230+ Shih Tzu Names with Cute, Elegant and Adorable Ideas

Shih Tzu names can be elegant, sweet, classic or surprisingly bold. Because the breed is small and companion-focused, clear two- or three-syllable human names often feel just as natural as cute pet words.

The sections below use beauty, British heritage, iconic familiarity and sweet everyday sound to create distinct directions. The original meaning or source stays visible so the article does not turn every polished name into a fake royal definition.

Beautiful and Graceful Shih Tzu Names

Beauty and grace meanings suit a Shih Tzu article because the breed is often chosen as much for companionship and appearance as for energy. These Shih Tzu names come from established names linked with beauty, charm or graceful qualities. Elegant dog names can still be short enough for everyday use. This section is a useful starting point for dogs with a polished look, flowing coat or calm little presence.

• Anwen — very beautiful or very fair in Welsh. (AN-wen).
• Calliope — beautiful voice in Greek. (kuh-LYE-uh-pee).
• Callixtus — most beautiful; from Greek kallistos via Latin. (kuh-LIK-stus).
• Charis — grace, kindness or charm in Greek. (KAIR-is).
• Linda — linda is the Spanish and Portuguese adjective for pretty or beautiful; the personal name has separate Germanic roots. (LIN-dah).
• Bellamy — from French beau ami, meaning beautiful or good friend. (BEL-uh-mee).
• Venus — Venus is the Roman goddess associated with love and beauty. (VEE-nus).
• Aphrodite — Aphrodite is the Greek goddess associated with love and beauty. (af-roh-DYE-tee).
• Freyja — Freyja is a Norse goddess associated with love, beauty and fertility. (FRAY-yah).
• Lakshmi — Lakshmi is a Hindu goddess associated with prosperity, beauty and good fortune. (LUK-shmee).
• Rati — Rati is a Hindu goddess associated with love, desire and beauty. (RAH-tee).
• Beauty — beauty from the English word. (BYOO-tee).
• Clover — flower and cottage-garden imagery associated with natural beauty. (KLOH-ver).
• Marigold — flower and cottage-garden imagery associated with natural beauty. (MEH-ruh-gohld).
• Primrose — flower and cottage-garden imagery associated with natural beauty. (PRIHm-rohz).
• Lavender — flower and cottage-garden imagery associated with natural beauty. (LA-vuhn-der).
• Poppy — flower and cottage-garden imagery associated with natural beauty. (PAH-pee).
• Dahlia — flower and cottage-garden imagery associated with natural beauty. (DAl-yuh).
• Zinnia — flower and cottage-garden imagery associated with natural beauty. (ZIH-nee-uh).
• Azalea — flower and cottage-garden imagery associated with natural beauty. (uh-ZAYl-yuh).
• Magnolia — flower and cottage-garden imagery associated with natural beauty. (mag-NOHl-yuh).
• Camellia — flower and cottage-garden imagery associated with natural beauty. Pronunciation varies by language or region.
• Gardenia — flower and cottage-garden imagery associated with natural beauty. (gahr-DEEn-yuh).
• Peony — flower and cottage-garden imagery associated with natural beauty. (PEE-uh-nee).
• Lilac — flower and cottage-garden imagery associated with natural beauty. (LEYE-lak).
• Petunia — flower and cottage-garden imagery associated with natural beauty. (puh-TOO-nee-uh).
• Tansy — flower and cottage-garden imagery associated with natural beauty. (TAn-zee).
• Verbena — flower and cottage-garden imagery associated with natural beauty. (ver-BEE-nuh).
• Freesia — flower and cottage-garden imagery associated with natural beauty. Pronunciation varies by language or region.
• Bryony — flower and cottage-garden imagery associated with natural beauty. Pronunciation varies by language or region.
• Posy — flower and cottage-garden imagery associated with natural beauty. Pronunciation varies by language or region.
• Rosemary — herbs, leaves and fresh green-garden beauty. (ROHz-meh-ree).
• Sage — herbs, leaves and fresh green-garden beauty. (SAYj).
• Fern — herbs, leaves and fresh green-garden beauty. (FERn).
• Ivy — herbs, leaves and fresh green-garden beauty. (EYE-vee).
• Sorrel — herbs, leaves and fresh green-garden beauty. (SAW-ruhl).
• Rue — herbs, leaves and fresh green-garden beauty. (ROO).
• Cicely — herbs, leaves and fresh green-garden beauty. (SIH-suh-lee).
• Myrtle — herbs, leaves and fresh green-garden beauty. (MER-tuhl).
• Cassia — herbs, leaves and fresh green-garden beauty. (KA-shee-uh).
• Senna — herbs, leaves and fresh green-garden beauty. (SEH-nuh).
• Thyme — herbs, leaves and fresh green-garden beauty. (THEYEm).
• Yarrow — herbs, leaves and fresh green-garden beauty. (YAH-roh).
• Laurel — herbs, leaves and fresh green-garden beauty. (LAW-ruhl).
• Juniper — herbs, leaves and fresh green-garden beauty. (JOO-nuh-per).
• Olive — herbs, leaves and fresh green-garden beauty. (AH-luhv).
• Cedar — herbs, leaves and fresh green-garden beauty. (SEE-der).
• Willow — woodland imagery associated with forest beauty. (WIH-loh).
• Hazel — woodland imagery associated with forest beauty. (HAY-zuhl).
• Briar — woodland imagery associated with forest beauty. (BREYE-er).

