Names for the sturdy little lion companion: affectionate, outgoing, playful, alert, warm, substantial, and known for a flowing coat
Best names for a Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu developed from Tibetan-rooted companion dogs refined in imperial China. Beneath the long flowing coat is a sturdy substantial toy with a broad round head, large dark eyes, short square muzzle, high tail, smooth movement, affectionate outgoing character, alertness, playfulness, and every accepted coat color.
Twelve considered choices
A shortlist shaped around this breed.
Curated Shih Tzu names grounded in documented history, structure, coat, movement, temperament ideals, practical sound, and responsible everyday use.
Aiko
EYE-koh
Aiko brings its documented Japanese usage background to a Shih Tzu list shaped by Tibet and China. Its recorded meaning, meaning depends on the japanese characters used, is kept separate from any breed association.
Meaning depends on the Japanese characters used · Japanese usageGigi
JEE-jee
Gigi brings its documented French and modern usage background to a Shih Tzu list shaped by Tibet and China. Its recorded meaning, familiar nickname with several source forms, is kept separate from any breed association.
Familiar nickname with several source forms · French and modern usageJuno
JOO-noh
Juno brings its documented Roman mythology background to a Shih Tzu list shaped by Tibet and China. Its recorded meaning, roman goddess associated with protection and marriage, is kept separate from any breed association.
Roman goddess associated with protection and marriage · Roman mythologyCleo
KLEE-oh
Cleo brings its documented Greek through modern usage background to a Shih Tzu list shaped by Tibet and China. Its recorded meaning, familiar form connected with cleopatra, is kept separate from any breed association.
Familiar form connected with Cleopatra · Greek through modern usagePearl
PURL
Pearl enters through the coat and movement direction used for this Shih Tzu. The connection is visual, while the literal record remains named for the gemstone formed in a shell.
Named for the gemstone formed in a shell · English gemstone nameHoney
HUN-ee
Honey enters through the coat and movement direction used for this Shih Tzu. The connection is visual, while the literal record remains the sweet substance made by bees.
The sweet substance made by bees · English food nameWhat shaped this list
A compact palace companion whose name is commonly rendered as lion dog, but whose identity includes sturdy construction, open expression, and warm sociability.
The AKC profile emphasizes delight, mischief, sweetness, and centuries of companionship. Cultural and palace history deserves sourcing rather than generalized mystical language.
All coat colors and markings are permissible. The long show coat requires serious care, while pet trims do not create separate varieties or change breed identity.
A useful Shih Tzu name page separates the published breed ideal from predictions about an individual dog. Observe real behavior, health, training, household language, and the setting where the call must work.
Three honest naming lanes
Choose a direction before choosing a winner.
Heritage and setting
Aiko, Gigi, Juno, and Cleo carry warmth without pretending to be historical titles.
Coat and movement
Pearl, Honey, Pepper, and Ember follow an exceptionally broad color range.
Character and daily life
Teddy, Poppy, Sunny, and Quinn suit play, affection, and alert intelligence.
The complete editorial shortlist
Compare all twelve at a glance.
Aiko
Meaning depends on the Japanese characters used
Gigi
Familiar nickname with several source forms
Juno
Roman goddess associated with protection and marriage
Cleo
Familiar form connected with Cleopatra
Pearl
Named for the gemstone formed in a shell
Honey
The sweet substance made by bees
Pepper
Named for the spice
Ember
A small glowing piece of fire
Teddy
Familiar form of Theodore or Theodora
Poppy
Named for the poppy flower
Sunny
Bright like the sun
Quinn
Established Irish surname and given name
Browse the shortlist five ways
Male, female, unique, strong, and puppy names for the Shih Tzu
For this Shih Tzu guide, the same twelve finalists can answer different needs. The categories below reorganize choices drawn from heritage and setting, coat and movement, character and daily life.
male shortlist
Male Shih Tzu names
Quinn, Honey, Ember, Sunny, Poppy, and Pearl are the strongest masculine-leaning choices within this Shih Tzu shortlist. The label is a browsing direction rather than a rule, and the individual notes explain the connection to toy dog - palace companion.
Quinn
KWINQuinn gives the Shih Tzu shortlist a classic and strong direction. The KWIN pronunciation can be tested beside the household's usual cues before anyone commits.
Established Irish surname and given nameIrish usageHoney
HUN-eeHoney enters through the coat and movement direction used for this Shih Tzu. The connection is visual, while the literal record remains the sweet substance made by bees.
The sweet substance made by beesEnglish food nameEmber
EM-berEmber enters through the coat and movement direction used for this Shih Tzu. The connection is visual, while the literal record remains a small glowing piece of fire.
A small glowing piece of fireEnglish nature nameSunny
SUN-eeSunny gives the Shih Tzu shortlist a nature and playful direction. The SUN-ee pronunciation can be tested beside the household's usual cues before anyone commits.
