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German Shepherd Names and Meanings

by David W.

Have you recently welcomed the magnificent German Shepherd into your family? As a pet parent, your main responsibility now is to come up with a timeless name for this lovely dog breed.

Have you started looking for a name? You can do so in a variety of ways, including examining the breed’s gender, popularity, and coat color, as well as the functions it plays! The intelligent, brave, confident, loyal, stable, and flexible German Shepherd requires a name that reflects its kind demeanor.

Despite the fact that there are no established guidelines for making a great name for this breed, you should keep the following tips in mind.

  • Choose a name that does not reflect a negative personality attribute.
  • Choosing a name based on current trends is not a good idea.
  • Your German Shepherd should not have an embarrassing name either.
  • While registering your dog with a kennel club, inquire about the breed’s naming rules.

Apart from the foregoing, when naming a German Shepherd, you should always consider the temperament and external behavior of the dog.

Choosing a symbolic and meaningful name for your new GSD puppy is a very clever method to name the German Shepherd Dog. Because the German Shepherd dog breed originated in Germany, traditional German names which are meaningful in some way should be considered.

Our collection of German Shepherd names and meanings could help you find the right new name for your GSD puppy, or at the very least encourage you to continue your search in this direction. This list is separated into two sections: one for meaningful male GSD names and another for meaningful female GSD names.

Male German Shepherd Names and Meanings

This is just a small sample of the numerous meaningful male German Shepherd names you might choose for your own dog.

German Shepherds are admired for their bravery and soul. As a result, a name that represents your male German Shepherd’s intellect, power, and courage will be a fantastic choice for them!

A name that expresses the personality and purpose of male dogs is also the finest option. For instance, you can call your finest protector “watchman” and “wit” if he is sufficiently intelligent.

You can also look for popular legendary figures like Alexander, the iconic German shepherd “Buddy, the first seeing eye dog,” and Rin Tin Tin, among others.

It can be challenging to come up with a creative name for German Shepherd puppies. To name a dog, you must first grasp its personality, behavior, appearance, and physical traits.

In comparison to female German Shepherds, males are more possessive, domineering, and prideful. Because they are huge and masculine, they are more protective.

