The Shih Tzu names list is filled with names suitable for your new puppy. Some make me think of the Shih Tzu breed’s look, like “FiFi,” or “Gucci,” and others are just fun names that I think are cool for this charming and loving little dog.
If you are into famous dog names, here are a few on the list:
Choo Choo was a Shih Tzu owned by Queen Elizabeth; Bing and Bong, twin Shih Tzus owned by singer, Mariah Carey; Diva, owned by Fantasia Barrino of American Idol fame; and, Honeychild, owned by Nicole Richie.
The Shih Tzu names list has dog names that carry a royal flavor, like Duchess or King, some just feel like they go with a cute little lap dog, like Muffin or Nibbles, and some are just plain fun.
Something to remember when naming your Shih Tzu puppy is to match your dog’s personality to their name.
For more great ideas, visit our list of famous dog names or one syllable dog names.
If you have a name to share with the rest of us, please use the form at the bottom of this page. You just might make someone’s day!
To learn more about this small dog breed, visit our Shih Tzu breed information page. Learn about the Shih Tzu temperament, trainability, and even a little of the breed’s history before deciding on this or another dog breed.
Below is a list of my favorite 101 Shih Tzu names. If you don’t find a name you like after browsing the list, return to our Dog Names by Breed page to see more categories, or expand your search to our list of more than 4,000 puppy names.
| Name | Meaning |
| Acapulco | A fashionable resort city in Southern Mexico |
| Admiral | Commander in chief of a fleet of ships. |
| Amber | A hard brownish-yellow fossil resin. |
| Famous Name: Amber Patrice Riley is an American actress, singer-songwriter, and philanthropist. She is known for her role as Mercedes Jones on Glee. Before she became famous, she auditioned for American Idol but the producers turned her down. | |
| Amigo | Friend |
| Anais | Brand of perfume meaning graceful. |
| Anya | God has favoured – Grace. |
| Armand | Man in the army – soldier. |
| Autumn | Season between summer and winter. |
| Bailey | Trusted guardian of others property. |
| Beau | Handsome man. |
| Bella | Beautiful |
| Bianca | White or pure. |
| Bing | One of many famous Shih Tzu names. Mariah Carey owns two Shih Tzus named Bing and Bong. |
| Bishop | A high ranking Christian cleric. |
| Bitsy | A small bit of something; perfect for the small shih tzu |
| Bong | The other of Mariah Carey’s twin ShihTzus, given to her by Japanese officials when whe was touring Japan. |
| Bonita | Pretty |
| Brittany | A Britain. |
| Famous Name: Brittany Murphy was an American film and stage actress, singer, and voice artist. She rose to stardom when she got her big break on the Fox sitcom Drexell’s Class (1991). She died on December 20, 2009 because of heart attack, acute pneumonia, and severe anemia. | |
| Bubbles | Thin spherical liquid filled with gas. Irrepressible activity. |
| Bud | Herald, messenger. |
| Calliope | Beautiful-voiced and beautiful face. |
| Candy | Confectionery made with sugar. |
| Casey | Brave and watchful – the warrior who never slept. |
| Chang | Prosperous |
| Chen | Great, treasure. |
| Choo Choo | Among famous Shih Tzu names, the name of Queen Elizabeth’s Shih Tzu. |
| Cognac | Type of French brandy. |
| Cookie | A small flat, crisp cake. |
| Cooper | Barrel maker. |
| Famous Name: Bradley Charles Cooper, professionally known as Bradley Cooper, is an American actor and producer. He was born on January 5, 1975, in Philadephia, Pennsylvania. He made his television debut in Sex and the City with a guest role. He starred on several films such as The A-Team (2010), Limitless (2011), Silver Linings Playbook (2012), The Place Beyond the Pines (2013), and American Hustle (2013). | |
| Cozette | Perfect pet name meaning “little thing of no importance” (although you might want to replace “no” with “big”) |
| Delilah | To flirt. |
| Diva | Among famous Shih Tzu names, the name of Fantasia Barrino’s (American Idol) Shih Tzu. |
| Dizzy | Bewildered or confused, giddy. |
| Dolly | Spanish – From Dolores – Lady of sorrow. |
| Domino | Lord and master. |
| Duchess | Wife of a Duke. |
| Einstein | For the pet who is a genius. |
| Famous Name: Albert Einstein was one of the most famous and influential physicists of the 1900s. Born in Germany on March 14, 1879, Einstein developed the Theory of Relativity, won a Nobel Prize, and in 1999 was named Time Magazine’s ‘Person of the Century.’ He died on April 18, 1955. | |
| Felicia | Joyous One. |
| Fifi | Very cute-sounding name fitting for a small dog |
| Gigi | From Gilberta – Bright pledge. |
| Growler | A dog who makes a low, guttural, menacing sound. A small iceberg. A container for carrying beer. An electromagnetic device used for magnetizing. |