Classic British-Style Names for Shih Tzus

Classic British-style names add a refined human-name feel without needing exaggerated royal titles. These Shih Tzu dog names come from established British, English, Scottish and Irish naming traditions already used for people. Cute dog names can feel more timeless when the sound is familiar. This group suits owners who like names that could belong to a storybook character, a grandparent or a very well-dressed little companion.

• Odhrán — roughly OR-an; Irish name also anglicized Oran.
• Senán — roughly she-NAWN; Irish saint name.
• Eoin — roughly OH-in; Irish form of John.
• Aodh — often roughly AY or EE depending on dialect; old Irish name.
• Fearghal — roughly FAR-gal; traditional Irish masculine name.
• Fiachra — roughly FEE-akh-ra; Irish mythological and saintly name.
• Fintan — FIN-tan; traditional Irish name.
• Tighearnán — roughly TEER-nawn; Irish name often anglicized Tiernan.
• Ultan — UL-tan; Irish saint name.
• Breandán — roughly BRAN-dawn; Irish form of Brendan.
• Ciarán — roughly keer-AWN; traditional Irish saint name.
• Eilidh — roughly AY-lee; Scottish Gaelic diminutive of Eilionoir and also treated as a Gaelic form of Helen.
• Màiri — Scottish Gaelic form of Mary; pronunciation varies by dialect.
• Catrìona — Scottish Gaelic form of Catherine.
• Iseabail — Scottish Gaelic form of Isabel or Isabella.
• Seonaid — Scottish Gaelic form related to Janet.
• Sìne — Scottish Gaelic form related to Jane or Jean.
• Mòrag — traditional Scottish Gaelic feminine name; pronunciation varies regionally.
• Marsaili — Scottish Gaelic form of Marcella.
• Eimhir — Scottish Gaelic form of Emer.
• Oighrig — traditional Scottish Gaelic feminine name.
• Ailis — Scottish Gaelic form related to Alice.
• Mairead — Scottish Gaelic form of Margaret.
• Ealasaid — Scottish Gaelic form of Elizabeth.
• Ceit — Scottish Gaelic form related to Kate.
• Peigi — Scottish Gaelic form related to Peggy.
• Seòna — Scottish Gaelic feminine form related to Joan.
• Seonag — Scottish Gaelic form of Joan.
• Alasdair — Scottish Gaelic form of Alexander.
• Calum — Scottish Gaelic form associated with Columba.
• Coinneach — Scottish Gaelic name commonly anglicized Kenneth.
• Donnchadh — Scottish Gaelic form commonly anglicized Duncan.
• Eòghann — Scottish Gaelic form related to Eoghan or Ewan.
• Seumas — Scottish Gaelic form of James.
• Iain — Scottish Gaelic form of John.
• Domhnall — Scottish Gaelic form commonly anglicized Donald.
• Murchadh — Scottish Gaelic form related to Murdo or Murdoch.
• Eachann — Scottish Gaelic name commonly anglicized Hector.
• Gilleasbuig — traditional Scottish Gaelic name historically anglicized Archibald.
• Aonghas — Scottish Gaelic form of Angus.
• Uilleam — Scottish Gaelic form of William.
• Somhairle — Scottish Gaelic name often anglicized Sorley.
• Tormod — Scottish Gaelic form of Norman.
• Fionnlagh — Scottish Gaelic name commonly anglicized Finlay.
• Fearghas — Scottish Gaelic form of Fergus.
• Lachlann — Scottish Gaelic form of Lachlan.
• Órla — anglicized form of Órlaith, built from elements meaning gold and ruler or sovereign.
• Rónán — Irish name meaning little seal.
• Saoirse-Rose — a modern compound using Saoirse, the Irish word for freedom, with Rose.
• Aoibh — Irish feminine name from a word associated with beauty or pleasantness.

