TL;DR
Shih Tzus are small, elegant lap dogs with flowing coats and charming personalities—they deserve names that match their refined nature. Italian names bring sophistication and warmth to these beloved companions. Whether you're drawn to classic Italian heritage, romantic-sounding names, or geographic references from Italy, this list features 50 real Italian names that suit Shih Tzus perfectly. From timeless classics like Marco and Bella to lesser-known gems, these names celebrate the breed's graceful elegance while honoring Italian culture and language. Our top picks: Bella, Marco, Lucia, Dante, Rosa. 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'—one of the most popular names for small dogs worldwide.
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MarcoItalian form of Marcus, meaning 'dedicated to Mars' in Roman tradition.
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LuciaItalian feminine name meaning 'light' or 'luminous'.
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DanteItalian name meaning 'enduring' or 'lasting', famous from poet Dante Alighieri.
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RosaItalian for 'rose', symbolizing beauty and elegance.
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'—one of the most popular names for small dogs worldwide. | |
| Marco | Very popular | Italian form of Marcus, meaning 'dedicated to Mars' in Roman tradition. | |
| Lucia | Popular | Italian feminine name meaning 'light' or 'luminous'. | |
| Dante | Popular | Italian name meaning 'enduring' or 'lasting', famous from poet Dante Alighieri. | |
| Rosa | Popular | Italian for 'rose', symbolizing beauty and elegance. | |
| Giulio | Rare | Italian form of Julius, meaning 'youthful' and 'downy-bearded'. | |
| Giada | Trending | Italian for 'jade', the precious green stone symbolizing elegance and refinement. | |
| Lorenzo | Popular | Italian form of Lawrence, meaning 'from Laurentum'. | |
| Sophia | Very popular | Italian form of Sophia, meaning 'wisdom'. | |
| Leonardo | Popular | Italian name meaning 'brave lion'—from Italian Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci. | |
| Alessia | Popular | Italian feminine name meaning 'defender'. | |
| Matteo | Popular | Italian form of Matthew, meaning 'gift of God'. | |
| Isabella | Very popular | Italian form of Elizabeth, meaning 'devoted to God'. | |
| Enzo | Trending | Italian short form of names like Lorenzo or Vincenzo, meaning 'ruler of the estate'. | |
| Luca | Very popular | Italian form of Lucas, meaning 'from Lucania'. | |
| Stella | Very popular | Italian for 'star', symbolizing brightness and importance. | |
| Rocco | Popular | Italian name meaning 'rest' or derived from Germanic roots meaning 'famous ruler'. | |
| Giulia | Popular | Italian feminine form of Julius, meaning 'youthful'. | |
| Federico | Rare | Italian form of Frederick, meaning 'peaceful ruler'. | |
| Nicoletta | Rare | Italian feminine form of Nicholas, meaning 'victory of the people'. | |
| Paolo | Popular | Italian form of Paul, meaning 'small' or 'humble'. | |
| Valentina | Trending | Italian feminine form of Valentin, meaning 'strong' and 'vigorous'. | |
| Gino | Rare | Italian short form of names like Gionni or Eugenio. | |
| Fiamma | Rare | Italian for 'flame', symbolizing passion and warmth. | |
| Vincenzo | Popular | Italian form of Vincent, meaning 'conquering'. | |
| Margot | Popular | French-Italian adaptation meaning 'pearl'—elegant and refined. | |
| Cristiano | Popular | Italian form of Christian, meaning 'follower of Christ'. | |
| Nora | Popular | Italian short form of Leonora, meaning 'light'. | |
| Antonio | Very popular | Italian form of Anthony, possibly meaning 'priceless' or 'of inestimable worth'. | |
| Fiorella | Rare | Italian feminine diminutive of Fiore, meaning 'little flower'. | |
| Vittorio | Rare | Italian form of Victor, meaning 'conqueror'. | |
| Chiara | Popular | Italian for 'bright' or 'clear', symbolizing clarity and light. | |
| Giuseppe | Classic | Italian form of Joseph, meaning 'God will increase'. | |
| Celia | Rare | Italian form of Caelia, derived from Roman family name Caelius. | |
| Emilio | Popular | Italian form of Emil, meaning 'striving' or 'industrious'. | |
| Simona | Rare | Italian feminine form of Simon, meaning 'hearkening' or 'listener'. | |
| Aldo | Rare | Italian name meaning 'noble' or 'old'. | |
| Vanessa | Popular | Italian adaptation of a name created by author James Barrie, symbolizing beauty. | |
| Fabio | Popular | Italian form of Fabius, meaning 'bean grower' in Roman tradition. | |
| Ariella | Rare | Italian feminine form of Ariel, meaning 'lion of God'. | |
| Marcello | Rare | Italian diminutive of Marcus, meaning 'dedicated to Mars'. | |
| Alba | Rare | Italian for 'dawn' or 'white', symbolizing new beginnings and purity. | |
| Riccardo | Popular | Italian form of Richard, meaning 'brave power' or 'strong ruler'. | |
| Loretta | Rare | Italian feminine form of Lawrence, meaning 'from Laurentum'. | |
| Sergio | Popular | Italian form of Sergius, possibly meaning 'servant' or Roman family name. | |
| Giorgia | Popular | Italian feminine form of George, meaning 'farmer' or 'worker of the earth'. | |
| Biagio | Rare | Italian form of Blaise, from Latin meaning 'stammering' or 'lisping'. | |
| Tiziano | Rare | Italian form of Titian, named after the famous Venetian painter. | |
| Alessio | Popular | Italian form of Alexios, meaning 'defender'. | |
| Margherita | Classic | Italian for 'daisy', symbolizing innocence and purity. | |
| Giuliano | Rare | Italian form of Julian, meaning 'youthful' or 'from Julius' family'. | |
| Iris | Popular | Italian adaptation of Greek goddess name, meaning 'rainbow'. |
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Frequently asked questions
Do Italian names work well for Shih Tzus specifically?
Absolutely. Shih Tzus are elegant, refined lap dogs with flowing coats and dignified personalities. Italian names perfectly complement their sophisticated appearance and warm temperament. The melodic, soft sounds of Italian names match the breed's gentle nature well.
Are these Italian names easy to call out at the dog park?
Most of these names are one or two syllables and end with vowels, making them naturally easy to pronounce and call. Names like Bella, Luca, Marco, and Stella are especially clear and carry well outdoors.
Can I use these names for both male and female Shih Tzus?
Yes, many Italian names work for any gender. While some are traditionally masculine (Marco, Leonardo) or feminine (Bella, Isabella), Italian pet naming is flexible. Consider the sound and your personal connection to the name rather than strict gender rules.
What if I want a rare Italian name instead of a popular one?
This list includes rare options like Fiamma, Fiorella, Marcello, and Biagio. Rare names give your Shih Tzu uniqueness while still honoring Italian heritage. Check the popularity notes to find options that stand out.
How do I choose between so many Italian names?
Consider your dog's appearance (Stella for bright coats, Alba for white Shih Tzus), personality (Rocco for bold, Lucia for gentle), and how the name feels when you call it repeatedly. Say it aloud several times—your favorite will naturally stand out.
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.