TL;DR
Shih Tzus are small, affectionate lap dogs with big personalities—and they deserve names that match their charm. R names offer a sweet spot between playful and dignified, suiting the breed's royal heritage and friendly demeanor. Whether you're drawn to classic names like Rory and Riley, or something more distinctive like Rajah or Rosie, this list captures 50 real names people actually use for Shih Tzus. Many R names work beautifully for both males and females, and several carry cultural significance or fun meanings that pair perfectly with this intelligent, spirited breed. Our top picks: Rory, Riley, Rajah, Rosie, Rocky. 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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RoryIrish name meaning 'red king,' works well for male and female Shih Tzus with confident personalities.
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RileyEnglish surname-turned-first-name meaning 'courageous' or 'wood clearing,' ideal for playful Shih Tzus.
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RajahSanskrit name meaning 'king' or 'prince,' befits the Shih Tzu's regal bearing and imperial Chinese origins.
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RosieEnglish name meaning 'rose,' perfect for feminine, sweet-natured Shih Tzus.
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RockyAmerican name meaning 'strong' and 'sturdy,' suits confident or mischievous Shih Tzu boys.
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 Rory 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rory | very popular | Irish name meaning 'red king,' works well for male and female Shih Tzus with confident personalities. | |
| Riley | very popular | English surname-turned-first-name meaning 'courageous' or 'wood clearing,' ideal for playful Shih Tzus. | |
| Rajah | popular | Sanskrit name meaning 'king' or 'prince,' befits the Shih Tzu's regal bearing and imperial Chinese origins. | |
| Rosie | very popular | English name meaning 'rose,' perfect for feminine, sweet-natured Shih Tzus. | |
| Rocky | popular | American name meaning 'strong' and 'sturdy,' suits confident or mischievous Shih Tzu boys. | |
| Ruby | very popular | Gemstone name symbolizing love and passion, vibrant choice for spirited female Shih Tzus. | |
| Rusty | popular | English name referring to reddish-brown color, ideal for Shih Tzus with tan or red markings. | |
| Remy | trending | French name meaning 'oarsman' or 'remedy,' increasingly trendy for elegant Shih Tzus. | |
| Rascal | popular | English word meaning 'mischievous person,' perfect for playful, spirited Shih Tzu personalities. | |
| Ranger | popular | English name meaning 'wanderer' or 'caretaker,' suits protective Shih Tzu personalities. | |
| River | trending | Nature name symbolizing flow and calm, elegant choice for serene or fluid Shih Tzus. | |
| Ronnie | popular | Scottish diminutive of Ronald meaning 'ruler's advisor,' casual and friendly for either gender. | |
| Reuben | rare | Hebrew name meaning 'behold, a son,' classic choice for male Shih Tzus with warm personalities. | |
| Ripley | trending | English surname meaning 'rippling stream,' strong yet graceful for both male and female Shih Tzus. | |
| Rosalind | rare | Germanic name meaning 'pretty rose,' romantic and charming for elegant female Shih Tzus. | |
| Rocket | popular | Modern name evoking speed and energy, suits quick, lively Shih Tzu personalities. | |
| Rowan | trending | Scottish Gaelic name meaning 'little redhead' or from rowan tree, nature-inspired and unisex. | |
| Rufus | popular | Latin name meaning 'red,' classic choice for red or apricot Shih Tzus. | |
| Raquel | rare | Spanish name meaning 'lamb,' sweet and gentle for female Shih Tzus. | |
| Rascalina | rare | Feminine form of Rascal, playful and whimsical for mischievous female Shih Tzus. | |
| Roscoe | popular | Norse name meaning 'deer forest,' vintage-masculine choice with old-Hollywood appeal. | |
| Roux | rare | French culinary term and color, elegant choice for cream or light-colored Shih Tzus. | |
| Reginald | rare | Latin name meaning 'ruler' or 'king's advisor,' regal and formal for dignified Shih Tzus. | |
| Remi | trending | Short form of Remington or Remy, modern and sleek for contemporary Shih Tzu owners. | |
