100+ Unique German Shepherd Dog Names With Meanings
James Livingood has been a dog sitter for several years. He has written numerous articles and a book about the topic because he loves dogs.
It can be extremely difficult to find a great name for a German Shepherd. Look through this list of over 100+ names (with meanings) and determine the right fit for your new family member. You may want to pick several names and see which one grows on you. Each canine is different, so it may take some time to pick the right name for your dog. We've included tips, tricks, and a video along with all these names.
A-D German Shepherd Dog Names
Name | Meaning |
---|---|
Ada | Nobility. |
Addie | Nobility. |
Adler | Eagle. |
Albern | White |
Albert | Noble and bright. |
Albrecht | Noble and bright. |
Aldo | Intelligent and old. |
Alger | Shrewd fighter. |
Alphonse | Always ready for a fight: noble. |
Alvin | An honorable friend or a companion of the elves. |
Amelia | Work. |
Annette | Lord's favors upon me. |
Arlo | Unidentified. |
Armageddon | End of the world. |
Arnold | As tough as an eagle/noble. |
August | Outstanding and great. |
Ava | Life. |
Axel | Father of Harmony. |
Bach | Resident near the stream. |
Baldwin | Courageous friend. |
Bavaria | Bavaria is a popular region in Germany as well as an awesome name to associate with your pet dog. |
Beatrix | The one to bring joy. |
Berlin | The most popular city and the capital of Germany enriched with amazing history and landmarks. |
Bernard | Brave and strong like a bear. |
Bierkrug | This particular dog name is German for stein or beer mug. |
Bock | This bitter-sweet, heavy-bodied lager is darkened due to the high-colored malts present in it. |
Bones | TV show and favorite dog treat. |
Boris | Famous actor. |
Brezel | This is just the right name for your dear dog which is actually inspired by a dish that includes a soft pretzel made out of yeast and flour water. It is then sprinkled with salt and can be paired perfectly with German beer! |
Britta | Power. |
Brunhilde | Prepared for battle. |
Bruno | Brown. |
Claudia | Enclosure. |
Cologne | This is a populous city, popular for its fabulous cathedral. |
Dieter | Ruler of people. |
Dresden | Dresden had undergone huge losses after the World War II but after that, care was taken for it to be restored to its normal form. |
Duke | Royal title and famous actor. |
Dunkel | This is a darkened German lager. |
Dusseldorf | The financial center and an international business, Dusseldorf is a markedly declaring city which can also be used as a cool name for your pup. |
E-L German Shepherd Dog Names
Name | Meaning |
---|---|
Ella | Completely. |
Elsa | Sworn to God. |
Emma | Entire. |
Ernest | Solemn and determined. |
Felix | Joyful and lucky. |
Fido | General description of dog. |
Frankfurt | This is another one of the large cities in Germany which makes a cute name for your dog. |
Frederik | Peaceful power. |
Frederika | Peaceful leader. |
Frieda | Beautiful |
Fritzi | Peaceful leader. |
Goliath | Fabled giant. |
Goulash | Is a dish comprising of the stew or soup which is made up of vegetables, meat and seasonings. |
Greta | Pearl. |
Gunther | Brave fighter. |
Hamburg | Germany's second biggest city which is the abode to about 2 million residents. |
Hefe | Hefe is the name given to the yeast which is popularly used in the fermentation process of beers. |
Heidi | Of honorable birth. |
HeidiKlum | People have often named their dear dogs after this TV host and supermodel from West Germany. |
Heinrich | A king's home. |
Hercules | Mythology strong half god. |
Herr | This is the German term for mister. |
Hessia | A cute female name for a dog named after another German state, Hessia. |
Ida | The hard-working one. |
Kaiser | King. |
Knodel | This German dish includes dumplings as well and it is created out of bread, flour or potatoes, all of which is then boiled later. |
Kolsch | Another popular dog name which got its name from a pale, extremely fermented beer which is light-bodied and can only be brewed in Cologne according to law. |
Krombacher | Second to Oettinger in sales, Krombacher is among the largest breweries in Germany. |
Leona | Lioness. |
Liesel | Sworn to God. |
Lola | Lady of worries. |
M-Z German Shepherd Dog Names
Name | Meaning |
---|---|
Maibock | This is a strong, pale lager which is brewed during the spring. Wouldn't this be an adorable name for a dog? |
Marta | Woman. |
Marzen | Is another type of a beer which is presented at the Oktoberfest in Munich. It is a malty, medium body lager which people greatly enjoy. |
Max | The supreme. |
Millie | Gentle power. |
Mischa | God-like. |
Munich | Germany's third biggest city. |
Oettinger | This is the dog's name which has been taken from the top-selling German brand for beers. |