Bright like the sunEnglish word namePoppy
POP-eePoppy gives the Shih Tzu shortlist a nature and playful direction. The POP-ee pronunciation can be tested beside the household's usual cues before anyone commits.
Named for the poppy flowerEnglish nature namePearl
PURLPearl enters through the coat and movement direction used for this Shih Tzu. The connection is visual, while the literal record remains named for the gemstone formed in a shell.
Named for the gemstone formed in a shellEnglish gemstone namefemale shortlist
Female Shih Tzu names
Honey, Aiko, Pearl, Poppy, Juno, and Cleo are the strongest feminine-leaning choices within this Shih Tzu shortlist. The usage label is descriptive, and a good name can cross categories when it fits the individual dog.
Honey
HUN-eeHoney enters through the coat and movement direction used for this Shih Tzu. The connection is visual, while the literal record remains the sweet substance made by bees.
The sweet substance made by beesEnglish food nameAiko
EYE-kohAiko brings its documented Japanese usage background to a Shih Tzu list shaped by Tibet and China. Its recorded meaning, meaning depends on the japanese characters used, is kept separate from any breed association.
Meaning depends on the Japanese characters usedJapanese usagePearl
PURLPearl enters through the coat and movement direction used for this Shih Tzu. The connection is visual, while the literal record remains named for the gemstone formed in a shell.
Named for the gemstone formed in a shellEnglish gemstone namePoppy
POP-eePoppy gives the Shih Tzu shortlist a nature and playful direction. The POP-ee pronunciation can be tested beside the household's usual cues before anyone commits.
Named for the poppy flowerEnglish nature nameJuno
JOO-nohJuno brings its documented Roman mythology background to a Shih Tzu list shaped by Tibet and China. Its recorded meaning, roman goddess associated with protection and marriage, is kept separate from any breed association.
Roman goddess associated with protection and marriageRoman mythologyCleo
KLEE-ohCleo brings its documented Greek through modern usage background to a Shih Tzu list shaped by Tibet and China. Its recorded meaning, familiar form connected with cleopatra, is kept separate from any breed association.
Familiar form connected with CleopatraGreek through modern usageunique shortlist
Unique Shih Tzu names
Aiko, Poppy, Quinn, Sunny, Honey, and Pearl carry the least expected sounds, references, or histories among the twelve Shih Tzu finalists. Distinctive does not have to mean awkward to call.
Aiko
EYE-kohAiko brings its documented Japanese usage background to a Shih Tzu list shaped by Tibet and China. Its recorded meaning, meaning depends on the japanese characters used, is kept separate from any breed association.
Meaning depends on the Japanese characters usedJapanese usagePoppy
POP-eePoppy gives the Shih Tzu shortlist a nature and playful direction. The POP-ee pronunciation can be tested beside the household's usual cues before anyone commits.
Named for the poppy flowerEnglish nature nameQuinn
KWINQuinn gives the Shih Tzu shortlist a classic and strong direction. The KWIN pronunciation can be tested beside the household's usual cues before anyone commits.
Established Irish surname and given nameIrish usageSunny
SUN-eeSunny gives the Shih Tzu shortlist a nature and playful direction. The SUN-ee pronunciation can be tested beside the household's usual cues before anyone commits.
Bright like the sunEnglish word nameHoney
HUN-eeHoney enters through the coat and movement direction used for this Shih Tzu. The connection is visual, while the literal record remains the sweet substance made by bees.
The sweet substance made by beesEnglish food namePearl
PURLPearl enters through the coat and movement direction used for this Shih Tzu. The connection is visual, while the literal record remains named for the gemstone formed in a shell.
Named for the gemstone formed in a shellEnglish gemstone namestrong shortlist
Strong Shih Tzu names
Pepper, Quinn, Ember, Juno, Poppy, and Sunny bring weight through meaning, history, sound, or the breed context summarized as a compact palace companion whose name is commonly rendered as lion dog, but whose identity includes sturdy construction, open expression, and warm sociability.
Pepper
PEP-erPepper enters through the coat and movement direction used for this Shih Tzu. The connection is visual, while the literal record remains named for the spice.
Named for the spiceEnglish food nameQuinn
KWINQuinn gives the Shih Tzu shortlist a classic and strong direction. The KWIN pronunciation can be tested beside the household's usual cues before anyone commits.
Established Irish surname and given nameIrish usageEmber
EM-berEmber enters through the coat and movement direction used for this Shih Tzu. The connection is visual, while the literal record remains a small glowing piece of fire.
A small glowing piece of fireEnglish nature nameJuno
JOO-nohJuno brings its documented Roman mythology background to a Shih Tzu list shaped by Tibet and China. Its recorded meaning, roman goddess associated with protection and marriage, is kept separate from any breed association.
