Before bringing home your new furry friend, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing a name. If you’re looking for name ideas for your female German Shepherd and wondering what the most popular are, this article is for you.
We’ve reviewed a variety of suggestions before coming up with a list of 200 names for female German Shepherds. Although we haven’t ranked them in any particular order, each name is popular. Whether looking for a name inspired by history, celebrities, or your favorite TV show, you’ll find it here.
Let’s dive right in!
How to choose a perfect name for your GSD
When choosing a name for your German shepherd, there are a few things you may want to consider to help you get the perfect name:
Easy to remember
First, you want to choose a name that’s easy to say, pronounce. If you have young kids, you especially want to choose a name that’s easy for them to remember and not lengthy and complicated. Keep in mind this is a name that will be said plenty of times in a day in your house, so you want a name that is comfortable to say even for your vet and friends.
Short and simple
You want a name that will be easy for your dog to remember and not get lost in translation between them hearing it and processing that it’s them being called. We suggest keeping the name to at most two syllables.
In his interview with New York Times, Alexandra Horowitz, a dog cognition expert, recommends using names with strong consonant sounds like “C” and “K” because they are far easier for dogs to remember than names with softer sounds like “L, N, and S”. They are also easier for dogs to distinguish from other sounds.
Reflects your dog’s personality
If your furry friend has a unique personality, characteristic or appearance that makes them unique, naming them after that unique thing about them would be great. It would constantly remind you of what makes the special to you. For instance, if your GSD has a sweet, charming persona, you may want to find a name around that personality. This is will be very memorable and special.
You could also just simply choose a name that reflects the GSD’s personality or temperament. For instance, a name that reflects GSD’s intelligence, bravery, and loyalty could be a great choice.
Things to avoid when choosing a dog name
However, it’s important to keep in mind that certain names and naming practices may be confusing or difficult for your dog to understand. Here are some things to avoid when choosing a name for your dog:
- Avoid a name that sounds too similar to a command when choosing names. For instance, a name like Mo could easily pass for a “No.” You don’t want your dog getting confused when you’re trying to give them a command or calling them.
- Avoid choosing a name that is too long or complicated. Simple, one or two syllable names are the easiest for dogs to learn and respond to.
- Avoid choosing a name that is too similar to the names of other family members or pets. This can cause confusion and make it difficult for your dog to understand when they are being called.
- Avoid choosing a name that may be culturally or racially insensitive. This can be disrespectful and can also cause confusion and misunderstandings with others.
Most popular names for female GSDs
Here are the most popular names for female German shepherds according to data from the American Kennel Club.
- Luna
- Bella
- Nova
- Lola
- Willow
- Sadie
- Ava
- Chloe
- Zara
- Roxy
- Daisy
- Abby
- Ruby
- Coco
- Gigi
- Olive
- Cleo
- Nala
- Penelope
- Marley
- Iris
- Willow
- Nala
- Minnie
- Elsa
- Jasmine
- Layla
- Lucy
- Dolly
- Lulu
- Lily
- Cookie
- Skye
- Maple
- Ruby
- Juno
- Ivy
- Blue
- Sassy
- Misty
- Maya
- Emm
- Sophie
- Piper
- Trixie
- Jade
- Zelda
- Penny
- Ava
- Harper
- Mia
- Aspen
- Harley
- Pixie
- Mia
- Josi
- Lacey
- Evie
- Poppy
- Libby
- Cora
- Bellie
- Annie
- Hazel
- Xena
- Ella
- Izzy
- Riley
- Maggie
- Pepper
- Ginger
- Honey
- Olive
- Dixie
- Leia
- Ada
- Dakota
- Audrey
- Casey
- Cassie
- Buffy
- Meadow
- Mabel
- Nola
- Tess
- Dori
- Div
- Heidi
- Kali
- Goldie
- Clover
- Sunny
- Sassy
- Wiggles
- Amber
- Blair
- Nikki
- Iris
- Indi
- Oslo
Top 50 unique female names for GSDs and their meanings
Prefer a name that has a meaning attached to it? Here are 50 unique names for German shepherds, along with their meanings:
Name | Meaning |
Aiko | “little love” in Japanese |
Akira | “bright” in Japanese |
Anja | “grace” in Slavic |
Aria | “air” in Italian |
Arwen | “noble maiden” in Welsh |
Asher | “happy” in Hebrew |
Atlas | “to carry” in Greek |
Aurora | “dawn” in Latin |
Ava | “life” in German |
Ayla | “hayloft” in Turkish |
Blaze | “flame” in English |
Brooke | “stream” in English |
Cai | “rejoice” in Welsh |
Cassia | “cinnamon” in Greek |
Celeste | “heavenly” in Latin |
Clara | “clear” in Latin |
Clover | “flower” in Old English |
Dakota | “ally” in Native American |
Delilah | “delicate” in Hebrew |
Echo | “repeated sound” in Greek |
Eden | “paradise” in Hebrew |
Eira | “snow” in Welsh |
Elle | “she” in French |
Elora | “light” in Irish |
Ember | “spark” in English |
