275+ of the Best German Shepherd Names for Your Pawsome Canine Partner

From cultural to mythological, this terrific list of dog names will inspire you!

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Published on March 1, 2021

According to the American Kennel Club, German shepherds are repeatedly the second most popular dog breed on its annual list, just one notch below Labrador retrievers. And it's no wonder! These courageous, regal, and intelligent dogs—also known as Alsatians—are also gentle family pets dedicated to their human companions.

Their distinctive personalities make them worthy of the best moniker, so we've put together a list of over 275 German shepherd dog names to spark your imagination!

Cool German Shepherd Names

Break out the shades and the bling as these cool names tell the world about your hip pup. Only you know the big mush puppet hiding under that too-cool-for-school attitude!

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

Strong German Shepherd Dog Names

These athletic, powerful medium- to large-sized dogs can amaze you with their spirit and perseverance, so give them a name that reflects their strength.

Isa (strong-willed)
Kenzo (strong and healthy)
Nina (fire)
Anders (manly)
Bree (power and strength)
Pacome (strong nature)
Lenna (lion-hearted)
Zale (power of the sea)
Kelsey (brave)
Adira (noble and powerful)
Griffin (strong lord)
Sage (wise)
Emerson or Emersyn (brave and powerful)
Mahogany (rich and strong)
Oz (warrior of God)
Ryker (strength)
Asta (divine strength)
Etana (strength of purpose)
Kano (masculine power)
Minka (strong-willed warrior)

German shepherd tilts head at camera — Mary Swift / Adobe Stock

German Names for German Shepherds

Honor your dog's heritage with these namen aus Deutschland. Plus they're great conversation starters at the dog park.

Caspar
Riesling
Lena
Süsser/Süsse
Franz
Sabine
Blitz
Dieter
Petra
Elyna
Jannik
Mahler
Aldo
Sascha
Liebling
Bärchen
Rommel
Oskar
Mairke
Schatzi
Fritz

Female German Shepherd Names

Whether she joins your family as a puppy or an adult, certain dogs seem to name themselves. She might just look like a Daisy—who knows?

Bambi
Andra
Payton
Serena
Zuri
Coco
Pearl
Honey
Oki
Trixie
Yasmin
Babs
Stella
Elsa
Aster
Willa
Sugar
Magnolia
Zoe
Portia
Fiona
Belle/Bella
Adele
Una
Piper
Yumi

German Shepherd Boy Names

Calling out to your dog like he's a regular dude keeps him firmly in the bro pack. In fact, names like Max, Charlie, and Jack were some of the most popular dog names of 2020.

Archie
Ike
Joey
Gus
Andy
Parker
Ned
Levi
Barry
Otis
Buddy
Tex
Chester
Quincy
Hank
Ralph
Starsky
Clyde
Vinnie
Eddie
Jake

Super Cute German Shepherd Dog Names

These pups have such playful sides that it's only natural to want to give them cute tags and speak to them in funny voices.

Pez
Banjo
Jolly
Pepper
Funko
Wishbone
Dimples
Twinkie
Pikachu
Zippo
Squirtle
Lolo
Bucky
Jenga
Smooch
Fonzie
Zipper
Rowlf
Nola
Buffy

Badass German Shepherd Names

Announce these and see if your dog barks twice with approval! Except they're so badass, they'll probably just sniff, lift their muzzle, and trot away without acknowledging you.

Bruno
Crag
Striker
Harley
Ink
Diesel
Nikita
Tank
Rambo
Dude
Kong
Nash
Vader
Butch
Jada
Duke
Zena
Spike
Vito
Rivka
King
Rocco
Blaze
Vixen
Brock

Unique German Shepherd Names to Help Your Dog Stand Out

Your dog is one-of-a-kind, so she needs a name as special as she is.

Cedric
Marisol
Serafina
Roman
Inez
Duncan
Moira
Echo
Zeke
Paris
Augustine
Maple
Briar
Maddox
Hazel
Chord
Eloise

German Shepherd Names Inspired by Famous Celebrities

These options come from a variety of sources, including college mascots, movies, video games, pop culture, and more.

Alyx (Half-Life 2)
Mando (The Mandalorian)
Leeloo (The Fifth Element)
Enzo (The Art of Racing in the Rain)
Geralt (The Witcher)
Kobe (basketball star)
Rin or Rin Tin Tin (dog actor)
Marvel (Marvel comic books)
Lizzo (musician)
Anya (Shepherd: The Hero Dog)
Barkin (All Dogs Go to Heaven)
Tuffy (North Carolina State University)
Khaleesi (Game of Thrones)
Zelda (Legend of Zelda)
Ace (Batman comic books)
Deckard (Bladerunner)
Hanzo (Overwatch)
Strongheart (dog actor)
Shuri (Black Panther)
Gorillaz (musicians)

German Shepherd Names Inspired by Mythology

A dog this noble can carry a moniker of an ancient god or goddess well. Plus it sounds awesome when you call her to dinner: "Athena! Here girl!"

Loki
Xena
Apollo
Indra
Gandalf
Chen
Nike
Dalia
Jimmu
Odin
Isis
Luna
Chanda
Hermes
Anil
Spartacus
Freya
Rama
Pax
Vulcan
Grimhilt
Balder
Devi
Jupiter
K'awi
Signy
Akna
Nanaya
Fergus
Kamala
Thor
Ziva
Artemis
Hela
Manu
Taranis

Names of German Shepherd Dog Heroes

Right now, our top favs include Arlo, the K-9 hero dog shot in the line of duty; Sadie, who saved her owner when he had a stroke; and Major and Champ, President Biden's dogs who live with him and First Lady Jill Biden in the White House. There are many military German Shepherd hero dogs, too. Here are some others.