TL;DR
Shih Tzus are compact, affectionate lap dogs with bold personalities packed into tiny frames. Male Shih Tzus especially benefit from cute names that match their gentle-but-spirited nature and adorable appearance. These names work well for the breed's fluffy coats, compact size, and tendency to bond intensely with their owners. Whether you prefer playful, sweet, or whimsical names, this list focuses on options that sound endearing when called across a park and feel age-appropriate from puppyhood through senior years. Shih Tzus often outlive other small breeds, so you're choosing a name for 10-18 years. Our top picks: Biscuit, Teddy, Milo, Patches, Panda. 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.
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BiscuitWarm, food-inspired name perfect for tan or cream-colored Shih Tzus.
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TeddyRefers to a teddy bear, reflecting the breed's fluffy, cuddly appearance.
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MiloMeans 'merciful' in Latin; soft, friendly sound that suits gentle Shih Tzus.
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PatchesIdeal for multi-colored or parti-colored Shih Tzus with distinct markings.
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PandaWorks for black-and-white or predominantly dark Shih Tzus.
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 Biscuit is the hands-down favorite for fastest recall.
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biscuit | Very popular | Warm, food-inspired name perfect for tan or cream-colored Shih Tzus. | |
| Teddy | Classic | Refers to a teddy bear, reflecting the breed's fluffy, cuddly appearance. | |
| Milo | Very popular | Means 'merciful' in Latin; soft, friendly sound that suits gentle Shih Tzus. | |
| Patches | Moderately popular | Ideal for multi-colored or parti-colored Shih Tzus with distinct markings. | |
| Panda | Trending | Works for black-and-white or predominantly dark Shih Tzus. | |
| Pip | Moderately popular | Short, snappy name meaning a seed or small, lively thing. | |
| Fuzzy | Classic | Direct reference to the breed's signature fluffy double coat. | |
| Buttons | Moderately popular | Refers to small, button-like eyes characteristic of Shih Tzus. | |
| Poppy | Moderately popular | Flower-inspired name suggesting brightness and small delicate beauty. | |
| Noodle | Trending | Playful name for long, slender movements or wispy-haired Shih Tzus. | |
| Chewy | Moderately popular | References the dog's tendency to chew toys; cute and literal. | |
| Pepper | Very popular | Spice reference suited for dark-colored or feisty Shih Tzus. | |
| Rascal | Moderately popular | Playful term for a mischievous dog; reflects the breed's spirited nature. | |
| Coconut | Moderately popular | Ideal for white or cream-colored Shih Tzus; warm and friendly. | |
| Squirt | Classic | Refers to small size; playful and energetic-sounding. | |
| Dumpling | Trending | Cute, round food reference matching Shih Tzu's compact body shape. | |
| Chip | Moderately popular | Short, punchy name suggesting small size and snappy personality. | |
| Honey | Very popular | Refers to the dog's sweet temperament and often golden/honey-colored coat. | |
| Gizmo | Moderately popular | Playful name for a small, intricate mechanism; suits clever Shih Tzus. | |
| Daisy | Very popular | Flower name suggesting sweetness; works for male dogs despite floral origin. | |
| Buddy | Classic | Classic friendly name emphasizing the Shih Tzu's companion nature. | |
| Snowball | Moderately popular | Perfect for white or very light-colored Shih Tzus. | |
| Puffin | Rare | References the breed's puffed-out coat and cute bird reference. | |
| Oreo | Very popular | Perfect for black-and-white or dark-colored Shih Tzus. | |
| Bubbles | Moderately popular | Playful name evoking lightness and joy. | |
| Toby | Very popular | Classic English name meaning 'God is good'; warm and approachable. | |
| Furball | Moderately popular | Literally describes the Shih Tzu's coat; endearing diminutive term. | |
| Pogo | Rare | References bouncy movements or pogo stick; active and playful. | |
