German shepherds deserve an awesome name. For such a striking breed, a bland name just isn’t good enough!
This article lists 250 unique, creative, and catchy names that suit german shepherds, both male and female. And of course, each name includes a fascinating meaning!
In this article:
- 55 Tribal-inspired names
- 55 Short and catchy names for MALE German shepherds
- 55 Unique names for FEMALE German shepherds
- 55 Inuit-inspired names
Choosing The Perfect Name For a GSD
Here are our tips on choosing a great name for your German shepherd… Some considerations include:
- Consider how easy it difficult it is to say
- Say it out loud! Verbalize it to get a feel for the name
- Shout the name (what will it sound like at the dog park)
- Can it be shortened even further? Think of likely nicknames
- Does it “feel” right for your GSD’s personality
- Try the name for a few days after bringing your pup home! If you don’t like it, you can try another
The tips above are the best way to figure out which name you like the most. At first, it’s best to go with your first impressions and then try it out! There’s nothing wrong with changing your pups name a few days after.
55 Tribal-Inspired Names
Tribal-inspired names sound super cool for dogs, so let’s run through 75 of the best ones below.
Most of these names are Unisex and owners should focus more on the “sound” of the name to determine whether or not it suits a male or female.
- Aksana (Chukchi for “eagle”)
- Akta (Lakota for “star”)
- Alawa (Chippewa for “pea”)
- Ama (Cheyenne for “water”)
- Anoki (Inuit for “playful”)
- Asante (Swahili for “thankful”)
- Bina (Ojibwe for “song”)
- Chogan (Algonquin for “raven”)
- Dawa (Tibetan for “moon”)
- Dena (Athabascan for “wise one”)
- Edan (Cherokee for “fortunate”)
- Elu (Inuit for “hunting”)
- Enapay (Lakota for “brave”)
- Fala (Cherokee for “wolf”)
- Galilahi (Cherokee for “attractive”)
- Gani (Tlingit for “raven”)
- Hania (Chippewa for “spirit”)
- Hopper (Navajo for “rabbit”)
- Iktomi (Lakota for “spider”)
- Ilanna (Cheyenne for “sun”)
- Inali (Hopi for “frost”)
- Ipari (Hopi for “desert”)
- Jacy (Navajo for “moon”)
- Kachina (Hopi for “sacred dancer”)
- Kanti (Lakota for “sing”)
- Kaya (Lakota for “elder sister”)
- Koda (Algonquin for “friend”)
- Kolta (Cheyenne for “red”)
- Kuna (Inuit for “snake”)
- Kunu (Hopi for “bear”)
- Kya (Sioux for “tiger”)
- Lulu (Cheyenne for “rabbit”)
- Mako (Inuit for “shark”)
- Malani (Hawaiian for “calmness”)
- Mandy (Cherokee for “raccoon”)
- Masika (Swahili for “born during rain”)
- Mato (Lakota for “bear”)
- Mohawk (Mohawk for “man-eaters”)
- Naya (Cherokee for “fawn”)
- Neela (Hindi for “blue”)
- Nita (Cherokee for “bear”)
- Nokomis (Ojibwe for “grandmother”)
- Oceana (Hawaiian for “ocean”)
- Onawa (Omaha for “wide awake”)
- Oski (Cherokee for “bear”)
- Pahana (Hopi for “lost white brother”)
- Paiute (Paiute for “water Ute”)
- Paska (Inuit for “easter”)
- Pawgan (Micmac for “swan”)
- Poko (Cherokee for “gray fox”)
- Poma (Hopi for “flower”)
- Poot (Mayan for “flower”)
- Pukawiss (Ojibwe for “eagle”)
- Quana (Cherokee for “deer”)
- Quannah (Comanche for “fragrant”)
55 Short & Catchy Names For MALE German Shepherds
- Ace (Latin for “one, unity”)
- Ben (Hebrew for “son of”)
- Boy (Old English for “servant”)
- Chip (Old English for “puppy”)
- Jack (English for “God is gracious”)
- Jasper (Persian for “treasurer”)
- Jax (American for “son of Jack”)
- Koda (Algonquin for “friend”)
- Leo (Latin for “lion”)
- Max (Latin for “greatest”)
- Milo (Germanic for “merciful”)
- Mo (African for “born on Monday”)
- Rocky (English for “rest”)
- Rufus (Latin for “red-haired”)
- Sam (Hebrew for “asked of God”)
- Sandy (Scottish for “defender of the people”)
- Scout (Old English for “one who gathers information”)
- Simba (Swahili for “lion”)
- Sonny (English for “son”)
- Spike (Old English for “sharp object”)
- Thor (Norse for “thunder”)
- Toby (Hebrew for “God is good”)
- Tom (Hebrew for “innocence”)
- Tony (Latin for “priceless”)
- Zane (English for “God’s grace”)
- Bear (Old English for “brown”)
- Benny (Hebrew for “son of the right hand”)
- Bo (Old English for “lively”)
- Boomer (American for “large bird”)
- Buddy (American for “friend”)
- Duke (Latin for “leader”)
- Finn (Irish for “fair”)
- Gus (Latin for “majestic”)
- Ike (Hebrew for “laughter”)
- Jock (Scottish for “God is gracious”)
- Kip (English for “baby kangaroo”)
- Nash (American for “by the ash tree”)
- Ollie (English for “elf warrior”)
- Pete (Latin for “rock”)
- Roxy (Latin for “dawn”)
- Rusty (English for “red-haired”)
- Sid (Old English for “wide island”)
- Sunny (English for “cheerful”)
- Taz (American for “short form of Tazmanian Devil”)
- Tim (Latin for “honoring God”)
- Toby (Hebrew for “God is good”)
- Ziggy (American for “short form of Zigmond”)
- Aiden (Irish for “fiery one”)
- Bailey (Old English for “steward or public official”)
- Beau (French for “handsome”)
- Blake (Old English for “fair-haired, dark”)
- Cole (Latin for “swarthy, coal-black”)
- Evan (Welsh for “God is gracious”)
- Flynn (Irish for “descendant of the red-haired one”)
- Graham (Scottish for “gravel home”)
55 Unique Names For FEMALE German Shepherds
Let’s run through some of the best and most unique names for German shepherds below.
