Welcome to All Things Dogs’ A-Z list of the best German Shepherd Names with over 150 fun, unique and cute names for your German Shepherd Dog (GSD).
So you have decided to adopt or buy a German Shepherd, one of your first tasks, as a pet-parent, will be to give him his name.
Much like choosing a name for your child, pet-parents can mull over dog names for what feels like an eternity!
When considering German Shepherd Names, you will want to think about your dog’s personality and temperament; you want a name that suits his demeanor and attitude toward life.
German Shepherds are loved for their confidence and courage.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
German Shepherd Names
Whilst there are some unwritten rules of names for German Shepherd dogs, like make sure you choose a name you won’t be embarrassed shouting across the dog park, or avoiding names which sound like common commands. Generally, with German Shepherd names, anything goes.
Top 10 German Shepherd Names
A recent study found the most popular ten names for German Shepherd Dogs:
- Darcy
- Dodger
- Earl
- Izzy
- Jasper
- Nelly
- Pip
- Sergio
- Sheba
- Vegas
German Shepherd Dog Names
If you are looking for a name that is a little bit more unique, to match your dog’s personality, rather than the most popular German Shepherd Names, then try our list below:
- Archie
- Bertie
- Clyde
- Ernie
- Faith
- George
- Henry
- Hope
- Poppy
- Reggie
- Remus
- Ronnie
- Tess
- Tilly
- Toby
Male German Shepherd Names
Looking for male German Shepherd names that will be a perfect fit for this breed’s courageousness, strength and intelligence? Any name on this list will be a perfect fit:
- Adolph
- Arlo
- Arnold – you could name them after Schwarzenegger, but, it actually means “eagle power!”
- Axel – father of peace
- Bernard – perfect for the Shepherd in your life, this name means strong and brave
- Bruno – For the courageous dog, this name means shield or armor
- Dedrick – gifted ruler
- Dirk
- Ernie
- Franz – Perfect for the sociable and happy-go-lucky GSD in your life, this name means “free!”
- Finn
- Frank
- Gunther
- Hans
- Heinrich
- Heiko
- Klaus – someone who serves his community; ideal for the loyal and loving GSD!
- Leonard – lion-hearted
- Max – “the greatest!” Need we say more?
- Manfred – “strength and peace!”
- Otto – meaning “prosperity”
- Rolf
- Sigmund – victorious defender
- Stein
- Ulf
- Wilhelm – resolute protector
- Walter
- Wolfgang – Mozart anyone?
Female German Shepherd Names
Are you the proud owner of a strong and independent female German Shepherd Dog? These names will keep her strong female temperament whilst reflecting her femininity:
- Ada – noble
- Anja – ideal for the quiet and courageous comrade
- Anka
- Ava
- Birgit
- Christa – “the chosen one” appropriate for the adopted dog you just rescued?
- Ella
- Erna – From all of these German Shepherd Names, this name is for a fearless and confident dog
- Elsa
- Edith – A fitting name for any working military dogs, meaning “prosperous in war”
- Elke
- Frida – peace
- Fritzi – Appropriate in a multi-pet household where your GSD ensures everyone is safe
- Gertrud
- Heidi – Do you have a stoic and fearless pup? Heidi means “nobility”
- Helga
- Heike
- Ilse
- Ida
- Petra
- Trudy – Courageous and bold, this German Shepherd Dog has universal strength!”
- Ute – fortune
- Ursula – little bear
- Wanda – wanderer
- Zelda – blessed and happy
German Shepherd Puppy Names
We know the German Shepherd is loved for its loyalty to its owner. Puppies are no different. Below are our favorite German Shepherd names for your newborn puppy:
- Bruiser – yes, we know Bruiser was a Chihuahua in Legally Blonde, but, we still think the name elicits ideas of a bold and fearless warrior!
- Bravo – Bold in Spanish
- Bear
- Chief
- Duke
- Elektra
- Fonse – Bold
- Goliath – a person or thing of enormous size or strength!
- Hercules – in classical mythology, Hercules is famous for his strength and adventures
- Leia – the Star Wars Princess was a 1980’s icon
- Mack
- Olga
- Rambo
- Rex
- Rocky
- Sheba
- Shrek
- Tank
- Titan
- Thor – mostly based on the superhero comic books; Thor was known for his superhuman strength, speed and durability
- Vixen
- Wolf
- Zena
- Zeus – King of the Gods
German Shepherd Boy Names
- Augustus – majestic
- Apollo – The Greek God and one of the twelve Olympians
- Atticus
- Ace
- Boris
- Caesar – after Julius Caesar?
- Comet
- Dino
- Dakota
- Elroy – a French dog’s name
- Ernie
- Flash
- Hawk
- Kip
- Marshall
- Milo
- Oscar
- Pluto
- Ringo – the meaning of Ringo is actually Apple, but the name became popular after the musician and drummer from The Beatles, Ringo Starr!