| Pixel | Trending | Modern tech-inspired name; cute and contemporary. | |
| Tucker | Very popular | English name meaning 'cloth tucking'; warm and friendly-sounding. | |
| Pudge | Moderately popular | Cute reference to the breed's stocky, compact build. | |
| Archie | Trending | Classic English name; gained popularity from royal associations. | |
| Bentley | Moderately popular | English place name; sophisticated yet cute for a small dog. | |
| Coco | Very popular | Short, sweet name; can reference coconut or Coco Chanel's elegance. | |
| Gatsby | Moderately popular | Literary reference; suggests charm and personality. | |
| Jasper | Very popular | Gemstone name; means 'bringer of treasure' in Persian. | |
| Lulu | Very popular | Short, bouncy name; means 'pearl' in Hawaiian. | |
| Muffin | Moderately popular | Food-inspired; references the breed's soft, rounded appearance. | |
| Nico | Trending | Short for Nicholas; means 'victory of the people'. | |
| Oliver | Very popular | Classic name meaning 'olive tree'; warm and timeless. | |
| Paco | Moderately popular | Spanish diminutive of Francisco; means 'free man'. | |
| Roly | Moderately popular | References rolling movements; playful and bouncy-sounding. | |
| Simba | Very popular | Swahili for 'lion'; playful irony for small dogs. | |
| Tux | Very popular | Short for tuxedo; perfect for black-and-white marked dogs. | |
| Ziggy | Moderately popular | Means 'victory'; playful and energetic-sounding. | |
| Alfie | Very popular | English name meaning 'elf counselor'; warm and friendly. | |
| Cosmo | Trending | Means 'order' or 'universe'; philosophical yet playful. | |
| Dexter | Moderately popular | Latin name meaning 'skillful'; cool and distinctive. | |
| Felix | Very popular | Latin for 'happy' or 'fortunate'; perfectly fitting for companion dogs. | |
| Grumpy | Moderately popular | Playfully references the breed's characteristic facial expression. |
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Frequently asked questions
What makes a good Shih Tzu name?
Good Shih Tzu names are short (1-2 syllables work best), easy to call in public, and match the breed's sweet and spirited personality. Many owners choose names that reference the dog's appearance—fluffy coat, small size, or color markings—making names like Biscuit, Panda, or Snowball popular choices.
Should I choose a cute name or a more serious name for a male Shih Tzu?
Male Shih Tzus can absolutely carry cute names without seeming inappropriate—the breed's small size and gentle personality suit playful names well. However, some owners prefer slightly more serious names like Oliver, Jasper, or Toby for long-term dignity as the dog ages. Choose what feels natural to you; many owners use formal names at the vet and cute nicknames at home.
Are food-inspired names popular for Shih Tzus?
Yes, very much. Shih Tzus' round, compact bodies and fluffy appearance make food names like Biscuit, Dumpling, Muffin, and Coconut especially fitting and popular among owners. These names are warm, memorable, and suit the breed's cuddly aesthetic.
How do I choose between trending and classic Shih Tzu names?
Trending names like Dumpling, Pixel, and Cosmo feel fresh and modern; classic names like Buddy, Teddy, and Felix are timeless and universally understood. Consider how long you'll have the name (10-18+ years for Shih Tzus) and whether you prefer your dog's name to feel current or enduring.
Can I use traditionally 'feminine' names for a male Shih Tzu?
Absolutely. Many traditionally feminine-coded names like Daisy, Coco, and Lulu work beautifully for male dogs, especially small breeds. The Shih Tzu's gentle nature and small size make gender-neutral or softly-gendered names feel appropriate and charming regardless of the dog's sex.
About the author
Eleanor Vance
AKC breeder-judge · former librarian · whippet rescue chair
Eleanor covers the elegant end of the Bark Names beat — classic, vintage, and sweet names that age well. Her tone is slightly prim, her research is unimpeachable, and she is the person the rest of the editorial team asks when they want to know if a Victorian name has aged into ridicule or charm. Three whippets, all named after Bloomsbury-adjacent minor poets.