TL;DR
Shih Tzus are bred for companionship and elegance, and Spanish names capture that regal, affectionate personality perfectly. These small but spirited dogs deserve names with character—and Spanish offers a rich palette of melodic, meaningful options. Whether you want something playful like Chico, romantic like Amor, or traditionally Spanish like Diego, these names reflect the breed's alert intelligence and charming temperament. Spanish names also stand out at the dog park and are easy to call across a yard. We've curated 50 authentic Spanish names that suit Shih Tzus' compact size, expressive eyes, and loyal nature. Our top picks: Amor, Chico, Luna, Diego, Bella. 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.
-
01
AmorMeans 'love' in Spanish; perfect for an affectionate, devoted Shih Tzu.
-
02
ChicoSpanish for 'little boy' or 'little one'; ideal for small-breed dogs.
-
03
LunaMeans 'moon' in Spanish; evokes elegance and mystery.
-
04
DiegoSpanish form of James; traditionally masculine and strong.
-
05
BellaMeans 'beautiful' in Spanish; reflects the breed's aesthetic appeal.
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 Amor is the hands-down favorite for fastest recall.
01
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amor | Popular | Means 'love' in Spanish; perfect for an affectionate, devoted Shih Tzu. | |
| Chico | Very popular | Spanish for 'little boy' or 'little one'; ideal for small-breed dogs. | |
| Luna | Very popular | Means 'moon' in Spanish; evokes elegance and mystery. | |
| Diego | Popular | Spanish form of James; traditionally masculine and strong. | |
| Bella | Very popular | Means 'beautiful' in Spanish; reflects the breed's aesthetic appeal. | |
| Toby | Popular | English name with Spanish usage; means 'God is good'. | |
| Coco | Very popular | Diminutive Spanish name; playful and fun. | |
| Felipe | Moderate | Spanish form of Philip; means 'lover of horses' originally. | |
| Rosa | Moderate | Means 'rose' in Spanish; feminine and delicate. | |
| Miguel | Moderate | Spanish form of Michael; means 'who is like God'. | |
| Stella | Popular | Means 'star' in Spanish/Italian; bright and distinctive. | |
| Pedro | Moderate | Spanish form of Peter; means 'rock' or 'stone'. | |
| Dulce | Moderate | Means 'sweet' in Spanish; perfect for gentle, kind dogs. | |
| Carlos | Moderate | Spanish form of Charles; means 'free man'. | |
| Paco | Popular | Spanish diminutive of Francisco; playful and friendly. | |
| Mariposa | Moderate | Means 'butterfly' in Spanish; delicate and graceful. | |
| Jorge | Moderate | Spanish form of George; means 'farmer' or 'earthworker'. | |
| Nieve | Rare | Means 'snow' in Spanish; suits white or pale-coated dogs. | |
| Gonzalo | Rare | Spanish name meaning 'battle' or 'warrior'. | |
| Valentina | Popular | Spanish form of Valentina; means 'strong' and 'brave'. | |
| Javier | Moderate | Spanish name meaning 'new house' or 'bright'. | |
| Paloma | Moderate | Means 'dove' in Spanish; peaceful and gentle. | |
| Rafael | Moderate | Spanish form of Raphael; means 'God heals'. | |
| Alegra | Moderate | Means 'cheerful' or 'joyful' in Spanish. | |
| Enrique | Moderate | Spanish form of Henry; means 'estate ruler'. | |
| Margarita | Moderate | Means 'daisy' or 'pearl' in Spanish. | |
| Cristian | Moderate | Spanish form of Christian; means 'follower of Christ'. | |
| Lolita | Popular | Spanish diminutive of Lola; playful and cute. | |
| Antonio | Moderate | Spanish form of Anthony; means 'priceless' or 'of great worth'. | |
| Pilar | Rare | Means 'pillar' in Spanish; strong and foundational. | |
| Camilo | Rare | Spanish name meaning 'attendant' or 'helper'. | |
| Lucía | Popular | Spanish form of Lucy; means 'light-giving' or 'luminous'. | |
| Roberto | Moderate | Spanish form of Robert; means 'bright fame'. | |
| Gisela | Rare | Spanish form of Giselle; means 'bright pledge'. | |
| Ramón | Moderate | Spanish form of Raymond; means 'wise protector'. | |
| Deseo | Rare | Means 'desire' or 'wish' in Spanish. | |
| Álvaro | Rare | Spanish name meaning 'elf warrior' or 'noble warrior'. | |
| Soledad | Rare | Means 'solitude' in Spanish; reflective and deep. | |
| Hector | Moderate | Spanish form of Hector; means 'steadfast' or 'holding fast'. | |
| Amparo | Rare | Means 'protection' or 'shelter' in Spanish. | |
| Salvador | Moderate | Means 'savior' in Spanish; deeply meaningful name. | |
| Viviana | Popular | Spanish form of Vivian; means 'lively' or 'alive'. | |
| Mateo | Popular | Spanish form of Matthew; means 'gift of God'. | |
| Catalina | Popular | Spanish form of Catherine; means 'pure'. | |
| Siesta | Rare | Means 'nap' or 'rest' in Spanish; lazy and endearing. | |
| Ignacio | Rare | Spanish form of Ignatius; means 'fiery' or 'ardent'. | |
| Esperanza | Moderate | Means 'hope' in Spanish; uplifting and positive. | |
| Vicente | Moderate | Spanish form of Vincent; means 'conquering'. | |
| Serafina | Rare | Means 'ardent' or 'fiery' in Spanish; angelic reference. |
◆ Click headers to sort
◆ Type in the box to filter
◆ Showing 49 of 49
02
Frequently asked questions
What Spanish names work best for Shih Tzus?
Shih Tzus benefit from names that reflect their small size, elegance, and affectionate nature. Names like Chico (little), Bella (beautiful), Amor (love), and Luna (moon) capture the breed's aesthetic and personality. Choose names with soft, flowing sounds that are easy to call and match the dog's coat color or temperament.
Are Spanish dog names easier to train with?
Spanish names with 2-3 syllables and clear pronunciation (like Diego, Coco, or Stella) are generally easier for dogs to recognize and respond to. Names with hard consonants at the beginning carry better across distance. Training consistency matters more than language origin.
Can I use a Spanish name if I don't speak Spanish?
Absolutely. Spanish dog names are increasingly popular in English-speaking countries and work just as well regardless of your fluency. Choose a name you love, learn the correct pronunciation, and use it consistently. Your Shih Tzu won't know the difference.
Which Spanish names suit male vs. female Shih Tzus?
Male dogs typically pair well with names like Diego, Pedro, Carlos, Mateo, or Paco. Female dogs often suit Bella, Luna, Stella, Valentina, Catalina, or Dulce. However, Spanish follows gender rules in grammar, but for pet names, you can choose any that feel right for your dog's personality.
What makes a Spanish name good for a small breed like Shih Tzu?
The best Spanish names for Shih Tzus are short (1-3 syllables), have warm or melodic sounds, and evoke their physical traits or personality. Diminutives like Chico, Coco, and Paco emphasize their small size. Names meaning elegance (Bella), companionship (Amor), or beauty (Luna) align perfectly with the breed's purpose as lap companions.
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.