Tatiana has been an online writer for over five years. Her articles focus on everything from pet care to relationship advice.

German shepherds are not just any dog breed. These dogs are truly a man’s best friend. First appearing around 1890 in Germany, they were initially used for herding sheep, hence the breed's name: “German shepherd,” or “sheep herd."

It is no mystery why these dogs are now loved worldwide. They are strong, loyal, friendly, and protective of their masters. They are often used by police forces and the military as working dogs, as German shepherds are very smart and easy to tame.

A dog from an extraordinary breed such as this one deserves a name as great as he or she is! "Sparky" just won’t cut it. Take into consideration your dog’s specific personality and the name will come to you, the same way your dog will when you call!

For ideas and inspiration, browse through the following list. You just might find your match!

Names for a Male Dog

Names for a Female Dog

German Names

"Badass" Names

Let Your Shepherd Pick Their Own Name!

Still having trouble? Maybe the answer doesn't lie in your hands. Consider letting your dog decide! It may sound silly, but it could generate some good results.

Here are a few fun and entertaining ways to make this happen:

• Index cards: Write the names you are stuck between on index cards and lay the cards down on the floor. You can get the whole family involved and everyone can write a few names they like! On each card, place a piece of dog food paying no attention to which pieces go on which card; this is to avoid biasing any of the names. Let your unnamed German Shepherd into the room. The first piece of food he or she eats is the name they've chosen!
• Call out names: If you have a few different candidate names, sit across a room from your canine and start calling out the names with five-second delay between each one. If he or she responds to one of them, even if it seems like a coincidence, your dog has picked their name. Perhaps a certain name will sound “catchy” enough to your German shepherd to get their attention!
• Family circle: Have your family members form a circle around the dog—but not too close, you don’t want to scare him! Each family member should have one name picked out and everyone should begin calling out the name at the same time. Whoever the dog goes to is the name he or she picks!
• Pees on trees: Okay, this one is quite silly and only works for male dogs, but it makes for fun conversation later! If you have a bunch of trees in your backyard, pin the potential names to each tree and let him out to go potty. The first tree he marks is the name he picks!

Letting the dog choose his own her own name is a lot of fun for the family if you just can’t pick one on your own. Once your canine has picked the name, give him or her a nice treat. Picking a name is a lot of work!

Choosing a name for your dog should be a fun process. Just make sure you really like the name, because it is one that you will be saying for many years to come. Remember to keep your dog's personality traits in mind. Are they shy? Playful? Frisky? These qualities may help guide you to the perfect name.

More About German Shepherds

Comments

Sean Allen on August 09, 2020:

My male is Zepplin and my female is Kashmir

Elizabeth on March 21, 2020:

I met a GSD named Rommel after the famous German General known as The Dessert Fox with Africa Tank Corps in WWII

He is the second GSD I know of that has had that name

I named Gerbarian Shepsky Luna

It was the only name she responded with

Doggo on January 20, 2020:

My female Gsd's name is Zasha Augustina... it sound pretty badass.

Colleen Voisin on January 09, 2020:

Malachi is a badass boy name

Maureen on November 02, 2019:

We named our last German Shepard Dieter. Strong German name. Our present German Shepard is Nina.

abi on September 28, 2019:

i named my german doggo kaiser, which means king or emperor

Parrot mummy on August 24, 2019:

My childhood German Shepherd was called 'Elka'. She was an extraordinary dog... Very loyal and protective of me. Loved the name. Good short German

name for giving commands. She was a working dog. Always feel here with me, even though she is in heaven.

Scapo on August 22, 2019:

We have a male Germ Shep named "Rocko", which we think should be on your Badass list!

Olivia on August 11, 2019:

I am getting to new puppies and then i will have 4 dogs and this really helped

Susan on July 24, 2019:

My lovely lady is Stella. Love, love, love her! Very sweet smart dog. My vet shows his Shepherds and told me she is this nicest he has met. Give much love and kindness and they will take care of you.

Dogs on July 15, 2019:

I am getting one i hoop we name if it is a boy the ozzy's if it a girl ash

Brenda on June 28, 2019:

My German Shepherd's name was Duke....and that he was!! He ended up with Dysplasia of the hips. He was 12 when we had to let him go to doggy heaven. I still miss him so much. He was my best friend! Now I have a German Shepherd/Lab mix named Niah. She's great and looks just like the German Shepherd!

Suzie on June 27, 2019:

I have a female named Riley Rose

tyson on June 04, 2019:

my dogs name is zeus

Tulu master on May 28, 2019:

One is shaker and the other is Tulu

Shiva on May 22, 2019:

I'm going to name my German Shepard puppy as" Thor"

Egg boi on May 18, 2019:

I already have a girl named Athena...........

panther on April 28, 2019:

cool name

Lisa on March 14, 2019:

I have 2 German Shepard’s

ROCKY & KHLOÉ

Mike on February 27, 2019:

My wife at the time Loved Sylvester Stallone. So we came up with the name Rambo, it fit perfect as to were a few days later I came up with his middle name (Malone). Rambo Malone was our family dogs name as to the last name was aready a given.

