TL;DR
Shih Tzus are compact, affectionate companions with big personalities—and they deserve names that work regardless of gender. Unisex names are practical for Shih Tzus, especially if you adopt without knowing sex upfront or simply prefer gender-neutral options. These toy breeds often feel like sophisticated little people, so names that feel both cute and dignified tend to work best. This list includes popular choices, breed-appropriate picks, and names that have gained traction among Shih Tzu owners looking for something that fits their pint-sized personality. Our top picks: Bailey, Pepper, Riley, Casey, Smokey. 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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BaileyEnglish origin meaning 'steward' or 'bailiff'; widely used for both male and female Shih Tzus.
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PepperRefers to the spice; suggests a small, feisty personality perfect for spirited Shih Tzus.
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RileyIrish origin meaning 'courageous'; friendly and approachable for this playful breed.
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CaseyIrish/Gaelic origin meaning 'brave' or 'watchful'; suits the breed's alert nature.
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SmokeyDescriptive name referring to smoke or grey coloring; works for misty-coated Shih Tzus.
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 Bailey 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bailey | Very popular | English origin meaning 'steward' or 'bailiff'; widely used for both male and female Shih Tzus. | |
| Pepper | Very popular | Refers to the spice; suggests a small, feisty personality perfect for spirited Shih Tzus. | |
| Riley | Very popular | Irish origin meaning 'courageous'; friendly and approachable for this playful breed. | |
| Casey | Popular | Irish/Gaelic origin meaning 'brave' or 'watchful'; suits the breed's alert nature. | |
| Smokey | Popular | Descriptive name referring to smoke or grey coloring; works for misty-coated Shih Tzus. | |
| Teddy | Very popular | Refers to teddy bears; captures the plush, cuddly appearance of Shih Tzus. | |
| Jamie | Popular | Scottish origin meaning 'supplanter'; classic unisex name with timeless appeal. | |
| Morgan | Moderately popular | Welsh origin meaning 'sea-born' or 'great'; dignified name fitting for this ancient breed. | |
| Charlie | Very popular | Germanic origin meaning 'free man'; friendly and approachable for any Shih Tzu. | |
| Alex | Popular | Greek origin meaning 'defender'; strong yet suitable for toy breeds. | |
| Scout | Trending | Refers to someone who explores; captures the curious nature of Shih Tzus. | |
| Parker | Trending | English origin meaning 'park keeper'; refined name with casual feel. | |
| Jordan | Moderately popular | Hebrew origin meaning 'to flow'; calm and flowing like the dog's movement. | |
| Ash | Moderately popular | Refers to ash color or the ash tree; short and distinctive name. | |
| Blake | Trending | English origin meaning 'dark' or 'pale'; sophisticated short name. | |
| Drew | Moderately popular | Greek origin meaning 'strong' and 'manly'; short and punchy. | |
| Sage | Trending | Latin origin meaning 'wise'; suggests intelligence and calm demeanor. | |
| Rory | Popular | Scottish/Irish origin meaning 'red king'; spirited and memorable. | |
| Kelsey | Moderately popular | English origin meaning 'island of Ceolred'; gentle yet distinctive. | |
| Devon | Moderately popular | English origin referring to a county; sophisticated and warm. | |
| Quinn | Trending | Irish origin meaning 'descendent of Conn'; sharp and modern. | |
| Avery | Trending | English origin meaning 'elf ruler'; whimsical yet strong. | |
| Logan | Very popular | Scottish origin meaning 'small hollow'; strong unisex choice. | |
| Sydney | Moderately popular | English origin meaning 'wide meadow'; warm and friendly. | |
| River | Trending | Refers to flowing water; captures movement and grace. | |
| Skyler | Moderately popular | Dutch origin meaning 'scholar'; ethereal and light. | |
| Blake | Trending | English origin; simple, strong, and modern sounding. | |