Roman goddess associated with protection and marriageRoman mythologyPoppy
POP-eePoppy gives the Shih Tzu shortlist a nature and playful direction. The POP-ee pronunciation can be tested beside the household's usual cues before anyone commits.
Named for the poppy flowerEnglish nature nameSunny
SUN-eeSunny gives the Shih Tzu shortlist a nature and playful direction. The SUN-ee pronunciation can be tested beside the household's usual cues before anyone commits.
Bright like the sunEnglish word nameFor the dog they will become
Shih Tzu puppy names
Poppy, Pepper, Sunny, Honey, Gigi, and Aiko feel natural on a young dog and still have enough substance for an adult Shih Tzu. The reasons below come from the original breed shortlist.
Poppy
POP-eePoppy gives the Shih Tzu shortlist a nature and playful direction. The POP-ee pronunciation can be tested beside the household's usual cues before anyone commits.
Named for the poppy flowerEnglish nature namePepper
PEP-erPepper enters through the coat and movement direction used for this Shih Tzu. The connection is visual, while the literal record remains named for the spice.
Named for the spiceEnglish food nameSunny
SUN-eeSunny gives the Shih Tzu shortlist a nature and playful direction. The SUN-ee pronunciation can be tested beside the household's usual cues before anyone commits.
Bright like the sunEnglish word nameHoney
HUN-eeHoney enters through the coat and movement direction used for this Shih Tzu. The connection is visual, while the literal record remains the sweet substance made by bees.
The sweet substance made by beesEnglish food nameGigi
JEE-jeeGigi brings its documented French and modern usage background to a Shih Tzu list shaped by Tibet and China. Its recorded meaning, familiar nickname with several source forms, is kept separate from any breed association.
Familiar nickname with several source formsFrench and modern usageAiko
EYE-kohAiko brings its documented Japanese usage background to a Shih Tzu list shaped by Tibet and China. Its recorded meaning, meaning depends on the japanese characters used, is kept separate from any breed association.
Meaning depends on the Japanese characters usedJapanese usageMatch, don’t just randomize
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Aiko
EYE-kohMeaning depends on the Japanese characters used · Japanese usage
Why it fitsAiko has a graceful shape, while a meaning that depends on the Japanese characters used keeps the choice from feeling merely decorative. The two-beat rhythm is easy to say at normal volume, which matters more than performing it loudly.
Cleo
KLEE-ohFamiliar form connected with Cleopatra · Greek through modern usage
Why it fitsCleo feels at home in conversation because its background is a familiar form connected with Cleopatra. Say KLEE-oh beside family names and common cues; the rhythm should remain its own.
Ember
EM-berA small glowing piece of fire · English nature name
Why it fitsEmber has some backbone, grounded in a small glowing piece of fire rather than an invented temperament. Two syllables give Ember enough shape to carry across a room without feeling elaborate.
Gigi
JEE-jeeFamiliar nickname with several source forms · French and modern usage
Why it fitsThe story behind Gigi is a familiar nickname with several source forms, not a personality invented for the dog. Gigi is brief enough for quick use but still has an internal rhythm people can repeat consistently.
Sound and real-life use
Test the name in the life this dog will actually lead.
Say Aiko, Gigi, Juno, Cleo, Pearl, Honey beside recall words, family names, and common cues. Favor the candidate every handler can pronounce consistently at a conversational volume.
Read the sound and recall guide →For the Shih Tzu, do not invent Chinese or Tibetan translations, promise hypoallergenic status, trivialize breathing risk, or call grooming effortless.
Questions about naming a Shih Tzu
What to settle before choosing
What kinds of names suit a Shih Tzu?
The Shih Tzu developed from Tibetan-rooted companion dogs refined in imperial China. Beneath the long flowing coat is a sturdy substantial toy with a broad round head, large dark eyes, short square muzzle, high tail, smooth movement, affectionate outgoing character, alertness, playfulness, and every accepted coat color. This guide explores heritage and setting, coat and movement, character and daily life.
Are these Shih Tzu names only for male or female dogs?
No. On this Shih Tzu page, male and female labels describe common usage, while neutral choices may appear in either list. The individual dog and the household’s preference matter more than a label.
Should a Shih Tzu have a name from Tibet and China?
It can be a meaningful direction, but it is not a requirement. Do not invent Chinese or Tibetan translations, promise hypoallergenic status, trivialize breathing risk, or call grooming effortless.
How was this Shih Tzu shortlist chosen?
The twelve finalists were compared against toy dog - palace companion, documented breed history, meaning, pronunciation, and ordinary household use. Breed facts are supported by the sources listed on this page.
Sources and review notes
Breed facts used for this guide
- American Kennel Club: Shih Tzu breed information
- American Kennel Club: Official Standard of the Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu guide was reviewed August 20, 2026. Questions about these sources or a factual correction can be sent through the contact page.