  • Abelard – resolute
  • Ace – one who excels
  • Adalard – brave
  • Adel – fair, just
  • Adler – eagle
  • Adolph – noble wolf
  • Agustine – majestic
  • Aksel – peace
  • Alaric – noble leader
  • Albern – white
  • Albert – noble, bright
  • Albrecht – intelligent
  • Aldo – old and wise
  • Alfred – counselor
  • Alger – clever warrior
  • Alphonse – noble, ready for battle
  • Alvin – noble friend, a friend of the elves
  • Andrew – brave
  • Anton – priceless
  • Apollo – the Greek god of music, arts, and archery
  • Archer – one who bows
  • Ares – the Greek god of war
  • Arlo – unknown
  • Arnold – ruler, strong as an eagle
  • Arvin – a friend to all
  • Atticus – name of the German Shepherd owned by the American Actor “Jake Gyllenhall”
  • August – great, magnificent
  • Avalanche – descent to the valley
  • Axel – father of peace
  • Bach – dweller near the brook
  • Badger – fierce animals
  • Baldwin – brave friend
  • Bane – cause of distress
  • Bear – strong furry animal
  • Bernard – strong, brave as a bear
  • Big Ben – great bell of the clock tower in Westminster, London
  • Bismarck – german statesman
  • Blaze – flame
  • Blitz – lightning
  • Blizzard – frost
  • Blue – color name
  • Bolt – powerfully built person
  • Bomber -mountain
  • Bones – good
  • Boris – wolf, short, snow leopard
  • Boss – leader
  • Bravo – code word used in military, meaning “courageous” in Spanish
  • Brian – name of Irish origin
  • Bruiser – “a big man
  • Bruno – brown
  • Brutus – heavy, muscular
  • Buck – deer
  • Buddy – companion, friend, old man
  • Bullet – a metal projectile for firing
  • Butch – manly
  • Caesar – emperor
  • Callahan – the bright headed
  • Captain – the person who is in charge, a ranking position in the military
  • Cayden – spirit of battle
  • Ceasar – a title to denote the Roman emperors
  • Charger – person who is a gift for life
  • Charles – name of the British ruler
  • Charlie – free man
  • Chewbacca – a fictional character in the Star Wars
  • Chips – it is the most famous German Shepherd dog during World War II
  • Claus/Klaus – people of victory
  • Clovis – famous warrior
  • Coffee – a tasty beverage, black in color
  • Colonel -military rank
  • Crash – to smash
  • Cyrus – throne
  • Damian – the fighter
  • Darek – ruler of the people
  • Dedrick – gifted ruler in Dutch
  • Detective – one who serves to detect
  • Diesel – a fuel
  • Dieter – the people’s ruler
  • Dirk – also the people’s ruler
  • Dobby – a fictional character in the Harry Potter movie
  • Dolphus – noble wolf
  • Donner – dark warrior
  • Duke -leader
  • Duxi – warrior of the people
  • Edward – rich guard
  • Ellard – noble and brave
  • Ememt – universal in German
  • Ernie/Ernest/Ernst – serious, resolute
  • Ethan – strong and firm
  • Fang – fragrance, canine tooth
  • Felix – happy, fortunate, lucky
  • Ferdinand – adventurous, courageous
  • Fergie – rock in Gaelic
  • Fonsie – noble
  • Francis – frenchman
  • Franz – free man
  • Freddie – Heidi Klum (the American–German model)’s German Shepherd dog
  • Frederick – peaceful ruler
  • Fremont – noble protector
  • Frido – powerful
  • Fritz – also peaceful ruler
  • Garin – warrior
  • Garon – mighty
  • George – George Washington
  • Gero – spear
  • Ghost – soul
  • Goliath – reveal
  • Gordon – spacious fort
  • Gregor – vigilant watchman
  • Gunner – warrior
  • Gunther – bold warrior
  • Hades – the king of the underworld and ruler of the dead in Greek mythology
  • Hamlin – one who loves his home
  • Hans – God is gracious
  • Harbin – little shining fighter
  • Harvey – blazing iron
  • Hawkeye – man of good sight
  • Heimdall – the watchman of the Norse gods
  • Heinrich – home of the king
  • Heinz – also home of the king
  • Helmar – famous protector
  • Hendrik – home ruler
  • Henry – Henry Ford
  • Hercules – glory of Hera
  • Hermes – the god of travel, trade, and communication and messenger of the Greek gods, known for his winged sandals
  • Hiro – “abundant” in Japanese
  • Hobo – a character in the Canadian television series “The Littlest Hobo”
  • Holster – carry case for a firearm
