TL;DR
Shih Tzus are small, affectionate companion dogs with distinctive long coats and charming personalities. Naming your Shih Tzu with an E name offers a fresh take beyond the most common choices while still being easy to call out. E names range from elegant and sophisticated (Esme, Evangeline) to playful and spunky (Ellie, Ember), making them ideal for this breed's luxurious yet fun-loving nature. Whether you prefer classic, trendy, or unique options, these 50+ E names are specifically curated for Shih Tzus and reflect real naming patterns from dog owners worldwide. Our top picks: Ellie, Esme, Ember, Evangeline, Everlee. 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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EllieDiminutive of Eleanor, meaning 'bright, shining light.'
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EsmeFrench origin meaning 'esteemed, beloved.'
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EmberGlowing piece of coal or wood, symbolizing warmth and light.
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EvangelineGreek origin meaning 'good news, messenger.'
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EverleeModern variation meaning 'from the ever-level field.'
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 Ellie 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellie | very popular | Diminutive of Eleanor, meaning 'bright, shining light.' | |
| Esme | trending | French origin meaning 'esteemed, beloved.' | |
| Ember | trending | Glowing piece of coal or wood, symbolizing warmth and light. | |
| Evangeline | classic | Greek origin meaning 'good news, messenger.' | |
| Everlee | trending | Modern variation meaning 'from the ever-level field.' | |
| Estella | classic | Latin origin meaning 'star.' | |
| Eden | very popular | Hebrew origin meaning 'paradise, place of pleasure.' | |
| Enid | rare | Welsh origin meaning 'fair, beautiful spirit.' | |
| Ethel | classic | Old English meaning 'noble.' | |
| Echo | trending | Greek mythology; a nymph known for repeating others' words. | |
| Edna | classic | Hebrew origin meaning 'rejuvenation, delight.' | |
| Elowen | trending | Cornish origin meaning 'elm tree.' | |
| Everly | very popular | Old English meaning 'boar meadow' or 'wild boar clearing.' | |
| Emilia | very popular | Latin origin meaning 'rival, eager.' | |
| Elsie | very popular | Scottish diminutive of Elizabeth, meaning 'God's promise.' | |
| Eva | popular | Latin origin meaning 'life, living.' | |
| Eulalia | rare | Greek origin meaning 'sweetly speaking, eloquent.' | |
| Enola | trending | Native American origin, meaning unknown but sounds melodic. | |
| Elara | trending | Greek origin meaning 'bright, shining.' | |
| Elinor | classic | Greek origin meaning 'bright light.' | |
| Elena | very popular | Greek origin meaning 'shining light, bright one.' | |
| Earlie | rare | Old English meaning 'early riser' or 'early settler.' | |
| Emmy | popular | Diminutive of Emma, meaning 'whole, universal.' | |
| Etta | trending | German origin meaning 'little, petite.' | |
| Epiphany | rare | Greek origin meaning 'manifestation, revelation.' | |
| Edith | classic | Old English meaning 'prosperous in war, blessed warrior.' | |
| Electra | rare | Greek origin meaning 'bright, shining, amber.' | |
| Eira | rare | Welsh origin meaning 'snow.' | |
| Ely | rare | English place name origin, meaning unclear. | |
| Evangelia | rare | Greek origin meaning 'gospel, good news.' | |
| Enedina | rare | Spanish origin, diminutive form of Enedina. | |
| Erica | popular | Scandinavian origin meaning 'ever powerful, eternal ruler.' | |
| Elora | trending | Modern creation possibly inspired by Hebrew 'light.' | |
| Esther | classic | Hebrew and Persian origin meaning 'star.' | |
| Emmy Lou | trending | Combination of Emmy and Lou, meaning 'whole and famous warrior.' | |
| Evangeline Rose | rare | Evangeline plus rose, combining 'messenger' with 'flower.' | |
| Effie | trending | Scottish diminutive of Euphemia, meaning 'well-spoken.' | |
| Eloise | very popular | French origin meaning 'healthy, wide.' | |
| Ensley | trending | English origin meaning 'lone, solitary clearing.' | |
| Eva Grace | popular | Combination of Eva and Grace, meaning 'life' plus 'elegance.' | |
| Ellington | rare | English origin meaning 'from the old estate.' | |
| Ebony | popular | English origin referring to dark black wood. | |
| Edwina | rare | Old English meaning 'wealthy friend, prosperous protector.' | |
| Esme Louise | rare | Combination of Esme 'esteemed' and Louise 'famous warrior.' | |
| Eliana | trending | Hebrew origin meaning 'God has answered.' | |
| Eliza | very popular | Hebrew origin meaning 'God's oath, devoted to God.' | |
| Elaine | popular | Greek origin meaning 'bright, shining light.' | |
| Ernestine | rare | German origin meaning 'serious, resolute.' | |
| Esmeralda | rare | Spanish origin meaning 'emerald.' | |
| Elodie | trending | French origin meaning 'marsh flower, foreign wealth.' | |
| Eira Mae | rare | Combination of Eira 'snow' and Mae 'pearl.' |
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Frequently asked questions
Are E names popular for Shih Tzus?
Yes, E names like Ellie, Elsie, and Eloise are consistently popular for Shih Tzus. The breed's affectionate, elegant nature pairs well with both classic names like Elena and trendy options like Ember and Elowen.
What E names work best for male Shih Tzus?
While this list focuses on traditionally feminine E names, many work for males too. Consider Ely, Echo, or Eden for male Shih Tzus, or use shorter versions like El or Em. Personal preference matters more than strict gender conventions.
Do E names suit the Shih Tzu breed's personality?
Absolutely. Shih Tzus are known for being affectionate, playful, and dignified. Soft, elegant E names like Esme and Evangeline match their sophisticated appearance, while spunky options like Ember and Echo suit their fun-loving side.
How do I choose between popular and rare E names?
Popular names like Ellie and Eloise are easy to call and widely recognized, but rare names like Eulalia and Epiphany make your dog stand out. Consider your dog's personality, your neighborhood, and whether uniqueness matters to you.
Can I use full names like Evangeline and call them shorter versions?
Absolutely. Many owners choose elegant full names like Eloise or Evangeline but call their Shih Tzus El, Elle, or Eva day-to-day. This gives you flexibility and sophistication when needed.
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.