TL;DR
Shih Tzus are compact, affectionate lap dogs with big personalities—they deserve names that match their charm and regal bearing. Names starting with B work particularly well for the breed: they're punchy, easy to call out, and suit both male and female Shih Tzus equally. Whether you want something classic like Bailey or playful like Biscuit, B-names capture the breed's mix of elegance and mischief. This list includes popular choices, vintage classics, and unique options that Shih Tzu owners actually use. Our top picks: Bailey, Bella, Biscuit, Bruno, Buddy. 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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BaileySteward or bailiff; one of the most popular dog names across all breeds.
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BellaItalian for beautiful; elegant and feminine-leaning but used for any Shih Tzu.
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BiscuitA small, hard cookie; playful and food-themed for a small dog.
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BrunoBrown; classic European masculine name suitable for dark-coated Shih Tzus.
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BuddyFriend or companion; implies closeness and loyalty.
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 | Steward or bailiff; one of the most popular dog names across all breeds. | |
| Bella | very popular | Italian for beautiful; elegant and feminine-leaning but used for any Shih Tzu. | |
| Biscuit | popular | A small, hard cookie; playful and food-themed for a small dog. | |
| Bruno | popular | Brown; classic European masculine name suitable for dark-coated Shih Tzus. | |
| Buddy | very popular | Friend or companion; implies closeness and loyalty. | |
| Bentley | popular | Meadow with bent grass; luxurious-sounding, fits the breed's regal nature. | |
| Beau | popular | French for handsome; classic and romantic for any Shih Tzu. | |
| Buttons | popular | Small, round fasteners; perfect for a tiny Shih Tzu with button-like eyes. | |
| Benny | popular | Blessed; friendly diminutive form suggesting warmth and approachability. | |
| Basil | rare | From the herb basil; also means royal in Greek. | |
| Bandit | popular | Outlaw or thief; playful for a mischievous Shih Tzu. | |
| Betsy | classic | Oath of God; vintage American name with retro charm. | |
| Blaze | popular | Bright flame; energetic and striking for an active Shih Tzu. | |
| Barley | rare | Grain used in brewing; grain-themed, casual and friendly. | |
| Bonnie | popular | Scottish for beautiful or pretty; charming and cheerful. | |
| Beardie | rare | Endearing play on bear or bearded; cute diminutive for fluffy Shih Tzus. | |
| Bristol | rare | Bridge settlement; elegant place name for a distinguished dog. | |
| Bubbles | popular | Small spheres of gas; playful and lighthearted. | |
| Bingo | popular | Game of chance; fun and recognizable for training. | |
| Blue | popular | Color; used for gray or blue-coated dogs or just as a cool name. | |
| Brutus | popular | Heavy, dull; ironic name for a small, delicate Shih Tzu. | |
| Bianca | popular | Italian for white; elegant for light-colored Shih Tzus. | |
| Berkeley | rare | Birch tree meadow; place name with intellectual, upscale feel. | |
| Boris | classic | Fighter or warrior; strong Slavic masculine name. | |
| Biscotti | rare | Italian twice-baked cookie; fancy food-themed name. | |
| Brando | rare | Broad valley; also evokes actor Marlon Brando. | |
| Brandy | classic | Alcoholic beverage distilled from wine; warm and mellow feeling. | |
| Barkley | rare | Birch tree meadow with a play on bark; dog-specific name. | |
| Beau Brummels | rare | Fashionable gentlemen; sophisticated and stylish reference. | |
| Bishop | rare | Church official or chess piece; authoritative and regal. | |
| Birdie | popular | Little bird or golf term; light and cheerful. | |
| Baxter | popular | Baker; occupational name with friendly, approachable feel. | |
| Bastion | rare | Stronghold or fortress; powerful and protective-sounding. | |
| Boomer | popular | Something that makes a loud sound; energetic and loud-sounding. | |
| Bow | rare | Front of a ship or ribbon bow; elegant and visual. | |
| Breezy | rare | Light wind or relaxed attitude; laid-back and casual. | |
| Buster | very popular | One who breaks or busts; energetic and bold. | |
| Bonanza | rare | Sudden wealth or abundance; celebratory and joyful. | |
| Bailey (alternate spelling: Baileigh) | trending | Steward; modern spelling variation with feminine lean. | |
| Binx | trending | To jinx; playful variation with edgy sound. | |
| Benji | popular | Blessed; famous from the dog movie Benji. | |
| Brix | trending | Modern invented name; sharp and modern-sounding. | |
| Brindley | rare | Place name; surname with vintage charm. | |
| Boo | popular | Sound used to startle; also term of endearment. | |
| Bert | classic | Bright or famous; vintage, friendly masculine name. | |
| Bella (Italian variant spelling: Bellina) | very popular | Beautiful in Italian; feminine with elegant sound. | |
| Bentlee | trending | Modern spelling of Bentley; contemporary feminine variation. | |
| Boulevard | rare | Wide street; grand and sophisticated. |
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most popular B names for Shih Tzus?
Bailey, Bella, Buddy, Buster, and Beau top the list across both male and female Shih Tzus. These names are easy to call, work well in training, and suit the breed's elegant-yet-playful nature. All five are consistently found in pet registration databases and dog-owner communities.
Are B names better for male or female Shih Tzus?
B names work equally well for both genders. Bella and Bonnie lean feminine, Bruno and Beau lean masculine, but most—like Bailey, Buddy, Biscuit, and Blaze—are completely unisex. Choose based on personality and sound preference rather than gender.
Do B names work for Shih Tzus specifically?
Yes. B names are particularly well-suited to Shih Tzus because they're punchy and easy to call across a room, important for a small breed that needs clear command recognition. The breed's elegant, aristocratic appearance also pairs well with sophisticated B names like Bentley or Basil.
What food-themed B names work best?
Biscuit is by far the most popular food-themed B name for Shih Tzus, especially for tan or cream-colored dogs. Barley and Biscotti are rarer alternatives that appeal to owners seeking something more unique or sophisticated than Biscuit.
Are there trendy modern B names I should consider?
Yes—Binx, Brix, and Bentlee are gaining popularity, especially among younger owners. These names have sharp, contemporary sounds and appeal to people wanting something beyond the traditional Bella or Bailey while still fitting the B-name theme.
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.