Best Shih Tzu Dog Names

Looking for the perfect name for your Shih Tzu? Whether you’re bringing home a new puppy or adopting a loyal adult, finding the right name is a big deal. It’s not just about what sounds cute (though, with Shih Tzus, almost anything does), but also what captures their unique personality.

And once you’ve got their name nailed down, don’t forget to keep them protected with Lemonade pet insurance, so both of you can enjoy stress-free adventures together.

Why Shih Tzu names matter

A Shih Tzu isn’t just any dog, they’re part of the family. Naming them is a way to celebrate their individuality and create a bond that’ll last for years. Let’s not overthink it, though: a great name feels natural when you say it, suits their personality, and stands the test of time. No pressure, right?

Don’t worry, we’ve broken down this list into categories to make things easier (and more fun). Let’s dig in.

What Lemonade’s Shih Tzu owners are actually naming their dogs

200 real names from real pet parents. Scroll through for a little inspiration, then dive into our full list below.

Top male Shih Tzu names	Top female Shih Tzu names
Milo	Bella
Teddy	Luna
Charlie	Coco
Max	Lola
Oreo	Daisy
Gizmo	Lucy
Coco	Mia
Leo	Chloe
Oliver	Cookie
Toby	Sophie
Benji	Zoey
Buddy	Lily
Rocky	Molly
Louie	Gigi
Cooper	Lulu
Mochi	Rosie
Bentley	Penny
Chewy	Bailey
Ollie	Princess
Prince	Ellie
Lucky	Willow
Bear	Winnie
Winston	Maggie
Chewie	Oreo
Simba	Stella
Loki	Nala
Archie	Chanel
Bruno	Olive
Tucker	Ruby
Benny	Millie
Jack	Sadie
Jax	Honey
Cookie	Maya
Bandit	Sasha
Kobe	Suki
Theo	Pepper
Ace	Mocha
Duke	Ginger
Ziggy	Dolly
King	Poppy
Gus	Hazel
Rocco	Zoe
Snoopy	Lexi
Oscar	Layla
Chase	Piper
Biscuit	Minnie
Mylo	Roxy
Finn	Mochi
Romeo	Gracie
Shadow	Nova
Henry	Abby
Bailey	Khloe
Riley	Kiki
Brownie	Lady
Sammy	Phoebe
Yoshi	Mila
Nico	Missy
Zeus	Mimi
Koda	Muffin
Jasper	Sugar
Panda	Harley
Georgie	Betty
Niko	Koko
Cody	Angel
Snickers	Lilly
Rex	Penelope
Otis	Eevee
Harley	Ella
Gucci	Cocoa
Beau	Maple
Boba	Leia
Sunny	Pippa
Chico	Remi
Whiskey	Trixie
Luke	Baby
Murphy	Lilo
Rusty	Paris
Chip	Holly
Scooter	Teddy
Tommy	Cali
Kash	Brooklyn
Frankie	Sassy
Appa	Brownie
Thor	Sky
Nugget	Izzy
Enzo	Roxie
Billy	Ivy
Tobi	Star
Chewbacca	Riley
Bowie	Nina
Baxter	Belle
Blue	Kona
Theodore	Sofie
Momo	Pearl
George	Isabella
Fluffy	Lucky
Ozzy	Gidget
Eddie	Skye
Louis	Kira
Joey	Zara

Names fit for Chinese imperial royalty

Shih Tzus were literally bred for Chinese emperors. These names honor that lineage.

• Ming
• Jade
• Lotus
• Bao
• Mei
• Jinx
• Pei
• Zhen
• Yue
• Shu
• Fang
• Lian
• Wei
• Xiu
• Tai
• Bo
• Cheng
• Hua
• Ling
• Nuan
• Ping
• Qing
• Rui
• Shan
• Tao
• Wan
• Xiao
• Yan
• Zhu
• Chai
• Dong
• Fu
• Gui
• Han
• Jing
• Kun
• Lei
• Mao
• Nan
• Ou
• Pan
• Qi
• Ran
• Sen
• Tian
• Wen
• Xi
• Yao
• Zeng
• Bai

Names for dogs who think they’re full-on royalty

Because your Shih Tzu struts like they own the place. They do.