- Ada: Noble, Kind
- Ava: Like a bird
- Bella: Beautiful
- Bonnie: Pretty, charming
- Clara: Clear, bright
- Coco: Short for Coco Chanel, meaning “victorious”
- Daisy: A type of flower
- Dolly: A popular nickname for Dorothy, meaning “gift of God”
- Eden: Paradise
- Elle: Short for Ellen, meaning “bright one”
- Eva: Life
- Fern: A type of green plant
- Gigi: A popular nickname for Georgina, meaning “farmer”
- Grace: Graceful
- Hana: Flower
- Iris: A type of flower
- Jade: A type of green stone
- Kiki: A popular nickname for Katherine, meaning “pure”
- Lila: Purple
- Lily: A type of flower
- Luna: Moon
- Mae: Bitter
- Maeve: Intoxicating
- Mabel: Lovable
- Maeve: Intoxicating
- Mika: Beautiful fragrance
- Mimi: A popular nickname for Mary, meaning “star of the sea”
- Niki: Victory of the people
- Nina: Little girl
- Nova: New
- Olive: A type of tree and fruit
- Penelope: Weaver
- Poppy: A type of flower
- Queenie: Queen
- Rosie: A type of flower
- Ruby: A type of red stone
- Sadie: Princess
- Sage: A type of herb
- Sally: Princess
- Sami: High, elevated
- Sandy: Protector of man
- Selma: Safe
- Skye: From the Isle of Skye
- Stella: Star
- Sunny: Sunny, cheerful
- Tessa: Harvester
- Tilly: Mighty in battle
- Tina: A shortened form of Christina, meaning “follower of Christ”
- Trudy: Spear of strength
- Violet: A type of purple flower
- Willow: A type of tree
- Winnie: Fair one
- Zara: Princess
- Zoe: Life
- Zola: Peaceful
55 Inuit-Inspired Names For German Shepherds
Why Inuit? Well, they sound awesome! That’s pretty much why. Take a look below. Most names are unisex
- Aput: “snow”
- Atka: “guardian spirit”
- Ilu: “light”
- Koda: “friend”
- Nanook: “polar bear”
- Nuna: “earth”
- Nutaaq: “firstborn”
- Paija: “silver”
- Pakak: “mischievous one”
- Paniq: “surprise”
- Piqalik: “magical one”
- Qannik: “snowflake”
- Quvianaq: “star”
- Siku: “ice”
- Sinikka: “little daughter”
- Siku: “ice”
- Tahki: “snowshoe”
- Takoda: “friend to everyone”
- Tanana: “valley”
- Tikaani: “wolf”
- Tiktaalik: “large freshwater fish”
- Toq: “seal”
- Tupik: “tent”
- Ukpik: “snow bunting”
- Una: “fluffy white thing”
- Uqalik: “little one”
- Uqpik: “arctic hare”
- Utuqqanaq: “little one”
- Aaka: “soul”
- Adik: “beloved”
- Aka: “soul”
- Anana: “elder sister”
- Atka: “guardian spirit”
- Elin: “most beautiful”
- Elu: “human being”
- Emilia: “industrious”
- Inu: “dog”
- Iqaluk: “fish”
- Ittulik: “little ice”
- Kali: “forever”
- Koda: “friend”
- Kya: “diamond”
- Lila: “good fortune”
- Lulu: “pearl”
- Mae: “brave one”
- Nana: “elder”
- Nanook: “polar bear”
- Nat: “gift”
- Nina: “fire”
- Nuna: “earth”
- Nutaaq: “firstborn”
- Paija: “silver”
- Pakak: “mischievous one”
- Paniq: “surprise”
- Piqalik: “magical one”
Last Thoughts
Our favorite kinds of names here at The Puppy Mag are certainly the tribal-inspired names, as well as the Inuit-inspired names.
These names have beautiful meanings, are so unique, and suit German shepherds so well.
Of course, when it comes to choosing a name, there is no “wrong” or “right” name. It’s entirely down to individual preference.
Consider how easy it is to say the name, what it sounds like when said loud, and most importantly, go with your first impressions!
Thanks for reading! Back to more awesome German shepherd tips and advice below