
- Nacho
- Oreo
- Sage
- Ginger
- Olive
- Cookie
- Candy
- Honey
- Taco
Reader Picks: Male German Shepherd Names
Since first publishing this post until now (2019), our readers have shared some of their favorite German Shepherd names with us. We’ve incorporated some of your dog names into this post already. But here are some extras we loved!
- Bruce
- Raider
- Stormi
- Foggy
- Jasper
- Judge
- Levi
- Rudy
- Baron
- Hunter
- Remington
- Baus (pronounced “boss” but with a German spelling twist)
Reader Picks: Female German Shepherd Names
- Priscilla
- Nadia
- Lily
- Ava
- Star
- Abby
- Jade
- Duchess
- Aja (pronounced asia)
- HeidiHo
- Coco
Top German Shepherd Names
The best names for German Shepherd dogs can draw attention to your pup’s heritage, personality, size or looks.
Also, you might name your dog after a favorite place that you’ve been or a beloved character in a movie or novel that reminds you of your best four-legged friend.
The way in which you name your GSD doesn’t matter so much, but what does matter is that your Shepherd ends up with a name that you’ll both love!
After all, you’ll be repeating that name over and over again, and your dog will be hearing its name over and over again!
There are lots of suitable names for German Shepherd Dogs. Hopefully, the names we’ve listed have gotten your creative juices flowing!
Caring For Your New German Shepherd Puppy
You want to help your new German Shepherd puppy grow up happy and healthy.
A complete guide to caring for and raising your furry friend.
Tips for Naming Your German Shepherd
Choosing the right name for your German shepherd is no small task. You want a name that matches your dog’s persona and power but isn’t too lengthy or complicated.
Remember, you’ll need to give this name to the vet, tell it to all your friends, or shout it in the dog park.
You already know you have a big dog on your hands with a GSD, but is your dog more rough-and-tumble or sweet-as-sugar? Thinking about your dog’s personality can help you find a just-right name that will suit your pooch for the years to come.
You can also play on popular German exports—like beer or automobiles, or name your GSD after a famous German, such as Einstein or Bach.
Girl German Shepherd Names
Pick a strong but feminine name with one of these popular options for your furry fräulein (which means ‘little miss’ in German).
- Beatrix
- Britta
- Elke
- Fräulein
- Frieda
- Fritzi
- Gisela
- Greta
- Heidi
- Helga
- Hessia
- Ilse
- Ingrid
- Katrin
- Marta
- Mischa
- Nadine
- Nia
- Petra
- Sabine
- Sabrina
- Susanne
- Zelda
Boy German Shepherd Names
For a male German shepherd, look no further than these Bavarian names that are perfect for boy dogs.
- Bruno
- Dieter
- Franz
- Fritz (an old nickname for Friedrich)
- Frederik
- Günter
- Hans
- Hermann
- Kasper
- Klaus
- Kurt
- Luther
- Manfred
- Otto
- Wolfgang
Auto-Inspired German Shepherd Names
Germany is known for their love of the open road and their luxury vehicles. If you’re a car buff, then pick an auto-inspired name for your German shepherd.
- Adler
- Audi
- Axel
- Beemer
- Benz
- Diesel
- Mercedes
- Porsche
- Opal
- Alpina
- Gumpert
Unique German Shepherd Names
To draw even more inspiration for German shepherd names, consider these unique options that refer to Bavarian life and culture—including one of Germany’s most well-known exports, beer.
- Deutsche: The word for ‘German,’ in the German language.
- Donner: Means ‘thunder’ in German.
- Hansel: Popular nursery rhyme character from German fable; the brother of Gretel.
- Gretel: Popular nursery rhyme character from German fable; the sister of Hansel.
- Heinz: Translates to ‘ruler of the home’ and is similar to the English name ‘Henry.’
- Hund: The German word for ‘dog.’
- Jaeger: Translates to ‘Hunter’ in German. While you’re shepherd is more of a herder than a hunter, the name is a popular choice for GSDs.
- Kaiser: A German term meaning ‘ruler.’
- Schnapps: Spirits, in German
- Bock: Type of lager-style beer
- Dunkel: Describes a dark German beer
- Beck: German brewery in the city of Bremen
- Stein: A traditional German beer mug
Famous German Shepherd Names
There are a number of famous Germans—both canine and human—that might inspire the perfect name for your dog.
Some were famous for their real-life accomplishments, like Rin-Tin-Tin or Bullet (the first seeing eye dog) and others were famous for on-screen antics, like Bullet of the Roy Rogers show.
Germany also had many famous composers, musicians, and scientists that might make the perfect name for your German shepherd.
- Rin-Tin-Tin
- Bullet
- Buddy
- Charlemagne
- Beethoven
- Bach
- Einstein
- Mozart
- Handel
- Brahms
- Dirk (Nowitzki)
- Waldo
A to Z German Shepherd Names
A to B
- Adler
- Aldo
- Alpina
- Annika
- Arvin
- Astrid
- Audi
- Axel
- Bach
- Beatrix
- Beck
- Beemer
- Beethoven
- Benz
- Blitz
- Bock
- Brahms
- Britta
- Bruno
- Buddy
- Bullet
C to F
- Charlemange
- Deutsche
- Diesel
- Dieter
- Dirk (Nowitzki)
- Donner
- Dunkel
- Einstein
- Elke
- Franz
- Fräulein
- Frederik
- Frieda
- Fritz (an old nickname for Friedrich)
- Fritzi
G to H
- Gisela
- Greta
- Gretel
- Gumpert
- Günter
- Handel
- Hans
- Hansel
- Heidi
- Heinz
- Helga
- Hermann
- Hessia
- Hund
I to L
- Ilse
- Ingrid
- Jaeger
- Kaiser
- Kasper
- Katrin
- Klaus
- Kurt
- Luther
M to P
- Manfred
- Marta
- Mercedes
- Mischa
- Moose
- Mozart
- Nadine
- Nia
- Opal
- Otto
- Petra
- Porsche
R to Z
- Ranger
- Rin-Tin-Tin
- Rocky
- Sabine
- Sabrina
- Schnapps
- Schnitzel
- Stein
- Susanne
- Waldo
- Wolfgang
- Zelda