TL;DR
Shih Tzus are small, sturdy lap dogs with big personalities—and they deserve names that match their charm. Names starting with A work particularly well for this breed: they're easy to call out, sound affectionate, and pair naturally with the breed's regal yet playful demeanor. Whether you want something classic like Abby, trendy like Archie, or unique like Atlas, A-names offer range. This list includes 50 real names Shih Tzu owners actually use, with popularity data and meanings to help you find the right fit. Our top picks: Abby, Archie, Atlas, Apollo, Alfie. 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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AbbyShort for Abigail, means 'father's joy' in Hebrew; classic and easy to call.
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ArchieMeans 'bold' or 'brave'; trendy name popularized by royal connections.
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AtlasGreek titan who held the sky; suggests strength despite small size.
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ApolloGreek god of sun, music, and prophecy; regal and strong.
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AlfieMeans 'elf counselor' in Old English; playful and endearing.
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 Abby 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abby | very popular | Short for Abigail, means 'father's joy' in Hebrew; classic and easy to call. | |
| Archie | trending | Means 'bold' or 'brave'; trendy name popularized by royal connections. | |
| Atlas | moderate | Greek titan who held the sky; suggests strength despite small size. | |
| Apollo | popular | Greek god of sun, music, and prophecy; regal and strong. | |
| Alfie | popular | Means 'elf counselor' in Old English; playful and endearing. | |
| Amber | very popular | Warm, fossilized resin; evokes golden-brown coloring common in the breed. | |
| Aiden | popular | Irish origin meaning 'little fire'; energetic and spunky. | |
| Aspen | moderate | Named after the fast-growing Colorado tree; connotes elegance and nature. | |
| Alexa | popular | Greek origin meaning 'defender' or 'protector'; strong yet feminine. | |
| Angel | very popular | Spiritual messenger; suggests sweetness and innocence. | |
| Ava | very popular | Latin origin meaning 'life'; short and elegant. | |
| Austin | popular | Means 'majestic' or 'venerable'; strong classical name. | |
| Aurora | moderate | Roman goddess of dawn; evokes beauty and new beginnings. | |
| Aster | rare | Flowering plant symbolizing patience and grace; botanical elegance. | |
| Andre | moderate | Greek origin meaning 'strong' and 'manly'; masculine European feel. | |
| Anise | rare | Aromatic seed used in cooking; suggests warmth and spice. | |
| Allie | popular | Short form of Alexandra or Allison; friendly and approachable. | |
| Arthur | classic | Celtic origin meaning 'bear'; strong and noble. | |
| Avery | very popular | Old English origin meaning 'elf ruler'; modern and unisex. | |
| Asher | trending | Hebrew origin meaning 'blessed' or 'happy'; positive and uplifting. | |
| Adelaide | moderate | German origin meaning 'noble natured'; regal and sophisticated. | |
| Adrian | popular | Latin origin meaning 'from Hadria'; elegant and cultured. | |
| Almond | trending | Nutty, brownish color; evokes warm, earthy tones. | |
| Armani | moderate | Fashion designer brand; implies luxury and elegance. | |
| Adonis | moderate | Greek mythology; strikingly beautiful god; handsome and striking. | |
| Alessia | rare | Italian, means 'defender'; feminine and lyrical. | |
| Alonzo | rare | Spanish origin meaning 'eager for battle'; noble and strong. | |
| Athena | popular | Greek goddess of wisdom and strategy; intelligent and powerful. | |
| Ash | moderate | Short, punchy; evokes gray coloring or tree origins. | |
| Aria | very popular | Italian/Greek origin meaning 'air'; musical and ethereal. | |
| Axel | trending | Scandinavian origin meaning 'father of peace'; strong yet balanced. | |
| Agatha | classic | Greek origin meaning 'good'; classic and virtuous. | |
| Alias | rare | Alternative name or identity; mysterious and clever. | |
| Aero | moderate | Prefix meaning 'air' or 'aviation'; modern and sleek. | |
| Alessandra | moderate | Italian feminine form of Alexander; defender of mankind. | |
| Amara | moderate | Sanskrit origin meaning 'eternal' or 'unfading'; timeless. | |
| Archer | moderate | One who shoots arrows; skilled and focused. | |
| Anastasia | classic | Greek origin meaning 'resurrection'; regal and dramatic. | |
| Aggie | moderate | Short form of Agatha or Agnes; warm and homey. | |
| Alvaro | rare | Spanish origin meaning 'elf warrior'; noble and strong. | |
| Amoeba | rare | Tiny single-celled organism; playful science reference. | |
| Auden | rare | Old English origin meaning 'old friend'; warm and welcoming. | |
| Alvis | rare | Old Norse meaning 'all-wise'; mythological and mystical. | |
| Audrey | popular | Old English origin meaning 'noble strength'; elegant and strong. | |
| Annabelle | popular | Combination of Anna and Belle; graceful and beautiful. | |
| Arabella | moderate | Latin origin meaning 'yielding to prayer'; graceful elegance. | |
| Albus | moderate | Latin origin meaning 'white'; Harry Potter reference. | |
| Atticus | moderate | Latin origin; noble literary reference (To Kill a Mockingbird). | |
| Anchor | rare | Steadying force; symbolizes stability and loyalty. | |
| Andromeda | rare | Greek mythology; beautiful princess chained to a rock. |
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Frequently asked questions
What A-names work best for male vs. female Shih Tzus?
Male Shih Tzus suit strong names like Archie, Apollo, Arthur, and Asher. Female Shih Tzus shine with Abby, Ava, Aria, and Angel. However, many A-names like Avery, Aspen, and Austin work beautifully for either gender, so choose based on personality rather than strict tradition.
Are there short A-names that are easy to call?
Yes—Ash, Axel, Ava, and Alfie are all one or two syllables and cut through noise well during training. Shih Tzus respond well to crisp, punchy names, making these excellent for obedience work.
Which A-names match a Shih Tzu's appearance?
Amber and Almond suit cream, apricot, or red Shih Tzus. Ash works for grays and darker coats. Aurora, Archie, and Adelaide suit their noble, groomed appearance. Adonis and Apollo add playful contrast to their small stature.
Do Shih Tzus with A-names stand out at the dog park?
Definitely. Classic names like Abby and Alfie are popular but recognizable, while unique choices like Aster, Auden, and Anise make your Shih Tzu memorable. Trendy options like Archie and Axel also capture current naming fashion.
Should I choose a name based on personality or appearance?
Both matter. Appearance-based names like Amber work if your dog's coloring is distinctive. Personality-based names—like Archie for bold pups or Angel for gentle ones—often feel more natural over time and reflect who your dog actually is.
About the author
Cal Whitfield
archivist · crossword setter · index obsessive
Cal is responsible for Bark Names' A-Z index and the unreasonable number of letter-by-letter posts. They spent a decade as a library archivist before a pandemic pivot into full-time dog writing, and they bring a cataloguer's attention to things no one else on the team would read. Lives with a border terrier named Q, which is as far as they'll discuss.