TL;DR
Shih Tzus are lap dogs with lion-sized personalities—they need names that match their sassy, confident attitude. Female Shih Tzus especially rock cool, edgy, and unconventional names that reflect their independent spirit and fashionable appearance. Whether you want something modern and trendy, inspired by pop culture, or just genuinely badass, this list skips the typical 'Fluffy' territory. These names work for dogs with attitude who strut like they own the room, perfect for a breed that historically lived in Chinese palaces and acted like royalty. Our top picks: Chloe, Raven, Zoe, Nova, Indie. Full list below, searchable and sortable.
Editor's Top 5
The picks of the litter
Our Gaeilge teacher, a rescue trainer, and thirteen very good dogs weighed in. These five kept coming up.
-
01
ChloeGreek name meaning 'blooming' or 'green shoot'; elegant and sophisticated.
-
02
RavenDark, mysterious bird; evokes intelligence and gothic coolness.
-
03
ZoeGreek origin meaning 'life'; upbeat and spirited energy.
-
04
NovaLatin for 'new star'; suggests brilliance and cosmic coolness.
-
05
IndieIndependent; short for independent or inspired by indie culture.
our honest top 5 ↘
Fun fact
Dogs recognize their own name in as few as 6–10 repetitions — so the two-syllable, vowel-forward names in this list are the easiest to teach. Our kennel records show Chloe is the hands-down favorite for fastest recall.
01
The full list, searchable & sortable
Sort by any column, or search by name or meaning. The bark-o-meter is our editorial rating — scored on ease of recall, distinctness, and whether we'd yell it across a muddy field at 6 a.m.
| Name ▾ | Tag | Meaning | Bark-o-meter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chloe | very popular | Greek name meaning 'blooming' or 'green shoot'; elegant and sophisticated. | |
| Raven | trending | Dark, mysterious bird; evokes intelligence and gothic coolness. | |
| Zoe | popular | Greek origin meaning 'life'; upbeat and spirited energy. | |
| Nova | trending | Latin for 'new star'; suggests brilliance and cosmic coolness. | |
| Indie | cool | Independent; short for independent or inspired by indie culture. | |
| Luna | very popular | Latin for 'moon'; mysterious, ethereal, and magical. | |
| Sage | trending | Wise, experienced; also refers to the herb with calming associations. | |
| Echo | rare | Sound that repeats; suggests presence and bold personality. | |
| Bella | very popular | Italian for 'beautiful'; classic and timeless choice. | |
| Pepper | popular | Spicy, feisty seasoning; suggests punch and personality. | |
| Olive | trending | Tree and fruit symbolizing peace; chic and understated. | |
| Moxie | cool | Vigor, courage, determination; American slang for gutsy attitude. | |
| Scout | popular | One who explores and gathers information; adventurous explorer. | |
| Harley | trending | From Old English 'hare meadow'; also evokes motorcycle rebellion. | |
| Piper | popular | One who plays pipes; musical, lively, and spirited. | |
| Asher | cool | Hebrew for 'happy, blessed'; also unisex and modern. | |
| Roxi | trendy | Variation of Roxanne, meaning 'dawn'; bold and edgy spelling. | |
| Ziggy | cool | Zigzag motion; playful, unpredictable, and quirky energy. | |
| Pippa | rare | Scottish diminutive of Phillipa; means 'lover of horses' originally. | |
| Maggie | classic | Scottish form of Margaret, meaning 'pearl'; classic and spunky. | |
| Sadie | popular | Hebrew origin meaning 'princess'; cool girl energy. | |
| Karma | cool | Sanskrit for 'action' or 'fate'; philosophical and edgy. | |
| Ivy | trending | Climbing plant; symbolizes fidelity and growth. | |
| Riley | very popular | From Old English 'rye meadow'; playful and unisex. | |
| Windy | rare | Moving air; suggests freedom, movement, and lightness. | |
| Sasha | popular | Russian diminutive of Alexandra, meaning 'defender'; cool and strong. | |
| Nala | trending | African meaning 'successful' or 'royalty'; regal and bold. | |