• King
• Duke
• Baron
• Earl
• Prince
• Majesty
• Czar
• Sultan
• Kaiser
• Pharaoh
• Regent
• Archduke
• Viscount
• Marquis
• Sire
• Lordship
• Viceroy
• Consort
• Sovereign
• Nobility
• Duchess
• Countess
• Empress
• Princess
• Queenie
• Baroness
• Marchioness
• Tsarina
• Sultana
• Vicereine
• Lady
• Viscountess
• Archduchess
• Highness
• Majestrix
• Regnant
• Sovereigna
• Noblewoman
• Countessa
• Imperiale
• Magnifica
• Excelsa
• Gloriana
• Augustina
• Seraphina
• Celestina
• Divinora
• Resplenda
• Magnificat
• Imperiatrix

Names that lean all the way into the floof

Long hair. Lots of it. These names celebrate the Shih Tzu’s signature look.

• Fluffy
• Frizz
• Curly
• Tangle
• Mopsy
• Pompom
• Frizzel
• Fluffernutter
• Silkypaws
• Woolsworth
• Floofy
• Tassle
• Ringlet
• Bouffant
• Puffball
• Corkscrew
• Fuzzwick
• Muffintop
• Velveteen
• Wigsworth
• Poofalot
• Fringeworth
• Shagsworth
• Dreadlock
• Crimpy
• Puffkins
• Flufferino
• Frizington
• Tousleworth
• Mopsworth
• Sir Floofington the Fourteenth
• Fringeling
• Puffmaster
• Velvethorn
• Silksworth
• Tanglepaws
• Bouffanta
• Poufette
• Frizzalina
• Curlicue
• Floofalina
• Pompette
• Tassella
• Mopselina
• Ringletia
• Woolfsworth
• Puffinstuff
• Velvetpaws
• Frizzette
• Fluffsworth

Names for tiny dogs with enormous personalities

The Shih Tzu to drama ratio is genuinely unmatched.

• Diva
• Sassy
• Fierce
• Attitude
• Gusto
• Swagger
• Bravado
• Pizzazz
• Panache
• Chutzpah
• Moxie
• Spunk
• Verve
• Oomph
• Zeal
• Flair
• Sizzle
• Spark
• Bluster
• Bombast
• Sassafras
• Vivace
• Bravura
• Tempest
• Whirlwind
• Thunderbolt
• Firecracker
• Hellion
• Rascal
• Scoundrel
• Troublemaker
• Mischief
• Mayhem
• Chaos
• Havoc
• Pandemonium
• Uproar
• Hubbub
• Ruckus
• Hullabaloo
• Kerfuffle
• Brouhaha
• Hullabaloo
• Shenanigan
• Horseplay
• Tomfoolery
• Buffoonery
• Chicanery
• Skullduggery
• Devilry

Old-fashioned names that suit a very distinguished dog

There’s something about a Shih Tzu in a bow that demands a classic name.

• Bertram
• Reginald
• Archibald
• Cornelius
• Thaddeus
• Mortimer
• Humphrey
• Alistair
• Barnaby
• Percival
• Algernon
• Cornelio
• Gideon
• Hector
• Ignatius
• Jasper
• Leofric
• Montgomery
• Neville
• Octavius
• Phineas
• Quincy
• Roderick
• Sylvester
• Tiberius
• Ulysses
• Valentine
• Wilberforce
• Xander
• Zebediah
• Agatha
• Beatrice
• Cordelia
• Dorothea
• Edwina
• Felicity
• Gertrude
• Harriet
• Isadora
• Josephine
• Lavinia
• Millicent
• Nora
• Ophelia
• Penelope
• Rowena
• Sophronia
• Theodora
• Ursula
• Winifred

Punny names for dogs whose owners have a sense of humor

You’ve been warned.

• Paw-casso
• Bark-arita
• Fuzz Lightyear
• Hairy Paw-ter
• Mary Puppins
• Chew-barka
• Woofgang Amadeus
• Drool Julius
• Howl-dini
• Bark Twain
• Shih-Tzunami
• Sir Barks-a-Lot
• Pup Tart
• Wagatha Christie
• Snoop Dogg Jr.
• Paw-drey Hepburn
• Furdinand
• Growl-ileo
• Dog Hammarskjöld
• Bark Obama
• Mutt Damon
• Hairy Styles
• Sherlock Bones
• Winnie the Poodle
• Jimmy Chew
• Fleas Witherspoon
• Paw McCartney
• Ruff Vader
• Jabba the Mutt
• Yap Capone
• Mutt Romney
• Sniff Eastwood
• Growl-fried
• Pawnder Woman
• Fleaonardo DiCaprio
• Sherlock Gnomes
• Count Barkula
• Indiana Bones
• Droolius Caesar
• Howling Oates
• Miss Snaggly Tooth
• The Bark Knight
• Fuzz Aldrin
• Furrball McGee
• Yapper McYapface
• Sir Dribbles-a-Lot
• Fluffinator
• Paw-sto
• Pooch Malone
• Flea Bailey

Names inspired by other famous small, magnificent creatures

Tiny but iconic. Like your dog.

