TL;DR
Shih Tzus are small, adorable lap dogs with big personalities—and food-inspired names suit them perfectly. Their compact size and fluffy appearance make playful culinary names feel natural and endearing. Whether you're drawn to candy and dessert names like Mochi or Truffle, savory options like Pepper and Basil, or quirky beverage choices like Mocha and Sake, food-themed names capture the sweetness and charm these toy breeds embody. These names are genuinely popular among Shih Tzu owners and work especially well given the breed's Asian heritage, where many of these foods originate. Below are 50 delicious dog names that fit Shih Tzus perfectly. Our top picks: Mochi, Truffle, Pepper, Mocha, Basil. 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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MochiJapanese rice cake; soft, chewy texture mirrors the Shih Tzu's fluffy coat.
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TruffleLuxurious, expensive fungus-based delicacy; suits a fancy lap dog.
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PepperSpicy seasoning; sharp name for a small dog with attitude.
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MochaCoffee-chocolate blend; warm, cozy feeling matches the breed's temperament.
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BasilAromatic herb; fresh, unique name with personality.
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 Mochi 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mochi | very popular | Japanese rice cake; soft, chewy texture mirrors the Shih Tzu's fluffy coat. | |
| Truffle | popular | Luxurious, expensive fungus-based delicacy; suits a fancy lap dog. | |
| Pepper | classic | Spicy seasoning; sharp name for a small dog with attitude. | |
| Mocha | very popular | Coffee-chocolate blend; warm, cozy feeling matches the breed's temperament. | |
| Basil | trending | Aromatic herb; fresh, unique name with personality. | |
| Ginger | classic | Spicy root; fits reddish coat colors and spirited personalities. | |
| Cinnamon | very popular | Sweet spice; warm, comforting name for a cuddly companion. | |
| Biscuit | popular | Baked good; cute and soft-sounding for a small dog. | |
| Tofu | trending | Soft soybean curd; matches the breed's gentle, delicate nature. | |
| Ramen | trending | Japanese noodle soup; playful, energetic name. | |
| Sage | popular | Herb with earthy wisdom; calm, thoughtful name. | |
| Cocoa | very popular | Chocolate powder; rich, warm name for brown dogs. | |
| Wonton | rare | Chinese dumpling; cute and playful name. | |
| Sake | rare | Japanese rice wine; sophisticated, unusual choice. | |
| Wasabi | rare | Hot Japanese paste; spicy name for a feisty dog. | |
| Oreo | very popular | Black-and-white cookie; perfect for two-toned coat colors. | |
| Pancake | popular | Fluffy breakfast staple; matches the Shih Tzu's fluffy appearance. | |
| Sushi | very popular | Japanese rice and fish; cute, iconic food name. | |
| Hazel | popular | Nutty flavor; works as both food and nature-inspired name. | |
| Caramel | very popular | Sweet, buttery candy; warm name for a golden-brown dog. | |
| Olive | popular | Small, briny fruit; distinctive, sophisticated name. | |
| Taco | popular | Handheld Mexican food; fun, quirky name. | |
| Waffle | popular | Griddle-cooked breakfast; cute and fluffy-sounding. | |
| Matcha | trending | Green tea powder; trendy, health-conscious choice. | |
| Noodle | popular | Thin pasta; fits the Shih Tzu's small, lithe frame. | |
| Maple | popular | Sweet tree syrup; warm, autumnal name. | |
| Dumpling | popular | Wrapped dough package; cute, round descriptor. | |
| Honey | classic | Sweet golden substance; endearing term for a beloved pet. | |
| Cashew | rare | Curved nut; quirky, unusual food name. | |
| Paprika | rare | Red spice powder; vibrant name for energetic dogs. | |
| Sesame | rare | Tiny oil-rich seeds; delicate, Asian-inspired name. | |
| Pistachio | rare | Green nut; unusual, memorable food name. | |
| Marshmallow | very popular | Fluffy confection; soft, cuddly name. | |
| Nutella | popular | Chocolate-hazelnut spread; decadent, sweet name. | |
| Butterscotch | popular | Buttery candy flavor; warm, golden-hued name. | |
| Feta | rare | Crumbly white cheese; quirky, distinctive option. | |
| Pretzel | popular | Twisted baked snack; fun, playful name. | |
| Muffin | popular | Baked cake-like treat; sweet, cute name. | |
| Catnip | rare | Minty herb; playful, slightly ironic food name. | |
| Ricotta | rare | Soft Italian cheese; gentle, creamy-sounding name. | |
| Fudge | popular | Rich chocolate confection; decadent, dark-colored name. | |
| Cheesy | rare | Containing cheese; playful, humorous name. | |
| Toffee | popular | Buttery candy; elegant, sweet name. | |
| Gumbo | rare | Southern stew; warm, hearty food name. | |
| Pasta | popular | Italian noodle; simple, fun food name. | |
| Sorbet | rare | Light frozen dessert; refreshing, elegant name. | |
| Kimchi | trending | Spicy Korean fermented vegetable; bold, unique name. | |
| Croissant | rare | Buttery French pastry; elegant, flaky-sounding name. | |
| Sriracha | rare | Spicy Thai hot sauce; fiery name for bold dogs. | |
| Boba | trending | Tapioca pearls in bubble tea; cute, modern name. | |
| Yuzu | rare | Japanese citrus fruit; tart, distinctive name. |
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Frequently asked questions
Are food-inspired names popular for Shih Tzus?
Yes, very much so. Shih Tzus' small size, cute appearance, and association with Asian cultures make food names feel naturally fitting. Names like Mochi, Sushi, and Mocha are especially popular for this breed.
Do food names work better for certain Shih Tzu colors?
Absolutely. Brown or tan dogs suit names like Caramel, Mocha, and Cinnamon. White or cream dogs fit Marshmallow and Biscuit. Two-toned dogs work great with Oreo. Consider your dog's coloring when choosing.
What's the most popular food name for Shih Tzus?
Mochi tops the list, followed by Mocha, Oreo, and Sushi. These names are widely used because they're cute, easy to call out, and capture the breed's adorable, fluffy nature perfectly.
Can I use longer food names like Marshmallow or Butterscotch?
Yes, though longer names are often shortened in practice—Marshmallow becomes 'Marsh,' Butterscotch becomes 'Scotch.' Dogs respond well to 1-2 syllable nicknames, so pick one that flows naturally.
What if I want a unique food name that's not super common?
Consider less common options like Wasabi, Wonton, Tofu, Yuzu, or Pistachio. These work great for owners wanting something distinctive while still keeping the fun, food-inspired theme.
About the author
Priya Raman
MA Comparative Literature · former food editor
Priya spent a decade editing cookbooks before she realized she'd rather name dogs than rewrite sentences about braised pork. Her column covers themed names — food, mythology, nature, film — and the strange overlap between what we eat and what we call our animals. Dog of record: a twelve-pound Cavalier King Charles named Miso.