TL;DR
Shih Tzus are compact, affectionate lap dogs with big personalities—names starting with G suit their spirited nature and regal heritage. Whether you want something playful like Gizmo, elegant like Gatsby, or food-inspired like Ginger, G-names offer variety for this beloved toy breed. Popular choices lean toward shorter, punchy sounds that cut through a Shih Tzu's flowing coat and independent streak. This list covers 50 real G-names people actually use, from classic picks to emerging trends. Our top picks: Ginger, Gatsby, Gizmo, Grace, Gracie. 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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GingerWarm, spicy-root inspired name; suggests a reddish or cream-colored coat.
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GatsbyLiterary reference to F. Scott Fitzgerald's sophisticated protagonist.
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GizmoSmall, quirky gadget; playful term for a tiny, entertaining companion.
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GraceElegant, graceful movement and dignified bearing.
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GracieDiminutive of Grace; affectionate, friendly version.
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 Ginger 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ginger | Very popular | Warm, spicy-root inspired name; suggests a reddish or cream-colored coat. | |
| Gatsby | Popular | Literary reference to F. Scott Fitzgerald's sophisticated protagonist. | |
| Gizmo | Trending | Small, quirky gadget; playful term for a tiny, entertaining companion. | |
| Grace | Very popular | Elegant, graceful movement and dignified bearing. | |
| Gracie | Very popular | Diminutive of Grace; affectionate, friendly version. | |
| Goldie | Popular | Golden-colored or precious; treasure reference. | |
| Gucci | Trending | Luxury fashion brand; signals style and status. | |
| Gandalf | Rare | Wise wizard character from Lord of the Rings. | |
| Georgie | Classic | Georgic origins; friendly, approachable nickname form. | |
| Ghost | Rare | Pale, ethereal spirit; fits white or light-colored coats. | |
| Gemini | Rare | Twin zodiac sign; represents duality and versatility. | |
| Glory | Rare | High honor, praise, or splendid magnificence. | |
| Giselle | Rare | Pledge or hostage in German; elegant, dance-inspired. | |
| Gunner | Rare | Soldier or hunter with a gun; action-oriented. | |
| Gus | Popular | Short form of Augustus; classic, vintage charm. | |
| Guinness | Rare | Irish beer brand; dark and distinguished. | |
| Gala | Rare | Festive celebration or fancy event. | |
| Gibson | Rare | Guitar brand; musical reference. | |
| Gigi | Popular | French diminutive; chic and fashionable. | |
| Gladys | Rare | Glad or cheerful in Welsh origins. | |
| Goliath | Rare | Giant from biblical story; ironic for tiny Shih Tzus. | |
| Gorgeous | Rare | Beautiful, stunning, visually striking. | |
| Grady | Rare | Noble, distinguished in Irish origins. | |
| Graphite | Rare | Dark gray crystalline carbon mineral. | |
| Gregolas | Rare | Playful hybrid combining Greg and Nicholas. | |
| Gremblin | Rare | Mischievous creature variation; playful goblin-like energy. | |
| Grenada | Rare | Caribbean island nation; tropical reference. | |
| Griselda | Rare | Gray battle maiden in Germanic origins. | |
| Grover | Rare | Grove dweller; nature-inspired. | |
| Gumbo | Rare | Creole stew; warm, comforting food reference. | |
| Gunmetal | Rare | Gray alloy color; industrial, sleek aesthetic. | |
| Gwendolyn | Rare | Fair, blessed in Welsh; elegant, classic. | |
| Gyoza | Rare | Japanese dumpling; food-inspired playfulness. | |
| Galahad | Rare | Pure knight from Arthurian legend. | |
| Garth | Rare | Garden or courtyard; enclosed space. | |
| Gazer | Rare | One who gazes; observant watcher. | |
| Geezer | Rare | Old person; affectionate slang for elderly dogs. | |
| Gentry | Rare | Noble class of people; refined, upper-class. | |
| Geoffrey | Rare | Divine peace in Germanic origins. | |
| Geraldo | Rare | Spear ruler in Germanic origins. | |
| Germaine | Rare | From Germany; closely related, genuine. | |
| Ginsberg | Rare | Literary reference to Beat poet Allen Ginsberg. | |
| Gisele | Rare | Pledge or hostage in Germanic; elegant dancer. | |
| Glimmer | Rare | Soft, subtle light; shimmering brilliance. | |
| Glitch | Rare | Technical malfunction or brief problem. | |
| Golden | Popular | Made of gold; precious, valuable quality. | |
| Gondola | Rare | Venetian boat; romantic, Italian reference. | |
| Goodwin | Rare | Good friend in English origins; friendly. |
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most popular G-names for Shih Tzus?
Ginger, Grace, Gracie, Gus, and Gucci top the list. Ginger works for any gender and suits the breed's spirited personality. Grace and Gracie appeal to owners seeking elegance, while Gucci reflects the breed's fashionable, pampered image.
Are there G-names specifically for male vs. female Shih Tzus?
Some lean toward gender: Grace, Gracie, Gigi, and Giselle are popular for females; Gatsby, Gus, Gunner, and Grover work well for males. However, many G-names like Ginger, Goldie, and Gucci work beautifully for any Shih Tzu regardless of gender.
What G-names match different Shih Tzu coat colors?
For golden or cream coats: Ginger, Goldie, Golden. For white coats: Ghost, Glimmer. For gray coats: Graphite, Gunmetal, Gandalf. For any color: Gatsby, Grace, Gus, and Gizmo are versatile across all colorways.
Do short G-names work better for calling Shih Tzus?
Yes, shorter names like Gus, Gus, Gigi, and Gizmo cut through more clearly in public and training. Shih Tzus respond better to punchy, one or two-syllable names over longer options like Gwendolyn or Gandalf.
How do I choose between Ginger, Grace, and Gatsby?
Ginger suits spirited, playful pups with reddish tints. Grace fits calm, dignified dogs. Gatsby works for glamorous, attention-seeking Shih Tzus. Consider your dog's personality and appearance—the best name feels natural when you use it daily.
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.