| Gucci | Fashionable and expenaive brand |
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|---|---|
| Famous Name: Guccio Gucci was a founder of a Gucci Firm, a store known for leather craftsmanship and accessories. Gucci was born in 1881, in Florence, Italy, and died in 1953.“Gucci” is one of the famous brand in the World. | |
| Harold | A mighty general. |
| Harry | From Harold – Army commander. A mighty general. |
| Famous Name: Prince Henry Charles Albert David or better known as Prince Harry, is the second son of Prince Charles and Princess Dianna. He is the third in line to the English throne. He also travelled through Australia, Argentina, and Africa after finishing his school. He also created a documentary titled as “The Forgotten Kingdom: Prince Harry in Lesotho”. | |
| Honeychild | Among famous Shih Tzu names, the name of Nicole Richie’s dog. |
| Jinx | A person believed to bring bad luck. |
| Karma | Fate or destiny (Hinduism and Buddhism). |
| Kia | Hill |
| King | A male sovereign/Ruler. |
| Leon | Pertianing to “lion” |
| Libby | Means “mu God is a vow” |
| Lily | A lovely and delicate flower thriving in ponds |
| Famous Name: Lily Rose Beatrice Cooper, professionally known as Lily Allen is an English singer, songwriter, musician, actress and television presenter. She known for her hit songs “Sime”, “Fuck You”, and “The Fear”. She was born in Hammersmith, London. | |
| Lion | A large cat; the male has the wall-known flowing and shaggy mane |
| Lionel | Pertianing to “lion” |
| Louie | Famous battle warrior. |
| Madame | Polite form of address for a woman. |
| Mandarin | A high official of Imperial China. Also a small orange or tangerine like fruit. |
| Marseilles | City in the Mediterranean coast of France |
| Martini | A cocktail made of gin or vodka and dry vermouth. |
| Mimi | Equivalent of Mary – Bitterness. |
| Ming | Having a distinct smell, could be bad or good |
| Mitzi | The perfect one. |
| Muffin | A small cup shaped cake. |
| Nibbles | To bite off small bits. |
| Nikko | Cat |
| Nipper | A small boy. |
| Oreo | American biscuit brand consisting of two chocolate wafers with white cream filling. |
| Oscar | Divine spearman – a fighter for God. |
| Famous Name: Oscar Wilde was a famous Irish author who was best known for the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray and the play The Importance of Being Earnest. He was born on October 16, 1854 in Dublin, Ireland. He was also arrested for being gay. | |
| Percy | From Percival – Valley piercer. |
| Petal | A section of a flower. |
| Petunia | Summer Flower. |
| Pickles | Food flavored in a solution of vinegar. |
| Precious | One who is beloved, a darling. |
| Princess | Female member of a royal family. |
| Puddle | Wet with water, particualrly rainwater |
| Pushok | A cute name for a shih tzu |
| Putt Putt | Refers to anything compact or miniature |
| Raj | A ruler, king, leader |
| Rascal | One that is playfully mischievous. |
| Riley | Valiant and warlike. |
| Sapphire | A clear, usually blue gemstone. |
| Saucy | Impertinent or defiant in an entertaining way. |
| Scamp | A mischievous youngster. |
| Silky | Soft as silk. |
| Snuggles | To curl up closely, cuddle. |
| Sultan | A ruler, king, leader; also powerful, expert |
| Sun | Obviously, the big bright thing in the sky during the day |
| Sundae | A dessert of ice cream with sprinkles, syrup, peanuts, etc.; a great pick-me-upper |
| Tinker | Repairs or improves something to no effect |
| Toaster | A device that toasts bread |
| Toto | The name of Dorothy’s dog from “The Wizard of Oz” |
| Truffles | Ball shaped chocolate. |
| Tulip | A cup shaped flower of rich colour. |
| Uma | Light or Peace. |
| Venus | Considered as the most beautiful planet in the solar system |
| Wicket | A small door or opening |
| Yang | Active male force in Chinese philosophy. |
| Famous Name: Yang Wei is a professional male gymnast from China. In 2000 Olympics in Sydney, he became a silver medalist in the individual all-around competition and was able to won the gold medal in the team event. | |
| Yasmin | A kind of flower; also “Jasmine” |
| Zeke | From Ezekiel – Strength of God. |
| Zia | Means “light and splendor” |
| Ziggy | Active, energetic, lively; zips from one place or action to another |
Can’t find the name you like on the Shih Tzu names list? Don’t give up. Return to our Dog Names by Breed page to do some more exploring. If you have a great name, tell us about it!
Share your favorite Dog Names!
Share your favorite dog names and a personal story if you have one. If you do have a story, tell us why you chose the name you did or let us know why the name is special to you.
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