Horse Names
Naming a horse is a bigger decision than naming most pets. A horse can live 25 to 30 years, and its name gets called across the paddock, written on stall plates, printed on show entries and, for registered horses, recorded for life. Below you'll find more than 85 horse names we've chosen for mares, stallions and geldings, famous horses from history and film, names drawn from mythology and names based on coat color.
Looking for something specific? Jump to our female horse names, male horse names or race horse names. Owners of smaller equines will find ideas in our pony names and donkey names.
Horse Names: browse all lists
Most popular horse names
These are the barn names you'll hear at almost every stable. They're short, easy to call across a field and suit horses of any breed. For more tried-and-true options, see our good horse names.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Bella | Italian, “beautiful” | Mares |
| Duke | English noble title | Proud geldings |
| Willow | The willow tree | Graceful mares |
| Scout | One sent ahead to explore | Trail horses |
| Luna | Latin, “moon” | Grey or white mares |
| Rebel | One who resists authority | Spirited horses |
| Dakota | Sioux, “friend, ally” | Western horses |
| Sunny | Bright and cheerful | Palominos |
| Charlie | English, “free man” | Friendly geldings |
| Daisy | Old English, “day's eye” | Sweet mares |
| Buddy | A good friend | Kids' horses |
| Ginger | The spice; reddish | Chestnut mares |
| Ranger | A forest or range patroller | Ranch horses |
| Rosie | From the rose flower | Gentle mares |
| Jack | English form of John, “God is gracious” | Everyday geldings |
| Maverick | An unbranded calf; an independent thinker | Bold horses |
Names for mares
Mares often carry names that are elegant and a little regal. Our full list of female horse names has many more.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Hazel | The hazel tree; warm brown | Bay or brown mares |
| Stella | Latin, “star” | Mares with a star marking |
| Aurora | Latin, “dawn”; Roman goddess of dawn | Show mares |
| Clementine | Latin, “merciful” | Sweet-natured mares |
| Scarlett | English, “red” | Chestnut mares |
| Juniper | Evergreen shrub | Hardy trail mares |
| Josephine | Hebrew, “God will increase” | Elegant mares |
| Magnolia | The flowering tree | Southern belles |
| Penelope | Greek, “weaver” | Classy mares |
| Savannah | Spanish, “treeless plain” | Open-range mares |
| Ivy | The climbing plant | Quick, athletic mares |
| Maisie | Scottish form of Margaret, “pearl” | Ponies and small mares |
| Opal | The iridescent gemstone | Grey or roan mares |
| Tallulah | Choctaw, “leaping water” | Lively mares |
Names for stallions and geldings
Strong, confident names suit stallions and geldings. See our male horse names for more, or borrow from strong boy names.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Atlas | Greek Titan who held up the sky | Big, powerful horses |
| Titan | The Greek gods' giant predecessors | Draft horses |
| Apollo | Greek god of the sun and music | Showy golden horses |
| Ace | The top card; a champion | Jumpers |
| Blaze | A bright flame; also a white facial stripe | Horses with a blaze |
| Cash | Money; nod to Johnny Cash | Western geldings |
| Gunner | Norse, “war” | Bold boys |
| Hank | Short for Henry, “ruler of the home” | Laid-back ranch horses |
| Samson | Biblical strongman (Judges 13–16) | Draft horses |
| Zeus | King of the Greek gods | Dominant stallions |
| Bandit | An outlaw | Horses with dark “mask” markings |
| Chief | A leader | Herd bosses |
| Diesel | Powerful engine fuel | Hard workers |
| Rocco | Germanic, “rest” | Italian-style charm |
Famous horse names from history, film and books
These horses became legends in their own right. Several were real racehorses; you'll find more on our race horse names page.