  • Hotshot – fast freight
  • Hubbard – bright mind
  • Hugo – wise man
  • Hulk – large person
  • Hutch – name of the American actor “Ben Affleck’s” dog
  • Imre – great king
  • Ivan – russian soldier
  • Jackson – son of Jack
  • Jaeger – hunter
  • John – John Lennon
  • Julius – downy-bearded
  • Jupiter – roman god of sky, weather and light
  • Kaiser – monarch, common name of the German Emperor
  • Kasper – treasurer
  • Keene – bold, sharp
  • Kenneth – handsome one
  • Klaus – the people’s victory
  • Kort – bold
  • Kylo – “sky” in Latin
  • Lee – “wood” in English
  • Leonard – brave lion
  • Leopold – bold leader
  • Lewis – steel device used for gripping
  • Lex – defender of men in Greek
  • Loki – the mischief-loving trickster Norse god
  • Louis – famous warrior in French
  • Luther – warrior
  • Mack – greatest
  • Magnum – big, great
  • Major – one of the highest-ranking positions in the military
  • Manfred – man of peace
  • Marcus – refers to the “God of Mars”
  • Martin – latin name has the meaning “god of war”
  • Maverick – wildly independent
  • Max – the greatest
  • Maximus – greatest
  • Meyer – bringer of light
  • Midnight – middle of the night
  • Mike – microphone, code word used in military
  • Milo – beloved
  • Mozart – german composer
  • Mudbug – a freshwater crayfish
  • Murphy – sea warrior
  • Napoleon – Napoleon Bonaparte
  • Nero – means black in Italian
  • Norbert – hero
  • Norberto – brilliant hero
  • Odin – the king of the Norse gods, the god of poetry, war, and death
  • Orion – a Greek name meaning “rising in the sky”
  • Otto – “wealth” in German
  • Ozzy – divine spear
  • Phantom – an apparition
  • Pistol – a firearm
  • Polo – brave wanderer
  • Poseidon – the Greek god of the oceans and rivers
  • Prince – monarch, ruler
  • Prinz – prince
  • Prowler – the one who follows someone
  • Rainer – warrior
  • Rambo – raven’s nest
  • Ranger – a ranking position in the military
  • Raymond – wise protector in German
  • Rex – king
  • Richard – strong leader
  • Rin Tin Tin – an international canine star that acted in several Hollywood movies
  • Ritter – knight
  • Robocop – the man who walks with mortals
  • Rocky -rest
  • Rogue – unpredictable
  • Roland – famous throughout the land
  • Rolf – famed wolf
  • Romey – obstinate, rebellious
  • Rowland – famous in the land
  • Rudolf – German name meaning “fame”
  • Sarge – Sargent, officer
  • Schatzi – sweetheart
  • Schwartz – black hair or dark complexion
  • Shadow – dark reflection of the body shape
  • Siegfried – victorious peace
  • Sigmund – victorious protection
  • Sigrid – beautiful victory
  • Solomon – peace in Hebrew
  • Spike – long, heavy nails
  • Spirit – code name used in military
  • Stein – stone
  • Stewart – guardian
  • Strongheart – an oldest canine movie star
  • Sullivan – dark eyes
  • Sumit – “good friend” in Bengali
  • Takeshi – “strong and healthy” in German
  • Tank – a vehicle or big and strong man
  • Tater Tot – a side dish prepared from a potato
  • Theobold – the boldest
  • Thor – thunder; also associated with the God of thunder
  • Thunderbolt – thunder filled powerful on
  • Titan – powerful big man
  • Tito – title of honor
  • Tobias (Toby) – God is good
  • Tornado – Violent windstorm
  • Trapper – one who traps
  • Trooper – one who endures adversities
  • Tyson – nickname of a person having “fiery” temperament
  • Ugo – mind, heart, spirit
  • Ulf – wolf
  • Umber – a brownish-gray moth
  • Verner – defending army
  • Victor – a vehicle
  • Vincent – “to conquer” in Latin
  • Vinnie – to be a conqueror
  • Viper – a venomous black rattlesnake
  • Waldo – ruler
  • Walter – “ruler of Army” in German
  • Werner – guard
  • Whisky – a common code name used in the military
  • Wilfred – determined peacemaker
  • Winifred (Winnie) – peaceful friend
  • Wolfgang – traveling wolf
  • Zeke – “God strengthens” in Hebrew
  • Zelig – blessed one
  • Zenzi – to spring up, grow, thrive
  • Zeus – the ruler of Mount Olympus and king of the Greek gods, master of the sky, thunder, and justice
  • Zipper – Fasten with a zipper

