TL;DR
Shih Tzus are small, affectionate lap dogs with big personalities—they deserve names that match their charm and distinctive appearance. Names starting with I work especially well for this breed; they tend to sound elegant and suit the Shih Tzu's regal demeanor inherited from its Chinese palace origins. Whether you're looking for something classic, trendy, or uniquely quirky, I-names offer excellent options that feel both sophisticated and playful. This list includes real names people actually use for Shih Tzus, from timeless favorites to rare gems. Our top picks: Iris, Ivy, Isabella, Indie, Imogen. 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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IrisGreek goddess of the rainbow; symbolizes beauty, grace, and elegance.
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IvyClimbing plant symbolizing fidelity, loyalty, and eternal life.
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IsabellaSpanish/Italian origin meaning 'devoted to God'; classic and regal.
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IndieShort for independent; suggests a spirited, free-thinking personality.
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ImogenIrish origin meaning 'maiden' or 'image'; literary and sophisticated.
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 Iris 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iris | Very popular | Greek goddess of the rainbow; symbolizes beauty, grace, and elegance. | |
| Ivy | Very popular | Climbing plant symbolizing fidelity, loyalty, and eternal life. | |
| Isabella | Popular | Spanish/Italian origin meaning 'devoted to God'; classic and regal. | |
| Indie | Trending | Short for independent; suggests a spirited, free-thinking personality. | |
| Imogen | Rare | Irish origin meaning 'maiden' or 'image'; literary and sophisticated. | |
| India | Moderately popular | Geographic name referencing the country; exotic and worldly. | |
| Inez | Rare | Spanish diminutive of Agnes, meaning 'pure' and 'virginal.' | |
| Iris (white coat) | Popular | Perfect for Shih Tzus with white or light-colored fur, evoking purity. | |
| Imelda | Rare | Germanic origin meaning 'all-warrior'; strong and distinctive name. | |
| Iona | Moderately popular | Scottish island name; carries connotations of beauty and isolation. | |
| Isla | Trending | Spanish for 'island'; suggests peace and tranquility. | |
| Iggy | Moderately popular | Diminutive of Ignatius; playful, fun, and bouncy. | |
| Isabelle | Popular | French variant of Isabella, meaning 'devoted to God'; elegant. | |
| Indigo | Trending | Deep blue color derived from natural dye; artistic and unique. | |
| Iris (calico/parti-colored) | Popular | Perfect for multi-colored Shih Tzus, echoing the rainbow symbolism. | |
| Ines | Rare | Variant of Inez; Spanish origin with gentle, melodic quality. | |
| Iris (black coat) | Popular | Goddess name with striking contrast on dark-coated Shih Tzus. | |
| Indiana | Rare | Geographic name variation; adventurous and bold. | |
| Inka | Rare | Reference to Incan civilization; exotic and historical. | |
| Iola | Very rare | Greek origin meaning 'violet-colored dawn'; lyrical and poetic. | |
| Irene | Classic | Greek goddess of peace; classical and timeless. | |
| Iris Pet | Rare | Iris combined with 'pet' nature; combines goddess appeal with role. | |
| Ivor | Rare | Welsh origin meaning 'bow warrior' or 'archer'; strong masculine. | |
| Ivan | Moderately popular | Slavic origin meaning 'God's gracious gift'; regal and strong. | |
| Isaac | Moderately popular | Hebrew origin meaning 'he will laugh'; biblical and timeless. | |
| Icarus | Rare | Greek mythology figure; symbolizes ambition and caution. | |
| Idris | Rare | Welsh origin meaning 'ardent lord'; strong and distinctive. | |
| Ian | Moderately popular | Scottish variant of John, meaning 'God's gracious gift.' | |
| Ignatius | Rare | Latin origin meaning 'fiery'; suggests passion and energy. | |
| Ibrahim | Moderately popular | Arabic form of Abraham; means 'father of multitudes.' | |
| Ilya | Rare | Russian variant of Elias; means 'the Lord is my God.' | |
| Iman | Moderately popular | Arabic origin meaning 'faith'; carries spiritual significance. | |
| Immy | Moderately popular | Diminutive form offering playful, affectionate quality. | |
| Indy | Trending | Short for Indiana or Independence; cool, modern vibe. | |
| Iris Lou | Moderately popular | Combination name pairing classic Iris with friendly Lou. | |
| Isla Mae | Trending | Combination of island name Isla with classic Mae. | |
| Isolde | Rare | Celtic mythology figure; means 'fair-haired' or 'ice ruler.' | |
| Ivory | Moderately popular | Reference to pale, cream-colored material; elegant and luxurious. | |
| Iris May | Moderately popular | Combination pairing mythological Iris with seasonal May. | |
| Irina | Rare | Russian variant of Irene; means 'peace'; melodic and soft. | |
| Isla Rose | Trending | Combination blending island serenity with romantic rose flower. | |
| Iris Jane | Moderately popular | Classic pairing of goddess name with traditional Jane. | |
| Inanna | Very rare | Sumerian goddess of love and war; ancient and powerful. | |
| Iris Grace | Moderately popular | Goddess name paired with Grace; elegant and spiritual. | |
| Iris Angel | Moderately popular | Goddess name combined with heavenly imagery; spiritual pairing. | |
| Ivana | Rare | Slavic feminine form of Ivan; regal, strong, and sophisticated. | |
| Igor | Rare | Russian origin meaning 'warrior'; strong and commanding. | |
| Ishmael | Rare | Hebrew origin meaning 'God hears'; biblical and meaningful. | |
| Ivy Rose | Trending | Nature pairing blending climbing ivy with romantic rose. |
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Frequently asked questions
What I-names are best for male vs. female Shih Tzus?
Female Shih Tzus suit softer I-names like Iris, Ivy, Isla, and Indigo. Male Shih Tzus often match better with stronger names like Ivan, Ian, Isaac, or Isaac. However, unisex options like Indie, Indy, and Iman work beautifully for any gender, depending on your dog's personality.
Are there I-names that match white or light-colored Shih Tzu coats?
Yes—Iris works wonderfully for light-colored dogs, as does Ivory for cream or white Shih Tzus. Indigo paradoxically suits lighter coats due to its artistic appeal, while Iona's melodic quality complements elegant, pale-furred Shih Tzus particularly well.
Which I-names are trending for Shih Tzus right now?
Indie, Indy, Isla, Indigo, and Ivy Rose are currently trending. These names blend modern sensibility with the breed's sophisticated nature. Compound names like Isla Mae and Ivy Rose are also increasingly popular among owners seeking dual-name options.
Do I-names work well for show dogs or formal Shih Tzus?
Absolutely. Isabella, Imogen, Isolde, and Irene offer classical elegance perfect for show dogs. Formal name compounds like Iris Grace, Isla Rose, and Ivan provide additional sophistication. These names complement the Shih Tzu's regal heritage and dignified bearing.
What are the most popular I-names for Shih Tzus overall?
Iris, Ivy, Isabella, and Indie top the popularity charts for Shih Tzus. These names combine elegance with approachability. Isla and Indigo are quickly climbing in popularity, while Iggy offers a casual, friendly alternative for less formal preferences.
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.