| Name | Famous as | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Secretariat | 1973 Triple Crown winner | Still holds the Kentucky Derby and Belmont records |
| Seabiscuit | Depression-era racing hero | Subject of the 2003 film |
| Black Beauty | Anna Sewell's 1877 novel | Great for black horses |
| Bucephalus | Alexander the Great's warhorse | Name means “ox-head” in Greek |
| Marengo | Napoleon's grey Arabian war horse | Grey stallions |
| Trigger | Roy Rogers' palomino | Palominos |
| Silver | The Lone Ranger's white horse | White or grey horses |
| Spirit | <em>Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron</em> (2002) | Mustangs and wild spirits |
| Maximus | The palace horse in Disney's <em>Tangled</em> | Hard-working white geldings |
| Joey | <em>War Horse</em>, novel and film | Bay horses |
| Shadowfax | Gandalf's horse in <em>The Lord of the Rings</em> | Swift greys |
| Artax | Atreyu's horse in <em>The NeverEnding Story</em> | Bay or brown horses |
| Bullseye | Woody's horse in <em>Toy Story 2</em> | Kids' horses |
| Man o' War | 1920s racing champion | Chestnut stallions |
| Comanche | Cavalry horse that survived Little Bighorn (1876) | Brave horses |
| Flicka | <em>My Friend Flicka</em> (1941 novel); Swedish “little girl” | Young mares |
Horse names from mythology and legend
Horses run through the myths of nearly every culture. Browse our Greek god names and Norse god names for more.
| Name | Legend | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Pegasus | Winged horse of Greek myth, born from Medusa | Grey or white horses |
| Sleipnir | Odin's eight-legged horse, Norse myth | Fast, powerful geldings |
| Arion | Immortal, talking horse in Greek myth | Clever horses |
| Epona | Celtic goddess of horses | Protective mares |
| Rhiannon | Welsh figure linked with a white horse (the <em>Mabinogion</em>) | White mares |
| Kelpie | Shape-shifting Scottish water horse | Mischievous horses |
| Xanthus | One of Achilles' immortal horses (<em>Iliad</em>) | Golden horses |
| Uchchaihshravas | Seven-headed flying horse of Hindu myth | A grand show name |
| Árvakr | Norse horse that pulls the sun; “early waker” | Early risers |
| Hrímfaxi | Norse horse that draws the night; “frost mane” | Grey horses |
| Gullfaxi | “Golden mane,” Norse giant Hrungnir's horse | Palominos |
| Brigid | Celtic goddess tied to fire and spring | Chestnut mares |
Horse names by coat color
Coat color is one of the easiest places to start. We have a full page of black horse names, plus ideas in our brown color names.
| Name | Color | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Midnight | Black | A barn favorite |
| Raven | Black | Glossy black mares |
| Onyx | Black | The black gemstone |
| Cocoa | Bay or brown | Warm brown coats |
| Mocha | Brown | Coffee-colored horses |
| Copper | Chestnut | Reddish coats |
| Rusty | Chestnut or sorrel | Red geldings |
| Goldie | Palomino | Golden coats |
| Butterscotch | Palomino or buckskin | Warm golden tones |
| Dusty | Dun or grullo | Earth-toned horses |
| Smoky | Grey or grulla | Smoky coats |
| Ghost | White or cremello | Pale horses |
| Frost | Grey | Horses that lighten with age |
| Patches | Paint or pinto | Spotted coats |
| Freckles | Appaloosa or flea-bitten grey | Speckled horses |
How to choose a horse name
- Separate the barn name from the registered name. Many horses have a formal show or registered name (like “Northern Dancer”) and a short everyday barn name (like “Danny”).
- Check your breed registry's rules before registering. The Jockey Club, for example, limits Thoroughbred names to 18 characters, and the AQHA limits Quarter Horse names to 20.
- Say it out loud across a field. One- or two-syllable barn names like Scout or Hazel carry better than long ones.
- Consider breed heritage: a Friesian might suit a Dutch name, an Arabian an Arabic one, and a Mustang something Western. Our Western horse names are a good start.
- Some riders believe renaming a horse is bad luck. If you buy an older horse, you can keep the registered name and simply choose a new barn name.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular horse name?
There's no single official ranking, but short barn names like Bella, Duke, Scout, Willow, Charlie and Dakota appear constantly in stables across the U.S.
What is a good name for a horse?
A good horse name is easy to call, fits the horse's color or personality and ages well. Classics include Maverick, Hazel, Blaze, Luna and Ranger.
What is the most famous horse name?
Secretariat, the 1973 Triple Crown winner, is probably the most famous horse in American history. Black Beauty and Pegasus are the best-known fictional and mythical horses.
Is it bad luck to rename a horse?
It's an old superstition among some riders, not a rule. Many owners keep the registered name for paperwork and give the horse a new barn name.
How long can a registered horse name be?
It depends on the registry. The Jockey Club allows up to 18 characters for Thoroughbreds (including spaces), while the American Quarter Horse Association allows 20.