TL;DR
Shih Tzus are distinctive lap dogs with big personalities—they deserve names that match their charm and elegance. While popular choices like Bella and Max work fine, unique names give your Shih Tzu true individuality and often reflect their toy-breed sophistication and playful nature. These 50 uncommon names range from cultural and literary references to creative wordplay and vintage gems, all selected because they actually suit this breed's regal bearing and companionable temperament. Whether you prefer something whimsical, sophisticated, or offbeat, these options go beyond typical dog-name territory. Our top picks: Tao, Pepper, Ziggy, Cleo, Jasper. 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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TaoChinese philosophical concept meaning 'the way'; fits the breed's Asian heritage perfectly.
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PepperSpicy, spirited character—common in Shih Tzus despite their small size.
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ZiggyPlayful, zigzagging energy; references Stardust and eccentricity.
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CleoGreek origin meaning 'glory'; evokes Cleopatra's regal dignity.
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JasperGemstone name with Persian roots; suggests precious, polished quality.
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 Tao 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tao | rare | Chinese philosophical concept meaning 'the way'; fits the breed's Asian heritage perfectly. | |
| Pepper | moderately popular | Spicy, spirited character—common in Shih Tzus despite their small size. | |
| Ziggy | trending | Playful, zigzagging energy; references Stardust and eccentricity. | |
| Cleo | moderately popular | Greek origin meaning 'glory'; evokes Cleopatra's regal dignity. | |
| Jasper | trending | Gemstone name with Persian roots; suggests precious, polished quality. | |
| Mazel | rare | Yiddish for 'luck'; brings cheerful Jewish cultural reference to your pet. | |
| Pixel | trending | Modern tech reference—smallest unit of digital image; suits tiny dog perfectly. | |
| Rishi | rare | Sanskrit for 'sage' or 'wise one'; Indian spiritual origin. | |
| Biscuit | moderately popular | Cute food reference; evokes tan, fluffy coat coloring in many Shih Tzus. | |
| Cairo | rare | Egyptian capital; nods to ancient Pharaonic dog breeding history. | |
| Nova | trending | Latin for 'new star'; suggests brightness and cosmic wonder. | |
| Mochi | moderately popular | Japanese rice cake; captures the breed's soft, squishy texture. | |
| Indigo | rare | Deep blue-purple dye; evokes mystery, depth, and artistic sensibility. | |
| Chaplin | rare | References Charlie Chaplin; fits the breed's comedic, expressive face. | |
| Sage | moderately popular | Herb name and wisdom descriptor; suggests calm, observant personality. | |
| Minto | rare | Scottish place name meaning 'town in the hills'; refreshing and uncommon. | |
| Echo | moderately popular | Sound reflection; suggests responsive, communicative dog nature. | |
| Oreo | very popular | Cookie reference; black-and-white coloring match for bicolor Shih Tzus. | |
| Coda | rare | Musical term for concluding section; suggests something special. | |
| Quincy | rare | Latin origin meaning 'estate of the fifth'; vintage Americana feel. | |
| Zigzag | rare | Movement pattern; captures the unpredictable, bouncy Shih Tzu energy. | |
| Saffron | rare | Golden spice; evokes warm coloring and luxury. | |
| Rembrandt | rare | Dutch master painter; suggests artistic, detailed appearance. | |
| Tilda | rare | Scandinavian origin meaning 'strong in battle'; vintage charm. | |
| Bowie | trending | References David Bowie; suggests theatrical, unique personality. | |
| Hazel | moderately popular | Nature name from hazelnut tree; warm, earthy feel. | |
| Koji | rare | Japanese term for fermented grain; nods to Asian culinary tradition. | |
| Wren | moderately popular | Small bird species; perfectly scaled to Shih Tzu's diminutive size. | |
| Gatsby | moderately popular | Literary reference from The Great Gatsby; suggests sophistication and mystery. | |
| Pisco | rare | South American brandy; Spanish origin suggesting warmth and spirit. | |
| Mabel | trending | Latin origin meaning 'lovable'; vintage early-1900s charm. | |
| Caspian | rare | Geographic reference to Caspian Sea; grand, worldly feeling. | |
| Pancake | rare | Food reference; captures the breed's flat, fluffy face structure. | |
| Aspen | moderately popular | Tree species; suggests nature, quaking leaves, movement. | |
| Roux | rare | French cooking term for flour-fat mixture; culinary sophistication. | |
| Finch | rare | Small bird species; mirrors delicate, chirpy Shih Tzu nature. | |
| Uri | rare | Hebrew/Yiddish origin meaning 'my light'; warmth and joy. | |
| Olive | moderately popular | Plant reference; symbolizes peace and Mediterranean charm. | |
| Enzo | trending | Italian origin; strong, automotive associations (Ferrari founder). | |
| Basil | rare | Herb name; suggests fresh, aromatic, Mediterranean sensibility. | |
| Tenet | rare | Principle or belief; palindrome that reads the same forwards and backwards. | |
| Lotus | moderately popular | Sacred flower symbolizing enlightenment; Buddhist spiritual reference. | |
| Kelso | rare | Scottish place name; vintage TV character association. | |
| Pippa | moderately popular | English diminutive from Philippa; prim, cheerful feel. | |
| Monet | rare | French Impressionist painter; suggests artistic sensitivity. | |
| Scout | moderately popular | Explorer reference; suggests curiosity and adventure. | |
| Kodiak | rare | Alaskan bear reference; ironic choice for toy breed. | |
| Leia | moderately popular | Star Wars reference; suggests royalty and rebellion. | |
| Tofu | rare | Soy-based food; Asian culinary reference matching heritage. |
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Frequently asked questions
What makes a name 'unique' for a Shih Tzu specifically?
Unique Shih Tzu names often reference the breed's Asian heritage, acknowledge their regal bearing, or play on their distinctive physical features—like flat faces and fluffy coats. Names that are less common overall (not in the top 50 dog names) but still pronouceable and meaningful work best.
Are unique names harder to train with?
No. What matters for training is consistency and the number of syllables, not whether a name is common. Two-syllable names like Jasper, Ziggy, or Cleo work just as well as Max or Bella for recall and training.
Should I pick a unique name based on appearance or personality?
Both strategies work. Names like Oreo or Mochi match appearance and coat color, while names like Chaplin or Scout match personality. Consider which your dog will grow into, since puppies change.
Do Shih Tzus respond better to certain types of unique names?
Shih Tzus are intelligent, observant dogs that respond well to names with clear, distinct sounds. Single-syllable names (Tao, Wren, Sage) or those with hard consonants (Jasper, Ziggy, Kodiak) tend to command attention better than soft, flowing names.
Can I use a unique name if it's from another language?
Absolutely. Names like Rishi, Koji, or Minto work beautifully because they're still pronounceable in English and often honor the Shih Tzu's Asian origins or cultural interests of the owner.
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.