What’s in a Name? 20 Unique Shih Tzu Names with Meaning

Unique Shih Tzu Names - Have you ever thought about what to name your Shih Tzu? Of course, a dog of this pedigree deserves more than an ordinary name.

The Shih Tzu dog breed has been around since ancient times. This dog breed comes from China and has been hailed as the royal lapdog of ancient Chinese emperors. Literally meaning "little lion," this high-maintenance but friendly dog is still a popular family pet nowadays.

Research has shown that this breed is one of the most popular dog breeds, which is why the search for Shih Tzu dog names is still important.

Companion Dog

This dog was only bred for one purpose, and they're doing it extremely well. Bred to be a companion dog, Shih Tzus have been sitting on the laps of a lot of people for centuries. But just because the Shih Tzu is a glorified lapdog doesn't mean that this dog isn't smart.

Shih Tzus love to learn and do well in obedience classes and agility competitions. This breed is a great choice if you're looking for a dog to love who's going to love you.

The Shih Tzu is up to anything as long as it isn't demanding.  Their easy-going nature is one of the reasons why many people want to adopt this type of dog. You might be looking for good Shih Tzu names if you are looking to adopt this breed.

Here are some of our unique name suggestions:-

Unique Shih Tzu Names in Pop Culture

Dougie

While a lot of pets are featured on a number of social media platforms, Dougie has outperformed many of them in popularity. Dougie is known as the 'photogenic Shih Tzu,' and his antics have been documented on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

His pet parents started posting his picture and random videos on Youtube in 2013 when he was a little puppy. Soon after, an Instagram account was created in his honor. A lot of followers signed up to see the "Daily Dougie" post. In fact, his followers on Instagram alone amounted to more than half a million. Dougie, the Shih Tzu, has his own YouTube channel-Dougie, the Shih Tzu-which has just over 4,000 subscribers.

Marnie

While Dougie, the Shih Tzu, generally plays a leading role in his videos, but he is often followed by fellow Shih Tzu, Marnie the Dog. In one particular post, Dougie and Marnie were featured together in the Instagram photo under the title "Shih Tzu Powers Unite!" Marnie is a unique Shih Tzu too.

Although a number of Shih Tzus have traditionally been literally given "royal treatment" throughout history, Marnie spent years of her life in the streets of Connecticut. She was picked up by local animal control and taken to the animal shelter, where she was taken over by Shirley Braha, her current owner.

Marnie has a permanent tilting of her head, and her tongue sticks to one side-because of vestibular disease. Marnie was taken to the shelter in August 2012. She's about fifteen years old. Marnie has about 2.1 million followers on Instagram, and she also had a lot of followers on the now-defunct Vine app.

Other Celebrity Shih Tzus

Many Shih Tzus have been owned by celebrities over time — Queen Elizabeth owned a Shih Tzu named Choo Choo, and Mariah Carey had Shih Tzu’s named Bing and Bong. (Yes, they are twins.)

Nicole Richie is the happy owner of a Shih Tzu named Honeychild. Richie and her pooch have been photographed in public many times over the years. Former American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino is also the owner of a Shih Tzu named Diva.

A lot of owners agree that their Shih is a special dog and often treat their pooch as a cherished family member rather than a pet. This is evident in names such as Bella, Bailey, and Brittany-names more often than pooches associated with humans.

Shih Tzu Dog Name Considerations

When analyzing the personality traits of the Shih Tzu, it is no surprise that many people-from royalty -  to the Dalai Lama  - to everyday people - are loyal fans of the race. A lot of owners base the name of their Shih Tzu on specific characteristics, such as the behaviour, or color and pattern of the coat.

Many owners prefer a name that fits the Shih Tzu's Diva-like-nature. He loves his propensity to make friends with most of the people he meets. There is one time, the Shih Tzu was considered so pure that a person could only have a Shih Tzu if he or she was gifted the dog by the Dalai Lama.

Marco Polo referred to Shih Tzu as a dog that could train lions; furthermore, it is more likely that Shih Tzu was placed there to calm down lions than to train them.

