What’s in a name? When it comes to horse names, plenty!
In the United States, racehorses must be registered with The Jockey Club, which has extremely strict naming requirements. For example, your show name must be completely original, having never been used by another registered horse. Racehorse names also can’t be more than 18 characters long, use only initials, or contain the name of a famous person or trademarked brand without their approval. These restrictions lead to those memorable Kentucky Derby names, such as Carpe Diem, Oscar Nominated and Imawildandcrazyguy, to name a few.
When it comes to pet horses, however, you’re free to pick any name you’d like. There’s plenty of inspiration out there, from your breed’s history to their unique coat color, from modern pop culture to the cowboy history of the Wild West. Where to start? Find the perfect pick with our list of the 200 best horse names. Giddy up!
Key Takeaways
- Popular horse names include Spirit, Dallas, and Artax.
- Names often reflect the horse’s personality, color, or heritage.
- Mythological and nature-inspired names are trending for horses.
- Short, easy-to-pronounce names help with training and communication.
- Custom names add a personal touch to horse ownership.
| A | |
|---|---|
| Abraxas | In Greek mythology, Abraxas was one of the immortal horses of Helios, the sun god. |
| Adobe | Adobe can reference a clay-colored coat, or California’s Adobe Creek, site of the swanky Pink Horse Ranch country club of the 1950s. |
| Alastor | A fitting name if your horse’s color is black, just like this horse belonging to the Greek God Hades. |
| Alfonso | The fun-to-say name of Pippi Longstocking’s horse. |
| Amazon | Name your new horse after the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, or the river that runs through it. |
| Angus | Fans of the Disney/Pixar movie “Brave” will recognize Angus as Merida’s faithful Shire horse. |
| Annie | In honor of Wild West icon Annie Oakley, who infamously demonstrated her sharp-shooting ability while standing on horseback. |
| Anwen | This Welsh name means “fair,” making it perfect for palominos. |
| Apollo | The Greek god of archery, sunlight and healing, among other things. |
| Argo | The name of Xena’s beloved horse on “Xena: Warrior Princess.” |
| Arion | Arion is the name of a speedy, black-maned horse in Greek mythology. |
| Arizona | The state is home to the iconic Salt River wild horses. |
| Arrow | A good name for the horse who is “swift as an arrow.” |
| Artax | Artax was Atreyu’s horse in “The Neverending Story.” |
| Arvana | This Sanskrit name means “running like a horse.” |
| Arya | In “Game of Thrones,” Arya Stark rides a mysterious white horse. |
| Asva | Another Sanskrit option, Asva references the strength and speed of horses. |
| Autumn | This fall-inspired name calls to mind harvest season on the farm and works great for horses with coats the colors of fallen leaves, like buckskin (brown) or reddish. |
| B | |
|---|---|
| Barley | This old-fashioned boy’s name is perhaps better suited for horses, who enjoy eating the grain. |
| Barnaby | With “barn” right there in the name, Barnaby is a playful choice with a posh pedigree. |
| Beau | Beau was the name of John Wayne’s horse in the movie “True Grit.” |
| Belle | Is your horse a dressage champion? This is a simple, classic name for the belle of the barn. |
| Bianca | Meaning “white” in Italian, Bianca is a fitting white horse name for the palest palominos. |
| Blondie | A great name for horse breeds with golden manes. |
| Boaz | Have a speedy stallion? Boaz is a Hebrew name meaning “swiftness.” |
| BoJack | This funny horse name nods to BoJack Horseman, the self-loathing, famously cynical animated horse voiced by Will Arnett. |
| Bolt | For geldings who were born to run. |
| Bonney | Old West outlaw Billy the Kid had numerous pseudonyms, including William H. Bonney. |
| Boone | A reference to Daniel Boone, the American pioneer and frontiersman known for his riding skills. |
| Boots | Many horses have white leg markings, sometimes called “stockings.” Others wear actual horse boots. Either way, for a cute horse name, consider Boots! |
| Boreas | In Greek mythology, Boreas was the god of the north wind. When taking the shape of a horse, he drew the chariot of Zeus. |
