200+ Shih Tzu Names: Male, Female, Royal & Chinese-Inspired
Naming a Shih Tzu is the fun part of getting one — and the part owners overthink the most. The right name does two jobs: it suits the dog, and it works as a training tool your dog can actually learn. Before you scroll the lists, three rules that make any name better.
Keep it to one or two syllables. Dogs learn short, punchy names fastest. “Max” beats “Maximilian” at the dog park, every time — and if you love a long name, keep it for the vet’s paperwork and use the short version daily.
Avoid names that sound like commands. “Kit” sounds like “sit,” “Bo” sounds like “no,” and “Ray” sounds like “stay.” A name that collides with a command confuses training, especially for puppies. Say the name out loud next to “sit,” “stay,” and “come” — if it blurs, pick another.
Say it happy, say it often. The name should feel good coming out of your mouth ten times a day, at the park, at the vet, and at 2 a.m. when the puppy needs to go out. If you feel silly shouting it across a field, it is the wrong name.
Below are 204 names, grouped so you can jump to the list you need: male, female, royal, Chinese-inspired (with meanings), food-inspired, and unisex.
Male Shih Tzu Names (52)
Max, Milo, Leo, Teddy, Rocky, Charlie, Cooper, Bear, Oliver, Jack, Henry, Louie, Bentley, Winston, Archie, Finn, Gus, Toby, Dexter, Hugo, Jasper, Moose, Biscuit, Peanut, Simba, Duke, Bruno, Lucky, Shadow, Coco, Rusty, Ziggy, Buddy, Bandit, Chester, Oscar, Felix, Alfie, Reggie, Sammy, Benji, Rufus, Cosmo, Pickles, Nugget, Waffles, Oreo, Chewie, Yoshi, Buster, Rocket, Zeke
Female Shih Tzu Names (52)
Bella, Daisy, Lola, Luna, Ruby, Rosie, Millie, Poppy, Ivy, Willow, Penny, Hazel, Olive, Maple, Pearl, Stella, Chloe, Sophie, Zoe, Lily, Violet, Jasmine, Amber, Honey, Sugar, Cookie, Muffin, Cupcake, Truffle, Gigi, Lulu, Mimi, Pixie, Tilly, Maisie, Elsie, Winnie, Dottie, Fifi, Queenie, Delilah, Opal, Juniper, Belle, Angel, Star, Sky, Snow, Blossom, Bonnie, Clover, Wren
Royal Shih Tzu Names (30)
Shih Tzus were palace dogs in China, bred to live in the imperial court — so a royal name is not just cute, it is historically on the nose.
King, Prince, Emperor, Caesar, Sultan, Raja, Maharaja, Kaiser, Czar, Pharaoh, Queen, Empress, Duchess, Countess, Baroness, Lady, Princess, Royal, Majesty, Regal, Windsor, Tudor, Versailles, Buckingham, Kensington, Balmoral, Westminster, Avalon, Camelot, Noble
Chinese-Inspired Shih Tzu Names (30, with meanings)
The Shih Tzu’s homeland gives the most meaningful names on this list — each one carries a wish for the dog.
Bao (treasure), Mei (beautiful), Ming (bright), Li (pretty), Wei (great), Jun (handsome), Ling (delicate bell), Tao (peach, long life), Chen (morning), Yun (cloud), Hua (flower), Jin (gold), Yu (jade), Ping (peace), An (calm), Bo (wave), Feng (phoenix), Long (dragon), Xing (star), Xue (snow), Chun (spring), Qiu (autumn), Dong (winter), Xia (summer), Lei (thunder), Shan (mountain), Hai (sea), Tian (heaven), Fu (luck), Xi (happiness)
Food-Inspired Shih Tzu Names (20)
Dumpling, Mochi, Pudding, Noodle, Bagel, Pretzel, Donut, Brownie, Toffee, Caramel, Cashew, Almond, Pistachio, Wasabi, Sushi, Tofu, Kimchi, Pickle, Ginger, Basil
Unisex Shih Tzu Names (20)
Sunny, Cloudy, Storm, River, Aspen, Pebble, Sandy, Snowy, Echo, Scout, Frankie, Riley, Alex, Sam, Jo, Quinn, Remy, Robin, Jamie, Casey
How to Test a Name Before You Commit
Pick your top three and try each one for a day. Say the name in a happy voice, then watch: does the puppy look up, wag, or come toward you? A name that earns a reaction is a name the dog can learn. Also try it in the situations you will actually use it — calling the dog inside from the garden, saying it at the vet, shouting it (gently) at the park. If it feels awkward in any of those, drop it. And once you choose, stick with it: switching names every week confuses a puppy and slows training. Everyone in the household should use the same name, not a different nickname each — nicknames can come later, once the real name is solid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good name for a Shih Tzu?
A short one — one or two syllables — that does not sound like a command. “Milo,” “Luna,” “Bao,” and “Teddy” are all popular because they are easy to say, easy for a dog to learn, and they suit the breed’s size and personality. Pick from the lists above, then test your top three for a day each.
What are some Chinese names for Shih Tzus?
Bao (treasure), Mei (beautiful), Ming (bright), and Long (dragon) are favourites, because the breed comes from the Chinese imperial palace. The Chinese-inspired list above has 30 options with meanings, so you can pick a name that is also a wish for your dog.
Should I give my Shih Tzu a royal name?
Why not — the breed literally lived in palaces. “Windsor,” “Duchess,” “Emperor,” and “Majesty” suit the breed’s proud, slightly superior attitude, and they make great conversation starters at the park. Just keep the everyday call-name short: “Windsor” works, “His Royal Highness Windsor” does not.
How long does it take a Shih Tzu puppy to learn its name?
Most puppies start responding within a few days if you say the name happily and reward the look-up with a treat or a fuss. Say the name, wait for eye contact, reward — repeat that ten times a day and the name sticks fast. If there is no response after two weeks, check the name is not colliding with a command, and that everyone in the house is using the same one.
Can I change my Shih Tzu’s name?
Yes. Dogs learn a new name the same way they learn the first one: say it happily, reward the response, repeat. Rescue dogs get renamed all the time with no trouble. The only rule is consistency — once you switch, everyone uses the new name, and the old one retires.
Final Thoughts
The perfect Shih Tzu name is the one you love saying and your dog loves hearing. Scroll the lists, pick three, test them for a day each, and trust the reaction — the right name usually announces itself the first time your puppy looks up at it. And once it is chosen, say it with a smile, because that is how a name becomes a bond.
