The Best German Shepherd Names for Your New Puppy

Find the perfect name for your new German Shepherd puppy with our top male and female picks. Celebrating this intelligent breed, our list features historical choices like Otto, heroic rescue monikers like Irma and Apollo, and Disney favourites to suit every loyal companion.

This highly intelligent breed with an aloof attitude to strangers and an intense protective love of their family is an all-time favourite among dog lovers. German Shepherds have been described as the ultimate working dog and faithful companion, so they naturally deserve the best monikers we can come up with. We’ve put together a list of our favourite male and female German Shepherd names to get you inspired.

10 male German Shepherd names

1. Otto

Otto is a great dog name and doubles as a tribute to this breed’s German origins. It means wealth and prosperity, and it’s been the name of three German kings and many generals. We think there’s no other name that fits a breed beloved of the military better.

2. Spencer

Spencer is a beautiful name with a special meaning. It means ‘guardian’ or ‘steward’ and it goes without saying that it’s a perfect match for this breed’s protective nature. If you’re looking for a dog-approved male German Shepherd name, give Spencer a go.

4. Buddy

As soon as you welcome a German Shepherd into the family, you know you’ve got a new friend for life. Buddy is the perfect name reserved for amazing four-legged companions and your new dog definitely fits the bill. So why not state the obvious and call your dog what they are? The best Buddy ever.

5. Ace

Looking for the perfect male German Shepherd name? You really can’t go wrong with Ace. If you love the Batman comics you already know about the famous German Shepherd called Ace, the brave canine resident of the Batcave and Batman’s crime-fighting partner. Ace is one of the coolest names a dog can wish for. For some more fun names like this take a look at our top 10 fun dog names.

6. Apollo

A nod to the famous German Shepherd who worked as a search and rescue dog at the World Trade Centre site during the 9/11 attacks, Apollo is a beautiful name that seems ever-present in our pop culture. Whether it makes you think of the Greek mythologic god, the NASA space program that successfully landed the first human on the Moon or the famous London theatre, Apollo is sure to make an impression.

7. Darwin

While this makes a great name for a German Shepherd, the name Darwin evolved from the Old English name Deorwine which means ‘friend’ – and that is exactly what your German Shepherd puppy is going to grow up to be

8. Odin

While we all know that Odin is a name from Norse mythology – where he was believed to be the supreme ruler of the gods – the original Old Norse name meant ‘lord of frenzy’ or sometimes ‘the inspired’. So, whether your German Shepherd is going to rule the house or just cause chaos and fun, Odin can be the perfect name for such a charismatic breed.

9. Max

A favourite name for male dogs, it seems to suit a German Shepherd more than most. Easy to call and to recognise, it comes from the Roman name Maximus meaning ‘greatest’ and this is exactly what your new puppy is going to be.

10. Whiskey

For those German Shepherds with a lot of tan, Whiskey can be the ideal name – as that is exactly the colour of the rich golden-brown in their luxurious coat.

10 female German Shepherd Names

1. Irma

If you don’t want an ordinary German Shepherd dog name for your new pup, Irma might just be what you’re looking for. During World War II a German Shepherd called Irma rescued almost 200 people trapped under London’s buildings and received the Dickin Medal in honour of all her impressive work. Want an Irma of your own? Make sure you add it to your list.

2. Sasha

A timeless moniker with a special meaning, Sasha is one of the best names for a female German Shepherd. It means ‘defender of the humankind’ and there’s no better description for this amazing breed of dogs.

4. Trixie

Looking for a cute and sassy name for your female German Shepherd? Give Trixie a go. Trixie might be an unusual dog name, but if your dog brings you lots of joy, that’s precisely what this name means.

5. Missy

If your German Shepherd is the sweet, girly kind, Missy would make the perfect name. What better moniker for your lovely companion? Plus, it’s short and memorable – exactly what all the good dog names have in common.

6. Nala

The courageous and beautiful Nala from the Lion King offers dog lovers another beautiful Disney-inspired female German Shepherd name. It perfectly matches the looks and personality of this amazing canine breed, so why not test it on your new pup and see what they think?

7. Artemis

Goddess of the hunt and protector of wildlife, what could be a better name for a breed whose origins were in herding and protecting livestock? And once Artemis comes into your home, she will look on you as her very own flock.

8. Lola

As the Barry Manilow song says: “Lola, she was a show girl…” so if Crufts is in your sights or your stunning flamboyant puppy has hints of the diva about her, Lola could be right up her street.

9. Sadie

Sadie is an English and Hebrew name that means ‘princess’ – and that could suit your German Shepherd girl right down to the ground. Barbra Streisand certainly thought so as this was the name of her beloved, and very first, dog.

10. Lassie

Named after the most famous film dog ever – and the absolute embodiment of clever, brave and loving – the original Lassie might have been a Rough Collie, but we think it suits a German Shepherd far more.

That’s our list of favourite German Shepherd dog names. We hope you already found the one for the new bundle of joy in your life. But if you’re still undecided, we’ve got more names for you.

Here are some of the most popular dog names, suitable for all dogs, no matter their breed. And if you’re wondering what the nation thinks when it comes to the best monikers, here are Britain’s favourite dog names. If you'd like to find out about more German breeds, read our article on German dog breeds.