Female Horse Names
Mares have a reputation for being opinionated, loyal and brilliant once they trust you, and a good name should capture a little of that character. This list gathers more than 90 female horse names for mares and fillies, organized by style: popular barn names, elegant show names, flowers and nature, country and Western names, goddesses and heroines, vintage classics and the names of famous mares who made history.
Each name comes with its meaning or origin so you can pick one with a story behind it. For boys, see our male horse names; for more general ideas, the main horse names page is a good place to start. Fans of strong, feminine names will also like our strong girl names.
Popular mare names
Easy, friendly barn names that suit mares of every breed and age.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Bella | Italian, “beautiful” | Any mare |
| Daisy | Old English, “day's eye” | Gentle mares |
| Willow | The willow tree | Slender, graceful mares |
| Rosie | From the rose | Affectionate mares |
| Lady | A woman of high standing | Well-mannered mares |
| Sadie | From Sarah, Hebrew “princess” | Sweet, sassy mares |
| Ruby | The red gemstone | Chestnut mares |
| Molly | From Mary; a classic Irish pet form | Reliable school horses |
| Ginger | The spice, reddish-gold | Sorrel mares |
| Penny | From Penelope; also a copper coin | Copper-colored mares |
| Lucy | Latin, “light” | Bright, curious mares |
| Maggie | From Margaret, Greek “pearl” | Kind, steady mares |
| Honey | Sweet golden nectar | Palominos |
| Stella | Latin, “star” | Mares with a star marking |
| Belle | French, “beautiful” | Pretty mares |
Elegant show names for mares
Longer, graceful names look beautiful on a show entry or a warmblood's passport. Many borrow from our princess names.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Seraphina | Hebrew, “fiery ones”; the seraphim | Dressage mares |
| Isadora | Greek, “gift of Isis” | Artistic mares |
| Genevieve | French, possibly “woman of the people” | Refined mares |
| Anastasia | Greek, “resurrection” | Russian breeds |
| Evangeline | Greek, “good news” | Hunters |
| Valentina | Latin, “strong, healthy” | Spirited mares |
| Arabella | Latin, “yielding to prayer” | Arabians |
| Ophelia | Greek, “help”; Shakespeare's <em>Hamlet</em> | Sensitive mares |
| Guinevere | Welsh, “white phantom”; King Arthur's queen | Grey mares |
| Rosalind | Germanic, “gentle horse” | A name that literally mentions horses |
| Celestine | Latin, “heavenly” | Show mares |
| Contessa | Italian, “countess” | Warmbloods |
| Duchess | A noble title | Regal mares |
| Majesty | Royal dignity | Grand prix mares |
| Elegance | Grace and style | Dressage divas |
Flower and nature names
Mares out on spring pasture suit soft, natural names. For many more, browse flower names for girls.
| Name | Meaning | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Magnolia | The Southern flowering tree | Grey or white mares |
| Poppy | Red wildflower | Bright chestnut mares |
| Clover | Three-leaf pasture plant | Easy keepers |
| Juniper | Evergreen shrub | Hardy trail mares |
| Meadow | A grassy field | Pasture-loving mares |
| Aspen | Quaking golden tree | Buckskins |
| Sage | Silvery desert herb; also “wise” | Dun and grullo mares |
| Fern | Woodland plant | Quiet mares |
| Iris | Greek, “rainbow”; the flower | Colorful paints |
| Lily | The white lily | White or cremello mares |
| Primrose | Latin, “first rose” | Spring fillies |
| Heather | Purple moorland plant | Scottish breeds |
| Laurel | The bay laurel; symbol of victory | Bay mares |
| Autumn | Fall season | Chestnut and red roan mares |
Country and Western mare names
Ranch mares need names with a bit of grit. More ideas are on our Western horse names and country girl names pages.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Dixie | Nickname for the American South | Southern mares |
| Dolly | From Dorothy; nod to Dolly Parton | Friendly, big-hearted mares |
| Reba | From Rebecca; nod to Reba McEntire | Sassy mares |
| Shania | Nod to Shania Twain | Showy mares |
| Cheyenne | The Cheyenne nation; Wyoming's capital | Western mares |
| Annie | From Anne; for sharpshooter Annie Oakley | Quick barrel racers |
| Calamity | For Calamity Jane of the Old West | Wild mares |
| Sierra | Spanish, “mountain range” | Trail mares |
| Belle Starr | Famous 19th-century outlaw woman | Rebel mares |
| Tex | Short for Texas | Tough little mares |
| Pistol | A small handgun | Fiery mares |
| Montana | Spanish, “mountainous” | Big-hearted ranch mares |
| Loretta | Nod to Loretta Lynn | Steady mares |
| Birdie | A small bird | Light, quick mares |
Goddess and heroine names
Powerful names from myth and legend for a mare with presence. Explore more in our Greek goddess names.
