200 German Dog Names That Mean Something
Dog Names
German has a reputation for sounding stern. Then you stand in a park in Berlin and watch someone call a Dachshund in from the grass with a long, delighted Schaaatzi, and the whole idea falls apart. The language is full of small, affectionate words, and it labels things plainly: a cloud is a Wolke, a crumb is a Krümel, a badger dog is a Dachshund. That plainness is what makes German dog names so easy to live with. Every one of the 200 below comes with its meaning, so nothing on the collar tag will surprise you later.
If German turns out not to be the direction, this big list of dog names covers every other style on the site.
For something softer on the ear, these French dog names come translated the same way.
German Girl Dog Names for Female Pups
Two kinds of names sit under here. The first are proper German names, the ones a grandmother in Hamburg would recognize at once, many of them shortened into something cozy. The second are ordinary German words that happen to suit a small, busy dog. Edelweiss, the white alpine flower, belongs to both camps, and it turns up again among these flower names for dogs.
Popular German Names for Female Dogs
- Lotte - short for Charlotte, free woman.
- Greta - short for Margarete, pearl.
- Heidi - short for Adelheid, noble kind.
- Frieda - peace. Still in the top ten in Germany.
- Elsa - a form of Elisabeth, pledged to God.
- Mitzi - a playful pet form of Maria.
- Gretchen - little Margarete.
- Hilde - short for Hildegard, battle.
- Ilse - another short Elisabeth.
- Anneliese - Anna and Liese joined together.
- Katja - a German Katharina, meaning pure.
- Liesl - a small Elisabeth. Soft to call.
- Marlene - Maria and Magdalene blended.
- Trudi - short for Gertrude, spear of strength.
- Ursel - little Ursula, little bear.
- Helga - holy, blessed.
- Sieglinde - victory and gentleness.
- Wilma - short for Wilhelmine, determined protector.
- Bärbel - the German pet form of Barbara.
- Annika - a northern Anna, meaning grace.
- Johanna - God is gracious.
- Steffi - short for Stefanie, crown.
Cute German Words for a Girl Puppy
German does the thing Japanese does so well, packing a whole small picture into one short word, which is also why these Japanese dog names read so well on a tag.
- Schatzi - little treasure. The warmest word in the language.
- Mausi - little mouse.
- Liebling - darling.
- Perle - pearl.
- Wolke - cloud. Made for a white fluffy coat.
- Biene - bee, for a dog who never sits down.
- Blume - flower.
- Krümel - crumb. For the smallest of the litter.
- Knopf - button.
- Süsse - sweet one.
- Prinzessin - princess. Some dogs ask for it.
- Edelweiss - the white flower of the Alps.
- Sonne - sun.
- Wonne - bliss, pure delight.
- Pünktchen - little dot, for a speckled coat.
- Flocke - snowflake. A standing favorite for a white coat.
German Male Dog Names, Classic and Bold
Boy names divide the same way. Classic given names carry a slightly vintage, pipe-and-cardigan feel, which is part of the charm. The word names are blunter: weather, metal, rank.
Classic German Names for Male Dogs
These are the names that sound like a dog who has opinions about the mail carrier. If that vintage register is the appeal, these old man dog names run the same way in English.
- Otto - wealthy, prosperous. Short and perfect.
- Fritz - short for Friedrich, peaceful ruler.
- Hans - short for Johannes, God is gracious.
- Klaus - short for Nikolaus, victory of the people.
- Bruno - brown. A genuine favorite in Germany today.
- Gunther - battle warrior.
- Heinz - short for Heinrich, ruler of the home.
- Wolfgang - traveling wolf.
- Dieter - warrior of the people.
- Jürgen - the German George, meaning farmer.
- Lutz - short for Ludwig, famous fighter.
- Rolf - famous wolf.
- Axel - a northern German name, father of peace.
- Emil - eager, hardworking.
- Kurt - short for Konrad, bold counsel.
- Reinhard - brave advice.
- Sepp - the Bavarian Josef.
- Udo - from an old word for heritage.
- Werner - defending warrior.
- Egon - from the old word for a sword edge.
- Moritz - from an old name meaning dark. Half of the mischief in Max and Moritz.
- Lenz - an old poetic word for spring.
Bold German Words for Big Dogs
Short, hard consonants carry across a field, which is why these suit a large dog so well. Several would sit comfortably among these guard dog names for protective breeds.
- Kaiser - emperor.
- Blitz - lightning, for a dog with one speed.
- Donner - thunder.
- Sturm - storm.
- Falke - falcon.
- Bär - bear, said like bear.
- Wolf - spelled the same, said volf.
- Jäger - hunter.
- Ritter - knight.
- König - king.
- Herzog - duke.
- Eisen - iron.
- Stein - stone.
- Fels - cliff, solid rock.
- Hammer - hammer, and German slang for brilliant.
- Mut - courage.
- Treu - loyal. The oldest compliment a dog gets.
- Wächter - watchman.
- Sieger - winner.
- Riese - giant, best used ironically.
German Shepherd Dog Names for Males and Females
The breed pulls more naming questions than any other on this list, and the answer is usually a short name with a hard consonant in the middle, the kind that cuts through wind and distance. Size is part of it too, as this guide to big dog breeds with hearts to match explains.