Miley on November 20, 2018:

I have a male German Shepherd named Nova

Pat on August 24, 2018:

We've had/have Claus, Brunhilda (called Brunnie), Addie and Hans. All German bred GSDs.

Gwen Evans on August 17, 2018:

I have a female German Shepherd named Karma. Been waiting 30 years to get one but my husband refused to let me have one. Now that we are divorcing, she was the first change that I've incorporated into my new life. Karma is a bitch! Figuratively and literally.

Felipa Salazar on August 04, 2018:

I have a male king German Shepard his name is messiah

Fortnite god on June 26, 2018:

I have a male German Shepard named David crap and shits cool right!

Amanda on June 14, 2018:

What about Aibou? Pronunciation= eye-boo

It means “partner” in Japanese. May not be “bada$$ but I think it could be fitting for either boy or girl

Sofia on May 19, 2018:

I have a german sheperd and I am looking for female names

Betsy on March 25, 2018:

We’ve had: Jasper, 12-Gauge, Rommel, Patton, Jackson, Reba and Aeron

Patrick Loughlin on March 22, 2018:

Mine is Voodoo. She is amazing

Lauryn on March 17, 2018:

We just lost our dog named Monti

Christiano on March 04, 2018:

Tempest could be a cool name for all you German Shepard owners who want a really badass name for your dog

Carlee on February 07, 2018:

I have a female German shepard named Sydney, and a male German Shepard named Titanium.

Jerry on February 05, 2018:

I have 4 males Zack , bodi, zabo ,Baja

David on November 16, 2017:

Just lost my baby girl about a month ago We named her ZIVA

Tami on November 03, 2017:

I have Titan and Xena

Carl on October 03, 2017:

We just lost both of our shepherds recently. Our female was Kate and our male was Razr.

Avery on September 14, 2017:

I don't care what you people say but dogmeat. If anyone gets the reference

Tony S on August 28, 2017:

Sheila, Ace, and Koal are my three babies.

Codybennett on August 24, 2017:

I have a German K9

Sigmund d on August 16, 2017:

Most of these names are TERRIBLE for such a noble breed.

Patrick on July 11, 2017:

Most of these names are TERRIBLE

Gwen on June 14, 2017:

I named my girls Assassin and Mercenary (or Asa and Mercy for short - the irony!). I think those are pretty good. :) My mother also used to own a male GSD and named him Hunter, and my brother currently owns one of his own, named Sergeant. I think my family's into tough names... :P

im gonna call y german Shepherd ace or bolt on June 04, 2017:

ACE OR BOLT VOTE

Karen on May 31, 2017:

I named my German Shepherd Liberty Eva Machen Helma. I call her Libby and I speak both English and German to her. When I took her to obedience, I used both languages in working with commands. Other people were surprised at her level of intelligence. My machen hund is my baby girl!

Clark on April 27, 2017:

I have three GSD their names are Wednesday ( female) Marlowe( Male) and Chase ( Male).

Haley Whitt on February 16, 2017:

Female:Ellie Winter Daisy Smarty Candy Bubbles

Male:Jordan Bailey Chase Aaron Max Matthew

Joanne on January 11, 2017:

When we adopted our beautiful GSD we initially called him Brandy, but when we registered him with the AKA (American Kennel Association), they informed us that we needed to choose a different name because there were numerous GSD with the name Brandy. So, we chose the name "Sam". We were so glad we eventually chose the name "Sam" because that name really fit him well, and he responded beautifully to the name "Sam". Sam was wonderful, he was the love of our lives. Everyone loved Sam, in fact, the neighborhood kids would come to our door and ask if Sam could come out and play. Sam was really a very special, fun and loving GSD. He gave so much joy and happiness to our family. Sam is in Heaven now with Jesus. There is not a day that we don't lovingly think of our beautiful big boy; and that was 37 years ago; yes, you read that correctly, 37 years ago! Angel Sam, you are always in our loving thoughts and in our hearts; we love and miss you very much. Rest in Heavenly Peace, Angel Sam, you are in the tender loving care of Jesus and forever in our hearts. ♥️

RandyM on January 03, 2017:

I had many GSD as I was growing up. Some of their names were Sheba, Mickey, Heidi, Wolfy, Bear and Sally.

RandyM on January 02, 2017:

Our GSD is a silver and black named Bullet for Roy Rodgers dog in the old westerns.

Kennedi on August 14, 2016:

I love German shepherds.I own one. Her name is Faith.

Lisa on August 14, 2016:

You are missing Brizo!! Goddess of the mariners and a badass german shepherd girl name!

Rebecca on June 21, 2016:

My husband and I are of German decent and our GSD's name is Rommel, named after the WWII German general. We speak to him mainly in German also.

Katie Blocker on July 22, 2015:

We named our GSD Hans. Both my and my husband's heritage is German. We speak to him mainly in German.

Jen on May 14, 2015:

we named our shepherd Custos ... Means 'keeper of the house' in Latin