TL;DR
Shih Tzus are small, affectionate companions with big personalities, and an F-name can perfectly capture their playful, fluffy charm. Whether you're looking for something feminine like Fiona or Foxy, or a unisex option like Finn or Fletcher, F-names offer variety that suits this toy breed's spirited nature. These names work well with the Shih Tzu's distinctive appearance and breed temperament—short enough to call across a room, memorable enough to stick in minds. We've curated 50 real F-names that owners actually use for their Shih Tzus, with meanings and popularity notes to help you find the perfect fit for your new family member. Our top picks: Fiona, Finn, Foxy, Fletcher, Fluff. 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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FionaScottish origin meaning 'fair' or 'white'; elegant and classic for female Shih Tzus.
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FinnIrish origin meaning 'fair'; works as unisex, suits the breed's small stature.
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FoxyEnglish meaning cunning or attractive; playful name for spirited Shih Tzus.
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FletcherEnglish occupational name meaning 'arrow maker'; sophisticated unisex option.
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FluffDescriptive name referencing the breed's fluffy, double coat.
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 Fiona 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiona | Very popular | Scottish origin meaning 'fair' or 'white'; elegant and classic for female Shih Tzus. | |
| Finn | Popular | Irish origin meaning 'fair'; works as unisex, suits the breed's small stature. | |
| Foxy | Moderately popular | English meaning cunning or attractive; playful name for spirited Shih Tzus. | |
| Fletcher | Moderately popular | English occupational name meaning 'arrow maker'; sophisticated unisex option. | |
| Fluff | Very popular | Descriptive name referencing the breed's fluffy, double coat. | |
| Frida | Popular | German origin meaning 'peaceful ruler'; artistic and distinctive for females. | |
| Felix | Very popular | Latin origin meaning 'happy'; classic male name for cheerful Shih Tzus. | |
| Frankie | Very popular | Latin origin meaning 'free one'; friendly unisex name. | |
| Flora | Popular | Latin origin meaning 'flower'; elegant choice for delicate-looking females. | |
| Fajita | Rare | Spanish food-inspired name; fun and quirky for playful Shih Tzus. | |
| Fuzzy | Moderately popular | Descriptive name highlighting the breed's soft, textured coat. | |
| Freddy | Popular | German origin meaning 'peaceful ruler'; friendly masculine option. | |
| Faye | Moderately popular | Old English origin meaning 'fairy'; delicate and whimsical for females. | |
| Fergus | Moderately popular | Scottish origin meaning 'strong man'; bold choice for male Shih Tzus. | |
| Fifi | Popular | French diminutive of Josephine; cute and aristocratic for small females. | |
| Foster | Rare | English origin meaning 'forest dweller'; strong unisex name. | |
| Frost | Moderately popular | English origin referencing ice or cold; cool unisex option. | |
| Fudge | Popular | Chocolate-inspired name; sweet and playful for brown Shih Tzus. | |
| Freya | Popular | Norse origin meaning 'lady' or 'noblewoman'; strong for females. | |
| Forbes | Rare | Scottish origin meaning 'field'; distinguished masculine option. | |
| Foley | Rare | Irish origin meaning 'plundering'; quirky unisex choice. | |
| Frank | Moderately popular | Germanic origin meaning 'free'; straightforward classic for males. | |
| Finley | Very popular | Irish origin meaning 'fair warrior'; works for both genders. | |
| Fable | Rare | Literary term; creative and meaningful name for intelligent Shih Tzus. | |
| Fanny | Rare | English origin meaning 'free one'; vintage charming for females. | |
| Fenway | Rare | Inspired by Fenway Park; sporty unisex option. | |
| Fern | Moderately popular | Nature-inspired; delicate and green-loving for female Shih Tzus. | |
| Fidget | Moderately popular | Playful descriptive name for active, restless Shih Tzus. | |
| Flapjack | Rare | Whimsical food reference; fun personality name. | |
| Flannery | Rare | Irish origin meaning 'red-haired'; literary and sophisticated option. | |
| Flirt | Rare | Playful personality descriptor for charming, social Shih Tzus. | |
| Furry | Rare | Descriptive term highlighting the breed's defining characteristic. | |
| Francesca | Popular | Italian feminine form of Francis meaning 'free'; elegant for females. | |
| Fester | Moderately popular | Vintage character-inspired; quirky option from classic media. | |
| Forest | Rare | Nature-inspired; strong unisex name for earthy personalities. | |
| Fisher | Rare | English occupational name; strong and dependable choice. | |
| Fitzgerald | Rare | Irish origin meaning 'son of Gerald'; distinguished masculine option. | |
| Flapper | Rare | Playful vintage reference; fun for energetic female Shih Tzus. | |
| Flapsy | Rare | Affectionate diminutive; cute and cuddly for small females. | |
| Felicity | Popular | Latin origin meaning 'happiness'; cheerful for joyful females. | |
| Fergal | Rare | Irish origin meaning 'supreme valour'; strong masculine choice. | |
| Fergie | Moderately popular | Scottish diminutive of Fergus; friendly unisex nickname form. | |
| Fiance | Rare | French-inspired romantic reference; sophisticated choice. | |
| Fibber | Rare | Playful name for curious or mischievous Shih Tzus. | |
| Fickle | Rare | Personality descriptor for changeable or unpredictable pups. | |
| Figaro | Rare | Literary and opera reference; sophisticated unisex option. | |
| Figgy | Rare | Cute diminutive inspired by fig fruit; playful for small dogs. | |
| Filbert | Rare | Germanic origin meaning 'very bright'; distinguished masculine choice. | |
| Finch | Moderately popular | Bird-inspired name; delicate and nature-loving for any gender. | |
| Fiona Mae | Moderately popular | Combination name blending Scottish fairness with classic style. | |
| Flapjacks | Rare | Extended food-inspired playful name. |
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Frequently asked questions
Are F-names particularly suitable for Shih Tzus?
F-names work especially well for Shih Tzus because they're easy to call out sharply and the sound carries well. Names like Fiona, Finn, Fluff, and Felix are popular because they're memorable, quick to say, and match the breed's playful yet elegant nature. Short syllables suit smaller dogs, and many F-names sound naturally refined, which complements the Shih Tzu's royal bearing.
What are the most popular F-names for Shih Tzus?
Fluff, Felix, Fiona, Finley, and Frankie consistently rank as top choices for the breed. These names balance cute and sophisticated, appeal to both genders, and have clear, easy-to-pronounce sounds. Fluff especially resonates due to the breed's distinctive fluffy coat, while Fiona and Felix offer classic charm.
Can F-names work for both male and female Shih Tzus?
Yes, many F-names are successfully unisex, including Finn, Finley, Fletcher, Frankie, Faye, and Foster. However, some lean more traditionally feminine (Fiona, Flora, Freya) or masculine (Felix, Frank). Choose based on your dog's personality and your personal preference rather than strict gender rules.
Should I choose a descriptive F-name like Fluff or a traditional name?
Both work well. Descriptive names like Fluff, Fuzzy, and Fudge are immediately meaningful and playful, while traditional names like Felix, Fiona, and Frank offer timeless appeal. Descriptive names suit the breed's appearance, while traditional names feel more refined. Pick whichever resonates with your Shih Tzu's personality.
How do I know if an F-name will suit my Shih Tzu's personality?
Test the name by saying it several times—does it feel natural? Consider whether it matches your dog's temperament (playful names like Foxy and Fidget for active pups, elegant names like Flora for calmer dogs). Watch your dog's reaction to the sound. Most important, choose a name you love saying daily, since you'll use it constantly.
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.