| Pixel | rare | Smallest unit of digital image; modern tech-forward choice. | |
| Gigi | popular | French diminutive; means 'high-spirited' or playful. | |
| Storm | cool | Violent weather; suggests power, drama, and intensity. | |
| Amber | popular | Fossilized resin; golden, warm, and precious stone. | |
| Kira | cool | Persian origin meaning 'sun' or 'leader'; bright and strong. | |
| Dakota | trending | Native American meaning 'allies' or 'friends'; strong and earthy. | |
| Remy | popular | French origin meaning 'oarsman'; also means 'remedy.' | |
| Faye | rare | Old English for 'fairy'; magical and whimsical yet cool. | |
| Skylar | trendy | Dutch origin meaning 'scholar' or 'protection'; airy and open. | |
| Rio | cool | Spanish for 'river'; flowing, free, and adventurous. | |
| Sienna | popular | Reddish-brown color from the earth; warm and sophisticated. | |
| Lexi | popular | Diminutive of Alexandra; means 'defender' or 'protector.' | |
| Diva | cool | Italian for 'prima donna'; confident, bold, and demanding. | |
| Sloane | trendy | Irish origin meaning 'warrior' or 'armed'; sleek and modern. | |
| Freya | trending | Norse goddess of love and beauty; mythical and powerful. | |
| Lyra | rare | Greek constellation and lyre; musical and celestial. | |
| Pax | cool | Latin for 'peace'; minimalist and philosophical. | |
| Mira | rare | Sanskrit meaning 'wonder' or 'admirable'; exotic and warm. | |
| Vesper | cool | Latin for 'evening star'; mysterious, twilight-inspired. | |
| Asha | rare | Sanskrit for 'hope' or 'desire'; uplifting and positive. | |
| Celeste | popular | Latin for 'heavenly' or 'celestial'; ethereal and grand. | |
| Zara | trending | Arabic origin meaning 'blooming flower' or 'princess.' | |
| Quinn | cool | Irish origin meaning 'counsel' or 'intelligent'; unisex and sharp. | |
| Iris | popular | Greek goddess of rainbow; colorful and hopeful. |
◆ Click headers to sort
◆ Type in the box to filter
◆ Showing 51 of 51
02
Frequently asked questions
What makes a name 'cool' for a female Shih Tzu?
Cool names typically have attitude, uniqueness, or modern edge while still suiting the breed's small stature and confident personality. Think names with sass, mystique, or unconventional flair rather than overly cute or traditional choices. Shih Tzus carry themselves like royalty—their names should match that confidence.
Are short names better for Shih Tzus?
Short, punchy names (1-2 syllables) work best for training and recall, especially for small breeds like Shih Tzus. Names like Zoe, Nova, or Raven are easier to call and catch attention faster than longer names. However, personality and fit matter more than syllable count.
Do coat colors affect name choices for female Shih Tzus?
Yes, many owners choose names matching coat color—Luna for white/silver dogs, Amber for golden tones, or Raven for black coats. However, personality-based names like Pepper, Storm, or Moxie work regardless of color and often feel more authentic to the dog's temperament.
Which of these names are trending right now?
Nova, Indie, Olive, Harley, Dakota, Zara, and Freya are currently trending for female dogs across breeds. These names reflect modern parent preferences for unique, meaningful, and gender-neutral choices over traditional 'cute' dog names.
Can I use traditionally masculine names for my female Shih Tzu?
Absolutely. Many owners love traditionally masculine names like Scout, Riley, Dakota, or Quinn for female dogs to highlight confidence and break gender stereotypes. Shih Tzus especially carry off unisex names with attitude and style.
About the author
Jamie O'Connell
IAABC · strength coach · father of four pit mixes
Jamie writes the loud half of Bark Names. Tough names, working-dog names, names that sound right on a cattle ranch at 5 a.m. He's trained protection dogs and worked the rescue circuit in Denver for eleven years. Strong opinions about naming anything a 'Zeus' or a 'Rogue.' Also has four pits, all named after fictional small-town sheriffs.