Female German Shepherd Names and Meanings

You can either choose one of these profoundly meaningful female German Shepherd dog names or be encouraged to continue your own search for German Shepherd names and meanings.

When considering names for your girl, make sure the name expresses her elegance and unique personality. You may, for example, give her the name “Angelina,” which will express its timeless beauty.

“Elizabeth,” a powerful and inspirational name, will be a fantastic name for your female German shepherd. Females can also be identified based on their temperament and independence.

If your girl is active, give her the name cheery; if she is friendly, give her the name Jovial. But, when looking for names, don’t focus on the negative aspects of her.

  • Ada – noble, kind
  • Adal – serene and noble
  • Addie – also noble, nobility
  • Adele – saint
  • Agathe – honorable, good
  • Alarica – rules all
  • Alaska – a mainland
  • Alda – wise
  • Alfreda – wise counselor
  • Alpha – code word used in military
  • Amala – work
  • Amelia – work
  • Andromeda – ruler of men
  • Anka – purse
  • Anne – name of the famous queen of Great Britain
  • Annette – the Lord has favored me
  • Annika – graceful
  • Aubrey – noble
  • Ava – life
  • Ayla – Turkish name referring to the “halo of light around the moon”
  • Bailey – steward
  • Barky – rough
  • Bathilda – heroine
  • Beate – happy
  • Beatrix – she who brings happiness
  • Bernadette – brave as a bear
  • Berta – intelligent, glorious
  • Bertha – “bright” in German
  • Bijou – “jewel” in French
  • Brass – a military term used to denote officers
  • Britta – strength or exalted one
  • Brunhilde – armed for battle
  • Buddy – the first trained guide dog
  • Butterbean – a lima bean
  • Caroline – free man
  • Cassaandra – Trojan princess in Greek mythology
  • Catherine – French name meaning “pure”
  • Cayden – the spirit of battle
  • Claudia – enclosure
  • Cleopatra – glory of her father
  • Dagmar – famous, glorious
  • Dakota – friendly
  • Delta – code name used in the military
  • Diana – refers to the Roman goddess of the moon
  • Diva – celebrated singer
  • Dolly – the German shepherd dog owned by the American actress “Jeniffer Aniston”
  • Duxi – warrior of the people
  • Ebba – fortress
  • Echo – reverberating sound
  • Elektra – shining
  • Elizabeth – Hebrew name meaning “God is abundance,” Queen of the United Kingdom
  • Ella – all, completely
  • Ellie – a police dog in the 2017 movie “A Dog’s Purpose”
  • Elma – protection
  • Elsa – pledged to God
  • Emma – universal
  • Erika – means eternal ruler
  • Erma – a German name meaning “Goddess of War”
  • Ethel – noble
  • Flicka – “little girl” in Swedish
  • Frauke – little lady
  • Fräulein – miss
  • Frederika – peaceful ruler
  • Frieda – peaceful
  • Fritzi – also peaceful ruler
  • Gabriella – “God is my Strength” in Hebrew
  • Galiana – light
  • Gerda – protected
  • Gerde – beloved warrior
  • Githa – bright
  • Gloria – feminine form of glory
  • Grace – a military code
  • Greta – pearl
  • Gretchen – pearl
  • Gretel – the German name for “Pearl”
  • Gypsy – the other name for a wanderer
  • Hanna – grace
  • Havana – a cigar made of Tobacco
  • Hazel – chocolate
  • Heidi – noble, serene
  • Helga – pious
  • Hella – prosperous
  • Hilda – battle woman
  • Hildegarde – fortress
  • Hillary – a Greek name for “cheerful”
  • Holle – beloved
  • Hulda – sweet, lovable
  • Huntress – the one who hunts
  • Ida – hard-working
  • Indiana – land of the Indians
  • Irmalinda – soft, tender, gentle
  • Jersey – grassy land
  • Jinx -charm or spell
  • Joan of Arc – maid; associated with the national heroine of France
  • Joanna – Hebrew name meaning “God is Gracious”, Name of the Queen of Castile
  • Joli – Meaning “pretty” in French
  • Joplin – afflicted
  • Judy – English Pointer who served with the Royal Navy and was awarded the Dickin Medal in 1946
  • Julie – vivacious
  • Juliet – youthful, soft-haired
  • Kaja – alive
  • Kaka – black in the Swahili language
  • Kate – “pure” in Hebrew
  • Katharina – pure
  • Katniss – sagittaria, a plant with edible tubers
  • Katrin – great beauty
