Are you about to become the proud owner of a German Shepherd? Then, you should prepare to parent one of the most popular dogs worldwide. And it all starts with one crucial decision — naming your noble pooch.
We’ve compiled a list of 200+ German Shepherd names to help you out.
Get to Know the German Shepherd Before You Pick a Name
Before choosing a German Shepherd dog name, you should consider the puppy’s temperament and personal characteristics.
These dogs are steady and intelligent yet very gentle family pets. Their devotion and loyalty go so far that they’ll put their life on the line to defend their loved ones.
German Shepherds aren’t aggressive, but they’re wary of strangers. That’s why they need early training and socialization. Luckily, they learn pretty fast.
Last but not least, these are working dogs, so you must keep their body and mind healthy and sound. They need a proper diet and regular exercise. For example, you can check the Ollie dog food options that provide excellent nutrition for a German Shepherd. As for exercise, be ready to set aside 90 minutes per day.
German Dog From the 1800s
Knowing how German Shepherds were brought around the world can be helpful when considering GSD names.
The breed’s history started in the 1800s when Captain Max von Stephanitz developed these dogs. His goal was to breed the best herding dog in Germany, but with industrialization gaining momentum, he changed his mind and bred a working dog instead. The feat was all the more significant because the breed could be useful in many services, especially police and military.
An interesting fact that can also be helpful when coming up with a German Shepherd dog name is that due to the anti-German sentiment during World War I, the breed’s name was changed to Alsatian War Dog in the UK and Shepherd Dog in the US. Thus, many found Alsatian to be a good name for this military dog.
Fast forward to the present day, these dogs excel in every possible task — from excellent assistants to the police and military to service dogs for people with disabilities and family companions worldwide. Hence the phrase “multipurpose dogs.”
One of the Most Popular Dog Breeds
According to the American Kennel Club, the German Shepherd is the second most popular dog in America. In your search for German Shepherd names, you should also know their rating is very high worldwide. A ranking made by Rover placed them in the fourth spot.
Leading the Blind and Uncovering Illegal Substances
Did we already mention that GSDs excel in everything? They really do. Their high trainability and willingness to serve make them the best guide dogs. German Shepherds have an impeccable record of helping visually impaired people.
They’re also great detectives and among the best K9 dog breeds. These dogs are unparalleled in detecting contraband, narcotics included.
Extreme Shedders With a Mesmerizing Appearance
Before we proceed to the top German Shepherd names, it’s worth mentioning that they’re heavy shedders. Don’t be surprised if you see their “glitter” all over the place. Diligent and frequent brushing is a must for that long coat.
But more than anything, German Shepherds are strong and athletic dogs, so a comfortable harness for a large breed will come in handy. The breed is popular for its long muzzle and erect pointed ears, a look that gives it a regal and mesmerizing appearance.
It’s Time to Name Your German Shepherd
Whether you’ve decided to buy or adopt, our collection will give you the best possible ideas for the perfect name.
Female German Shepherd Names
As always, ladies first. We’re starting this awesome list with suggestions for your gal. Here are the ones that we find to be a pawsome match:
- Aster
- Serena
- Zuri
- Coco
- Pearl
- Honey
- Trixie
- Yasmin
- Babs
- Stella
- Zoe
- Belle/Bella
- Adele
- Una
- Piper
Male German Shepherd Names
Here’s a list of great name suggestions for your strong male German Shepherd dog:
- Archie
- Gus
- Parker
- Levi
- Barry
- Otis
- Buddy
- Tex
- Chester
- Hank
- Ralph
- Starsky
- Clyde
- Eddie
- Jake
Cute German Shepherd Names
While everyone seems to focus on their muscular body and intelligence, we should also mention how cute German Shepherd dogs are. So, here’s a list of the cutest names that go along with a sweet dog:
- Pez
- Biscuit
- Archie
- Pepper
- Funko
- Wishbone
- Diamond
- Twinkie
- Zippo
- Buddy
- Smooch
- Fonzie
- Zipper
- Knox
- Nola
Funny German Shepherd Names
Don’t let their serious face and regal posture trick you into thinking these dogs aren’t fun to be around. On the contrary, they bond deeply with their owners and love to play. So, here are some funny names for this amusing breed:
- Elmo
- Bubba
- Chewbacca
- Furdinand
- E.T.
