TL;DR
Shih Tzus are small, regal companions with big personalities, and Irish names bring warmth and character to their distinctive look. Irish names carry deep cultural meaning—rooted in Gaelic heritage, mythology, and Celtic tradition—making them ideal for dogs with personality and presence. Whether you're drawn to classic names like Paddy or literary references like Liam, Irish names often reflect the breed's loyal, spirited nature. This list combines authentic Irish names that work beautifully for male and female Shih Tzus, with meanings and cultural context to help you choose a name that matches your dog's temperament and your family's heritage. Our top picks: Liam, Cian, Fiona, Saoirse, Finn. 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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LiamStrong-willed warrior; Irish form of William.
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CianAncient, enduring; Gaelic name with mythological roots.
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FionaFair, pale; Scottish-Irish origin meaning 'white' or 'fair.'
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SaoirseFreedom; Irish name pronounced 'Sir-sha' with poetic appeal.
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FinnFair or white-haired; derived from Irish mythology.
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 Liam 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liam | very popular | Strong-willed warrior; Irish form of William. | |
| Cian | classic | Ancient, enduring; Gaelic name with mythological roots. | |
| Fiona | very popular | Fair, pale; Scottish-Irish origin meaning 'white' or 'fair.' | |
| Saoirse | trending | Freedom; Irish name pronounced 'Sir-sha' with poetic appeal. | |
| Finn | very popular | Fair or white-haired; derived from Irish mythology. | |
| Maeve | trending | Intoxicating or magnificent; legendary Irish warrior queen. | |
| Seán | classic | God is gracious; Irish form of John. | |
| Siobhan | classic | God's gracious gift; pronounced 'Shih-vawn.' | |
| Aoife | trending | Beautiful, radiant; pronounced 'Ee-fa.' | |
| Paddy | very popular | Noble, patrician; nickname for Patrick with Irish warmth. | |
| Erin | very popular | Ireland; poetic name referencing the country itself. | |
| Brennan | classic | Descendant of Brann; strong, masculine Irish surname-name. | |
| Brianna | very popular | Strong, noble; feminine form of Brian. | |
| Declan | trending | Full of goodness; Irish saint's name with charm. | |
| Nora | very popular | Honor, light; short for Eleanor with Irish appeal. | |
| Rory | very popular | Red-haired king; Gaelic origin with vibrant character. | |
| Niamh | trending | Bright, radiant; pronounced 'Neev.' | |
| Tierney | rare | Lord of the household; Irish surname with strength. | |
| Keira | very popular | Little dark one; Irish name with Celtic roots. | |
| Colm | classic | Dove; Irish form of Columba, symbolizing peace. | |
| Isla | trending | Island; Scottish-Irish name with natural appeal. | |
| Conn | rare | Chief, leader; short Gaelic name with authority. | |
| Lena | very popular | Light, shining; short form of Helena with Irish warmth. | |
| Cormac | classic | Raven; strong Irish name with literary heritage. | |
| Moira | classic | Great, fate; Irish variation of Mary. | |
| Eamon | classic | Wealthy protector; Irish form of Edmund. | |
| Ronan | trending | Little seal; Irish name with playful charm. | |
| Aisling | trending | Vision, dream; pronounced 'Ash-ling.' | |
| Tadhg | rare | Poet; pronounced 'Teigue' in English. | |
| Grainne | rare | Golden; pronounced 'Graw-nya.' | |
| Killian | trending | Bright-headed, church of Killian; Irish saint's name. | |
| Orla | trending | Golden princess; Irish name with regal flair. | |
| Dougal | rare | Dark stranger; Scottish-Irish with rugged charm. | |
| Cara | very popular | Friend, beloved; Irish name with warmth. | |
| Lorcan | rare | Small fierce one; Irish name with spunk. | |
| Clodagh | rare | Meadow river; Irish place name with lyrical quality. | |
| Keegan | trending | Small, fiery one; Irish name with personality. | |
| Faye | classic | Fairy; Irish name with mystical appeal. | |
| Darren | very popular | Great, almighty; Irish name with strength. | |
| Keely | classic | Graceful, beautiful; Irish surname-name. | |
| Brendan | very popular | Prince, noble; Irish saint's name with warmth. | |
| Sloane | trending | Warrior; Irish surname with modern appeal. | |
| Fergus | classic | Supreme male, virility; strong Irish name. | |
| Raven | very popular | Dark-haired; mystical Irish symbolism. | |
| Caoimhe | trending | Beautiful, precious; pronounced 'Kee-va.' | |
| Shane | very popular | God is gracious; Irish form of Sean. | |
| Quinn | trending | Descendant of Conn; Irish surname name. | |
| Sian | classic | God's gracious gift; Welsh-Irish with elegance. | |
| Pádraig | rare | Noble; traditional Irish form of Patrick. | |
| Neve | trending | Snow; Irish name suggesting purity and brightness. |
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Frequently asked questions
Are Irish names good for Shih Tzus?
Yes—Irish names often have strong, warm meanings that complement the Shih Tzu's dignified, spirited personality. The breed's regal bearing pairs well with names rooted in Celtic mythology and Irish heritage. Names like Finn, Liam, and Fiona feel natural and convey the breed's charm and character.
What Irish name should I choose for a male vs. female Shih Tzu?
Many Irish names work for both genders (Rory, Finn, Quinn), but traditional choices include male names like Liam, Seán, and Brennan, and female names like Fiona, Niamh, and Siobhan. Consider your dog's coat color and personality—Neve suits white dogs, while Keira fits darker coats.
How do I pronounce difficult Irish dog names?
Some names have non-phonetic pronunciations: Saoirse = 'Sir-sha,' Siobhan = 'Shih-vawn,' Aoife = 'Ee-fa,' and Caoimhe = 'Kee-va.' Researching pronunciations beforehand helps you feel confident introducing your dog. Stick with names you enjoy saying daily.
Are there short Irish names for Shih Tzus?
Yes—Finn, Cian, Rory, Lena, Cara, Neve, and Quinn are all short Irish names that work beautifully for Shih Tzus. Shorter names are often easier to call across a room and create stronger recall in training.
Can I choose an Irish name even if I don't have Irish heritage?
Absolutely. Irish names are rich in meaning and culture and are appreciated by dog lovers worldwide. Choose a name because you love its sound, meaning, or the personality it conveys—not just heritage.
About the author
Sarah Finch
CPDT-KA · Gaeilge teacher · rescue volunteer
Sarah has spent fifteen years in dog rescue and positive-reinforcement training, mostly in the shadow of the Wicklow mountains. She writes about Celtic and Gaelic naming traditions, the ones that require pronunciation guides and reward the effort. Currently training a brindle lurcher named Maeve who believes all food on low tables belongs to her.