Iconic Human Names for a Memorable Little Dog

Iconic human names can give a small dog a memorable personality without forcing the meaning to match the breed. These cute Shih Tzu names come from a broader pool of bold, recognizable personal names with cultural familiarity. Elegant dog names in this group feel confident rather than delicate. They are useful if you want something easy for friends and family to remember but less obviously tied to coat color or size.

• Laura — Long-established classic with broad English-language recognition.
• Edwin — gentle rustic style with understated classic beauty. (EHd-wuhn).
• Francis — Long-established literary or historical given name.
• Louis — associated with Louis Armstrong. (LOO-ihs).
• Clive — gentle rustic style with understated classic beauty. (KLEYEv).
• Cyril — Long-established literary or historical given name.
• Marian — Classic name with strong historical and literary recognition.
• Teddy — beautiful beside a luxurious Persian coat.
• Theo — beautiful beside a luxurious Persian coat.
• Freddie — Traditional short form with broad cultural recognition.
• Kit — a gentle traditional style that pairs naturally with botanical beauty names. (KIHt).
• Ned — Traditional short form with broad cultural recognition.
• Archie — Familiar nickname form that has become recognizable as a standalone name.
• Monty — a gentle traditional style that pairs naturally with botanical beauty names. (MAWn-tee).
• Pip — Familiar nickname form that has become recognizable as a standalone name.
• Winnie — Traditional short form with broad cultural recognition.
• Hattie — graceful vintage style with an old-fashioned beauty connection. (HA-tee).
• Lottie — graceful vintage style with an old-fashioned beauty connection. (LAH-tee).
• Gigi — Familiar nickname form that has become recognizable as a standalone name.
• Alistair — Heritage given name with a formal, timeless sound.
• Cedric — Traditional name that has remained recognizable across generations.
• Lionel — Traditional name that has remained recognizable across generations.
• Percy — gentle rustic style with understated classic beauty. (PER-see).
• Tristan — Long-established classic with broad English-language recognition.
• Claudia — Traditional name that has remained recognizable across generations.
• Isolde — Traditional name that has remained recognizable across generations.
• Therese — Long-established classic with broad English-language recognition.
• Avery — Heritage surname choice with a polished, established sound.
• Blair — Heritage surname choice with a polished, established sound.
• Cameron — Heritage surname choice with a polished, established sound.
• Ellis — Recognizable surname-style name with long-standing Anglophone use.
• Emerson — Heritage surname choice with a polished, established sound.
• Morgan — Recognizable surname-style name with long-standing Anglophone use.
• Peyton — Heritage surname choice with a polished, established sound.
• Reese — Recognizable surname-style name with long-standing Anglophone use.
• Riley — surname with Irish and English histories; modern first-name use is broader than one single origin.
• Taylor — Recognizable surname-style name with long-standing Anglophone use.
• Devon — Heritage surname choice with a polished, established sound.
• Jordan — Recognizable surname-style name with long-standing Anglophone use.
• Gabrielle — Gabi or Brielle.
• Vivienne — Vivi or Viv.
• Eugene — Vintage classic with familiar nickname Gene, Geno.
• Gerard — Vintage classic with familiar nickname Gerry, Ger.
• Horace — Vintage classic with familiar nickname Horry.
• Irving — Vintage classic with familiar nickname Irv.
• Lester — Vintage classic with familiar nickname Les.
• Marvin — Vintage classic with familiar nickname Marv.
• Milton — Vintage classic with familiar nickname Milt.
• Norman — Vintage classic with familiar nickname Norm.
• Orville — Vintage classic with familiar nickname Ori.

