TL;DR
Shih Tzus are small, regal dogs with big personalities—and French names capture that elegance perfectly. Whether you want something classic like Bijou or trendy like Coco, French dog names suit the breed's playful yet dignified nature. French names work especially well for these lap dogs because they reflect the breed's royal history and refined temperament. This list includes 50 real French names that owners actually use, each with its meaning and cultural context. Our top picks: Bijou, Coco, Margot, Beau, Fifi. 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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BijouFrench for 'jewel'—perfect for a precious, small Shih Tzu.
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CocoPlayful diminutive, famously associated with Coco Chanel.
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MargotFrench name meaning 'pearl,' connoting purity and refinement.
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BeauFrench for 'handsome'—works for male or unisex naming.
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FifiCute French nickname, often used affectionately for small dogs.
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 Bijou 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bijou | Very popular | French for 'jewel'—perfect for a precious, small Shih Tzu. | |
| Coco | Very popular | Playful diminutive, famously associated with Coco Chanel. | |
| Margot | Popular | French name meaning 'pearl,' connoting purity and refinement. | |
| Beau | Classic | French for 'handsome'—works for male or unisex naming. | |
| Fifi | Classic | Cute French nickname, often used affectionately for small dogs. | |
| Luc | Moderate | French diminutive of Lucas, meaning 'from Lucania.' | |
| Amélie | Popular | French name meaning 'beloved,' popularized by the film. | |
| Toulouse | Rare | French city name, evoking art and culture. | |
| Pierre | Classic | French name meaning 'stone'—solid, dependable. | |
| Fleur | Popular | French for 'flower'—delicate and feminine. | |
| Lucien | Moderate | French name meaning 'light-giving' or 'illuminating.' | |
| Gigi | Very popular | French nickname often short for Gabrielle. | |
| Roux | Moderate | French for 'red' or 'reddish-brown'—a color descriptor. | |
| Lisette | Rare | French diminutive of Lise, meaning 'God's promise.' | |
| Marcel | Moderate | French name meaning 'dedicated to Mars.' | |
| Biscuit | Popular | French-origin word (bis 'twice' + cuit 'baked'). | |
| Simone | Popular | French name meaning 'hearkening' or 'one who hears.' | |
| Balthazar | Rare | French form of Balthasar, meaning 'Baal protect the king.' | |
| Minette | Rare | French name meaning 'kitten' or 'small cat.' | |
| Noir | Moderate | French for 'black'—a color name. | |
| Eloise | Popular | French name meaning 'healthy' or 'wide.' | |
| Lucifer | Rare | Latin via French, meaning 'light-bringer.' | |
| Marguerite | Moderate | French for 'daisy'—the flower. | |
| Olivier | Moderate | French name meaning 'olive tree'—peace and beauty. | |
| Babette | Rare | French diminutive of Barbara, meaning 'foreign.' | |
| Renée | Moderate | French name meaning 'reborn' or 'born again.' | |
| Beaumont | Rare | French place name meaning 'beautiful mountain.' | |
| Cosette | Moderate | French literary name from Les Misérables. | |
| Dubois | Rare | French surname meaning 'from the woods.' | |
| Fabienne | Rare | French feminine form of Fabius, meaning 'bean-grower.' | |
| Gaston | Moderate | French name meaning 'from Gascony.' | |
| Hélène | Moderate | French form of Helen, meaning 'bright' or 'shining.' | |
| Ines | Moderate | French name meaning 'pure' or 'virginal.' | |
| Jacques | Moderate | French form of James, meaning 'supplanter.' | |
| Kitty | Moderate | French-influenced pet name; diminutive of Katherine. | |
| Laetitia | Rare | French name meaning 'gladness' or 'happiness.' | |
| Matthieu | Moderate | French form of Matthew, meaning 'gift of God.' | |
| Nathalie | Popular | French form of Natalie, meaning 'natal' or 'Christmas.' | |
| Odette | Moderate | French name meaning 'wealthy' or 'ode.' | |
| Prudence | Rare | French-influenced virtue name meaning 'careful judgment.' | |
| Quincy | Moderate | French origin meaning 'fifth son's estate.' | |
| Raoul | Moderate | French form of Ralph, meaning 'wolf-counsel.' | |
| Sophie | Very popular | French name meaning 'wisdom.' | |
| Thierry | Rare | French name meaning 'mighty' or 'ruler of the people.' | |
| Ursula | Rare | French-influenced name meaning 'little bear.' | |
| Valerie | Moderate | French name meaning 'strong' and 'valiant.' | |
| Vivienne | Very popular | French name meaning 'lively' or 'vibrant.' | |
| Xavier | Moderate | French form via Basque, meaning 'new house.' | |
| Yves | Rare | French name meaning 'archer' or 'yew wood.' | |
| Zephyr | Rare | Greek via French, meaning 'west wind.' |
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Frequently asked questions
Do French names work well for Shih Tzus?
Yes, absolutely. Shih Tzus were bred as royal lap dogs for Chinese emperors, and French names echo that regal heritage. The breed's small stature, flowing coat, and dignified temperament pair naturally with sophisticated French naming. Many Shih Tzu owners choose French names to emphasize their dogs' elegance and refined personality.
What are the most popular French Shih Tzu names?
Coco, Bijou, Sophie, and Vivienne are consistently top choices. Beau and Gigi also rank highly. These names are popular because they're easy to pronounce, distinctly French, and suit the breed's appearance and temperament well.
Should I pick a male or female-leaning French name?
Many French names are gender-specific (Margot, Amélie for females; Jacques, Pierre for males), but some work unisex (Coco, Beau, Noir). Choose based on your dog's gender and the name's feel. Don't worry too much—a strong personality will own any name you pick.
Are there short French names for Shih Tzus?
Yes, plenty. Beau, Coco, Fifi, Gigi, Luc, and Noir are all short, punchy French names that work great for small dogs. Short names are often easier to call in parks and training sessions.
Can I use a French place name or surname for my Shih Tzu?
Definitely. Toulouse, Beaumont, and Dubois are examples of French place names and surnames that work as dog names. They're distinctive and memorable, though they give a more formal, artistic vibe than traditional first names.
About the author
Rosa Martinelli
PhD Classics · foster coordinator · Italian Greyhound specialist
Rosa covers the Romance-language and Mediterranean traditions — Italian, Greek, Spanish, Latin. Her doctorate was on vocative forms in Roman pet epitaphs, which is exactly as strange and delightful as it sounds. Fosters small dogs in Queens, New York, and has a working list of 400 Italian names she will not let the editorial team talk her down from.