Sam Shephard is an experienced German Shepherd owner and has learned throughout the years how to optimize the breed's health and wellness.

So you have a new German Shepherd! Maybe you just adopted a German Shepherd puppy, or you’re rescuing an adult dog. Either way, choosing a name is an important part of how your new dog will fit into your family. You want a name that captures some of your dog’s personality and that you’ll be happy using for the rest of their life. Whether you want one of the most popular German Shepherd names or a totally unique female dog name, there are lots of options to choose from. Below, you’ll find a collection of our ideas of different female German Shepherd names to help you choose a great name for the newest furry addition to your family.

How to Teach Your German Shepherd Her New Name

Whether your German Shepherd is a puppy or an older dog who has to learn a new name, it will take her some time to understand that the word you’re saying all the time is her name. There are some simple steps you can take to train your dog to respond to her new name. And because German Shepherds are so smart, they should learn fairly quickly.

1. Combine the new name and the old name. If your dog is already used to a name, you can use both together for a week or so. For example, if your dog’s old name is Petunia, and you’re changing it to Piper, you can call her “Petunia Piper.” That way, she’ll get used to hearing her new name when she’s already being called.
2. Use the new name often. When you’re calling, praising, or talking to your dog, use her name. She’ll learn to recognize it!
3. Reward her for responding. Especially when using the “come” command, reward your dog for responding to her new name. She’ll learn a positive association with the name and come to recognize it more quickly.
4. Stay positive. Focus on using your dog’s name with a happy, excited tone of voice. Avoid using the name when punishing or criticizing your dog, at least while she’s getting used to it. That way, she won’t associate any anxiety or negativity with her name.

German Shepherd Names From Mythology

German Shepherds are pretty legendary, so you may want to give them an impressive name from ancient religions and mythology. These mythical names convey a sense of dignity and power that your dog may embody…at least some of the time.

• Athena – the Greek goddess of wisdom and war
• Freya – a Norse goddess associated with beauty, love, fertility, and riches; she also drives a chariot pulled by cats
• Hera – the queen of the Greek pantheon gods and the goddess of marriage and family
• Juno – the queen of the gods in Roman mythology
• Minerva – the Roman goddess is wisdom, strategy, and war
• Pandora – the first women created in Greek mythology, who opened a box containing all human evils (perfect for a mischievous pup!)
• Uni – the Etruscan goddess of marriage, fertility, and women
• Skadi – a Norse goddess associated with hunting, winter, and skiing
• Valkyrie – female figures from Norse mythology who guide fallen warriors to Valhalla; also the name of an elite class of warriors in Thor Ragnarok

Dog Names Based on History

History is full of inspiring characters. Choose one of the following, or choose a name from an area of history that’s particularly interesting or meaningful to you.

• Ada – after Ada Lovelace, the English mathematician
• Amelia – after the pilot Amelia Earhart
• Anne – after Anne Boleyn, the queen of England from 1533-1536
• Cleopatra (or Cleo for short) – the queen of Ptolemaic Egypt from 51-30 BC
• Helen – after the beautiful Helen of Troy
• Ellie – after Eleanor of Aquitaine or Eleanor Roosevelt, take your pick!
• Frida – after the Mexican painter
• Nefertiti (or Neffy for short) – the queen of Egypt from 1370-1330 BC
• Rosie – after Rosie the Riveter
• Susie B. – after Susan B. Anthony, the women’s suffrage activist
• Victoria – the queen of England from 1837-1901

Dog Names From Nature

These nature-inspired names need little explanation. Just like the elements of nature, your dog is beautiful and powerful. For example "Show" is great for a white German Shepherd.

Great Pet Names From Books, Movies, and TV Shows

Why not take inspiration from your favorite book or movie? These heroines have plenty of adventures and inspiring traits, and you may find something that seems like a good fit for your puppy.

• Alice from Alice in Wonderland
• Arwen from The Lord of the Rings
• Arya from Game of Thrones
• Buffy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
• Brienne from Game of Thrones
• Coraline from Neil Gaiman’s Coraline
• Daenerys from Game of Thrones
• Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz
• Elle from Legally Blonde
• Emma from Jane Austen’s Emma
• Eowyn from The Lord of the Rings
• Katniss from The Hunger Games
• Hermione from Harry Potter
• Juliet from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
• Lucy from The Chronicles of Narnia
• Luna from Harry Potter
• Matilda from Roald Dahl’s Matilda
• Jo from Little Women
• Tris from Divergent
• Ygritte from Game of Thrones
• Xena from Xena the Warrior Princess

German Shepherd Dog Names Based on Animals

Whether you want to capture the size and athleticism of your dog or choose a cute, ironic name, there are lots of great animal name options. For example, Raven is an excellent name for a black German Shepherd.

Characteristic Dog Names

Maybe one personality trait has really stood out ever since you first met your dog. Why not make it her name? That way, the name will always be a good fit.

Unique German Dog Names

Why not draw on the German origins of your dog and use a German word? Here are some ideas for female German Shepherd dog names and what they mean:

• Ada – noble
• Annika – graceful
• Britta – strength
• Elsa – another word for noble
• Frieda – peaceful
• Ida – hardworking
• Lotti – little woman
• Nia – bright
• Petra – rock
• Ula – pearl

All in all, names can be just as unique as dogs! There’s no wrong choice for a name, as long as you and your dog enjoy it. Did you come up with a great name for your female German Shepherd? Share it in the comments below!

I also have an article on male German Shepherd names. There you'll find similar topics and other inspiration on names for male dogs.

© 2020 Sam Shepards

Comments

Sam Shepards (author) from Europe on September 01, 2020:

True, a healthy German Shepherd resulting from decent breeding is a great allrounder and excels at most jobs and training heavy activities. Thank you for your comment and enjoy playing with your dog.

T on August 31, 2020:

Great lists!

I once had a German Shepherd that looked exactly like the pic of the black one with brown eyes.

Right now I have a male German Shepherd/Timber Wolf cross breed.

People think I named him Timber because he is 15% Timber Wolf but truth is it’s really because as a pup he was so big and clumsy he knocked things over wherever he went!

Best dog I’ve ever had by the way and I’ve had many. You know what they say, German Shepherds aren’t the best at any one thing but second best at everything! It’s the truth.