• Tinker
• Thumbelina
• Teeny
• Pebble
• Dot
• Pixel
• Nugget
• Button
• Thimble
• Acorn
• Sprout
• Pip
• Minnow
• Droplet
• Dewdrop
• Raindrop
• Snowflake
• Petal
• Seedling
• Blossom
• Clover
• Daisy
• Violet
• Pansy
• Petunia
• Snapdragon
• Primrose
• Zinnia
• Marigold
• Aster
• Freesia
• Lilac
• Wisteria
• Larkspur
• Foxglove
• Bluebell
• Anemone
• Cosmos
• Dahlia
• Echinacea
• Fuchsia
• Gladiola
• Hyacinth
• Iris
• Jasmine
• Lavender
• Mimosa
• Narcissa
• Orchid
• Peony

Names for the Shih Tzu who treats the sofa like a throne

You know the one. Won’t move. Won’t apologize.

• Slouch
• Snooze
• Loafer
• Lazybones
• Couch
• Napper
• Dozer
• Dreamer
• Slumber
• Siesta
• Hammock
• Duvet
• Blanket
• Pillow
• Cushion
• Ottoman
• Loveseat
• Recliner
• Settee
• Chaise
• Velour
• Plush
• Velvet
• Cashmere
• Chenille
• Flannel
• Fleece
• Muslin
• Percale
• Satin
• Napsworth
• Snoozberry
• Drowsington
• Slumberton
• Naptastic
• Dozington
• Dreamsworth
• Loungewell
• Restington
• Snoozalot
• Napmaster
• Sleepling
• Dozerville
• Yawnsworth
• Hibernia
• Resting
• Drowselet
• Nappette
• Snoozelina
• Snoozinator

Names borrowed from food

Small, sweet, and impossible to resist. Because they’re absolutely good enough to eat.

• Mochi
• Dumpling
• Boba
• Wonton
• Noodle
• Ramen
• Soba
• Udon
• Gyoza
• Tempura
• Tofu
• Edamame
• Miso
• Wasabi
• Sesame
• Tahini
• Hummus
• Pita
• Falafel
• Baklava
• Tiramisu
• Cannoli
• Gelato
• Biscotti
• Panna
• Affogato
• Macaron
• Eclair
• Croissant
• Brioche
• Beignet
• Churro
• Sopapilla
• Tapioca
• Horchata
• Paleta
• Conchas
• Alfajor
• Dulce
• Cajeta
• Truffle
• Praline
• Toffee
• Nougat
• Marzipan
• Fondant
• Ganache
• Caramel
• Butterscotch
• Molasses

Names with a soft, gentle energy

Some of them really are just little angels. Just not most.

• Willow
• Sage
• Luna
• Nova
• Aurora
• Celeste
• Serene
• Tranquil
• Gentle
• Tender
• Mellow
• Placid
• Quiet
• Softly
• Whisper
• Murmur
• Lullaby
• Moonbeam
• Starlight
• Twilight
• Dusk
• Dawn
• Solstice
• Equinox
• Zephyr
• Breeze
• Misty
• Haze
• Gossamer
• Gauze
• Nimbus
• Cirrus
• Cumulus
• Stratus
• Nimbostratus
• Altostratus
• Cumulonimbus
• Stratocumulus
• Altocumulus
• Nimbostratus
• Feather
• Petal
• Dewdrop
• Glimmer
• Shimmer
• Glisten
• Gleam
• Sheen
• Luster
• Radiance

Names for the dramatically expressive

They stare. They sigh. They judge you.

