Among 1,000s of puppy names, some are ideally suited as male German Shepherd names. This courageous, intelligent, capable breed needs a name befitting its stature.
Male Shepherds need a masculine name that describes their personality and, perhaps, their purpose in your own life or family. When I was growing up, my first dog was Baron von Easterbrooks. Now that, I thought, was an impressive name. A Baron may be a low ranking British nobleman, but it sure sounds imposing to me.
Rin Tin Tin is arguably one of the most famous of all male German Shepherd names. He was in 26 Warner Brothers movies in the early 20th century until his death in 1932.
Another in a long line of famous male German Shepherd names is Buddy. That was the name of the very first seeing eye dog, trained and owned by Frank Morris. Mr. Morris co-founded The Seeing Eye, the oldest existing seeing eye dog school in the world.
If you don’t yet own one of these impressive dogs, visit our German Shepherd information page to learn more. This may also help you choose an appropriate name for your dog.
Below is a list of more than 100 male German Shepherd names, including their meanings. Take your time and have fun. If you don’t find a name you like, expand your search to our list of German dog names or to our entire list of more than 4,000 puppy names.
| Name | Origin |
| Aldo | German for Old and Wise. |
| Aldous | German for Old and Wise (See Aldo). |
| Alfred | English for Counselor or Elf Counsel (OK, Lord of the Rings fans). |
| Axel | Hebrew for Father of Peace. |
| Bach | J.S. Bach was a famous German composer. |
| Barette | German for Bear-brave. |
| Baron | Low ranking British nobleman. This was my first of two male German Shepherd names chosen by our family. |
| Beethoven | Ludwig van Beethoven was a famous German composer. |
| Benz | As in Mercedes-Benz. |
| Berg | A German city that means Mountain. |
| Berlin | Berlin is the Capital of Germany. |
| Bismarck | 19th Century Prussian/German statesman. |
| Blitz | Violent military attack. |
| Bonn | German city. Good one syllable dog name. I have a friend named Bonn Kulah. |
| Boris | Slavonic for Battle or Fight. |
| Brantley | Germanic for Sword. |
| Britz | A German city – good one syllable name. |
| Bruno | Germanic for Brown (appropriate for a German Shepherd) |
| Buddy | Served as the very first seeing eye dog in 1928. Buddy’s owner, Frank Morris, founded The Seeing Eye, the oldest seeing eye guide dog school in the world. |
| Burgh | German for Protection. |
| Burke | German for A Fortification. |
| Chance | English for Good Luck. |
| Dietrich | German for Ruler of the People. |
| Donner | German for Thunder. |
| Einstein | The famous Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist and philosopher. |
| Ellard | German for Noble and Brave. |
| Emerich | German for Home Ruler. |
| Falk | German surname connected with Falconry. |
| Ferguson | Germanic for Noble and Strong. |
| Fritz | German for Peaceful Ruler. |
| Gaston | From Gascony (character in Beauty and the Beast). |
| Goethe | Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a German Poet and Philosopher. |
| Haan | Haan is a beautiful German city. A good one syllable dog name and one of my favorite male German Shepherd names. |
| Hansel | Character in the German fairy tale Hansel and Gretel. |
| Helmar | Germanic for Famous Protector. Fighting Fury in Swedish. |
| Hertz | German for Kind Hearted. A good one syllable dog name. |
| Herz | German for Hardy or Brave. A good one syllable dog name. |
| Henri | Germanic for Home Ruler. |
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| Ido | German for Work. |
| Ivo | German for Yew or Cut Wood. |
| Jackson | Litterally, Jack’s Son. |
| Jacques | Hebrew for Supplanter. |
| Jamin | Hebrew for Right Hand. Great name for a service dog. |
| Jimmie | Hebrew for Supplanter (also Jimmy, Jimmee, Jim and Jimm) |
| Johannes | German for John. |
| Joker | For Batman, Jack Nicholson or Heath Ledger fans. Maybe your dog is just funny. |
| Juniper | A ubiquitous tree in Central Oregon, my old stomping grounds. |