- Grizzle
- Ladybug
- Waldo
- Winky
- Puffy
- Kitty
- Whoopi
- Chitto
- Puddin
- Skittles
Badass German Shepherd Dog Names
Known as the superdogs of the canine world, these awesome pets deserve badass names that put the spotlight on their intelligence and power:
- Isa (strong-willed)
- Oscar (divine strength)
- Kenzo (strong and healthy)
- Nina (fire)
- Nero (strong)
- Bree (power and strength)
- Farris (iron strong)
- Kelsey (brave)
- King
- Rebel
- Boss
- Beast
- Lara (Croft)
- Athena
- Princess
German Shepherd Names Based on Comic Heroes
From Marvel movies to Hollywood blockbusters, here are strong German Shepherd names inspired by heroes:
- Fury
- Hulk
- Loki
- Marvel
- Peggy
- Rocket
- Scarlet
- Stark
- Gwen
- Venom
- Magneto
- Pixie
- Electra
- Krypto
- Comet
German Shepherd Names Inspired by Movie Characters
Movies can provide tremendous inspiration for naming our dogs, especially with so many GSDs starring in leading and supporting roles. Here are the most famous German Shepherd names that Hollywood gave us:
- Rex (Inspector Rex)
- Sam (I Am Legend)
- Bullet (The Roy Rogers Show)
- Delgado (Beverly Hills Chihuahua)
- Wolfie (The Terminator)
- Rusty (For the Love of Rusty)
Here are a few more movie characters that can make a great German Shepherd name:
- Forrest (Forrest Gump)
- Holly (Breakfast at Tiffany’s)
- Vito (The Godfather)
- Lizzy (Pride and Prejudice)
- Thelma (Thelma and Louise)
- Wednesday (The Addams Family)
- Atticus (To Kill A Mockingbird)
- Marty (Back to the Future)
- Luke Skywalker (Star Wars)
German Shepherd Names Based on Cartoon Characters
Aside from the movies, cartoons also bring tons of inspiration. And here are some of the most popular German Shepherd names taken from the colorful screen:
- Bolt (the German Shepherd from Bolt)
- Dug (Up)
- Goofy (the Disney icon)
- Lady (Lady and the Tramp)
- Nana (Peter Pan)
- Percy (Pocahontas)
- Slink (Toy Story)
- Boo (Monsters, Inc.)
- Remy (Ratatouille)
- Alice (Alice in Wonderland)
- Moana
- Chip (Beauty and the Beast)
- Scooby-Doo
- Clifford (Clifford the Big Red Dog)
- Gromit (Wallace & Gromit)
German Shepherd Names Based on Geographical Places
Perhaps you’ll find inspiration in different places worldwide. Many regions, countries, and cities can make for some unique German Shepherd names:
- Paris
- Dixie
- Bali
- Nevada
- Everest
- Sydney
- Indiana
- Niagara
- Delhi
- Colorado
- Dakota
- Bora (Bora Bora)
- Monaco
- Atlas
- Borg
German Shepherd Names Based on Cars
There’s no limit to the quest of finding badass name ideas for your dog. For example, some people name their dogs after their favorite ride. Here are some rare names for German Shepherds that will make your dog stand out:
- Porsche
- Harley
- Buick
- Mercedes
- Cadillac
- Ford
- Tesla
- Axle
- Dodge
- Lincoln
- Mack
- Mustang
- Jeep
- Viper
- Chevrolet
German Shepherd Names Based on Singers
These dogs deserve champion German Shepherd names. And if you love music as much as we do, consider these options:
- Abba
- Aretha
- Beethoven
- Holiday (Billie Holiday)
- Blondie
- Bono
- Bruno (Bruno Mars)
- Cash (Johnny Cash)
- Chopin
- Legend (John Legend)
- Adele
- Sia
- Freddie (Mercury)
- Ozzy (Osbourne)
- Frank (Sinatra)
Nature-Related German Shepherd Names
Nature is truly inspiring. Here are some cool German Shepherd names that honor our planet:
- Cliff
- Moon
- Rocky
- Storm
- Iris
- Sky
- Autumn
- Summer
- Maple
- Misty
- Brooke
- Rose
- Violet
- Aurora
- Lynx
Color-Related German Shepherd Names
German Shepherds can have a coat in black and tan, black and red, black and silvery, gray, sable, and although rare, they can be only black or only white. So, why not name them after that? Here are some ideas:
- Blacky
- Pepper
- Ivory
- Champaign
- Knight
- Bear
- Smoky
- Twilight
- Roux
- Dunne
- Sienna
- Brownie
- Hunter
- Rusty
- Caramel
Cosmic German Shepherd Names
If you’re looking for black German Shepherd names, the galaxy might help. Here are some interesting cosmic options:
- Cometh
- Cosmo
- Luna
- Pluto
- Stella
- Venus
Alternatively, you can use the names of the real dogs that went to space:
- Belka: Belka was a fox-like mixed breed who safely flew on Sputnik 5 in 1960 beside Strelka. Her name means “squirrel.”
- Laika: Laika was the first living creature to orbit the Earth during her historic flight in 1957.
- Lisa: Lisa-2 flew to an altitude of over 60 miles in 1954.
German Shepherd Names Based on Food
The most common German Shepherd names can sometimes seem boring. So, we like to mix them up with some food inspiration. Here are a few names dedicated to our favorite things to eat:
- Kale
- Sage
- Ginger
- Cookie
- Gazpacho
- Frito
- Snickers
- Meatball
- Chip
- Peaches
- Sage
- Tuna
- Walnut
- Mousse
- Cheesecake
How to Pick
Picking among the best German Shepherd names can be something of a predicament. Here are some tips on how to make that process easier and more enjoyable:
- Brainstorm for a while and try your favorite names out loud. See which ones sound like a perfect match.
- Run a lottery. Write down the five names that came to your mind. Put them in a bowl and make a draw.
- If you cannot decide between two names — toss a coin. Legend has it that you already know which one you prefer by the time you see the coin fall. Or you can let the coin decide.
- Take a walk. Inspiration can strike anytime, anywhere.
Last but not least, don’t sweat over the decision. Sometimes all you need is to sleep on it.
Did You Find a Name?
We hope our suggestions and tips helped you pick one of the many German Shepherd names above. And if you don’t like any of them, you can try searching for other breeds:
- Labrador Retriever Names
- Siberian Husky Names
- Rottweiler Name Ideas
- Golden Retriever Names