Evie | “life” in Greek |
Faith | Faith – “confidence” in English |
Ember | “spark” in English |
Fable | “story” in Old French |
Farah | “joy” in Arabic |
Freyja | “lady” in Norse |
Gia | “God’s gracious gift” in Italian |
Gigi | “short for Georgina” in French |
Gwen | “fair” in Welsh |
Hallie | “heroine” in English |
Harper | “harp player” in English |
Hazel | “the hazel tree” in Old English |
Iris | “rainbow” in Greek |
Ivy | “faithfulness” in Old English |
Jazmin | “jasmine flower” in Persian |
Juno | “queen of the gods” in Roman mythology |
Kaida | “little dragon” in Japanese |
Koda | “friend” in Native American |
Lark | “songbird” in Old English |
Leila | “night” in Arabic |
Lila | “play” in Arabic |
Lilly | “lily flower” in English |
Lola | “sorrows” in Spanish |
Maeve | “intoxicating” in Irish |
Marley | “sad” in English |
Nova | “new” in Latin |
Female GSD dog names inspired by history
Are you a history fanatic? Here are 20 female dog names inspired by history:
Name | Meaning, Named after |
Cleopatra | The Egyptian queen |
Athena | The Greek goddess of wisdom and war |
Artemis | The Greek goddess of the hunt |
Aria | The opera solo |
Anne | Named after Queen Anne or Anne Frank |
Anastasia | The Russian princess |
Amelia | The aviator Amelia Earhart |
Alexandria | The Egyptian city |
Constance | The Saint Constance |
Demeter | The Greek goddess of agriculture |
Eva | Eva Perón or Eve |
Florence | The city in Italy or Florence Nightingale |
Isabel | Queen Isabella or Isabel Allende |
Jane | Jane Austen or Jane Goodall |
Lilian | Lillian Dickson or Lillian Gish |
Lucinda | The folklore character |
Marie | Marie Antoinette or Marie Curie |
Matilda | The queen or the children’s book character |
Rosalind | Rosalind Franklin or Rosalind Russell |
Victoria | Queen Victoria |
Female dog names inspired by TV shows and movies
Here are 20 German shepherd female dog names inspired by TV shows and movies:
Name | Originated from |
Arya | TV show “Game of Thrones” |
Bella | The “Twilight” series |
Daisy | The Marvel Cinematic Universe |
Eleven | The TV show “Stranger Things” |
Flo | The movie “The Incredibles” |
Gigi | The movie “Coco” |
Harley | The TV show “Suicide Squad” |
Khaleesi | The TV show “Game of Thrones” |
Kira | The TV show “Teen Wolf” |
Lady | The movie “Lady and the Tramp” |
Maeve | The TV show “Westworld” |
Mabel | The TV show “Gravity Falls” |
Merida | The movie “Brave” |
Molly | The movie “Toy Story” |
Nymeria | The TV show “Game of Thrones” |
Penny | The TV show “The Big Bang Theory” |
Pippa | The movie “The Accountant” |
Remy | The movie “Ratatouille” |
Rosie | The movie “The Iron Giant” |
Willow | Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” |
How to teach your dog his new name
If you think finding the perfect name is overwhelming, try teaching your GSD her new name. It will require boatloads of patience and training from you.
To make the name training easy, follow these steps:
- Start by saying your dog’s new name in a happy and positive tone several times a day. You want your dog to associate the name with good vibes.
- Whenever you say your dog’s name, immediately follow it with a treat or a positive reinforcement, such as praise or a toy. According to pet behaviorists, this will teach them to anticipate something whenever their name is called.
- Gradually increase the time between the reward and the name until your dog responds to his name consistently without the need for a reward.
- Practice calling your dog’s name in different environments outside your home to make sure he responds consistently.
- If your dog is having trouble learning his new name, you can try using a clicker as a marker to help him understand that his name is a good thing.
When training your dog, remember to be patient and consistent, as it may take some time for him to learn his new name.
Changing your dog’s name after adoption
It’s pretty normal to want to change a dog’s name after adoption, and experts agree that it’s fine as long as you take the time to teach them the new name. Karen London, a certified animal behaviorist and dog trainer, confirms that it’s pretty common practice.
You may want to change the name for varied reasons. You may either find the name not befitting, too serious, or even too old-fashioned.
“Names like Baby, Poopsie, and Pudding are often not popular with new adopters. On other extreme, many people feel a mismatch when they adopt a dog who has been going by Killer, Spike or Vengeance.” says Karen.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve found a name you love from our big list of suggestions. Just be sure to pick a name that rolls off your tongue so easily and, most importantly, one that’s easy for your dog and your whole family to remember. Finding a name for your dog will make it much easier for you and your furry friend to communicate.
Daisy is a pet lover, a passionate content writer, and a digital marketer. When she is not working, she loves to spend time in her garden or in the kitchen. She also loves good food, fun activities, and creating memories with her family.