TL;DR
Female Shih Tzus deserve names as charming and refined as their personalities. This breed's small stature, flowing coat, and regal temperament call for names that stand out from the typical dog-naming crowd. Unique female Shih Tzu names lean toward sophisticated, whimsical, or culturally interesting options that reflect the breed's imperial Chinese heritage and toy-dog elegance. Whether you're drawn to vintage charm, international flair, or creative wordplay, these 50 distinctive names go beyond the predictable to match your Shih Tzu's individual spirit and style. Our top picks: Giselle, Coco, Pepper, Duchess, Zephyr. 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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GiselleFrench name meaning 'pledge' or 'hostage'; elegant and graceful for a delicate breed.
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CocoPlayful, chic name inspired by Coco Chanel; perfectly suits a fashionable Shih Tzu.
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PepperSpirited name reflecting personality and sass; works well for feisty female Shih Tzus.
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DuchessRegal title emphasizing the noble bearing and dignified demeanor of Shih Tzus.
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ZephyrGreek goddess of the west wind; ethereal and whimsical name for a graceful pup.
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 Giselle 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giselle | Moderately unique | French name meaning 'pledge' or 'hostage'; elegant and graceful for a delicate breed. | |
| Coco | Trending | Playful, chic name inspired by Coco Chanel; perfectly suits a fashionable Shih Tzu. | |
| Pepper | Classic | Spirited name reflecting personality and sass; works well for feisty female Shih Tzus. | |
| Duchess | Timeless | Regal title emphasizing the noble bearing and dignified demeanor of Shih Tzus. | |
| Zephyr | Rare | Greek goddess of the west wind; ethereal and whimsical name for a graceful pup. | |
| Hazel | Rising | Named after the hazel tree; warm, earthy, and approachable vintage charm. | |
| Bijou | Unique | French word for 'jewel'; perfect for a precious, small companion. | |
| Mei | Moderately unique | Chinese name meaning 'beautiful'; honors the Shih Tzu's Asian heritage. | |
| Seraphina | Gaining popularity | Hebrew origin meaning 'fiery angel'; celestial and elegant name. | |
| Indy | Moderately unique | Independent, spirited short name; great for adventurous female Shih Tzus. | |
| Yuki | Unique | Japanese name meaning 'snow'; ideal for white or cream-colored Shih Tzus. | |
| Stella | Classic, trending again | Latin for 'star'; bright and cheerful name for a shining personality. | |
| Pixie | Moderately popular | Fairy-like mythical creature; playful name for a tiny, mischievous companion. | |
| Raven | Moderately unique | Bird-inspired name suggesting mystery, intelligence, and dark beauty. | |
| Sienna | Moderately popular | Earth-tone color name suggesting warmth and richness; artistic vibe. | |
| Clementine | Unique | Latin origin meaning 'merciful'; vintage, whimsical charm name. | |
| Willow | Rising popularity | Tree-inspired name suggesting grace, flexibility, and natural beauty. | |
| Minerva | Rare | Roman goddess of wisdom; sophisticated, intelligent name choice. | |
| Faye | Unique | Old English name meaning 'fairy'; magical and ethereal. | |
| Margot | Moderately unique | French pearl; sophisticated European-inspired name for a refined pup. | |
| Sable | Unique | Dark brown color name; elegant and sleek for darker Shih Tzus. | |
| Aurora | Rising | Roman goddess of dawn; inspired by Northern Lights and new beginnings. | |
| Lola | Moderately popular | Spanish name meaning 'sorrow' but conveying sass and personality. | |
| Ivy | Rising | Plant-inspired name symbolizing fidelity, growth, and natural elegance. | |
| Gigi | Moderately popular | French-inspired playful nickname; chic and memorable. | |
| Ophelia | Unique | Greek origin meaning 'help'; Shakespearean and tragic-romantic. | |
| Sage | Rising | Herb-inspired name suggesting wisdom and calm sophistication. | |
| Tilly | Unique | Old English meaning 'battle-mighty'; cute contradiction of strength and charm. | |
| Iris | Moderately unique | Greek goddess of the rainbow; colorful, vibrant name. | |
| Delilah | Moderately popular | Hebrew meaning 'delicate' or 'weak'; ironic for a spirited pup. | |
| Nala | Moderately popular | Swahili origin meaning 'successful'; strong and majestic name. | |
| Vesper | Rare | Latin for 'evening star'; mysterious and twilight-inspired. | |
| Bianca | Moderately unique | Italian meaning 'white'; perfect for light-colored Shih Tzus. | |
| Pippa | Unique | Greek origin meaning 'horse lover'; playful and spunky. | |
| Opal | Unique | Gemstone name suggesting iridescence and precious beauty. | |
| Ananda | Rare | Sanskrit meaning 'bliss' or 'joy'; spiritual and peaceful. | |
| Sabrina | Moderately popular | Latin origin possibly meaning 'from the border'; magical pop-culture link. | |
| Daisy | Very popular | Flower name meaning 'day's eye'; cheerful and innocent. | |
| Esme | Unique | French meaning 'esteemed'; literary and sophisticated name. | |
| Ludya | Rare | Slavic origin with lyrical, unusual sound profile. | |
| Penny | Classic | English copper coin; cheerful, unpretentious, and warm. | |
| Isolde | Rare | Celtic origin; legendary tragic romance heroine name. | |
| Melody | Moderately unique | Musical inspiration; perfect for a vocal, expressive Shih Tzu. | |
| Calista | Rare | Greek meaning 'most beautiful'; confident and striking name. | |
| Tabitha | Unique | Aramaic meaning 'gazelle'; graceful and fleet-footed. | |
| Juniper | Rising | Plant-inspired name suggesting freshness, forest magic, and nature. | |
| Wren | Rising | Small songbird; delicate, nature-inspired, and melodic. | |
| Vera | Unique | Russian meaning 'faith'; vintage elegance and simplicity. | |
| Celestine | Rare | Latin meaning 'heavenly'; ethereal and celestial-inspired. | |
| Adelaide | Moderately unique | German meaning 'noble natured'; regal Victorian charm. |
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Frequently asked questions
What makes a good unique name for a female Shih Tzu?
Unique female Shih Tzu names typically reflect the breed's refined, regal nature and small size. Look for names with elegance, international flair, or literary depth rather than the most common choices. The best names are memorable, easy to call in public, and suit the dog's personality or appearance while standing out from 'Bella' and 'Lucy.'
Should I choose a name based on my Shih Tzu's appearance?
Many owners find success matching names to coat color (Hazel, Opal, Raven) or the breed's flowing, luxurious appearance (Willow, Silk). However, personality names work equally well. Some owners prioritize sound and meaning over appearance, especially if they want a name that reflects character traits.
Are Chinese-inspired names appropriate for Shih Tzus?
Absolutely. Since Shih Tzus originated in imperial China, names like Mei, Yuki, and other Asian-inspired options honor the breed's heritage. Many owners appreciate this cultural connection, though it's entirely personal preference—any name you love works if your dog responds to it.
How do I test if a unique name works for my dog?
Spend a few days calling your Shih Tzu candidate names before deciding. Listen for how the name sounds when you call it across a dog park, consider potential nicknames, and ensure it feels natural rolling off your tongue. Your dog will respond best to names you're genuinely excited about.
Can I change my Shih Tzu's name if she already has one?
Yes, dogs can learn new names at any age, though puppies adapt faster. Use treats and consistent positive reinforcement for 2-3 weeks. Keep the old name for a transition period if needed, but most Shih Tzus pick up new names within a few weeks of dedicated training.
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.