| Redmond | rare | Irish name meaning 'wise protector,' strong choice for protective male Shih Tzus. | |
| Rosetta | rare | Italian diminutive of Rosa meaning 'little rose,' vintage-romantic for female Shih Tzus. | |
| Rebel | popular | English word meaning 'one who resists,' ideal for independent or spirited Shih Tzus. | |
| Raiden | trending | Japanese name meaning 'thunder god,' powerful choice for energetic small dogs. | |
| Raven | popular | English name from the bird, mysterious and sleek for dark-colored Shih Tzus. | |
| Rascalette | rare | Feminine diminutive of Rascal, ultra-playful for spirited girl Shih Tzus. | |
| Rondo | rare | Musical term referring to repeated sections, elegant for harmonious Shih Tzus. | |
| Raja | popular | Hindi/Sanskrit name meaning 'king,' regal option for male Shih Tzus. | |
| Ramona | rare | Spanish name meaning 'wise protector,' graceful for female Shih Tzus. | |
| Rory Blue | rare | Combination name: Rory with 'Blue' as middle, whimsical for creative owners. | |
| Raphael | rare | Hebrew name meaning 'God heals,' artistic and spiritual for thoughtful Shih Tzus. | |
| Roslyn | rare | Scottish name meaning 'rose lake,' soft and ethereal for gentle female Shih Tzus. | |
| Rogan | trending | Irish name meaning 'red-haired,' strong and Celtic for either gender. | |
| Reese | popular | Welsh name meaning 'ardent' or 'fiery,' spirited choice for passionate Shih Tzus. | |
| Rousseau | rare | French surname meaning 'red,' philosophical and artistic for cultured owners. | |
| Rosette | rare | French name meaning 'little rose,' delicate and feminine for graceful Shih Tzus. | |
| Ransom | rare | English name meaning 'shield warrior,' strong and protective for male Shih Tzus. | |
| Riah | trending | Modern name, variation of Rhea, fresh and contemporary for either gender. | |
| Roxi | popular | Modern spelling of Roxy meaning 'dawn' in Greek, vibrant for lively Shih Tzus. | |
| Regent | rare | English title word meaning 'one who rules,' dignified for authoritative Shih Tzus. | |
| Rio | popular | Spanish word meaning 'river,' short and punchy for energetic Shih Tzus. | |
| Rikki | popular | Modern variation of Ricky, playful and casual for spirited Shih Tzus. | |
| Rafferty | rare | Irish name meaning 'prosperity' and 'abundance,' lucky choice for happy Shih Tzus. | |
| Reverie | rare | French word meaning 'daydream,' poetic choice for dreamy, relaxed Shih Tzus. | |
| Rhea | popular | Greek name meaning 'flowing stream' or from goddess, gentle and natural. |
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Frequently asked questions
What R names work best for both male and female Shih Tzus?
Names like Rory, Riley, Remy, Reese, Rowan, and Rio work beautifully for either gender. These unisex R names suit the breed's balanced personality and are easy to call across both sexes. Many owners also use traditionally masculine or feminine names regardless of their dog's gender based on personal preference.
Are there R names that suit the Shih Tzu's royal heritage?
Absolutely. Rajah, Raja, Rory, Reginald, Regent, and Ransom all emphasize the breed's imperial Chinese origins and dignified temperament. Shih Tzus were bred as companion dogs for Chinese royalty, so regal R names pair perfectly with their natural elegance and proud bearing.
Which R names are currently trending for Shih Tzus?
Remy, River, Ripley, Rogan, Raiden, and Riah are among today's trending choices for small-breed owners. Modern, nature-inspired, and literary R names increasingly appeal to owners seeking something distinctive yet easy to pronounce and remember.
Can I use R names if my Shih Tzu has red or tan coloring?
Yes, several R names reference color directly. Rusty, Rufus, Roux, and Rory (meaning 'red king') all suit red or apricot-colored Shih Tzus perfectly. These names create a natural connection between your dog's appearance and their identity.
What makes a good R name for a Shih Tzu personality?
Shih Tzus are affectionate, playful, and dignified, so R names work best when they balance these traits. Playful options like Rascal, Rocky, and Rebel suit spirited dogs, while Rory, Rajah, and Remy complement their calm, affectionate side. Choose based on your individual dog's temperament.
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.