• Broody
• Sulky
• Moody
• Pouty
• Melodrama
• Theatrics
• Tragedy
• Hamlet
• Ophelia
• Macbeth
• Iago
• Othello
• Desdemona
• Portia
• Prospero
• Caliban
• Ariel
• Titania
• Oberon
• Puck
• Lysander
• Demetrius
• Hermia
• Helena
• Theseus
• Hippolyta
• Bottom
• Quince
• Flute
• Snout
• Starveling
• Peaseblossom
• Cobweb
• Moth
• Mustardseed
• Mustard
• Cobwebling
• Fluteling
• Quinceling
• Bottomsworth
• Starvelington
• Mousetrap
• Stagefright
• Curtaincall
• Soliloquy
• Monologue
• Dialogue
• Epilogue
• Prologue
• Intermission

Names pulled from mythology and legend

Your dog is ancient and mystical. These names know it.

• Athena
• Artemis
• Apollo
• Hermes
• Hestia
• Hera
• Zeus
• Poseidon
• Demeter
• Persephone
• Dionysus
• Hephaestus
• Ares
• Aphrodite
• Eros
• Psyche
• Morpheus
• Hypnos
• Thanatos
• Iris
• Helios
• Selene
• Eos
• Nyx
• Erebus
• Chaos
• Gaia
• Uranus
• Cronus
• Rhea
• Odin
• Thor
• Freya
• Loki
• Baldur
• Tyr
• Frigg
• Heimdall
• Mimir
• Yggdrasil
• Fenrir
• Jormungandr
• Sleipnir
• Skadi
• Njord
• Frey
• Idunn
• Bragi
• Kvasir
• Ran

Names that honor the Shih Tzu’s heritage

“Lion dog” is their literal Mandarin translation. Lean in.

• Simba
• Mufasa
• Nala
• Sarabi
• Kiara
• Kovu
• Zazu
• Timon
• Pumba
• Rafiki
• Aslan
• Roar
• Mane
• Claw
• Pounce
• Prowl
• Stalk
• Pride
• Savanna
• Sahara
• Serengeti
• Masai
• Kilimanjaro
• Nairobi
• Zanzibar
• Kalahari
• Amboseli
• Ngorongoro
• Tsavo
• Samburu
• Liger
• Lioness
• Cub
• Whelp
• Kitling
• Manchild
• Manecrest
• Goldenmane
• Manesworth
• Lioncourt
• Goldentop
• Ironmane
• Silkmane
• Lionpaw
• Goldenpaw
• Fierceworth
• Manejet
• Lionfrost
• Manecloud
• Shimmerroar

Names with undeniable Shih Tzu energy

You’ll know it when you see it.

• Wobble
• Toddle
• Trot
• Pitter-Patter
• Scamper
• Waddle
• Scurry
• Scuttle
• Bumble
• Tumble
• Stumble
• Grumble
• Fumble
• Rumble
• Mumble
• Crumble
• Humble
• Jumble
• Bumblesworth
• Tumbleston
• Waddleby
• Scuttleworth
• Pitter
• Patter
• Tippytoes
• Daintypaws
• Prancington
• Minceworth
• Flouncy
• Bouncington
• Wiggles
• Wriggles
• Jiggles
• Giggles
• Snuggles
• Cuddles
• Nuzzles
• Ruffles
• Truffles
• Waffles
• Daffodils
• Sprinkles
• Twinkles
• Crinkles
• Wrinkles
• Dimples
• Pimples
• Freckles
• Speckles
• Pickles

Now that your Shih Tzu has a name

Now that you’ve chosen the perfect Shih Tzu dog name, it’s time to help your pup learn it! Start using your chosen name consistently from day one, saying it with joy and enthusiasm before meals, walks, and playtime to create positive associations. Remember that dogs typically respond best to names that are one or two syllables, but don’t let that stop you from choosing longer names; you can always use a nickname for everyday use while keeping the full name for special occasions.

Practice calling their name in different tones and situations so they recognize it whether you’re calling excitedly at the dog park or speaking softly when they’re resting. Most dogs learn their names within a few days to a week with consistent, positive use.

Before we go

Your Shih Tzu deserves the best, in name and in care. Once you’ve settled on something perfect (or narrowed it down to your top twelve, which is also valid), it’s worth thinking about what else your dog needs to thrive. Lemonade pet insurance is designed for exactly this kind of dog: the beloved, the dramatic, the deeply spoiled. It’s straightforward coverage that helps with vet bills so you can focus on the important stuff, like perfecting your pup’s bow placement.

Welcome to the Shih Tzu life. It’s a good one.

A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.