TL;DR
Female Shih Tzus are compact, affectionate lap dogs with flowing coats and big personalities—they deserve names that match their elegance and charm. Shih Tzus were bred as imperial companions in China, so many owners gravitate toward names that feel regal, feminine, or playful. These names work well for a breed that's equally happy being pampered indoors as they are commanding attention in any room. Whether you want something classic, trendy, or tied to their Asian heritage, this list covers real names people actually give their female Shih Tzus. Our top picks: Bella, Daisy, Luna, Sophie, Chloe. 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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BellaItalian for 'beautiful'—timeless choice emphasizing the breed's glamorous coat.
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DaisyCheerful flower name, suits bright and affectionate personalities.
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LunaSpanish/Italian for 'moon'—elegant and mystical.
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SophieGreek for 'wisdom'—sophisticated and refined.
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ChloeGreek origin meaning 'green shoot'—fresh and delicate.
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 Bella 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bella | very popular | Italian for 'beautiful'—timeless choice emphasizing the breed's glamorous coat. | |
| Daisy | very popular | Cheerful flower name, suits bright and affectionate personalities. | |
| Luna | trending | Spanish/Italian for 'moon'—elegant and mystical. | |
| Sophie | very popular | Greek for 'wisdom'—sophisticated and refined. | |
| Chloe | very popular | Greek origin meaning 'green shoot'—fresh and delicate. | |
| Penny | classic | Small, valuable coin—fitting for a tiny companion. | |
| Lily | very popular | Pure flower name conveying elegance and innocence. | |
| Zoe | trending | Greek for 'life'—spirited and energetic. | |
| Molly | classic | Traditional pet name, conveys warmth and friendliness. | |
| Sadie | very popular | Hebrew origin, means 'princess'—regal and appropriate. | |
| Leia | trending | Star Wars princess name, conveys strength and grace. | |
| Gigi | trending | French diminutive suggesting sophistication and chic style. | |
| Piper | trending | One who plays the pipe—musical and spirited. | |
| Rosie | very popular | Flower-based, conveys sweetness and femininity. | |
| Mia | very popular | Italian/Scandinavian, means 'mine'—possessive affection. | |
| Lucy | very popular | Latin for 'light-bringing'—cheerful and illuminating. | |
| Nala | trending | Swahili for 'successful'—from The Lion King. | |
| Winnie | classic | English origin, relates to Winnie the Pooh—gentle and cuddly. | |
| Poppy | trending | Bright red flower—cheerful and distinctive. | |
| Olive | trending | Symbol of peace and wisdom. | |
| Hazel | trending | Hazel tree—earthy and grounded. | |
| Penny | classic | Small coin—precious and compact. | |
| Ruby | very popular | Precious gemstone—vibrant and valuable. | |
| Bailey | very popular | Old English, means 'bailiff' or castle outer wall. | |
| Jade | classic | Chinese precious stone—elegant and ties to Shih Tzu heritage. | |
| Pixie | rare | Magical, mischievous creature—playful energy. | |
| Pepper | very popular | Spice-derived name suggesting warmth and zest. | |
| Queenie | classic | Royal ruler—regal and commanding. | |
| Stella | very popular | Latin for 'star'—shining and distinguished. | |
| Panda | rare | The black and white animal—perfect for bicolor coats. | |
| Gracie | very popular | Latin for 'grace'—elegant and refined. | |
| Bella | very popular | Italian 'beautiful'—perpetually popular choice. | |
| Xena | rare | Greek for 'welcoming'—fierce and friendly warrior. | |
| Missy | classic | Informal term, suggests playfulness and charm. | |
| Cinnamon | rare | Warm spice—fitting for brown-colored dogs. | |
| Scout | trending | Explorer or reconnaissance—adventurous spirit. | |
| Duchess | classic | High-ranking noblewoman—aristocratic and elegant. | |
| Chelsea | classic | English place name, upscale and refined. | |
| Tilly | trending | German origin meaning 'strong-willed'—spirited. | |
| Giselle | rare | French origin meaning 'pledge'—elegant and refined. | |
| Abigail | classic | Hebrew for 'father's joy'—warm and traditional. | |
| Maggie | very popular | Pearl—precious and lustrous, fitting for silky coats. | |
| Lulu | trending | German origin meaning 'famous warrior'—small but mighty. | |
| Paisley | trending | Scottish town known for fabric patterns—artistic. | |
| Iris | trending | Greek goddess and flower—colorful and refined. | |
| Diva | rare | Prima donna—dramatic and commanding. | |
| Ginger | very popular | Spice or red-haired—warm and energetic. | |
| Nikki | classic | Greek for 'victory'—strong and modern. | |
| Coconut | rare | White tropical fruit—sweet and light-colored. | |
| Sasha | classic | Russian for 'defender'—strong and melodic. |
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most popular female Shih Tzu names?
Bella, Daisy, Lucy, Sadie, and Sophie consistently rank as top choices. Shih Tzus' glamorous appearance and affectionate nature make owners gravitate toward elegant, feminine names. Trending names like Luna and Leia are gaining fast popularity, especially among younger dog owners.
Should I choose a name based on my Shih Tzu's coat color?
Many owners do—names like Cinnamon, Ginger, and Ruby work beautifully for reddish or brown dogs, while Lily, Coconut, and Daisy suit cream or white coats. However, personality-based names like Piper or Scout work regardless of coloring and often feel more personal.
Do Shih Tzus respond better to shorter names?
Yes, one or two syllables (Bella, Luna, Jade, Sadie) are easier for dogs to recognize and respond to in training. Avoid names sounding like common commands—so skip anything too close to 'no,' 'sit,' or 'stay' for clearer communication.
Are there names that honor the breed's Chinese heritage?
Absolutely. Jade, for instance, references the precious stone central to Chinese culture. Consider researching Chinese names or using words like Ming or Hui if you want to celebrate the breed's imperial background as palace companions.
How do I choose between a classic name and a trendy one?
Classic names like Lucy, Molly, and Daisy feel timeless and won't feel dated in 10 years. Trendy names like Luna, Zoe, and Leia feel fresh now but may feel dated later. Choose what feels right for your dog's personality and your long-term comfort level.
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.