TL;DR
Male Shih Tzus are small, confident dogs with big personalities—they deserve names that reflect their regal charm and playful spirit. Unique names work especially well for this breed since they're lap dogs with distinctive characters that stand out in any dog park. This list skips the overused Maxes and Buddies in favor of distinctive picks that suit the breed's imperial heritage, Asian roots, and charming temperament. Whether you want something sophisticated, quirky, or culturally inspired, these names give your male Shih Tzu personality that matches his bold attitude. Our top picks: Jasper, Bentley, Gatsby, Milo, Rascal. 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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JasperPrecious gemstone; sophisticated and timeless choice for refined breeds.
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BentleyLuxurious car brand; elegant name fitting the breed's royal bearing.
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GatsbyLiterary reference to F. Scott Fitzgerald's famous character; sophisticated and dapper.
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MiloSoft, gentle name with Scandinavian roots; warm and approachable.
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RascalPlayful troublemaker; ideal for mischievous, spirited Shih Tzu personalities.
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 Jasper 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jasper | Classic | Precious gemstone; sophisticated and timeless choice for refined breeds. | |
| Bentley | Trending | Luxurious car brand; elegant name fitting the breed's royal bearing. | |
| Gatsby | Uncommon | Literary reference to F. Scott Fitzgerald's famous character; sophisticated and dapper. | |
| Milo | Trending | Soft, gentle name with Scandinavian roots; warm and approachable. | |
| Rascal | Uncommon | Playful troublemaker; ideal for mischievous, spirited Shih Tzu personalities. | |
| Chester | Classic | From Roman fort; distinguished and dignified name with vintage appeal. | |
| Ziggy | Uncommon | Energetic, quirky name derived from David Bowie's stage persona. | |
| Finn | Trending | Fair-haired; Irish origin; short, punchy name with character. | |
| Taj | Rare | Crown in Persian; references Taj Mahal; fitting for breed's regal heritage. | |
| Oreo | Very popular | Cookie-inspired; playful for black-and-white or dark-furred dogs. | |
| Kenzo | Uncommon | Japanese designer reference; modern and fashion-forward. | |
| Pippin | Rare | From Tolkien's hobbits; whimsical and charming small-dog name. | |
| Cosmo | Uncommon | Universe-derived; cosmic, sophisticated, and worldly. | |
| Biscuit | Uncommon | Sweet treat; adorable for golden, cream, or fawn-colored dogs. | |
| Leonardo | Rare | Italian; lion-hearted; grand name for confident small dogs. | |
| Pepper | Very popular | Spicy, energetic personality-driven name. | |
| Asher | Trending | Hebrew origin meaning happy; cheerful and uplifting. | |
| Valentino | Uncommon | Italian luxury fashion reference; elegant and romantic. | |
| Scout | Uncommon | Adventurer or explorer; active and curious personality. | |
| Ozzy | Uncommon | Rock and roll reference; edgy, cool, distinctive. | |
| Reggie | Rare | Royal ruler; regal, distinguished alternative to Rex. | |
| Havoc | Rare | Playful chaos; humorous for mischievous personalities. | |
| Dojo | Rare | Japanese training space; martial arts reference. | |
| Brewster | Rare | Beer brewer; vintage, quirky, old-timey charm. | |
| Pixel | Uncommon | Digital unit; tech-forward, modern name. | |
| Cairo | Uncommon | Egyptian capital; exotic, worldly, cultured. | |
| Quincy | Uncommon | Latin origin; sophisticated, vintage charm. | |
| Saffron | Rare | Golden spice; luxurious and golden-hued dogs. | |
| Rocket | Uncommon | Speed and energy; playful for active personalities. | |
| Daphne | Uncommon | Greek origin; delicate and literary. | |
| Socrates | Rare | Greek philosopher; intellectual, sophisticated reference. | |
| Gizmo | Uncommon | Small gadget; cute for tiny, tech-forward dogs. | |
| Kingsley | Uncommon | King's meadow; regal yet approachable. | |
| Mocha | Uncommon | Coffee drink; warm brown color reference. | |
| Percival | Rare | Knight from Arthurian legend; noble and distinguished. | |
| Rusty | Classic | Reddish-brown color; warm, friendly personality. | |
| Orion | Uncommon | Constellation hunter; celestial and powerful. | |
| Noodle | Uncommon | Playful, cutesy; reference to dog's long, silky coat. | |
| Sundance | Rare | Western reference; free-spirited and adventurous. | |
| Hamlet | Rare | Shakespeare reference; dramatic and literary. | |
| Indigo | Uncommon | Deep blue color; artistic, bohemian vibe. | |
| Maverick | Uncommon | Independent, unconventional; bold personality. | |
| Prosciutto | Rare | Italian cured meat; humorous, food-themed pick. | |
| Caspian | Uncommon | Sea reference; exotic, worldly, geographically inspired. | |
| Truffle | Uncommon | Luxury mushroom; elegant, sophisticated food reference. | |
| Atticus | Uncommon | Literary reference to Harper Lee's hero; noble and principled. | |
| Marmalade | Rare | Jam preserve; warm, golden color reference. | |
| Basil | Uncommon | Herb or royal reference; sophisticated and literary. | |
| Everett | Uncommon | Strong boar; vintage charm with modern appeal. | |
| Ginko | Rare | Ancient tree species; zen, natural, peaceful. |
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Frequently asked questions
What makes a name work well for a male Shih Tzu?
Shih Tzus are confident, affectionate lap dogs with regal bearing from their Chinese imperial heritage. Names that reflect sophistication, playfulness, or their unique groomed appearance tend to fit best. Since the breed is small but has outsized personality, unique or slightly unconventional names often suit them better than generic small-dog names.
Should I pick a short or long name for my male Shih Tzu?
Both work well, but shorter names (2-3 syllables) are easier to call out during training. Names like Jasper, Taj, or Scout work great. If you prefer longer names like Bentley or Leonardo, consider having a nickname shorthand (Bent, Leo) for everyday use and commands.
Are unique male Shih Tzu names harder to train with?
Not at all—training success depends on consistency and clarity, not how common a name is. Unique names can actually be an advantage because they're more distinctive to your dog's ear and less likely to cause confusion at dog parks or during recall training.
Do any of these names suit the breed's Asian heritage?
Yes, several honor the breed's Chinese imperial roots: Taj (Persian/Indian), Dojo (Japanese martial arts), Cairo (Egyptian/worldly), and Kenzo (Japanese designer). These celebrate the Shih Tzu's rich cultural history while remaining distinctive and modern.
Which names work best for different coat colors?
Golden/cream dogs: Biscuit, Saffron, Mocha, Marmalade. Black/dark dogs: Oreo, Pepper, Havoc. Parti-colored: Jasper, Pixel. Light-colored: Vanilla, Cream options. But truly, personality matters more than coat—pick the name that matches your dog's spirit.
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.