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So you just got a Shih Tzu. Congratulations! Now comes the hard part: what are you going to name this fluffy little creature staring up at you?
I’ll be honest with you: I’ve spent way too much time thinking about dog names over the years. Running Dogs Lovers Blog means I get questions about this constantly, and I’ve seen everything from the brilliant to the… well, let’s just say “interesting.”
The thing about naming a Shih Tzu is that these dogs have personality. They’re not just pets; they’re little friends who have opinions on everything, from where they sleep to what you eat. Your name choice matters because you’ll be saying it roughly 500 times a day for the next 12-15 years.
Let me walk you through some ideas that actually work in real life, not just on paper.
What You Need to Know First
- These dogs came from Chinese royalty – no joke, they were palace dogs
- Small names work better
- Wait a few days – your pup’s personality will surprise you
- Cultural names are beautiful – especially ones honoring their Asian heritage
- You can always use nicknames – formal name for the vet and a silly name at home
Getting to Know Your Shih Tzu First
Look, I’m going to tell you something most people won’t: don’t rush this decision.
Shih Tzus were literally bred for Chinese emperors. That’s not marketing fluff; these dogs spent centuries in palaces being pampered by royalty. And somehow, they still remember this. Your Shih Tzu might be living in a studio apartment, but what do they imagine? They’re still imperial.
What does this mean for naming? Well, after a couple days with your new dog, you’ll notice things. Maybe yours is bossy (they often are). Maybe they’re surprisingly chill. Some are Velcro dogs who follow you everywhere; others act like cats and show up only when food’s involved.
My advice? Live with them for a minimum of 3–4 days before deciding. I’ve seen too many people name their dog “Angel” only to discover they’ve adopted a tiny tyrant.
If you’re still comparing breeds, you might want to check out dogs that look like Shih Tzus to see similar options. If you love the appearance of Shih Tzus but desire a larger dog, the book “Dogs That Look Like a Shih Tzu But Bigger” offers some excellent alternatives.
Honoring Heritage: Chinese-Inspired Names
Want to pay homage to your Shih Tzu’s roots? Chinese names are not only culturally appropriate but also beautifully meaningful. Just make sure you can pronounce them consistently; your dog needs to recognize their name.
Male Chinese Names:
- Ming (bright)
- Bao (treasure)
- Lei (thunder)
- Feng (phoenix)
- Jin (gold)
- Wei (mighty)
- Chen (great)
- Liang (good)
- Zhen (precious)
- Tao (peach)
- Long (dragon)
- Jun (handsome)
- Xing (star)
- Jiang (river)
- Chao (surpassing)
Female Chinese Names:
- Mei (beautiful)
- Li (pretty)
- Hua (flower)
- Jing (crystal)
- Xia (glow of sunrise)
- Ling (delicate)
- Yan (swallow bird)
- Yue (moon)
- Shu (gentle)
- Zhen (precious)
- Ping (peaceful)
- Hong (red)
- Lan (orchid)
- Xiu (elegant)
- Ai (love)
The Classics (That Work Every Time)
Sometimes you just want a name that’s… normal. Not everything needs to be creative. Here’s what I see working consistently:
Girl Names:
- Bella (yeah, it’s popular for a reason)
- Daisy
- Coco (classy and adorable)
- Lily
- Sophie
- Lucy
- Rosie
- Penny
Boy Names:
- Charlie (I know at least five)
- Max
- Teddy (come on, they look like teddy bears)
- Oliver
- Milo
- Cooper
- Buddy
- Gizmo
These aren’t exciting, but they’re easy to yell across a park without feeling ridiculous. And your dog will learn them fast because they’re short and clear.
Food Names (Don’t Judge Me)
People love naming pets after food. I used to think it was weird until I met a Shih Tzu named Mochi, and it was perfect.
The colors help here—Shih Tzus come in browns, creams, golds, and whites. That’s basically a menu of desserts.
