Naming your new German Shepherd is one of the hardest things to do. Although you may have a few ideas of some names floating around in your head, it’s still pretty tough to decide on a name for your new dog.
But before we look at choosing a top name for your German Shepherd, we need to consider how to name your dog.
When naming your German Shepherd, choose a name that you genuinely like and that your dog will easily understand. Short words are best, so avoid those with too many syllables. Do not choose a name that sounds similar to a command, which will confuse your dog.
There are hundreds of top names for German Shepherds, so I’ve sorted them all into handy sections, such as names based on gender, color, personality, type, and tons more.
So, if you’re looking for ideas and inspiration when picking a top name for your German Shepherd – you’ll love all the detailed lists below to find your match.
Let’s get started!
Top 10 German Shepherd Names
There are loads of top German Shepherd names to choose from, ranging from the traditional to the unique, and you’ll find a vast selection below.
I recommend that you don’t choose a dog name based on current trends or fads, as you may later regret it, especially if it sounds embarrassing when you have to yell out to your dog at the dog park. German Shepherds live between 10-13 years, so you’ll be stuck with it for a while!
Do Choose:
- A name that you like
- A short name
- A name your GSD can easily understand
- A name to fit your GSD’s personality
Don’t Choose:
- A name that sounds like a command
- A name based on a current fad
- A name with too many syllables
- An embarrassing name
Nonetheless, you may prefer a unique, cool, cute, or funny name, whereas others may choose a common, traditional, strong, or even badass, police or military name. It really does come down to the type of person you are and what you prefer.
As a former Police Officer, I loved meeting the new pups who were about to start their training to see the cuddly bundle of fun and find out what their police names were.
But if you want my TLDR version and like the cream of the crop, these are the current top male GSD names. Say them out loud to get a better idea to see if you like their sound.
Top Male GSD Names
- Tyson
- Bear
- Thor
- Duke
- Zeus
- Max
- Buddy
- Charlie
- Shadow
- Cooper
Top Female GSD Names
However, if you’ve decided on a girl, whether your new pup looks like a Skye or a Lily, these top female German Shepherd names will give you some great ideas.
- Luna
- Willow
- Bella
- Storm
- Lily
- Blue
- Nala
- Coco
- Skye
- Sasha
Popular German Shepherd Names
It’s only natural that you can’t wait to visit your breeder to choose your gorgeous new pup. That’s the easy part!
You know how difficult it can be to choose a dog’s name. German Shepherds are good family dogs, which means you have to please the rest of the family – but you all have different ideas! So you ask the breeder, “what is the most popular GSD name?” But whatever he tells you might be completely different from what you had in mind!
Nonetheless, if you like to be part of the crowd, these are some popular names you can choose.
Unique German Shepherd Names
Let’s now look at the opposite of common names. You might not want to be that person that hears all the same names when out with your pup. Make your best friend stand out with these unique German Shepherd names. After all, every dog is special, no matter its breed.
I’ve done an excellent job if you haven’t heard of many of these!
Male German Shepherd Names
You visit your nearest rescue center and see a cute boy German Shepherd mix seized from a puppy mill. You instantly fall in love and immediately arrange to adopt the pup. All you have to do now is think of a name before bringing your new best friend home. Check out the below handy list of top German Shepherd names for males to find your match.
Female German Shepherd Names
If you’re a novice dog owner-to-be, you’ve taken your breeder’s advice and opted for a girl. Now that’s a good decision as a first-time German Shepherd owner – and it’s exactly what I did. But you’re now wondering what some top German Shepherd names for females are.
Check out this list of girl names for some great ideas.
Traditional German Shepherd Names
Some prefer going with traditional names for their German Shepherds. However, it’s difficult to recollect names quickly. Making it simpler for you by drafting a list below:
- Bruno
- Fritz
- Greta
- Gunther
- Hans
- Heidi
- Helga
- Ingrid
- Karl
- Klaus
- Liesel
- Lutz
- Max
- Otto
- Rolf
- Sabine
- Siegfried
- Ulrich
- Ursula
- Wolfgang
Cool German Shepherd Names
If you want your dog to follow in the footsteps of the Fonz or Steve McQueen and be the coolest pup on the block, look no further as these cool German Shepherd names will tell the world about your new trendy pup.