Male German Shepherd Names
- Rex - king. The old standby, alongside Bello and Hasso.
- Hektor - the Trojan hero, and the first German Shepherd's birth name.
- Horand - the name that dog was given afterward.
- Bello - from bellen, to bark. Pure old-fashioned Germany.
- Hasso - another classic from the same era.
- Arko - two crisp syllables that carry a long way.
- Asko - the same idea with a softer start.
- Bodo - from an old word meaning ruler.
- Falko - falcon, as a given name.
- Arno - short for Arnold, the power of an eagle.
- Nero - black, for a dark sable or solid black coat.
- Quarz - quartz, said kvarts.
- Vitus - lively. A very old German favorite.
- Gero - from the old word for spear.
- Wendel - a wanderer.
- Alf - short for Alfons, noble and ready.
Female German Shepherd Names
A shepherd girl bonds hard and keeps watch by default, which is lovely until the day the routine changes. This look at dog breeds prone to anxiety covers why the breed does best with a predictable rhythm.
- Kira - a German favorite, and a bright, easy call.
- Anka - a northern short form of Anna.
- Fee - fairy, said fay.
- Hexe - witch, for a girl with strong views.
- Nixe - a water sprite, for one who swims.
- Jutta - from an old name meaning praised.
- Gitta - short for Brigitte, strength.
- Ronja - a children's book heroine, hugely popular in Germany.
- Elke - a northern form of Adelheid.
- Silke - a northern form of Cecilia.
- Tilda - short for Mathilde, mighty in battle.
- Wiebke - a coastal name built on the old word for war.
- Dagmar - the glory of the day.
Where the German Shepherd's Own Name Came From
The breed was named after its job, Deutscher Schäferhund, German shepherd dog, and the first one was renamed on the spot. A cavalry captain, Max von Stephanitz, saw a working sheepdog called Hektor Linksrhein at a dog show, bought him, and entered him in the brand new breed register under a grander name: Horand von Grafrath. The kennel suffix, von plus a place, is still how German pedigree names are built, which is why so many shepherds arrive with a formal name on paper and a one-syllable name at home.
Cute German Food and Beer Garden Names
German food names are a gift, because the words are chunky and the things they describe are usually round and warm. Food travels well as a naming theme in any language, and these Mexican dog names raid a very different kitchen to the same effect.
German Bakery and Sweet Treat Names
Strudel has already made it into these funny dog names on the English-speaking side, and the rest of the counter deserves the same treatment.
- Brezel - pretzel. For a dog who curls up tight.
- Lebkuchen - the spiced gingerbread of Christmas markets.
- Marzipan - sweet almond paste.
- Stollen - the heavy fruit bread, dusted white.
- Strudel - the rolled apple pastry.
- Zimt - cinnamon, for a red coat.
- Honig - honey, for a golden one.
- Kirsch - cherry.
- Apfel - apple.
- Nuss - nut.
- Keks - cookie, said kex.
- Pudding - for a puppy with no bones in him at all.
Oktoberfest and Savory German Names
These land best on a sturdy dog with an appetite. They also sit nicely beside these fall dog names, since the festival and the sweater weather arrive together.
- Schnitzel - the breaded cutlet, and an irresistible call.
- Wurst - sausage. There is only one breed this suits.
- Spätzle - soft little egg noodles.
- Knödel - a dumpling, for a round puppy.
- Senf - mustard, with a bit of heat.
- Gurke - pickle.
- Kraut - cabbage.
- Käse - cheese, said KAY-zuh.
- Pils - a crisp pale beer.
- Radler - beer cut with lemonade, named for cyclists.
- Hopfen - hops.
Unique German Nature and Weather Names
This is where German really earns its place on a collar tag. One short word, one clear picture, no explanation needed. They would be at home among these nature dog names for outdoorsy pups.
German Words for Forest, Mountain and Sky
- Wald - forest.
- Berg - mountain.
- Tal - valley.
- Himmel - sky, and heaven.
- Nebel - mist.
- Regen - rain.
- Schnee - snow.
- Eis - ice, said ice.
- Quelle - a spring, where a stream begins.
- See - lake, said zay.
- Stern - star.
- Mond - moon.
- Funke - spark.
- Tau - dew.
German Animal Words That Suit a Dog
- Fuchs - fox, said fooks. For a red coat and a sly streak.
- Hase - hare, and a common term of endearment.
- Igel - hedgehog, for a bristly coat.
- Spatz - sparrow. Also what German parents call small children.
- Rabe - raven.
- Katze - cat, for a dog with feline habits.
- Otter - the same word, for a dog who loves water.
- Dachs - badger. The first half of Dachshund.
- Luchs - lynx, for tufted ears.
- Reh - roe deer, for a fawn coat and long legs.
- Specht - woodpecker.
- Schwan - swan.
German Coat Color Names for Black and Silver Dogs
Coat color is the shortest route to a name that fits, and German has a short word for every shade. Silver earns its own mention, since the Weimaraner is a German breed built around the color, and it turns up in this guide to blue eyed dogs, breed by breed.
