German Shepherd 101

German Shepherd 101

The Ultimate Resource Guide for First-Time GSD Owners

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. 

  1. Luna
  2. Bella
  3. Nova
  4. Lola
  5. Willow
  6. Sadie
  7. Ava
  8. Chloe
  9. Zara
  10. Roxy
  11. Daisy
  12. Abby
  13. Ruby
  14. Coco
  15. Gigi
  16. Olive
  17. Cleo
  18. Nala
  19. Penelope
  20. Marley
  21. Iris
  22. Willow
  23. Nala
  24. Minnie
  25. Elsa
  26. Jasmine
  27. Layla
  28. Lucy
  29. Dolly
  30. Lulu
  31. Lily
  32. Cookie
  33. Skye
  34. Maple
  35. Ruby
  36. Juno
  37. Ivy
  38. Blue
  39. Sassy
  40. Misty
  41. Maya
  42. Emm
  43. Sophie
  44. Piper
  45. Trixie
  46. Jade
  47. Zelda
  48. Penny
  49. Ava
  50. Harper
  51. Mia
  52. Aspen 
  53. Harley
  54. Pixie
  55. Mia
  56. Josi
  57. Lacey
  58. Evie
  59. Poppy
  60. Libby
  61. Cora
  62. Bellie
  63. Annie
  64. Hazel
  65. Xena
  66. Ella
  67. Izzy
  68. Riley
  69. Maggie
  70. Pepper
  71. Ginger
  72. Honey
  73. Olive
  74. Dixie
  75. Leia
  76. Ada
  77. Dakota
  78. Audrey
  79. Casey
  80. Cassie
  81. Buffy
  82. Meadow
  83. Mabel
  84. Nola
  85. Tess
  86. Dori
  87. Div
  88. Heidi
  89. Kali
  90. Goldie
  91. Clover
  92. Sunny
  93. Sassy
  94. Wiggles
  95. Amber
  96. Blair
  97. Nikki
  98. Iris
  99. Indi
  100. 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:

NameMeaning
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
FaithFaith – “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:

NameMeaning, Named after
CleopatraThe 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
AmeliaThe aviator Amelia Earhart
AlexandriaThe Egyptian city
Constance The Saint Constance
Demeter The Greek goddess of agriculture
Eva Eva Perón or Eve
FlorenceThe 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
RosalindRosalind 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:

NameOriginated from
AryaTV show “Game of Thrones”
BellaThe “Twilight” series
DaisyThe Marvel Cinematic Universe
ElevenThe TV show “Stranger Things”
FloThe movie “The Incredibles”
GigiThe movie “Coco”
HarleyThe TV show “Suicide Squad”
KhaleesiThe TV show “Game of Thrones”
KiraThe TV show “Teen Wolf”
LadyThe movie “Lady and the Tramp”
Maeve The TV show “Westworld”
MabelThe TV show “Gravity Falls”
MeridaThe movie “Brave”
MollyThe movie “Toy Story”
NymeriaThe TV show “Game of Thrones”
PennyThe TV show “The Big Bang Theory”
PippaThe movie “The Accountant”
RemyThe movie “Ratatouille”
RosieThe movie “The Iron Giant”
WillowStar 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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. 
  3. Gradually increase the time between the reward and the name until your dog responds to his name consistently without the need for a reward.
  4. Practice calling your dog’s name in different environments outside your home to make sure he responds consistently.
  5. 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.

author avatar
Daisy Chepkoech, BA. Communication & PR

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.

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