Whether your doggo thinks his name is cool does not matter as long as you stay up with the neighborhood’s fashion, and you won’t go wrong if you pick from these.
Cute German Shepherd Names
Everyone loves a cute name, especially for the latest cute pup of the neighborhood. Take your pick from the below list of adorable cute names for German Shepherds, and you won’t be disappointed.
Just remember one thing, they don’t stay cute for long! German Shepherds grow quickly, and you’ll have a 60-90lb furbaby before you know it!
Black German Shepherd Names
All types of GSDs are amazing, no matter their color or pattern. Potential new owners will often ask me if the temperament of a Black German Shepherd is any different from the standard variety. The answer, of course, is no, but I can see where the confusion may arise.
Pro Tip! If you have your heart set on a black GSD, jump to this article to learn more, Black German Shepherds: 9 Cool (Important) Facts You Didn’t Know!
If you prefer to choose a name based on his color when naming a black puppy, don’t worry, as we have you covered. So, what is a good name for a Black German Shepherd? Here are tons of ideas to get you thinking.
White German Shepherd Names
While we’re on discussing different colors, it would be rude not to mention the stunning White German Shepherd. If you’ve set your heart on the gorgeous purebred white variety, you may wonder what a good name for a white dog sounds like. Here are some ideas to inspire you.
Sable German Shepherd Names
The Sable German Shepherd is one of my favorite color patterns. Notice how I said color patterns and not simply color? It can get confusing; however, sable is a pattern, not a color. If you’re less than crystal clear right now, check out this article, What Is a Sable German Shepherd?
Sable GSDs include the many working line dogs, from the athletic DDR German Shepherd to the protective Czech Alsatians. But if you choose a worker over a show line, how do you find a top German Shepherd name for your new friend?
The below list of names for sable German Shepherds will give you tons of ideas. It would have been rude of me not to have the name “Sable” first on the list!
Badass German Shepherd Dog Names
So you want a badass name to match your badass personality? Or you might want a strong name to match your badass German Shepherd Dog. Now, here’s where I disappoint you if you’re new to the breed.
German Shepherds are affectionate and clingy due to forming a solid bond with their owner and their highly protective nature. They will even follow you to the bathroom! But some owners want a name to make their dog seem mean and tough, which is just fine.
Check out these badass German Shepherd names and let them roll off your tongue to see which one works for you.
Military German Shepherd Names
German Shepherds from working bloodlines are often used as military dogs, and many have served in recent conflicts such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Whether you’re from a military background or just like the sound of tough military dog names, you won’t go far wrong if you pick one of these.
German Shepherd Police Dog Names
As a retired cop, it would have been rude not to include all the police dog names for German Shepherds. I worked alongside many police dogs throughout my service, and while watching their unique tracking and detection skills, I loved asking the names of these brave and hard-working dogs.
So whether you have police in your blood or enjoy crime documentaries or cop movies like Turner and Hooch, check out the below police names suitable for a GSD.
Famous German Shepherd Names
Sticking with the movie theme, if you’re a big-screen addict or love keeping up with all the latest canine stars, here are some famous dog names. These are a mix of German Shepherd dogs from Hollywood to past and present military and rescue heroes. I’ve also included some famous dog names of other breeds to help you decide.
Greek German Shepherd Names
If Greek mythology or culture is your thing, you’ll want the best Greek name for your German Shepherd. From Achilles to Zeus, you’ll undoubtedly find the name to suit your passion, whether a mythological monster or a real Greek hero.
Greek names have to match the breed’s personality – so you can’t go wrong choosing one of these.
Food Names for German Shepherds
Check out this list of mouth-watering food names for your new puppy for the foodies out there. Whether it’s your favorite dish, snack, or treat, this list will trigger your imagination, and if you can’t find one of the below food names, they may help you think of some more delicious ideas.
Best German Shepherd Names – My Picks!
It’s certainly not easy choosing a top German Shepherd name for your bestie. But, I hope I’ve given you plenty of ideas. However, if you’re still stuck, here are my favorite picks of the top German Shepherd names.
- Willow (of course!)
- Jet
- Bear
- Zeus
- Blue
- Thor
- Zander
- Freya
- Zak
- Lola
Still can’t decide? Do you want to know more about the meanings of names? Check out this article, Best German Shepherd Names (And Their Meanings)
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