TL;DR
Shih Tzus are small, confident dogs with big personalities—and they deserve names that match their bold spirit. Unisex names work perfectly for this breed since Shih Tzus have a delicate yet fearless temperament that transcends gender. Whether you're bringing home a male or female puppy, cool unisex names let you pick something with attitude and edge rather than defaulting to traditionally gendered options. These names lean modern, trendy, or edgy while still fitting the breed's compact charm. Perfect for owners who want personality and flexibility in one choice. Our top picks: Riley, Casey, Parker, Morgan, Sage. 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
RileyCourageous and playful; originally Irish, means 'valiant' or 'spirited.'
-
02
CaseyBrave and alert; means 'vigilant' in Irish origin.
-
03
ParkerModern and sophisticated; originally referred to someone who keeps a park.
-
04
MorganStrong and noble; Welsh origin meaning 'sea circle' or 'great brightness.'
-
05
SageWise and calm; references both wisdom and the herb.
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 Riley 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riley | very popular | Courageous and playful; originally Irish, means 'valiant' or 'spirited.' | |
| Casey | popular | Brave and alert; means 'vigilant' in Irish origin. | |
| Parker | trending | Modern and sophisticated; originally referred to someone who keeps a park. | |
| Morgan | popular | Strong and noble; Welsh origin meaning 'sea circle' or 'great brightness.' | |
| Sage | trending | Wise and calm; references both wisdom and the herb. | |
| River | trending | Free-flowing and natural; evokes movement and independence. | |
| Phoenix | trending | Resilient and reborn; mythological bird symbolizing rebirth and strength. | |
| Bailey | very popular | Friendly and approachable; English origin meaning 'bailiff' or 'steward.' | |
| Dakota | popular | Strong and independent; Native American origin meaning 'friend' or 'ally.' | |
| Cameron | popular | Striking and distinctive; Scottish origin meaning 'crooked nose.' | |
| Rowan | trending | Nature-rooted and balanced; Scottish, named after the rowan tree. | |
| Alexis | popular | Defender and protector; Greek origin meaning 'to defend.' | |
| Jordan | popular | Strong and flowing; Hebrew origin meaning 'descend' or 'flow down.' | |
| Skylar | popular | Free and ethereal; modern unisex name meaning 'sheltering sky.' | |
| Reese | popular | Enthusiastic and spirited; English origin, means 'ardent' or 'passionate.' | |
| Avery | trending | Wise ruler; English origin meaning 'elf ruler.' | |
| Scout | popular | Adventurous and curious; reference to explorer or observer. | |
| Emery | trending | Brave and strong; German origin meaning 'industrious' or 'determined.' | |
| Finley | trending | Fair-haired warrior; Scottish origin meaning 'white warrior.' | |
| Quinn | popular | Intelligent and strategic; Irish origin meaning 'wise' or 'intelligent.' | |
| Blake | popular | Striking contrast; English origin meaning 'dark' or 'pale.' | |
| Ash | trending | Simple and natural; short form referencing ash trees or residue. | |
| Taylor | popular | Creative and skilled; English occupational name meaning 'tailor.' | |
| Sam | classic | Diminutive of Samuel; Hebrew meaning 'God has heard.' | |
| Charlie | very popular | Free and fun-loving; English meaning 'free person.' | |
| Harper | trending | Artistic and creative; English occupational meaning 'harp player.' | |
| Winter | trending | Cool and serene; seasonal reference suggesting calm and clarity. | |
| Grayson | trending | Intelligent and dignified; English origin meaning 'gray-haired son.' | |
| Reign | trending | Powerful and commanding; reference to rule or dominion. | |
| Zen | trending | Peaceful and meditative; Buddhist philosophy concept of calm enlightenment. | |
| Alex | popular | Defender and protector; Greek shortened form meaning 'to defend.' | |
| Storm | trending | Powerful and intense; weather reference suggesting force and energy. | |
| Indigo | rare | Deep and mysterious; reference to blue-purple color and dye. | |
| Micah | popular | Humble and faithful; Hebrew meaning 'who is like God.' | |
| Keegan | popular | Spirited and lively; Irish origin meaning 'small and fiery.' | |
| Asher | trending | Happy and fortunate; Hebrew meaning 'blessed' or 'happy.' | |
| Vale | rare | Peaceful and serene; reference to valley or farewell. | |
| Sawyer | trending | Adventurous and resourceful; English occupational meaning 'cuts wood.' | |
| Remy | trending | Oarsman and energetic; French origin meaning 'oars.' | |
| Cross | rare | Strong and grounded; reference to intersection or symbol. | |
| Kit | rare | Resourceful and nimble; short reference or baby animal. | |
| Onyx | rare | Bold and lustrous; black gemstone symbolizing strength. | |
| Rio | rare | Flowing and adventurous; Spanish for 'river.' | |
| Birch | rare | Graceful and strong; tree reference symbolizing flexibility. | |
| Cyan | rare | Bright and cool; cyan color reference suggesting freshness. |
◆ Click headers to sort
◆ Type in the box to filter
◆ Showing 45 of 45
02
Frequently asked questions
Are unisex names a good choice for Shih Tzus?
Yes, absolutely. Shih Tzus have confident, distinctive personalities that transcend gender stereotypes. Unisex names give you flexibility if you're unsure of the dog's gender when naming, or simply prefer a more neutral, modern approach. Many Shih Tzu owners find unisex names feel less cutesy and more aligned with the breed's bold temperament.
What makes a dog name 'cool' for a Shih Tzu?
Cool names typically have attitude, modern appeal, or edginess—think one or two syllables, sharp sounds, or trendy references. For Shih Tzus specifically, cool names counterbalance the breed's fluffy, delicate appearance with personality. Names like Phoenix, Storm, and Quinn give your tiny dog a big personality.
Should I pick a short or long unisex name?
Short names (one or two syllables) are easier to use in training and daily commands. Names like Riley, Quinn, or Ash are snappy and clear. Longer unisex names like Cameron or Grayson work if you plan to use them fully and have shorter nicknames ready. For Shih Tzus, either works—choose what feels natural to say repeatedly.
How do I know if a name will suit my Shih Tzu's personality?
Spend a few days with your pup and observe their temperament. Is your Shih Tzu bold and mischievous? Try Phoenix or Storm. Calm and thoughtful? Sage or Zen might fit. Say the name aloud several times—it should feel right rolling off your tongue and match how you see your dog's energy.
Are there unisex names that are less common for Shih Tzus?
Yes. While Riley and Charlie are very popular across all breeds, rarer unisex options like Indigo, Onyx, Vale, and Birch are less commonly seen. If you want something distinctive for your Shih Tzu without sounding too unconventional, names like Reese, Finley, or Emery strike a good balance.
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.