TL;DR
Shih Tzus are small, affectionate lap dogs with big personalities—and they deserve names that match their charm and elegance. Names starting with D work particularly well for this breed, offering everything from delicate, refined options like Duchess to playful choices like Dumpling. Whether you're looking for something classic, trendy, or quirky, D-names tend to roll off the tongue naturally when calling your Shih Tzu. This list includes 50 real, popular, and lesser-known D-names that suit these spirited little companions, complete with meanings and context to help you choose the perfect fit. Our top picks: Daisy, Duke, Diamond, Diesel, Dolly. 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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DaisyClassic flower name symbolizing innocence and cheerfulness.
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DukeNoble title meaning leader or ruler.
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DiamondPrecious gemstone representing beauty, strength, and elegance.
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DieselStrong fuel-powered reference suggesting energy and power.
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DollyDiminutive form meaning cute or doll-like.
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 Daisy 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daisy | Very popular | Classic flower name symbolizing innocence and cheerfulness. | |
| Duke | Very popular | Noble title meaning leader or ruler. | |
| Diamond | Popular | Precious gemstone representing beauty, strength, and elegance. | |
| Diesel | Trending | Strong fuel-powered reference suggesting energy and power. | |
| Dolly | Popular | Diminutive form meaning cute or doll-like. | |
| Duchess | Popular | Noble title of high rank suggesting elegance and refinement. | |
| Dumpling | Trending | Playful food reference for something small and adorable. | |
| Dixie | Popular | Southern charm reference with warm, friendly connotations. | |
| Darla | Classic | German origin meaning beloved or darling. | |
| Dante | Popular | Italian origin meaning lasting or enduring. | |
| Dexter | Popular | Latin origin meaning skillful or dexterous. | |
| Diana | Classic | Roman goddess of the hunt and moon. | |
| Dinah | Rare | Hebrew origin meaning judged or vindicated. | |
| Diva | Trending | Operatic female performer; someone with dramatic flair. | |
| Domino | Popular | Reference to black-and-white pattern or game piece. | |
| Dotty | Uncommon | Whimsical, meaning silly or eccentric. | |
| Drake | Popular | English origin meaning male duck or dragon. | |
| Drew | Uncommon | Short form of Andrew, meaning strong or manly. | |
| Draco | Trending | Latin origin meaning dragon. | |
| Darcy | Popular | French origin meaning from Arcy, a place name. | |
| Denver | Uncommon | Place name referencing Colorado city. | |
| Derek | Classic | German origin meaning talented ruler. | |
| Daphne | Popular | Greek origin meaning laurel or bay tree. | |
| Davey | Uncommon | Diminutive of David, meaning beloved. | |
| Delilah | Popular | Hebrew origin meaning delicate or weak-looking. | |
| Delta | Uncommon | Greek letter representing a small triangular area. | |
| Denise | Rare | French feminine form meaning devoted to Dionysus. | |
| Destiny | Popular | Predetermined course or fate. | |
| Desire | Rare | Strong wish or longing. | |
| Dewey | Uncommon | Old English meaning dewy or wet. | |
| Dharma | Uncommon | Sanskrit origin meaning cosmic law or duty. | |
| Dillan | Uncommon | Irish origin meaning like a lion. | |
| Dimitri | Uncommon | Greek origin meaning devoted to Demeter. | |
| Dinky | Trending | Slang for small or insignificant. | |
| Dipper | Uncommon | One who dips; ladle or water constellation reference. | |
| Dixieland | Rare | Blend of Southern charm and musical heritage. | |
| Django | Trending | Gypsy origin, made famous by jazz musician. | |
| Dolce | Uncommon | Italian meaning sweet or gentle. | |
| Donovan | Uncommon | Irish origin meaning dark brown. | |
| Dopey | Popular | Silly or foolish; reference to Snow White's dwarf. | |
| Dorothea | Rare | Greek origin meaning gift of God. | |
| Douglas | Uncommon | Scottish origin meaning dark river. | |
| Dover | Rare | Place name; English port city. | |
| Downey | Rare | English surname meaning soft or fluffy. | |
| Drizzle | Trending | Light rain or to sprinkle. | |
| Dudley | Uncommon | Old English meaning Dudda's field. | |
| Duffy | Popular | Irish origin meaning dark-skinned. | |
| Duggy | Uncommon | Informal, affectionate variation of a male name. | |
| Dulcie | Rare | Latin origin meaning sweet. | |
| Duncan | Uncommon | Scottish origin meaning dark-skinned warrior. |
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Frequently asked questions
Are D-names particularly popular for Shih Tzus?
D-names are moderately popular for Shih Tzus, with classics like Daisy, Duchess, and Duke appearing frequently. They work well phonetically for the breed's responsive nature and pair naturally with grooming-focused, elegant personalities. The variety—from playful (Dumpling) to dignified (Duchess)—appeals to diverse owner preferences.
Should I pick a D-name based on my Shih Tzu's appearance or personality?
Both work well. Appearance-based choices like Diamond, Domino, or Downey suit specific coat colors or patterns, while personality choices like Diva, Diesel, or Dopey reflect temperament. Consider which aspect defines your dog most—some owners prefer names that complement how they look, others choose names that capture behavior.
Do longer D-names or short D-names work better for Shih Tzus?
Both work equally well. Short names like Duke, Drew, or Diva are snappier for training, while longer names like Delilah, Dumpling, or Dexter offer more personality. Choose based on how the name feels when called out and your dog's responsiveness—many Shih Tzus respond well to either.
Are there unisex D-names suitable for Shih Tzus?
Yes, several work for either gender: Darcy, Dexter, Draco, Delta, Denver, and Drew are unisex options. Shih Tzus' balanced personalities often suit gender-neutral names well, so don't feel pressured to choose traditionally masculine or feminine D-names.
What D-names avoid confusion with common commands?
Avoid names too similar to commands like 'Down' or 'Drop.' Safe choices include Daisy, Duke, Duchess, Delilah, Diesel, Diamond, and Django. Most D-names avoid command confusion, though if you use 'Drop' as a command, skip names starting with 'Dro-' like Drizzle or Draco.
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.