| Jupiter | Latin for Father god. |
| Kaiser | German for Emperor (also a car from the 1950s). |
| Kam | Short for Kameron. A good one syllable dog name. |
| Kameron | A Gaelic term meaning Crooked Nose. For Owen Wilson fans? |
| Kant | Sanskrit for Brilliant or Beloved. Also an 18th-century German philospher. |
| Karch | Name of famous American volleyball player. Does it fit the male German Shepherd names list? Even if you don’t think so, I just really like the name. |
| Karl | German for Free Man. |
| Keifer | German for Barrel Maker. Any 24 fans? |
| Kiel | A German city known for its sailing events. Have you ever heard of Kiel Week? |
| Klaus | Short form of german name Nicholas. |
| Kleve | German city name. Good one syllable dog name. |
| Kodiak | Russian for Island. This was the name of my second German Shepherd. |
| Kramer | German Shopkeeper. |
| Krypto | Superman’s pet dog in the comics. |
| Lando | Germanic for Famous Country. Also Lando Calrissian from Star Wars. |
| Landry | Germanic for Master of the Land. |
| Leuther | German for Army person. |
| Lothar | German for Army person. |
| Luther | German for Army person (sounds familiar). |
| Marcus | The Roman god of Mars. |
| Max | Latin for Greatest. Shortened version of Maximus. |
| Maximus | Latin for Greatest. |
| Mercedes | As in Mercedes-Benz. Also Spanish for Mercies. |
| Mozart | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a famous German composer. |
| Munich | Munich is the Capital city of Bavaria, Germany. |
| Otter | Small German city. I just like this name, although it may be more suitable for a Labrador Retriever or Chesapeake Bay Retriever. |
| Ozzy | English for Divine Spear |
| Panzer | Famous German tank from World War II |
| Quincy | Latin for Fifth. |
| Ratt | An American metal band. Also my friend’s hunting dog. A good one syllable dog name. |
| Rico | Germanic for Strong Power. |
| Rin Tin Tin | Arguably the most famous of all male German Shepherd names. |
| Rolf | Germanic for famous wolf. A good one syllable dog name. |
| Rolly | Germanic for Famous Country. See also Lando, Rollin, Roly. |
| Rom | Hebrew for Highness. Also a good one syllable dog name. |
| Rudi | Germanic for famous wolf. See also Rolf, Rudy, Rudolf, Rudolph. |
| Saxon | German for Sharp Blade or Sword. |
| Schnaps | German for strong alcoholic drink. The English version is Schnapps, an alcoholic drink. |
| Sigmond | German for Protector. Also Sigmund. |
| Strongheart | Star of the 1925 movie, White Fang. |
| Tillie | German for Powerful Battler. |
| Ugo | Germanic for Mind, Heart or Spirit. |
| Vonn | Welsh or English for Little (also Von). A good one syllable dog name. |
| Waldo | Germanic for Ruler. |
| Walker | English for a Worker. |
| Walter | Germanic for Ruler of the Army. I just love this name. |
| Werner | German for Protecting Army. |
| Will | Germanic for Will, Desire, Helmet, Protection. Also Willie. |
| Wolfe | English for The Wolf. A good one syllable dog name. Also good for a Siberian Husky. |
| Wulf | German for Wolf. |
| Xanten | Xanten is the only German city that starts with X. Here are a few more puppy names that start with X. |
| Zack | Hebrew for The Lord Remembers. A good one syllable dog name. |
| Zak | Hebrew for Pure. A good one syllable dog name. |
| Zaki | Arabic for Pure or Virtuous (similar to Zak). |
| Zellmer | German for Ruller of the Village. |
| Ziggy | Germanic for Victorious Protector. |
Can’t find the name you like on the male German Shepherd names list? Don’t give up. Visit our female German Shepherd names list or our more general German dog names list for more ideas. If you have a name to add to the list, please submit your suggestion or story below.
Know any great German Shepherd Dog names?
Sometimes, the best way to get the perfect name for your dog is to ask a friend. Please share your ideas here for all to see. If you have a story to go with the name, please share that, too.
Why do you like the name? Is this your own dog’s name? You get the idea.
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