Oktoberfest | One just can't mention German beers without talking about Oktoberfest! This is basically a traditional festival which happens in Munich, Germany in the month of October every year and features merrymaking and beer-drinking. What a joyful name for your dog! |
Pilsner | This is a pale lager, the name of which originated from Pilsen which is a city in Bohemia. |
Raymond | Intelligent defender. |
Rhine | Named after the Rhine River which passes through Germany, Rhine can work as just te right dog name. |
Rolf | Celebrated wolf. |
Salzburg | Located to the west of Vienna, Salzburg is another one of the populous cities of Austria which is particularly popular for its scenic views and history. |
Sauerkraut | Including finely cut cabbage which has been salted and even allowed to ferment until it becomes the perfect sour, Sauerkraut is a great dish and a great name for your dog as well! |
Schnitzel | A popular dish which is made with a thin slice of light meat like veal which has been covered in breadcrumbs and then fried, Schnitzel is quite a popular dog name. |
Schwartz | Dark skin tone/black hair. |
Siegfried | Triumphant peace. |
Sigmund | Triumphant protection. |
Sofie | Intelligence. |
Spatzle | This is a cute dog name which is actually inspired from a type of a dish famous in southern Germany. It comprises of small dumplings simmered in boiling water. |
Stein | Rock. |
Stuttgart | Popular for automobile businesses like Porsche and Mercedes Benz, Stuttgart has their headquarters here. |
Trudy | Lance of strength. |
Ulf | Wolf. |
Vienna | A unique name for dogs influenced by the largest and the capital city in Austria. |
Walter | Ruler of an army. |
Wanda | Traveller/shepherdess. |
Wurst | This particular dog name is named after a dish called Wurst which is German for sausage. This dish is offered in 1,500 types. |
Zelda | Grey rebellious maid. |
Zues | Mythology god. |
5 Tips for Naming Your Dog
When it comes to naming your German Shepherd dog, there are a lot of things to take into consideration. Beyond wanting a name that fits, you want a name that will last through the life of your dog. In fact, it might be best to find several names or ask friends/family what they think. In addition, here are five tips and tricks to help you think about the best way to name your canine.
Tip 1: Look for a name that is ageless.
One of the biggest problems with choosing a name is if the dog becomes used to the name. If you want to start a trick, or need to recall your dog to you, that will all start with their name. If you choose a name that doesn’t age well, then you will be frustrated years down the road. Examples of names that are not ageless are ones that are political or are happening in the headlines right now.
Tip 2: Be wary of puns.
This tip is not saying that you should avoid puns. Some dog pun names are well thought out and can really spark a deeper connection. However, some puns are funny once and fade very quickly. Much like the timeless tip above, this is not a good fit. It may make sense to pair a pun with a regular name. That way, if the pun fades, you can simply use the regular name.
Tip 3: Remember that favorites can fade.
Another thing to watch for is naming your dog after a favorite band or TV show. This can be great if you’ve been a fan for a long time. However, if you just recently became a fan, your passion for the name could fade quickly. Perhaps the band breaks up or the TV show is canceled and then starts to fade in popularity. When your dog reaches the middle or late years in their life, that name may no longer make sense. The opposite side of this is that if you’ve had a favorite for many years, naming your dog after the show can make you happy whenever you call them.
Tip 4: Recognize that human names can be tricky.
One of the common problems among naming a dog is when you choose a human name. This can be a problem if you meet a new friend or have a current contact that shares that name. That person may be insulted, or your dog may be confused when you call them the same name. However, choosing a dog name in a foreign language may work well, especially if you don’t have a lot of contact with people of that country.
Tip 5: Don't be afraid of choosing a long name—longer can be better!
Sometimes it may work well to use several names combined. Yes, it may be a little bit harder to call your dog, but there are several distinct benefits. The first is that fewer people will name their dog a longer name. The second benefit is that you can always shorten the longer name into a “nickname.” The third benefit is that you can switch up the nickname over time to reflect your growing relationship with your dog.
© 2019 James Livingood