Sweet Options:
- Mocha (for brown and cream dogs)
- Biscuit
- Cookie
- Muffin
- Oreo (black and white)
- Peanut
- Pumpkin
Fancier Food Names:
- Brie
- Ginger
- Pepper
- Honey
- Butterscotch
I met someone at a dog park with a Shih Tzu named Waffles, and honestly? This is the best name I’ve heard in years. Made me smile every time she called him.
Cute and Quirky: Names That Celebrate Their Adorableness
Let’s face it—Shih Tzus are ridiculously cute. Those big eyes, that fluffy coat, that underbite? Pure adorableness. Sometimes you just want a name that makes people smile.
Male Cute Names:
- Teddy
- Muffin
- Buttons
- Peanut
- Nugget
- Biscuit
- Waffles
- Pickles
- Gizmo
- Benji
- Alfie
- Ollie
- Archie
- Louie
- Frankie
- Chippy
- Nibbles
- Sprout
- Pixel
- Widget
Female Cute Names:
- Pebbles
- Cupcake
- Cookie
- Honey
- Daisy
- Poppy
- Buttercup
- Coco
- Lulu
- Pixie
- Pippi
- Gigi
- Mimi
- Tilly
- Millie
- Dolly
- Rosie
- Sunny
- Bunny
- Jellybean
These names work particularly well for Shih Tzus with playful personalities. If your pup bounces around like a wind-up toy and brings joy wherever they go, a cute name is the way to go.
Nature Names
Despite being indoor dogs, a lot of Shih Tzus enjoy short walks outside (before they get tired and you have to carry them home—ask me how I know).
Flowers:
- Poppy
- Violet
- Jasmine
- Clover
- Iris
Elements:
- Willow
- Storm
- River
- Autumn
- Pebble
Sky Stuff:
- Luna (super popular right now)
- Star/Stella
- Aurora
Nature names age well. “Luna” works for a puppy and a senior dog equally.
I knew a Shih Tzu named “Diva” who lived up to her name spectacularly. She refused to walk if it was raining. Just sat down and stared at her owner until she got picked up.
Pop Culture Names
We all watch TV and movies. Why not use it?
Movies/TV:
- Ewok (Star Wars fans get it)
- Gizmo (from Gremlins—perfect fit)
- Chewy (for the fluffy ones)
- Dobby (loyal and adorable)
- Yoda
Books:
- Frodo (small and brave)
- Hermione
- Gatsby
Music:
- Elvis
- Bowie
- Jazz
The advantage here? Built-in conversation starter at the dog park.
Unique Names Nobody Else Has
Want to avoid the common stuff? Here you go.
Girls:
- Clementine
- Ophelia
- Freya
- Zelda
- Esme
- Magnolia
Boys:
- Finnegan (Finn for short)
- Arlo
- Cosmo
- Ziggy
- Bodhi
- Knox
Works for Anyone:
- Scout
- Pixel
- Sage
- Quinn
- Phoenix
Fair warning: unique names mean repeating yourself. A lot. But what if it fits your dog perfectly? Worth it.
Color-Coordinated: Names Based on Coat Color
Shih Tzus come in stunning color combinations. Why not let their looks inspire their name?
For White/Cream Coats:
- Snow
- Frost
- Pearl
- Ivory
- Cloud
- Casper
- Ghost
- Cotton
- Vanilla
- Coconut
- Marshmallow
- Angel
- Crystal
- Blizzard
- Winter
For Black Coats:
- Shadow
- Midnight
- Onyx
- Pepper
- Coal
- Raven
- Jet
- Eclipse
- Panther
- Noir
- Obsidian
- Inky
- Licorice
For Brown/Gold Coats:
- Honey
- Amber
- Copper
- Rusty
- Goldie
- Sandy
- Caramel
- Peanut
- Toffee
- Butterscotch
- Hazel
- Maple
- Bronze
For Multi-Colored:
- Patches
- Freckles
- Marble
- Mosaic
- Picasso
- Splatter
- Dapple
- Calico
- Speckles
- Motley
Male Shih Tzu Names Deserve Special Attention
If you’ve got a boy, you’re probably wondering how to balance “adorable tiny dog” with “still masculine somehow.” It’s tricky.