| Harper | Trending | English origin referring to someone who plays the harp; melodic and refined. | |
| Phoenix | Rare | Mythological bird symbolizing rebirth and renewal; powerful and noble. | |
| Bailey | Very popular | English 'steward'; widely used and universally accepted. | |
| Indigo | Rare | Refers to the deep blue color; artistic and distinctive. | |
| Ocean | Rare | Refers to vast water; suggests depth and calm. | |
| Sky | Moderately popular | Refers to the heavens; light and optimistic. | |
| Finley | Trending | Scottish origin meaning 'fair-haired' or 'white-haired'; charming and approachable. | |
| Asher | Popular | Hebrew origin meaning 'happy' or 'blessed'; joyful and positive. | |
| Cameron | Popular | Scottish origin meaning 'crooked nose'; warm and approachable. | |
| Reese | Popular | Welsh origin meaning 'passionate' or 'ardent'; energetic and spirited. | |
| Ariel | Rare | Hebrew origin meaning 'lion of God'; noble and distinctive. | |
| Grayson | Trending | English origin meaning 'son of the grey-haired'; strong and dignified. | |
| Eden | Trending | Hebrew origin referring to the garden; peaceful and harmonious. | |
| Oakley | Trending | English origin meaning 'oak clearing'; strong yet friendly. | |
| Elliott | Moderately popular | English origin meaning 'Jehovah is God'; refined and timeless. | |
| London | Moderately popular | English city name; cosmopolitan and distinctive. | |
| Emerson | Moderately popular | English origin meaning 'brave' or 'powerful'; literary and refined. | |
| Casey | Popular | Irish origin meaning 'brave'; friendly and familiar. | |
| Darcy | Moderately popular | Irish origin meaning 'dark'; sophisticated and literary. | |
| Hazel | Moderately popular | Refers to hazel tree/color; warm and earthy. | |
| Charlie | Very popular | Germanic origin meaning 'free man'; universally friendly. | |
| Rowan | Trending | Scottish/Irish origin meaning 'little red one'; nature-inspired and warm. | |
| Shea | Rare | Irish origin meaning 'fortunate'; short and distinctive. | |
| Taylor | Popular | English origin meaning 'tailor'; classic unisex staple. | |
| Tatum | Trending | English origin meaning 'bringer of joy'; cheerful and upbeat. |
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Frequently asked questions
Why choose a unisex name for a Shih Tzu?
Unisex names offer flexibility—especially useful if adopting without knowing sex upfront, or if you prefer gender-neutral options. They're practical, timeless, and many work beautifully for the breed's dignified yet playful personality. Popular choices like Bailey, Riley, and Charlie have proven longevity across generations.
Do unisex names work well for show Shih Tzus?
Yes. Many unisex names like Cameron, Morgan, and Elliott project sophistication suitable for show rings. The key is choosing names that feel substantial and memorable—many judges and handlers respond well to dignified-sounding unisex options.
What unisex Shih Tzu names are trending right now?
Nature-inspired names (Scout, River, Sage, Rowan) and modern surnames-as-first-names (Parker, Grayson, Harper, Quinn, Tatum) are trending. These names appeal to contemporary owners seeking uniqueness while maintaining broad appeal.
Are there unisex names that suit coat color?
Absolutely. Smokey, Ash, and Pepper work for darker coats; Hazel and Rowan for reddish tones; Sky and Skyler for lighter dogs. Color-inspired names can make the name feel more personal and fitting.
What makes a good unisex name for Shih Tzus specifically?
Shih Tzus are sophisticated, affectionate toy breeds, so names that balance cuteness with dignity work best. Two-syllable names (Riley, Casey, Bailey) are easier to call, while longer names (Emerson, Cameron, Elliott) project refinement. Avoid overly aggressive-sounding names—these dogs are companions, not guard dogs.
About the author
Marcus Hale
KPA-CTP · behavior consultant · ex-guide-dog trainer
Marcus trains working dogs in Austin, Texas, and thinks too many people name their Golden Retriever Charlie. His beat is breed-specific naming: what actually works across the four syllables of a bad recall, and what breed genetics have to do with your name choice. Lives with two retired service dogs and a disrespectful cattle-mix named Jude.