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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Unicorn
Your horse might not technically be magical, but they are pretty special.
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.
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.
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