| Name | Who she was | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Athena | Greek goddess of wisdom and war strategy | Smart, brave mares |
| Freya | Norse goddess of love and battle | Strong mares |
| Epona | Celtic goddess who protected horses | Perfect for any mare |
| Artemis | Greek goddess of the hunt | Field hunters |
| Rhiannon | Welsh mythic queen who rode a white horse | Grey or white mares |
| Aurora | Roman goddess of dawn | Early risers |
| Luna | Roman goddess of the moon | Grey mares |
| Nike | Greek goddess of victory | Competition mares |
| Isis | Egyptian mother goddess | Majestic mares |
| Brigid | Irish goddess of fire and spring | Chestnut mares |
| Juno | Queen of the Roman gods | Boss mares |
| Valkyrie | Norse warrior maidens who rode to battle | Fearless mares |
| Joan | For Joan of Arc | Brave, loyal mares |
| Boudica | Warrior queen of the Iceni | Strong-willed mares |
Vintage mare names
Old-fashioned names suit a mare with a wise, calm soul. See more vintage girl names.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Hattie | From Harriet, “ruler of the home” | Motherly mares |
| Mabel | Latin, “lovable” | Sweet mares |
| Ethel | Old English, “noble” | Dignified older mares |
| Opal | Iridescent gemstone | Roan mares |
| Pearl | The gem | White and grey mares |
| Edith | Old English, “prosperous in war” | Proper mares |
| Ida | Germanic, “industrious” | Hard-working mares |
| Winifred | Welsh, “blessed peacemaking” | Peaceful mares |
| Beatrice | Latin, “she who brings happiness” | Cheerful mares |
| Clara | Latin, “bright, clear” | Light-colored mares |
| Mae | From Mary or May | Spring fillies |
| Nellie | From Helen or Eleanor | Classic farm mares |
Famous mares from history and fiction
Great mares have won classic races and starred in beloved stories. More legends appear on our race horse names page.
| Name | Famous for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ruffian | Undefeated in her first 10 races (1974–75) | Blazing-fast mares |
| Zenyatta | Won 19 of 20 races; 2010 Horse of the Year | Tall, dark mares |
| Winx | Australian mare with 33 straight wins | Champions |
| Rachel Alexandra | Won the 2009 Preakness against colts | Tough fillies |
| Genuine Risk | Won the 1980 Kentucky Derby | Chestnut mares |
| Black Caviar | Unbeaten Australian sprinter (25 for 25) | Sprinters |
| Flicka | <em>My Friend Flicka</em>; Swedish for “little girl” | Young fillies |
| Misty | <em>Misty of Chincoteague</em> (1947) | Pony mares |
| Buttermilk | Dale Evans' buckskin horse | Buckskin mares |
| Stormy | Misty's foal in <em>Stormy, Misty's Foal</em> | Foals born in bad weather |
How to choose a name for your mare
- Look for a name that suits her temperament. A bold mare can carry Boudica or Valkyrie, while a gentle one might be Mabel or Clover.
- If she's registered, check the registry's rules. The Jockey Club allows 18 characters, while many breed associations allow 20 or more.
- Pair a fancy show name with a short barn name: “Celestial Seraphina” at shows, “Sera” in the barn.
- Use her markings and color: Ruby for a chestnut, Pearl for a grey, Honey for a palomino, Laurel for a bay.
- Choose a name you'll still love when she's 25. Horses often outlive many pets, so avoid fads that may feel dated fast.
Frequently asked questions
What are good names for a female horse?
Popular mare names include Bella, Daisy, Willow, Ruby, Lady, Sadie and Rosie. For something grander, try Seraphina, Athena or Magnolia.
What is a female horse called?
An adult female horse (usually four or older) is a mare. A young female under four is a filly, and a mother horse is called a dam.
Who is the most famous female race horse?
Zenyatta, Ruffian, Winx and Black Caviar are among the most celebrated. Genuine Risk and Rachel Alexandra are famous for beating the colts in Triple Crown races.
What is a good country name for a mare?
Dixie, Dolly, Reba, Cheyenne, Annie and Montana all have a classic country feel.
Which name literally means horse?
Rosalind comes from Germanic roots meaning “gentle horse,” and the Greek name Philippa means “lover of horses.”