| Brandy | The liquor’s rich, golden brown hue is fitting for horses with brunette coats, also known as “bay.” |
| Bronco | The word “bronco” refers to an untrained or wild horse, but it lends a cool vibe to even the most well-mannered thoroughbred. |
| Bronte | A mythical Greek horse who breathed light and fire. |
| Bronwen | Meaning “fair,” this Welsh name is fitting for both palominos and Welsh ponies. |
| Brownie | A sweet name for brown beauties. |
| Buckbeak | In “Harry Potter,” Buckbeak is the name of Hagrid’s hippogriff, a magical animal with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a horse. |
| Bucky | “Bucking” refers to when a horse lowers their head and kicks their back feet into the air. |
| Bud | A “cheers” to Budweiser, whose famous Clydesdales are a Super Bowl commercial tradition. |
| Bullseye | Giddy up! Bullseye is the name of Woody’s loveable horse in the “Toy Story” franchise. |
| Bunny | Bunny was the name of Laura’s horse in “Little House on the Prairie.” |
| Butch | Legendary outlaw Butch Cassidy got his start stealing horses before moving on to train and bank robberies. |
| Buttermilk | A cute country name with an even cuter nickname—Butters! |
| Butterscotch | A sweet pick for golden palominos. |
| Buttons | Buttons is a “spot on” name for speckled breeds, such as the Appaloosa. |
| C | |
|---|---|
| Capala | Of Hindi origin, the name Capala can mean “swift” or “lightning.” |
| Capilet | The name of a gray horse in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” |
| Cappuccino | Perfect for pinto horses with brown and white patterns. |
| Captain | In Disney’s “101 Dalmatians,” Captain is the name of the gray horse who helps rescue the puppies. |
| Carmine | Of Latin origin, Carmine means “red,” making it perfect for horses with reddish coats, also known as “sorrel.” |
| Carrot | For a food-inspired name, consider this favorite horse snack. |
| Cash | A tip of the hat to songwriter and actor Johnny Cash, who always maintained his farm boy roots. |
| Cedar | The red-hued wood is a colorful namesake for sorrels. |
| Champ | Whether or not your horse races, they’ll always be a Champ in your eyes. |
| Chapal | In Sanskrit, the name Chapal means “quick.” |
| Charlie Brown | Charlie Brown had a pet beagle, but the cartoon character makes a fun name for brown horses. |
| Checkers | A playful name for spotted horses. |
| Chestnut | The common coat color (or name of a common spot on a horse’s leg) can also make a classic name. |
| Cheval | Cheval is the word for a male horse in French, making it a great male horse name. |
| Chevy | This French name means “horseman” or “knight.” |
| Cheyenne | The beautifully named capital of Wyoming, a state that’s home to America’s second-largest population of wild horses. |
| Chiron | Chiron was a centaur in Greek mythology known for his wisdom. |
| Chisholm | In post-Civil War America, cowboys used the Chisholm Trail to drive cattle from Texas to Kansas. |
| Cinnamon | A spicy name for mares with a sprinkle of red in their coats. |
| Clint | Actor Clint Eastwood first found success in Westerns. |
| Clover | Clover is a tasty part of pastures, and can also lend a lucky sensibility for rescue horses. |
| Clyde | Could there be a more perfect name for a Clydesdale? Neigh! |
| Cocoa | For sweet, chocolate-brown companions. |
| Colt | The trendy baby boy’s name is also the word for a young male horse—so why not make it your male horse’s name? |
| Comet | A celestial choice for a similarly speedy animal. |
| Cookie | The baked good also makes a cute term of endearment, especially if your horse’s coat is spotted like the chocolate chip variety. |
| D | |
|---|---|
| Dakota | The badlands of North Dakota have been home to wild horses since the mid-19th century. |
| Dallas | No matter where you live, the Texas city calls to mind ranch life in the Lone Star State. |
| Dale | Yorkshire Dales in England is home to the Dales pony, a mountain breed now considered rare. |
| Dashiell | This Scottish name comes with a very horse-friendly nickname–Dash! |
| Davy | In honor of Davy Crockett, the folk hero and frontiersman. |
| Dawn | Most foals are born before the sun rises in the morning. For the rare sunrise arrival, consider Dawn. |
