German Shepard Name Ideas for Your Strong & Loyal Companion

Updated October 13, 2021
four german shepherd dogs lined up in the backyard

Get creative choosing a handle for your pup with these 125 German Shepherd Dog names. You'll find traditional German names, as well as names of celebrities, artists, and cultural institutions, among others, that will suit your GSD's spirit and personality.

German Shepherd Police Dog Names

Name ideas for a german shepherd dog

The German Shepherd breed originated as a working dog in Germany. They have been used for decades in police work. German Shepherds have a keen sense of smell and are highly intelligent. They can run around 30 miles an hour, making it impossible for criminals to outrun them. If you plan to train a German Shepherd for police work or protective work, then you certainly want a strong name.

  • August - Revered
  • Derek - Gifted ruler
  • Fritz - Peaceful ruler
  • Gerolf - Wolf
  • Gunter - Battle
  • Kaiser - Leader
  • Kiefer - Barrel maker
  • Maximilian - Greatest
  • Rainer - Strong counselor
  • Stefan - Crown

You may want a German female name for your German Shepherd girl. Knowing the meaning of the name can help you choose the appropriate one to fit your dog's personality.

  • Amalie/Amelie - Industrious
  • Angelika - Angel
  • Anna/Anja - Grace
  • Charlotte - Petite
  • Chrisata/Christina - Anointed, chosen one
  • Clara/Klara - Strong
  • Elke - Noble
  • Emily/Emilie - Ambitious
  • Erika - Wildflower
  • Gabriele - God's able-bodied one
  • Gisela/Giselle - Pledge
  • Gretchen - Pearl
  • Hannah/Hanna - Grace
  • Heidie - Noble
  • Ilse - Consecrated to God
  • Ingrid - Beautiful/beloved
  • Johanna - God is gracious
  • Katrina - Pure
  • Leizel - Bountiful
  • Leonie - Lion
  • Lilli - Purity and beauty
  • Lina - Tender
  • Luisa/Louisa - Famous
  • Martina - Warrior
  • Mila - Child wished for
  • Mina - Love
  • Monika - Unique
  • Nadine - Courage of a bear
  • Petra - Stone/rock
  • Sabine/Sabrina - Of the Sabine people
  • Sofia/Sophi/Sophie/Sofie - Wisdom
  • Stefanie - Crown
Canine Unit

You may find a few German male names for your boy that fit. You may want to try a few out and see how your dog responds.

  • Anton
  • Ben
  • Elias
  • Emil
  • Felix
  • Finn/Fynn
  • Henry/ Henri
  • Jacob
  • Jonas
  • Leon
  • Liam
  • Luca/Luka
  • Luis/Louis
  • Moritz
  • Noah
  • Oskar/Oscar
  • Paul
German Shepherds Running On Field

Let the stars of the silver screen offer a little naming inspiration for your German Shepherd. You may enjoy watching a movie featuring the actress before making a decision.

  • Alexdra Maria Lara
  • Diane Kruger
  • Dita Parlo
  • Franka Ptent
  • Hannelore Elsner
  • Heike Makatsch
  • Hildegard Knef
  • Julia Jentsch
  • Karoline Herfurth
  • Marina Gedeck
  • Marlene Dietrich
  • Nastassja Kinski
  • Romy Schneider
  • Sibel Kekilli

German Actor Names for Male German Shepherds

Dogs Watching TV

If your dog is a male, then a German actor's name may be a good choice. You can use both names or opt to use just one.

  • Armin Mueller-Stahl
  • Christoph Waltz
  • Daniel Bruhl
  • Hans Albers
  • Jürgen Prochnow
  • Klaus Kinski
  • Matthias Schweighofer
  • Michael Fassbender
  • Moritz Bleibtreu
  • Til Schweiger

German Sports Figures

German Shepherd training

You can always look to the sports world for inspiration. German athletes, both male and female, offer excellent choices for your dog's name.

  • Boris Becker - Tennis
  • Katarina Witt - Ice skating
  • Katja Seizinger - Alpine skiing
  • Max Baer - Boxing
  • Steffi Graf - Tennis

German Composers and Singers

German Shepard wearing set of headphones

A few of the renowned German composers and singers are another source of inspiration. When it comes to choosing a name for your companion, going with a well-known artist can provide you with some great choices.

  • Anja Silja
  • Brigitte Fassbaender
  • Franz Joseph Haydn
  • Georg Friedrich Händel
  • Johann Sebastian Bach
  • Johannes Brahms
  • Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Nena (Of Red Balloons)
  • Richard Strauss
  • Richard Wagner

German Beer for German Shepherd Name Choices

German Shepherd lying down on the floor

German Beer might seem like an odd place to find inspiration for your dog's name. However, you may decide to try one to see if it fits your buddy.

  • Alt
  • Altbier
  • Berliner Weisse
  • Bock
  • Doppelbock
  • Dunkel
  • Kolsch
  • Oktoberfest (Toby for short)
  • Pilsner
  • Rauchbier

Royal Names for Your German Shepherd Companion

German shepherd and man looking at the cliffs

There's no denying that German Shepherds are a regal breed. A royal name may offer you the ideal regal status your dog deserves.

German Kings

  • Albert
  • Frederick
  • George
  • Ludwig
  • Wilhelm

German Queens

  • Beatrix
  • Matilde
  • Emma
  • Adelaide

Other Famous Germans

Cute German Shepherd in the woods

A few other Famous Germans can offer you great name choices for your dog. If you haven't already found a name you like, these people may spark your imagination.

  • Albert Einstein - Scientist
  • Claudia Schiffer - Model
  • Grimm - Grimm's fairy tales
  • Heidi Klum - Model
  • Isolde (female) - Wagner opera
  • Tristan (male) - Wagner opera

Choose a Name that Suits Your Dog

If you're having problems coming up with a name for your dog, remember that inspiration can come from a variety of places, including your favorite book characters, inspirational or famous people, celebrities, or cartoon characters.

It's also important to think about dog training. This is especially important for puppies, and two-syllable names are excellent for more difficult-to-train canines. You'll want to make sure your new dog's name is clearly recognized when teaching them instructions like sit, stay, and come.

Of course, the most important factor is that the dog name you choose is one you're comfortable with. This is the name you'll give your dog for the rest of their life, so make sure you like it, it rolls off your tongue easily, and that it fits your dog well.

Choosing From 125 German Shepherd Dog Names

Your tough puppy deserves a good name. With 125 German Shepherd Dog names, you're sure to find one that will fit your canine buddy.

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German Shepard Name Ideas for Your Strong & Loyal Companion