- Rusty
- Roofus
- Zorro
German Shepherd Girl Names
- Amber
- Asia
- Bella
- Bonnie
- Cassie
- Cleo – short for Cleopatra, the Egyptian Ruler
- Coco
- Duchess
- Elle
- Faith
- Hermoine – the fictional Harry Potter character!
- Lady
- Mia
- Missy
- Olive
- Queen
- River
- Roxy
- Ruby
Cute German Shepherd Names
You may even be tempted to name your Shepherd after celebrities who have owned, or still own this magnificent breed, try these cute celebrity inspired German Shepherd Names:
- “Jake” Gyllenhaal
- “Reese” Witherspoon
- “Miley” Cyrus
- “Bella” Thorne or “Taylor” Lautner
- “Shania” Twain
- “Ben” Affleck
- “Bo” Derek
Or you could just name your Comrade after a famous predecessor:
- Rin-Tin-Tin
- Horand – named after the first ever GSD!
- Strongheart – one of the first dog film stars
- Buddy
- Chips – the most decorated war dog from WWII!
Black German Shepherd Names
- “Jet” as in a jet-black German Shepherd
- Amber
- Autumn
- Biscuit
- Cookie
- Copper
- Fudge
- Goldie
- Hazel
- Hershey
- Nutmeg
- Rolo
- Rusty
- Saffron (more yellow coloring)
- Skippy (peanut butter)
- Snickers
- Taffy
White German Shepherd Names
- Alaska – perfect for a white German shepherd
- Angel
- Casper
- Crystal
- Daisy
- Ivory
- Jasmine (Jazz)
- Misty
- Tundra
- Yuki – Japanese dog name for “snow”
Conclusion
When choosing from these German Shepherd Names, remember, he will have it for the rest of his life.
Keep it simple, choose one that suits his character and demeanor.
Whether you choose a name from his German heritage or even one based on his appearance, be confident that you will be able to shout it across the dog park and that you don’t feel the need to explain the reasoning when signing him in at the vets.
My baby’s name was Empress Josephine Bone-A-Parte. Josie for short. And at the time I had four cats, so Josie and the Pussycats. 😺
I like Sampson (from the bible) meaning strength and loyalty
I really like that one for a black German Shepherd!
Our dogs are named Shimmer and Flame.
My beautiful black female GSD her name is LENA. I LOVE the black German Shepherds they are courageous and beautiful and she is great with people. I love her with all my heart and I have always had German Shepherd dogs.
My seven month GSD’s name is Floyd, but I call him “Bear” alot of the time. They are awesome dogs…
I rescued a beautiful female GSD. It took her over a year to trust my husband. I named her Willow, because she was strong but flexible. She passed away in my arms at age 15 after 13 wonderful years.
I’m very sorry for your loss. Their passing leaves a hole in out hearts.
Mika (pronounced mee-ka) is our pups name.
I have always had GSD as well. My black female’s name was sophie, sophie died about 10 years ago. I just bought a all black male today and thinking about the name Jet or Dante, he is such a stud. What do you think about the names? I’m looking for name ideas.
We love Jet 🐾
Go with Jet – it is good!
Jet is a great name for sure! I like it.
Getting our girl in about 3 weeks and trying to decide on a name…I like Elsa, my hubby says Elsy…he’ll prolly get his way. 💜 I’ll love her no matter what her name is. He picked her out today.
I have a 2 year old sable we call him Kilo. ( Key lo) sometimes we call him Hoghead
We have a 3 year old sable that we named Kilo Hoku. Sometimes we call her Key. She’s a gorgeous gal.
Our male is Kaiser and we have a white female, Lola.
My German Shepherd is named JAVA because she’s black and beautiful. The most loving creature on earth. No wonder dog spell backwards is God. The most unconditional love of all.
We named our new GSD puppy Sir lord Lobo. He will be ours to spoil in a few more weeks.
My female GSD’s name is Shadow, but sometimes I call her “Baby”. She has just had puppies and I think “Hercules” will be a good name for one of the males!
I’m surprised my GSD’s name wasn’t mentioned here…SCHATZI! The German word for “Sweetie”.
Last year we adopted a 4.5 year old female GSD her name was Jayden. She is such a sweetheart we felt the name fit, and we decided to keep it. I believe adoption is is definitely the way to go.
Two females, oldest is Cosette and the youngest is Gia. We are currently considering another female. We will always have a German Shepherd, they are simply magnificent! ❤️
I have one super cute GSD and her name is Ivy. She is white like the snow!
just got a baby boy GSD, we are nameing him STAIN
We just adopted a one year old GS. We named her Mattie,a variation of Matilda. German meaning “mighty in battle”. She’s so sweet and gentle. Loves attention.