Choosing a name for your puppy may be a hard nut to crack. Once the dog gets used to it, it’s basically impossible to change it, so it’s worth rethinking your choice twice. If you’re looking for a cute and creative name, but you’re lacking ideas, our article may be helpful.
| German names of famous dogs | Gisele, Alex, Einstein |
| Best female German dog names | Greta, Lotti, Ingrid |
| Best male German dog names | Jacob, Uwe, Kant |
| German culture names | Herman, Goethe, Marlene |
German has a reputation as a language that sounds harsh and tough. Let’s take a well-known example of a butterfly. In Spanish – it’s mariposa, in Polish – motylek, in Portuguese – borboleta. And in German… der Schmetterling. But that example is quite unfortunate since, in general, German is full of beautiful words that may serve as a name for your dog. It’s one of the most concise and logical languages – but it doesn’t mean that there’s no beauty in it! Quite contrarily – it’s easy to find German words that sound softly and pleasantly.
Of course, before choosing any name in a foreign language, make sure to check its meaning twice. The lack of research may end up with some unfortunate situations. Don’t let the cuteness be the only criterion!
A German Dog Name for a Native German Dog Breed
Among the most popular dog breeds worldwide, many have a German origin. German dog names listed below will be a perfect fit for the native breeds. If you’re searching for a name for your Pomeranian, Rottweiler, Great Dane, Schnauzer, Dachshund or Doberman, German name will undoubtedly be a perfect match! Note, however, that you can give it to Collie, Shiloh Shepherd, Irish Setter, or any other breed without any hesitation!
Famous Dogs With German Names
Actually, some of the most famous dog film characters have German names. Take Einstein – the unforgettable companion of Dr. Emmet in Back to the Future. Beethoven – another famous dog protagonist – inherited his name after one of the most legendary German composers. Let’s not forget about the famous advertising mascot, Alex the Dog.
German Shepherd Dog – Why Is This Breed so Popular?
The German Shepherd is one of the most recognized breeds worldwide. Their intelligence is outstanding, but aside from it, the German Shepherds stand out with their courage and physical condition. That makes them perfect companions of the armed forces. However, the German Shepherds are also wonderful family members – loving and very protective.
The intelligence of this breed is appreciated by the filmmakers, too. Let’s take Samantha in I am the Legend(2007) or a German Shepherd in in the touching drama Max (2015). All the features listed below make it easy to work with the German Shepherds on the film set. They adapt very easily to the changing conditions and learn new commands much quicker than most breeds.
Female German Dog Names – 10 Ideas
The German dog names for females have a surprisingly tender sound. The ones below serve perfectly not only for humans, but also for dogs. Many of them come from famous pop culture or real-life characters. The fans of Frozen will most likely be delighted to name their female pup Elsa. Those who adore fashion may go for Heidi or Gisele after Heidi Klum and Gisele Bundchen – the iconic supermodels. And the fans of video games may choose Zelda. Even though the game is Japanese, the name of the main protagonist is originally German.
Are you searching for more inspirations for German female dog names? Here are some cute examples you may find interesting:
- Helga
- Kunegunda
- Hildegarde
- Lotti
- Greta
- Esther
- Ingrid
- Ilse
- Berrti
- Frerika
Male German Dog Names – 10 Ideas
When it comes to male names, the German language won’t disappoint you either. Among these that we’ve gathered below, most names are filled with vowels. If you want to make sure that the name catches the dog’s attention right away, choose those which end with a vowel, like Arno or Otto.
- Klaus
- Fritz
- Ludwig
- Franz
- Wolfgang
- Johann
- Emil
- Arno
- Otto
- Dieter
German Culture-Inspired Popular German Dog Names
German culture is an extensive repository of inspiration. Germany is the origin of many legendary thinkers, writers, and artists. If you’re looking for a way to underline the uniqueness of your new puppy, name it after one of them! The German dog names examples below are catchy and sound cute.
- Hesse (Herman Hesse, writer, poet, and essayist, author of Siddartha and Steppenwolf, among others);
- Goethe (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, writer, and poet, author of Faust and The Sorrows of Young Werther, among others);
- Durer (Albert Durer, painter, and art theorist, considered one of the most outstanding German renaissance artists);
- Brecht (Beltrord Brecht, writer and the theater theorist, author of the concept of the epic theater);
- Mann (Thomas Mann, essayist, and writer awarded a Nobel Prize in literature. He’s considered one of the best German writers of the first part of the XX century);
- Caspar (Caspar David Friedrich, iconic painter representing romanticism);
- Ernst (Max Ernst, painter, one of the most important representative of surrealism among German visual artists);
- Grass (Gunter Grass, famous writer, author of The Tin Drum).
Are you German enough to have a pooch with a German name? Read about „Ze” Germans and their dogs.
Editor’s Note
Germany is a canine’s paradise! With over 10 million pups calling it home, 1 in 5 households across the country have at least one pup as part of their family. This number is continually growing, making Germany the go-to destination for doggie lovers. I found that the most popular names in Germany last year were: Frieda, Balu, Bella Luna, Lotta, Maj, Nala (like mine!), and Emma.
How to Choose a Perfect Dog Name
When searching for a dog name, you should pay importance to uniqueness and cuteness, but don’t limit yourself to those criteria. The essential aspect is simplicity. The complicated punny names that consist of many syllables may seem cool at first glance, but they won’t be comfortable to use in everyday life.
The vowels are important, but the best names consist of resonant consonants as well. Thus, it’s worth choosing a name that contains the j, x, or r sound.
Another aspect worth paying attention to is the ability to create diminutives. This way, you can use different forms of the same name in different situations. For instance, when the dog has done something it shouldn’t, you can choose the „official” one, and when you want to express your love and care, you can use a diminutive version.
Now if you’re moving to Berlin, Germany and you want a dog, watch this:
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Badass German Shepherd Names?
We’d go for: Ursula, Diesel, Heinrich, Gunther, Nico, Nina, Berlin or Fritz. More cool Deutsche names are to be found in our blog post German Shepherd Dog Names.
What German Name Means Love?
Harman (Lord’s heart); Liebe (love); Engel (dear, angel)); Schatz (dear, love); Filipe (lover of horses); Aime (much loved)…oh yea, and Pretzel, coż pretzels are full of loooove! ❤️❤️❤️
What Name Means Loyal in German?
Loyal (it’s the same in German), Treu (loyal), Etelvina (this female name means that the girl will be a true friend); Matilda (she is a loyal fighter)
What Is a Very German Name?
Definitely, Hans, Helmut, Jacob, Friedrich, Uwe, Wolfgang, Stefan, Kurt, Karl – the choice is yours! Danke!
How Do Germans Call Their Loved Ones?
Schatz or Schatzi are the most popular and they mean „dear”. Then, you’ve got Bärchen (little bear), Mause (mouse), Schnucki (sweetie), or Kleine (babe, little one). Was wählst du?
Lucas Taylor is a veterinary assistant, freelance journalist and single dad who lives in the suburbs with his three pups: Ruby, Nala, and Woody. He has one cat named Pepper. When he’s not writing articles or working at the vet clinic, Lucas loves cooking French cuisine for himself and friends at home. One of Lucas’ favorite things to do is paddleboard with his son Noah and their canine companions. Pepper is the homebody of the bunch – she loves chilling on the couch.