| Debutante | If you’d like a formal name for your filly, try Debutante—and call her Debbie, for short! |
| Diana | In Roman mythology, Diana is the goddess of the hunt and domestic animals. |
| Dolly | For horses with big blonde manes, consider Dolly after the one and only Dolly Parton. |
| Domino | Perfect for spotted horses with a playful side. |
| Dothraki | In “Game of Thrones,” the Dothraki are a nomadic tribe who travel by horseback. |
| Dottie | A fitting name for spotted Appaloosas. |
| E | |
|---|---|
| Ebony | The dark wood is an elegant name for black horses. |
| Elsa | With her signature blonde braid, Elsa of “Frozen” fame is pure palomino perfection. |
| Epona | Celtic goddess Epona is the patron of horses. |
| Étaín | In Irish mythology, the goddess Étaín is known as the “horse rider.” |
| F | |
|---|---|
| Fargo | The North Dakota city could be a fun nod to the state’s wild horses. |
| Ferrari | Famously fast and gorgeous, just like horses. |
| Finley | This Irish name means “fair-haired (or coated!) hero,” a perfect pick for fair-coated horses. |
| Fiona | This female horse name is the girl version of Finley, for lady horses who are fair-haired heroes in their own right. |
| Flame | Ideal for sorrels with warm red coats. |
| Freckles | A cute horse name for a spotted steed. |
| G | |
|---|---|
| Gandalf | Known as the “Gray Pilgrim” in “The Lord of the Rings,” Gandalf adds a bit of magic to silver-hued horses. |
| Georgia | In Greek, the name Georgia means “farmer.” |
| Ginger | A spicy, time-tested choice for redheads. |
| Goldie | A good-as-gold name for blonde manes. |
| Goliath | For big breeds such as Clydesdales, which can reach 2,400 pounds once fully matured, the name Goliath might be fitting. |
| Gringolet | In Arthurian legend, Gringolet is the name of Sir Gawain’s beloved horse. |
| H | |
|---|---|
| Hengroen | Hengroen was the name of King Arthur’s stallion, according to Welsh folklore. |
| Hippocampus | A mythical creature appearing in the mythology of many cultures, the hippocampus has the upper body of a horse and the lower body of a fish. For everyday use, “Hippo” is short and sweet! |
| Honey | A buzz-worthy name for honey-hued mares. |
| I | |
|---|---|
| Isabella | Isabella (or Isabelline) is a term used for very pale palomino horses. |
| Isolde | Meaning “fair lady” in Welsh, Isolde is another choice for palominos. |
| J | |
|---|---|
| Jane | A shout-out to Calamity Jane, the American frontierswoman and sharpshooter. |
| Jasper | Meaning “treasurer” or “bringer of treasure,” this trendy name is appropriate for treasured pets. |
| Jet | Horses are known for running at high speeds—in fact, the world’s fastest horse was clocked at 55 miles per hour. So, a speedy name like Jet has equine potential. |
| Jigsaw | Horses with “paint” coats have unique swathes of color that almost look like puzzle pieces. |
| Jorunn | This Norwegian female horse name means “lover of horses.” |
| Jument | Jument is the word for a female horse in French. |
| K | |
|---|---|
| Kallippos | An Ancient Greek name meaning “beautiful horse.” |
| Kelpie | A shape-shifting spirit in Scottish legends, Kelpies are said to haunt streams and rivers while in the form of horses. |
| Kentucky | The famous derby’s home state could be a fun namesake. |
| Kohana | In Sioux, the name Kohana means “swift.” |
| L | |
|---|---|
| Lady | For the mare so ladylike, she deserves a title. |
| Lancelot | According to the legends, King Arthur’s confidant was a masterful jouster. |
| Li’l Sebastian | As “Parks and Recreation” fans know, Li’l Sebastian was Pawnee’s beloved miniature horse mascot. |
| Lightning | Because your horse is quick as lightning. |
| Llamrei | Llamrei was a mare owned by King Arthur. |
| Lucky | Perfect for lucky race winners and rescues alike. |
| Luna | Meaning “moon” in Latin, Luna is lovely for white horses. |
| M | |
|---|---|
| Macchiato | The coffeehouse favorite is ideal for creamy brown coats. |
| Majesty | A name fit for a king or queen. |
| Major | This military name alludes to horses’ significant role in battles and wars throughout history. |
| Marengo | The name of Napoleon’s famous gray Arabian warhorse. Known for his steadiness and courage, Marengo regularly made 80-mile gallops. |