Cute, Easy-Call Names for Adorable Shih Tzus

Short sweet-sounding human names match the affectionate companion-dog side of a Shih Tzu and keep recall easy around the house. These adorable dog names come from established given names and nickname-style choices rather than invented baby talk. Shih Tzu names often benefit from clear sounds because they are used constantly at close range. This section keeps the tone cute while still giving the dog a name that can age well.

• Lennox — Established given name with familiar nicknames Len, Lenny, Nox.
• Cypress — Established given name with familiar nicknames Cy, Cyp.
• Harbor — Established given name with familiar nicknames Har, Bo.
• Bishop — Established given name with familiar nicknames Bish, Bishy.
• Adam — Established given name with familiar nicknames Adi, Addy.
• Caleb — Established given name with familiar nicknames Cal, Cale.
• Ethan — Established given name with familiar nicknames E, Eth.
• Felix — associated with Felix Mendelssohn; familiar nicknames include Fee, Fefe. (FEE-lihks).
• Hugo — gentle rustic style with understated classic beauty; familiar nicknames include Hugh, Huggy. (HYOO-goh).
• Isaac — Established given name with familiar nicknames Ike, Izzy.
• Jacob — Established given name with familiar nicknames Jake, Jakey.
• Jonah — Established given name with familiar nicknames Jo, Jojo.
• Lucas — Established given name with familiar nicknames Luke, Lou.
• Mason — Established given name with familiar nicknames Mase, Macey.
• Miles — associated with trumpeter Miles Davis; familiar nicknames include Milo, Mi. (MEYELZ).
• Noah — Established given name with familiar nicknames Noe, Nono.
• Owen — Established given name with familiar nicknames O, Owie.
• Simon — Established given name with familiar nicknames Si, Simmy.
• Ambrose — Established given name with familiar nicknames Am, Brose.
• Cassian — Established given name with familiar nicknames Cas, Cass.
• Desmond — Established given name with familiar nicknames Des, Desi.
• Everett — surname and given name with Germanic personal-name roots rather than a simple landscape meaning; familiar nicknames include Ev, Ever, Rhett.
• Gideon — Established given name with familiar nicknames Gid, Giddy.
• Ignatius — Established given name with familiar nicknames Iggy, Nate.
• Jerome — Established given name with familiar nicknames Jerry, Rome.
• Leopold — Germanic dynastic name with medieval European use; familiar nicknames include Leo, Poldi.
• Percival — Established given name with familiar nicknames Percy, Perce.
• Quentin — Established given name with familiar nicknames Quinn, Q.
• Rupert — a gentle traditional style that pairs naturally with botanical beauty names; familiar nicknames include Roo, Ru. (ROO-pert).
• Thaddeus — Established given name with familiar nicknames Thad, Tad.
• Victor — Established given name with familiar nicknames Vic, Vicky.
• Wilfred — a gentle traditional style that pairs naturally with botanical beauty names; familiar nicknames include Wilf, Freddie. (WIHlf-rihd).
• Xavier — Established given name with familiar nicknames Xav, Xavi.
• Zachary — Established given name with familiar nicknames Zach, Zack.
• Cyrus — Established given name with familiar nicknames Cy, Rus.
• Dorian — Established given name with familiar nicknames Dory, D.
• Tobias — gentle rustic style with understated classic beauty; familiar nicknames include Toby, Tobi. (tuh-BEYE-uhs).
• Elias — Established given name with familiar nicknames Eli, Lias.
• Delphina — Established given name with familiar nicknames Del, Delphi, Fina.
• Coraline — Established given name with familiar nicknames Cora, Coco, Lina.