I actually wrote an entire guide on male Shih Tzu dog names for male because this question comes up constantly. Short version: names like Duke, Rocky, or even Titan work excellently. The irony of a tiny dog with a tough name is actually pretty charming.
How to Actually Choose (The Real Talk)
Forget all the names for a second. Here’s what actually matters:
Can you yell it in public? Picture the dog park. Your dog takes off. You need to shout the name loudly. Still feel positive about “Sir Fluffington the Third”?
Is it short? The everyday name should have a maximum of one or two syllables. Dogs respond better, and you won’t get tongue-tied.
Does it sound like a command? “Kit” sounds like “sit.” “Bo” sounds like “no.” Don’t make training harder than it needs to be.
Try it out. Use your top three names for a day each. See what feels natural.
Everyone agree? If you live with family or roommates, make sure nobody hates the name. Nothing is worse than arguments every time you call your dog.
Think ahead. Your puppy becomes an adult and then becomes a senior. Does “Baby” still work when they’re 10 years old?
When you find the right name, you’ll know. It just feels right when you say it.
Mistakes I See People Make
Real talk: I’ve seen some disasters.
Trendy names age poorly. Remember when every third dog was named after Game of Thrones characters? Now those dogs are stuck with names from a show that ended controversially years ago.
Inside jokes don’t translate. What’s hilarious to you at midnight might be embarrassing at the vet’s office at 9 AM.
Similar names cause chaos. Already have a pet named Molly? Don’t name the new dog Holly. Just don’t.
Complicated spellings are annoying. You’ll spend your life correcting people. Keep it simple.
Negative names backfire. Even ironically, naming your sweet Shih Tzu something aggressive creates weird vibes.
Before You Finalize Anything
May I suggest taking a moment to consider if you’re truly prepared for a dog?
Choosing a name is exciting, but there’s bigger stuff to consider first. Check out questions to ask before adopting a dog to make sure you’ve thought through the finances, time commitment, and lifestyle changes.
Also, Shih Tzus are fantastic indoor dogs. If that’s important to you, read best inside dogs to see how they compare to other breeds that thrive in apartments and houses.
When to Make It Official
Could you please let me know when you plan to commit?
The first week is observation mode. Give yourself 3-7 days to see your dog’s personality emerge. That quiet puppy might turn into a barking machine, or your “energetic” dog might actually be pretty chill once they settle in.
Don’t wait forever, though. Dogs learn through repetition. Constantly changing names confuses them. Two weeks maximum.
Changing names for rescue dogs. An adult Shih Tzu with a name already? You can change it, but do it gradually. Use both names together at first, then phase out the old one over a few weeks.
Final Thoughts
Here’s the truth: whatever name you pick will become the name in your mind. It’ll be attached to all your memories with this dog, good and bad, funny and frustrating.
I’ve given you a ton of options here. Maybe you found your perfect name, maybe you’re still thinking, or maybe something completely different popped into your head while reading. All of those are fine.
The best name is the one that makes you happy every time you say it. And you’ll say it constantly. “Good morning, buddy.” “Stop barking.” “Want breakfast?” “Come here.” “I love you.” Your Shih Tzu’s name becomes part of your daily vocabulary.
Take your time with it. Your dog won’t mind being called “puppy” or “little one” for a few extra days while you figure it out.
What’d you end up naming your Shih Tzu? Drop a comment; I genuinely want to know. Sometimes the stories behind names are just as good as the names themselves.
And if you’re still deciding? That’s totally fine. Sometimes inspiration strikes when you least expect it. Maybe it’ll be something they do, or a random word you hear, or just a sudden realization that “this is a Roger.”
Welcome to Shih Tzu life. It’s chaotic and adorable and absolutely worth it.
🔍 Find Your Perfect Shih Tzu Name
1. What’s your Shih Tzu’s personality?
What did you end up naming your Shih Tzu? Drop their name in the comments, I’d love to hear the stories behind your choices!