| Marshall | This Old Scottish surname means “love of horses.” |
| Meadow | This bucolic name has a farmland flavor. |
| Merla | Meaning “blackbird,” Merla is a pretty pick for dark-maned horses. |
| Misty | Misty is the name of the wild-born pony in the award-winning children’s book “Misty of Chincoteague.” |
| Mocha | We like this one “a latte” for brown horses. |
| Montana | The state’s Pryor Mountains are home to a herd of free-roaming Mustangs. |
| Moose | This silly interspecies name could be fun for large brown horses. |
| Mister Ed | In the 1960s TV show of the same name, Mister Ed is a talking horse played by Bamboo Harvester, an American Saddlebred/part Arabian horse. |
| N | |
|---|---|
| Napoleon | The French military leader is frequently depicted on his warhorse, Marengo. |
| Nelly | Name your horse Nelly, and “Whoa, Nelly!” takes on a whole new meaning. |
| Nevada | The majority of wild horses in the United States call Nevada home. |
| Nike | The winged goddess is known for her speed. |
| Nixie | The Nixie is a shapeshifting water spirit from Germanic folklore that sometimes takes an equine form. |
| Noir | Noir means “black” in French, for black horses. |
| Nokk | In “Frozen II,” the Nokk is the horse-shaped water spirit that guards the Dark Sea and eventually befriends Elsa. |
| Nuggle | The Nuggle is a mythical water horse found in Shetland folklore. (And it comes with an adorable nickname: Nuggie!) |
| Nutmeg | For a spice-inspired name, try sprinkling on Nutmeg for golden-brown horses. |
| O | |
|---|---|
| Oakley | An Old English name meaning “a meadow of oak trees,” Oakley is also a fun reference to Wild West sharpshooter Annie Oakley. |
| Oatmeal | Horses love to eat oats, and we love this breakfast-inspired name for them. |
| Onyx | The black gemstone is classic choice for black horses. |
| P | |
|---|---|
| Patches | Perfect for pinto horses, whose coats are distinguished by large patches of white. |
| Pegasus | One of the most famous creatures from Greek mythology, Pegasus is a divine winged horse. |
| Pepper | Gray and black horses are natural Peppers. |
| Peregrine | A Latin name meaning “traveller” or “pilgrim,” Peregrine fits the adventurous spirit of horses. |
| Phantom | A slightly spooky name for white horses. |
| Philip | Of Greek origin, Philip means “friend of the horses.” |
| Pie | If your horse’s coat is piebald, meaning covered in irregular, black-and-white patches, Pie is a sweet name. |
| Pippa | Pippa is commonly short for Philippa, the female version of Philip, meaning “friend of the horses.” |
| Pippi Longstocking | The famous children’s book character has two pets, a horse and a monkey. |
| Pirate | If your horse has patch markings around their eyes, Pirate is a playful choice. |
| Pollock | Known for his abstract paintings, Jackson Pollock is an artsy namesake for horses with haphazard patching. |
| Ponyboy | Ponyboy Curtis is the teenage narrator of the coming-of-age novel “The Outsiders.” |
| Poppy | A fresh pick for red-hued mares. |
| Prairie | The pastoral name is well suited for horses. |
| Prancer | It’s not just for reindeer! “Prance” refers to a horse’s high-stepping gait. |
| R | |
|---|---|
| Ranger | A classic equine name with Wild West swagger. |
| Rapunzel | This name of a fairy tale character famous for her long locks also suits horses with flowing manes. |
| Rembrandt | A painterly pick for “painted” pattern coats, Rembrandt frequently featured horses in his artwork. |
| Rhiannon | A Welsh goddess strongly associated with horses. |
| Roan | The Gaelic boy’s name also refers to a type of horse coat in which the main color is interspersed with hairs of another color. |
| Rocket | A soaring choice for fast four-legged friends. |
| Rohan | In “The Lord of the Rings,” Rohan is a kingdom of horsemen. |
| Roosevelt | Before becoming the 26th President of the United States, Teddy Roosevelt was the leader of the Rough Riders volunteer cavalry. |
| Rosalind | Of Old German origin, Rosalind means “gentle horse.” |
| Rosamund | Means “horse protector” in Old German. |
| Rose | Looking for a winning name for a special horse? Keep it simple with Rose. Every year, the winner of the Kentucky Derby is treated to a blanket made of the flowers. |