  • Kaya – “wise” in Hopi language
  • Lava – a dog that was rescued from Iraq in 2005
  • Layla – loyal, “dark beauty” in Arabic
  • Leia – weary
  • Leona – brave as a lioness
  • Li – pretty and powerful
  • Liberty – freedom
  • Liebe – love
  • Liesel – God is my oath
  • Lola – lady of sorrows
  • Lorelei – alluring
  • Lotti – little woman
  • Lucy – light
  • Magnum – a weapon used in the military
  • Malika – “Queen” in Arabic
  • Mareike – obstinacy, rebelliousness
  • Margaret – the French name for “Pearl”
  • Marta – lady
  • Mary – refers to the mother of Jesus
  • Mate – the German Shepherd dog owned by Miley Cyrus
  • Matilda – “strong in battle”, name of German origin
  • Mercy – compassion
  • Michelle – French name meaning “gift from God”
  • Mika – Gift from God
  • Milla – industrious
  • Millie – gentle strength
  • Milo – beloved
  • Minne – resolute, protector
  • Minzi – “water” in Xhosa language
  • Mischa – who is like God
  • Missile – the weapon used in the military
  • Missy – means “bee” in Greek
  • Musta – refers to black color in Finnish
  • Mystique – fascinating aura of mystery
  • Nadja – hope
  • Nancy – grace
  • Neena – gracious
  • Nia – bright
  • Nina – “dream” in native American language
  • Norberta – bright heroine
  • Nyx – “shadowy figure”; associated with a Greek Goddess of the night
  • Oda – fortune
  • Olga – blessed, holy
  • Olinda – protector of property
  • Olympia – mountain of Gods
  • Ozzy – divine spear
  • Pepper – spice name
  • Petra – solid as rock
  • Petunia – a trumpet-shaped flower
  • Pistol – a weapon used to fire bullets
  • Pixie – fairy
  • Preto – black in Portuguese
  • Queenie – derived from ‘queen’
  • Raina – mighty army
  • Raven – wise
  • Razia – an Arabic name to denote “happiness”
  • Remington – the ridge town
  • Remy – means “oar” in Latin
  • Romey – obstinate, rebellious
  • Rusty – star of the 1947 film For the Love of Rusty
  • Sable -sand, black fur
  • Sabrina – name of the character in the American web series “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”
  • Sadie – princess
  • Sandow – a character in the 1927 movie “Avenging Fangs”
  • Sara – Indian cricketer and skipper M.S. Dhoni’s German shepherd dog
  • Sascha – defender of mankind
  • Sasha – derived from the German name “Sascha”
  • Schatzi – sweetheart
  • Schatzie – little sweetheart
  • Scout – military function done by dogs
  • Semi – a tractor-trailer
  • Serilda – battle maiden
  • Sheba – kingdom
  • Sierra – code word used in the military
  • Sigrid – beautiful victory
  • Skye – sheltering
  • Smoke – vapor comes from fire
  • Sofie – wisdom
  • Sonje – wisdom
  • Sophie – a Greek name for “wisdom, intelligence”
  • Suki – “loved one” in Japanese
  • Teena – strong, healthy
  • Tempeste – storm or stormy
  • Tiger -powerful cat
  • Tilli – battle maiden
  • Totu – soft, long and bell-shaped costume
  • Tresa – harvester
  • Trudi – strong spear warrior
  • Trudy – spear of strength
  • Tulip – hero in the flim “My Dog Tulip”
  • Ula – pearl
  • Ulrika – all-ruling, wolf ruler
  • Ursula – little female bear
  • Uzi – weapon used in the military
  • Vala – singled out
  • Valerie – “strong” in Latin
  • Velvet – a woven fabric
  • Venus – this name refers to the Roman Goddess of love and beauty
  • Vera – faith, truth
  • Vice – change
  • Victoria – name of the British Queen
  • Vixen – female fox
  • Wanda – shepherdess; wanderer
  • Wilhelmina – protector
  • Winifred – peaceful friend
  • Winola – charming friend
  • Xena – hospitable
  • Yankee – code word used in the military
  • Yeti – small man-like animal
  • Zaki – pure, virtuous
  • Zelda – battle maid
  • Zenzi – to spring up, grow, thrive
  • Ziba – meaning “strength”
  • Zippo – name of a military dog
  • Zola – means Earth in Latin

Have fun and take your time. If you do not find a name that appeals to you, broaden your search to our other lists of German Shepherd dog names and tips on how to choose the best GSD name:

German Shepherd Names from Movies

Male German Shepherd Names

Female German Shepherd Names

How To Choose The Best German Shepherd Name?

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