TL;DR
Shih Tzus are known for their regal bearing and affectionate nature—they deserve names that reflect their dignity. Hebrew names carry deep meaning and cultural significance, making them a thoughtful choice for this companion breed. Whether you want a name rooted in biblical tradition, Jewish heritage, or simply love the lyrical sound of Hebrew, this list offers 50 authentic options that work beautifully for male and female Shih Tzus. Many of these names have been used in Jewish families for generations, bringing a sense of history and connection to your pet. Our top picks: Asher, Levi, Judah, Ethan, Noah. 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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AsherHappy or blessed in Hebrew; a biblical name meaning 'fortunate.'
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LeviJoined or attached in Hebrew; biblical name of one of Jacob's sons.
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JudahPraised in Hebrew; ancient kingdom and biblical name.
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EthanStrong or firm in Hebrew; means 'firm, strong.'
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NoahRest, comfort in Hebrew; biblical name of the flood survivor.
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 Asher 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asher | Classic | Happy or blessed in Hebrew; a biblical name meaning 'fortunate.' | |
| Levi | Very popular | Joined or attached in Hebrew; biblical name of one of Jacob's sons. | |
| Judah | Classic | Praised in Hebrew; ancient kingdom and biblical name. | |
| Ethan | Very popular | Strong or firm in Hebrew; means 'firm, strong.' | |
| Noah | Very popular | Rest, comfort in Hebrew; biblical name of the flood survivor. | |
| Simeon | Classic | God has heard in Hebrew; biblical name. | |
| Ariel | Rare | Lion of God in Hebrew; works for any gender. | |
| Amos | Classic | Carried by God in Hebrew; biblical prophet. | |
| Eli | Very popular | Ascended in Hebrew; biblical high priest. | |
| Avi | Rare | My father in Hebrew; nickname for Avraham. | |
| Caleb | Very popular | Devotion to God in Hebrew; biblical name. | |
| Yossi | Rare | God will increase in Hebrew; nickname for Yosef. | |
| Meir | Rare | One who brings light in Hebrew. | |
| Zion | Trending | Sign or omen in Hebrew; biblical place name. | |
| Alon | Rare | Oak tree in Hebrew; nature-inspired. | |
| Matan | Rare | Gift in Hebrew; represents blessing. | |
| Nadav | Rare | Willing or generous in Hebrew. | |
| Sarah | Very popular | Princess in Hebrew; biblical matriarch. | |
| Miriam | Classic | Star or beloved in Hebrew; biblical prophetess. | |
| Naomi | Very popular | Pleasantness in Hebrew; biblical name. | |
| Leah | Classic | Weary in Hebrew; but historically a matriarch. | |
| Ruth | Classic | Compassionate friend in Hebrew; biblical name. | |
| Esther | Classic | Star in Hebrew; biblical queen and hero. | |
| Abigail | Very popular | Father's joy in Hebrew; biblical wife of David. | |
| Hannah | Very popular | Grace or favor in Hebrew; biblical mother. | |
| Shira | Rare | Song in Hebrew; poetic and lyrical. | |
| Noa | Trending | Movement or motion in Hebrew; modern and minimal. | |
| Liora | Rare | My light in Hebrew; bright and cheerful. | |
| Ayala | Rare | Gazelle in Hebrew; graceful and fleet. | |
| Gila | Rare | Joy in Hebrew; celebratory and uplifting. | |
| Yael | Rare | Ascends to God in Hebrew; powerful. | |
| Nira | Rare | Candle or lamp in Hebrew; brings light. | |
| Talya | Rare | Dew of God in Hebrew; delicate and fresh. | |
| Ora | Rare | Light in Hebrew; simple yet powerful. | |
| Mila | Trending | Loving in Hebrew; also means 'dear one.' | |
| Avira | Rare | Strong as an eagle in Hebrew. | |
| Shalom | Rare | Peace in Hebrew; universal and meaningful. | |
| Eden | Trending | Paradise in Hebrew; biblical garden. | |
| Lior | Rare | My light in Hebrew; gender-neutral. | |
| Eliraz | Rare | My God is my strength in Hebrew. | |
| Timon | Rare | Honorable or respectful in Hebrew. | |
| Yonatan | Classic | God gave in Hebrew; biblical name. | |
| Uri | Rare | My light in Hebrew; bright and warm. | |
| Doron | Rare | Gift in Hebrew; expresses appreciation. | |
| Eran | Rare | Awake in Hebrew; alert and alive. | |
| Itai | Rare | With me in Hebrew; togetherness. | |
| Shmuel | Classic | God has heard in Hebrew; biblical prophet. | |
| Ido | Rare | His majesty in Hebrew; royal feel. | |
| Ramin | Rare | Elevated or exalted in Hebrew. | |
| Noam | Rare | Pleasantness in Hebrew; similar to Naomi. |
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Frequently asked questions
Are Hebrew names suitable for Shih Tzus specifically?
Absolutely. Shih Tzus are an ancient breed with royal origins, and Hebrew names—many with deep biblical and cultural roots—complement their dignified temperament and regal appearance perfectly. The lyrical quality of many Hebrew names also suits the breed's graceful gait.
How do I pronounce these Hebrew dog names correctly?
Hebrew pronunciation can vary slightly depending on accent and dialect (Ashkenazi vs. Sephardic). Your best resource is a native speaker or YouTube pronunciation guides. Many names have phonetic English equivalents (like Asher, Noah, Levi) that are straightforward to say.
Can I use both male and female Hebrew names for my Shih Tzu?
Yes. Many Hebrew names work for any gender (like Ariel, Shalom, Eden, Lior), while others are traditionally masculine or feminine. The list includes both options so you can choose based on your dog's personality and your preference.
What are the most popular Hebrew names for Shih Tzus?
Asher, Levi, Noah, Ethan, Caleb, Sarah, Naomi, Hannah, and Abigail consistently rank as top choices. They're familiar to English speakers yet carry meaningful Hebrew roots. More unique options like Shira, Liora, or Meir offer cultural depth with less common usage.
Do Hebrew names have special meanings I should know about?
Yes—most Hebrew names carry profound meanings rooted in biblical tradition, spirituality, or nature. Understanding the meaning (blessed, light, gift, joy, etc.) helps you choose a name that aligns with your dog's personality or your own values, deepening the bond.
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.