German Names for Black and Dark Coats
- Kohle - coal.
- Nacht - night.
- Schatten - shadow. For the one who follows you to the bathroom.
- Russ - soot.
- Mitternacht - midnight.
- Ebenholz - ebony.
Silver, White and Golden Coat Names in German
- Silber - silver.
- Gold - the same word, said golt.
- Elfenbein - ivory, literally elephant bone.
- Kreide - chalk.
- Milch - milk.
- Sahne - cream.
- Zucker - sugar.
- Bernstein - amber.
- Kupfer - copper.
- Asche - ash, for a gray coat.
Famous German Names From Fairy Tales and Opera
Germany gave the world a shelf of stories that everybody already half knows, which makes the names easy for visitors to catch on the first try.
Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale Names
- Gretel - the sister who got them home.
- Hänsel - her brother, said HEN-zel.
- Rapunzel - the girl in the tower. Also a kind of lettuce.
- Rotkäppchen - Little Red Riding Hood.
- Dornröschen - Sleeping Beauty, literally little briar rose.
- Rumpel - short for Rumpelstilzchen.
- Holle - the woman who shakes the snow out of her bed.
- Schneewittchen - Snow White.
- Bremen - the town whose four musicians include a dog.
- Grimm - after the brothers who wrote it all down.
German Opera and Nibelungen Legend Names
Wagner and the Nibelungenlied share their heroes with the sagas of the north, so some of these have a Norse twin. The other spellings live among these Viking dog names.
- Siegfried - the dragon slayer.
- Brunhilde - the warrior queen who outlasts him.
- Wotan - the chief god of the Ring cycle.
- Fafner - the giant who turns into a dragon.
- Lohengrin - the knight who arrives by swan.
- Senta - the heroine of The Flying Dutchman.
- Kriemhild - Siegfried's wife, and nobody's fool.
Names From Famous Germans
- Beethoven - the composer, and cinema's most famous St Bernard.
- Bach - the composer. The word also means brook.
- Brahms - who wrote the lullaby everyone knows.
- Goethe - the poet, said GUR-tuh.
- Einstein - for a dog who opens doors.
- Gutenberg - who brought movable type to Europe.
- Dürer - the painter of that very famous hare.
- Humboldt - the naturalist who mapped half a continent.
- Clara - after Clara Schumann, pianist and composer.
Choosing a German Name Your Dog Will Answer To
A good German dog name is short, ends on a clear vowel or a hard consonant, and means something you can explain in four words. For a girl, Lotte, Greta, Heidi, Schatzi and Flocke are the easiest to love and the easiest to call. For a boy, Otto, Fritz, Bruno, Kaiser and Blitz do the same work. Schnitzel and Krümel win on charm alone, and Wald, Nebel and Silber suit a dog whose coat tells you what to pick.
How to Pronounce German Names and Umlauts
Three rules cover nearly everything. A w is said like an English v, so Wolke is VOL-kuh. A z is said ts, which makes Zimt into tsimt. And ei is said like eye while ie is said like ee, so Eis rhymes with ice and Biene is BEE-nuh. The umlauts are the only real stretch: ä is close to the e in bed, ö is roughly the vowel in her, and ü is the one with no English partner, made by saying ee with rounded lips. If a tag engraver cannot do the dots, the standard substitution is to add an e, which turns Bär into Baer and Krümel into Kruemel.
German Names That Clash With Training Cues
This matters more in German than in most languages, because the cues are short and they rhyme with half the name list. Sitz is sit, Platz is down, Fuss is heel, Hier is come, Aus means drop it, and Nein is the one every puppy hears most. So Fritz and Blitz both echo Sitz, Klaus sits a little close to Aus, and Katze shades toward Platz. None of it is a deal breaker as long as the cues and the name sound different in your mouth. Say the name brightly, keep the cues flat, and reward the head turn from the first week of any new puppy routine.
German Names for Dachshunds, Boxers and Other German Breeds
A German name sits especially well on a German breed, and there are more of them than most people expect. The Dachshund is a badger dog, Dachs plus Hund, and Wurst or Dachs is almost too on the nose. The Rottweiler comes from the town of Rottweil, the Weimaraner from Weimar, and the Schnauzer from Schnauze, meaning muzzle, after the whiskery face. The Doberman carries the surname of the tax collector who bred the first ones. A Great Dane is not Danish at all in German, where the breed is simply Deutsche Dogge, which makes Kaiser or Riese a fair joke on a dog that size.
The Most Popular Dog Names in Germany
Not Fritz, as it turns out. The pet register TASSO runs the numbers each year on the dogs newly signed up across Germany, and the leaders are Milo for males and Luna for females, with Balu, Charly, Bruno, Nala and Bella close behind. Frieda and Emma are the old-fashioned names still holding their place in the top ten, and the rest of the list could belong to a dog park anywhere in the world.
Caught between Lotte and Krümel? The dog name generator is good at breaking a tie. Then say the winner out loud on a walk, a few times, in the voice you would use for something lovely, and watch which way the ears go.
Related Reading
Share a thought, ask a question, or tell us about your own dog. We read every comment.