Some owners choose nicknames for their pups, which give a tap on the shoulder about the royal past of Shih Tzu's. Legend says that the Imperial Shih Tzus had a palace of their own, and the little dogs would sit on their laps and wave to her when the Empress T'zu Hsi entered the dog's accommodation. Names like Duchess, Princess, Duke, and Prince fit in with the Shih Tzu royal past. Other owners give the dog a name such as Muffin or Cuddles, which shows the companionship of the dog and overall cuteness.

20 Unique Shih Tzu Names

Bianca

If your Shih Tzu is white, then this is a good choice. This is an appropriate name because it means "pure or white in color." You may want to reconsider whether your dog is multicolored, but feel free to use it if you just love the sound of it!

Amigo

Amigo means companion or friend. This is an appropriate name for all puppies, regardless of what they look like or what personality traits they exhibit. This is the perfect name for your new best friend, which a child can use.

Bonita

Bonita means pretty, and it is quite fitting because Shih Tzus are beautiful names. That name really stands out and attracts attention, and it's certainly not common.

Bailey

The name Bailey means "the outer walls of a castle." So if your dog is a protector, just like those outer walls, Bailey may be your pup's perfect name.

Felicia

Felicia is a name, meaning joy and excitement. If there are so many personalities in your Shih Tzu, this is a great name for her!

Leon

For two reasons, Leon is a good name. First, if your dog is brave and protective, the name Leon is just right. Second, the Shih Tzu, were known to have the nickname of "Lion," making it a perfect fit.

Mitzi

Mitzi is a derivative of "Mary" or "Maria," and it was thought to be descended from the words "loved" or "love." If you adore your pet, this is a great choice. Plus, it is fun and unique.

Raj

Raj is a royal, princely name. Since Shih Tzu, were once deemed to be a symbol of royalty, this name is one that should be added to the list.

Ziggy

Ziggy is the form of the German name "Sigmund." It means victory or protector. If your dog protects his family, that name could be a match.

Uma

This name is peace. Even though your Shih Tzu may be lively, they can bring you some peace of mind, making this a great name choice.

Puyi

Is there a more fitting name for your diva fur-baby other than the name of a real royal? Puyi was the last emperor of China who came to the throne when he was only two years old.

Chanel

The name Chanel exudes luxury and style. It's always fun to name your dog after a luxury brand.

Dolly

Is Spanish, meaning "lady of sorrow," very appropriate for your Shih Tzu because she definitely chases your sorrows away.

Pickles

An interesting and fun Shih Tzu dog- name, well suited for a sweet girl, but sometimes a little sour!

Sultan

This breed carries an air of royalty, so name your pal to reflect the trust and strength that you recognize in him, despite his little physicality.

Percy

Constantly alert, this little pooch loves to be the watchdog of his home and is extremely loyal and protective of his human companions.

Ziggi

Full of fun-loving energy, vitality, and glamour, your male Shih Tzu has no notion that he is so tiny and tries his hardest to keep up with the big dogs.

Tinkerbell

This Shih Tzu is small and sweet-natured, but very lively and persistent in everything. She's going to be well suited to parents who don't mind having her go with them everywhere.

Zeke

Means, "God will strengthen," this Shih Tzu name is great for a little pooch that is strong and hard-hearted!

Petunia

Picture your sweet, loving Shih Tzu who wakes you up every morning and jumps out of bed to follow you in the kitchen while you are making your morning coffee.

It's a Wrap!

When it comes to naming your Shih Tzu, it's normal to try to find the perfect name. Owners usually want something unique or meaningful, so it might be awhile before you can finally get a name for your pet.

Fitting a name to a personality

There's no secret to naming a dog. Sometimes it is most useful to take a few days off and observe their character, and then give them a name that fits their personality. There are also some owners who have a few ideas for names but do not know which ones to choose from. It is best to try out those names for a few days each to try and see which ones match your dog.

In the end, there's no right or wrong name for your dog. This does not mean to say that names are not important. Always go with something easy to say, remember, and recognize so that your Shih Tzu can learn their name quickly.