TL;DR
Shih Tzus are small, affectionate companions with big personalities—and they deserve names that match their charm. C-names offer a sweet spot between playful and elegant, working well for both male and female Shih Tzus. Whether you want something inspired by their luxurious coat, their Chinese heritage, or simply names that sound adorable with a Shih Tzu's spirited temperament, this list covers the most popular and unique C-names that Shih Tzu owners actually use. These names range from classic choices to trendy modern picks. Our top picks: Coco, Charlie, Chai, Copper, Cream. 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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CocoDerived from coconut or the designer Coco Chanel; elegant and feminine, especially popular for small breeds.
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CharlieFree man or strong; cheerful and friendly name suited to playful personalities.
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ChaiIndian spiced tea; reflects warmth and complements Shih Tzus' Chinese origins.
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CopperReddish-brown metal; ideal for Shih Tzus with warm-colored coats.
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CreamLight, pale color; perfect for white or light-colored Shih Tzus.
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 Coco 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coco | Very popular | Derived from coconut or the designer Coco Chanel; elegant and feminine, especially popular for small breeds. | |
| Charlie | Very popular | Free man or strong; cheerful and friendly name suited to playful personalities. | |
| Chai | Trending | Indian spiced tea; reflects warmth and complements Shih Tzus' Chinese origins. | |
| Copper | Classic | Reddish-brown metal; ideal for Shih Tzus with warm-colored coats. | |
| Cream | Popular | Light, pale color; perfect for white or light-colored Shih Tzus. | |
| Chester | Classic | Roman fort name; strong, dignified choice for male Shih Tzus. | |
| Cookie | Very popular | Sweet baked treat; playful and endearing for any Shih Tzu. | |
| Casper | Popular | Treasurer or one who brings treasure; friendly ghost association adds whimsy. | |
| Cinnamon | Popular | Warm spice; suits Shih Tzus with reddish or brown coats. | |
| Clover | Moderate | Lucky plant; sweet and whimsical for female Shih Tzus. | |
| Cuddles | Popular | Affectionate and cuddly; reflects the breed's lap-dog nature. | |
| Captain | Moderate | Leader or authority figure; strong, confident name for male dogs. | |
| Chanel | Popular | Reference to luxury fashion brand; sophisticated and glamorous. | |
| Chase | Popular | To pursue; active name for energetic male Shih Tzus. | |
| Cocoa | Very popular | Chocolate powder; warm, cozy name for brown Shih Tzus. | |
| Cypress | Rare | Evergreen tree; elegant nature-inspired choice. | |
| Cosmo | Trending | Universe or order; modern, sophisticated name. | |
| Callie | Popular | Beautiful or most beautiful; sweet feminine choice. | |
| Caprice | Rare | Sudden change or whim; playful and unpredictable. | |
| Champ | Moderate | Champion or winner; confident name for male dogs. | |
| Caramel | Popular | Sweet candy; perfect for golden or tan-coated Shih Tzus. | |
| Clarity | Rare | Clearness or transparency; modern, meaningful choice. | |
| Chewy | Moderate | Playful reference to dog treats; fun and lighthearted. | |
| Cody | Popular | Helpful friend; friendly and approachable for any Shih Tzu. | |
| Celeste | Moderate | Heavenly or celestial; elegant, ethereal name. | |
| Comet | Moderate | Fast-moving celestial object; energetic and dynamic. | |
| Clue | Rare | Hint or discovery; clever, playful name. | |
| Canela | Moderate | Spanish word for cinnamon; warm and international. | |
| Cairo | Moderate | Egyptian city; exotic and sophisticated choice. | |
| Cricket | Moderate | Chirping insect; playful and lively for active dogs. | |
| Cowboy | Moderate | Western ranch worker; adventurous and rugged. | |
| Candy | Popular | Sweet confection; playful, sugar-sweet name. | |
| Cupid | Moderate | Roman god of love; romantic and endearing. | |
| Crimson | Rare | Deep red color; bold choice for red-coated Shih Tzus. | |
| Charcoal | Rare | Dark grey-black material; suits dark-coated dogs. | |
| Cassie | Popular | One who shines or cassandra reference; bright personality. | |
| Cosette | Rare | Little thing; literary reference from Les Misérables. | |
| Colt | Moderate | Young horse; spirited and energetic name. | |
| Chappie | Rare | British term for friend or guy; friendly and casual. | |
| Cirrus | Rare | Wispy cloud formation; light and airy name. | |
| Clutch | Rare | To hold tightly; strong and secure name. | |
| Cayenne | Moderate | Hot pepper spice; fiery name for spirited dogs. | |
| Coral | Moderate | Ocean marine organism; colorful and lively. | |
| Chance | Popular | Fortune or luck; hopeful and positive name. | |
| Chimney | Rare | Smoke passage; whimsical and quirky choice. | |
| Chowder | Moderate | Thick soup; cozy, comfort-food inspired name. | |
| Catalyst | Rare | Something that causes change; energetic and dynamic. | |
| Cinders | Moderate | Ash residue; cute name for grey or dark-coated dogs. | |
| Canvas | Rare | Painting surface; creative, artistic choice. | |
| Cornelius | Rare | Horn; dignified, old-fashioned gentleman name. | |
| Cappuccino | Moderate | Espresso coffee drink; sophisticated yet playful. |
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most popular C-names for Shih Tzus?
Coco, Charlie, Cookie, and Chai are consistently the top choices. Coco and Cookie work especially well for the breed's small, adorable nature, while Charlie appeals to owners wanting a unisex, friendly option. Chai has gained popularity among owners wanting culturally significant names reflecting the breed's Chinese heritage.
Are there good C-names for male vs. female Shih Tzus?
Yes—classics like Chester, Champ, and Colt lean masculine, while Callie, Celeste, and Clover feel more feminine. However, many work for both genders: Charlie, Cody, Cookie, Coco, and Casper are popular unisex choices that don't force traditional gender associations.
What C-names match Shih Tzu coat colors?
For golden/tan coats, try Caramel, Cinnamon, or Cappuccino. White or cream coats suit Cream, Casper, or Cirrus. Brown or dark coats work with Chocolate, Cocoa, or Charcoal. Color-inspired names are popular because they're descriptive and meaningful for the breed.
Are there unique or rare C-names for Shih Tzus?
Yes—Caprice, Cypress, Clarity, and Catalyst offer sophisticated, uncommon alternatives. Cosette, Cirrus, and Cayenne provide literary or nature-inspired options. These stand out while still matching the breed's elegant, groomed appearance.
Do C-names work well with Shih Tzu temperaments?
Many do. Names like Cuddles, Cookie, and Charm reflect the breed's affectionate, playful nature. Chase and Champ suit their spirited personalities, while elegant options like Chanel and Celeste match their refined, groomed appearance. Pick a name that captures your individual dog's personality.
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.