German shepherds are one of the most famous dog breeds. They are loving, caring, kind, brave, and defensive. They are active family dogs with unlimited energy and famous loyalty.
Choosing a good name for German Shepherd pups is a big task – after all, you will be shouting it out for several years. So it’s only right that you give them a name that’s just as awesome and iconic as they are.
You might like a name that reflects your dog’s size, heritage, courage, strength, or intelligence. Or you might want a whimsical or even unique name for your dog. Whatever your choice, there’s inspiration ahead.
Here is the list of popular German Shepherd Dog Names
Strong German Shepherd Dog Names
These powerful, athletic, medium- to large-sized dogs can surprise you with their spirit and determination, so give them a name that mirrors their strength.
- Kenzo (strong and healthy)
- Isa (strong-willed)
- Nina (fire)
- Bree (power and strength)
- Anders (manly)
- Lenna (lion-hearted)
- Zale (power of the sea)
- Kelsey (brave)
- Pacome (strong nature)
- Adira (noble and powerful)
- Sage (wise)
- Griffin (strong lord)
- Emerson or Emersyn (brave)
- Mahogany (rich and strong)
- Ryker (strength)
- Oz (warrior of God)
- Asta (divine strength)
- Kano (masculine power)
- Etana (strength of purpose)
- Minka (strong-willed warrior)
Cool German Shepherd Names
German Shepherd dogs are so well known for their thick and luxurious coats. Here are some cool names for your cool buddy.
- 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
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German Names for German Shepherds
Honor your pup’s heritage with these German names. Moreover, they are fantastic conversation starters at the dog park.
- Riesling
- Caspar
- Lena
- Franz
- Sabine
- Süsser/Süsse
- Blitz
- Petra
- Elyna
- Dieter
- Jannik
- Mahler
- Dieter
- Aldo
- Sascha
- Bärchen
- Liebling
- Rommel
- Oskar
- Schatzi
- Mairke
- Fritz
Military German Shepherd names
German Shepherds were initially bred as working dogs and remain among the most famous military dogs today! So while your dog might not have an army future in sight, there is no reason you cannot use their army background for a bit of naming inspiration:
- Soldier
- Hero
- Echo
- Scout
- Gunner
- Chief
- Boomer
- Captain
- Hunter
- Ace
Super Cute German Shepherd Dog Names
These puppies have such playful sides that it’s only natural to want to give them cute tags and speak to them in funny ways.
- Banjo
- Pez
- Jolly
- Funko
- Pepper
- Wishbone
- Twinkie
- Dimples
- Pikachu
- Squirtle
- Lolo
- Zippo
- Bucky
- Smooch
- Fonzie
- Jenga
- Zipper
- Nola
- Rowlf
- Buffy
German Shepherd Names Inspired by Well-known Celebrities
These names come from various sources, including mascots, colleges, movies, pop culture, video games, etc.
- Mando (The Mandalorian)
- Alyx (Half-Life 2)
- Leeloo (The Fifth Element)
- Geralt (The Witcher)
- Enzo (The Art of Racing in the Rain)
- Kobe (basketball star)
- Marvel (Marvel comic books)
- Lizzo (musician)
- Barkin (All Dogs Go to Heaven)
- Tuffy (North Carolina State University)
- Anya (Shepherd: The Hero Dog)
- Khaleesi (Game of Thrones)
- Ace (Batman comic books)
- Deckard (Bladerunner)
- Zelda (Legend of Zelda)
- Hanzo (Overwatch)
- Shuri (Black Panther)
- Strongheart (dog actor)
- Gorillaz (musicians)
Male German Shepherd names
Are you the proud pet parent of a male dog, and you came here to find some great male German Shepherd names? In that case, you are lucky! Check out these top names for the handsome dog in your life.
- Chief
- Bear
- Finn
- Rocco
- Samson
- Diesel
- Duke
- Max
- Champ
- Storm
Female German Shepherd names
Are we looking for a strong-yet-adorable name for your female dog? We’ve narrowed down the list to just our very favorites. So here are our top ten female German Shepherd names.
- Willow
- Nala
- Anka
- Sage
- Luna
- Sabrina
- Rain
- Piper
- Cleo
- Heidi
Tips for Naming German Shepherd
Choosing the right name for your German shepherd is not that easy. It would be best if you had a name that fits your dog’s persona and energy but isn’t too complicated and lengthy. Before permanently assigning your new dog their lifelong name, here are five things to consider.
Best Sounds for Dog
The key to naming your dog is making it simple for your pet to understand when they are being called. You will want the name to begin with a letter that has a sharp, distinctive sound. For example, a name that starts with a D, K, or T sound will be accessible for your dog to pick up. A name that begins with an F and S, which has a softer beginning, could be more confusing for them.
Avoid Command Words
You will also want to bypass any names that sound rhyme or are similar to the most common dog commands. For example, names that sound like “sit,” heel,” “stay,” “no,” and “come” could easily confuse your dog. Imagine how challenging it would be to get your dog to stay if his name is “Fay” or how hard it would be to get him to sit if it was “Mitt.”
Size Matters
There are many dog owners who know that commands are one or two syllables to make them as easy for your dog to understand. The exact logic can be applied to what you name your dog. Any name you give them that is longer than two syllables could be lost in translation from their ears to their brain.
For Public Consumption
One of the most regular times you will call out to your puppy is at dog parks. Therefore, you may need to ensure your pup’s name is something that you would be willing to shout out publicly.
Conclusion
In the end, these are just tips for naming your dog. Let your imagination flow, and choose a name that the whole family will love. Make sure to make the name as easy for your dog to learn. It can be one of the keys to setting up the best communication possible between you and your dog. Moreover, there is no end to how you can name them, so choose according to their nature and traits.