| Roswell | Another equine-inspired German name, Roswell means “mighty horse.” |
| Roy | A tribute to Western film legend Roy Rogers, known as the “King of the Cowboys.” |
| Ruby | A gem of a name for sorrels. |
| Rusty | The age-old nickname for redheads has a charming country ring to it. |
| Ryder | Increasingly popular for baby boys, Ryder is a strong name even better suited for horses. |
| S | |
|---|---|
| Saya | This Japanese name means “swift arrow.” |
| Scout | In “The Lone Ranger” TV series, Tonto rode a horse named Scout. |
| Sequoia | The giant tree similar to a redwood makes a beautiful name for mares with reddish-brown coats. |
| Shadowfax | In “The Lord of the Rings,” Shadowfax is Gandalf’s horse who can run faster than the wind and understand human speech. |
| Sierra | Borrowed from the western mountain range, this pretty name has cowgirl charm. |
| Silili | A divine figure mentioned in the Epic of Gilgamesh, Silili is closely associated with horses. |
| Silver | The name of the Lone Ranger’s trusty horse. |
| Smokey | A time-tested name for black and gray pets. |
| Snickers | Did you know the popular candy bar was named after the Mars family’s favorite horse? |
| Snowball | Although more appropriate for white horses, Snowball was a black steed in Disney’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” |
| Spirit | An otherworldly allusion to the mythological and mystical tradition of horses. |
| Sterope | One of Helios’ horses in Greek mythology. |
| Stormy | A nature-inspired name that’s particularly fitting for gray horses. |
| Sundance | Or Sunny, for short! |
| Sven | Sven is a reindeer in “Frozen,” but we think Kristoff’s loyal companion would be OK lending his name to a fellow carrot-loving creature. |
| T | |
|---|---|
| Tallulah | A Native American name meaning “leaping water,” Tallulah is once again popular. |
| Thelwell | English cartoonist Norman Thelwell was known for his illustrations of ponies and horses. |
| Thunder | Horses are afraid of it, but nevertheless, Thunder is a strong name for a racehorse. |
| Tornado | Super smart and just as speedy, Tornado is Zorro’s horse in several films featuring the masked vigilante. |
| Traveller | During the American Civil War, Traveller was General Robert E. Lee’s most famous horse. |
| Trigger | Trigger was Roy Rogers’ palomino. Famous in his own right, Trigger starred alongside Rogers in many Westerns. |
| Trojan | A reference to the hollow wooden horse used by the Greeks to infiltrate Troy. |
| Troy | If Trojan is a little too obvious, Troy is a more subtle nod to the ancient tale. |
| Twilight | A serene, understated choice for black horses. |
| U | |
|---|---|
| Unicorn | Your horse might not technically be magical, but they are pretty special. |
| V | |
|---|---|
| Versailles | Horses were essential to daily life, sport and culture at this French palace, which had two stables that each housed 300 animals. |
| Victory | A winning name, with casual nicknames for each gender: Vic and Vicky. |
| W | |
|---|---|
| Walnut | This cute horse name works great for any horse, but especially for those with rich brown coats. |
| Westeros | A continent in “Game of Thrones,” Westeros is home to many horses (both alive and undead). |
| Weston | This trendy baby boy’s name winks to the Wild West. |
| Wildfire | In Native American mythology, Wildfire is the name of a ghost horse. |
| Wings | For horses so fast, they almost fly. |
| Wyatt | A legend of the Old West, Wyatt Earp was a law enforcement officer, horse racer, buffalo hunter, gunfighter, saloonkeeper and boxing referee. |
| Wynonna | A Native American name meaning “first-born daughter,” consider Wynonna for your first mare. |
We hope you’ve found inspiration in this list of 200 horse name ideas. Whatever you name your steed, we’re wishing you a long and happy adventure in pet parenting! Still looking for the right name? Browse our other lists of names for pets.
Attributions
Monica Weymouth
Monica Weymouth is a Philadelphia-based writer, editor, animal lover, and rescue advocate. She has a soft spot for senior animals, and she See More
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