Royal and Heritage-Style British Names for Shih Tzus

Older British and heritage-style choices create a more formal finish for owners who like dignified little-dog names. These Shih Tzu dog names come from later entries in an established British naming pool rather than fabricated aristocratic titles. Elegant dog names can sound grand without becoming difficult to use. This group is useful for a Shih Tzu with a poised expression, a carefully groomed coat or an owner who simply enjoys traditional names.

• Aoibhín — Irish diminutive related to Aoibh.
• Éimhín — Irish masculine name from an Old Irish element meaning swift or prompt.
• Saraid — Irish name from Old Irish Sárait, associated with excellence.
• Alastar — Irish form of Alexander.
• Seoirse — Irish form of George.
• Eilionoir — Scottish Gaelic form of Eleanor.
• Deòrsa — Scottish Gaelic form of George, used regionally and also traditionally for royalty.
• Seòras — common Scottish Gaelic form of George in much of the Highlands.
• Cairistìona — Scottish Gaelic form of Christina.
• Raibeart — Scottish Gaelic form of Robert.
• Pàdraig — Scottish Gaelic form of Patrick.
• Thibault — French form related to Theobald.
• Yolande — medieval French feminine name used among noble families.
• Alfonso — royal name used repeatedly in medieval Iberia.
• Alvaro — Iberian masculine name with medieval documentation.
• Beatriz — Iberian form of Beatrice with medieval use.
• Berengaria — royal feminine name found in medieval Iberian and European dynasties.
• Elvira — well-documented medieval Iberian feminine name.
• Ines — Iberian form related to Agnes.
• Sancha — distinctly medieval Iberian feminine name.
• Urraca — famous medieval Iberian royal feminine name.
• Vasco — medieval Iberian masculine name, especially Portuguese.
• Rodrigo — medieval Iberian masculine name with enduring use.
• Mencía — medieval Spanish feminine name.
• Aldonza — medieval Iberian feminine name.
• Gonzalo — medieval Spanish masculine name still familiar today.
• Adalbert — Germanic masculine name with extensive medieval use.
• Dietrich — German masculine name with deep medieval roots.
• Gertrude — Germanic feminine name documented throughout the Middle Ages.
• Hedwig — Germanic saintly and noble feminine name.
• Hildegard — Germanic feminine name strongly associated with Hildegard of Bingen.
• Agatha — storybook style associated with romantic and imaginative beauty; traditional nickname route Aggie. (A-guh-thuh).
• Alberta — graceful vintage style with an old-fashioned beauty connection; traditional nickname route Bertie, Allie. (al-BER-tuh).
• Althea — graceful vintage style with an old-fashioned beauty connection; traditional nickname route Thea. (al-THEE-uh).
• Augusta — graceful vintage style with an old-fashioned beauty connection; traditional nickname route Gussie, Gus. (uh-GUHs-tuh).
• Clotilde — Vintage English-language name with familiar nickname route Clo, Tilly.
• Drusilla — Vintage English-language name with familiar nickname route Dru, Silla.
• Euphemia — Vintage English-language name with familiar nickname route Effie.
• Geraldine — Vintage English-language name with familiar nickname route Geri, Dina.
• Honoria — Vintage English-language name with familiar nickname route Nora, Nori.

A Shih Tzu name should be easy to say often, especially if your dog spends most of the day close to the family. Shortlist the names that match both the dog’s expression and your own naming style, then see which one feels effortless after a few days.