Names

Best Names for Horses and Mares

Josie F. Turner
By Josie F. Turner, Journalist specialized in Animal Welfare. Updated: September 3, 2024
Best Names for Horses and Mares
Horses

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We've all been there - finding a name that's both unique and elegant for our horse is actually a quite difficult task. After all, this is a word that you will repeat for years. Whether we want names for show horses, a competitive race horse name or simply a good name for our equine best friend, we'll also share it with our friends and family, as well as strangers. It's best if nobody hates it!

If you've decided to adopt a horse, but you still don't know what to call them, don't worry. Here at AnimalWised we've compiled an exhaustive list the best names for horses and mares so you can pick and choose. Read on to find the most inspiring names for horses and mares to either use or help you come up with your own.

Contents
  1. How to pick a proper name for your horse
  2. Names for male horses
  3. Names for female horses
  4. Unisex names for horses and mares
  5. Famous names for horses

How to pick a proper name for your horse

Horses are noble, beautiful and intelligent animals and they never take long to learn their new name. They are creatures of habit, so repetition is a key factor in their learning.

Unlike most other animals, horses and mares have a very special ability to understand humans and build relationships with them. Horses can interpret human feelings and sensations, even if they can't communicate directly through language. They are able to feel sadness, happiness and fear, and these emotions are shared in our bond with them.

Therefore, it is important to pick an appropriate name for your new horse or mare. They deserve all your respect and love, and this starts with a proper name. Here are some things you should take into account before picking a name for your horse:

  • A horse's name should be easy to remember.
  • It must sound clear. The easier to pronounce and understand, the better.
  • Don't use a confusing name, such as names that sound like commands.

Choosing a name for a female horse is just the same as choosing a name for a male horse. For both, you will need to consider their personality as well as their physical characteristics. Something as simple as the color of a horse can provide the right inspiration. Whether you are looking for names for black horses, white horses or horses of any other color, there are many ideas for horse names associated with their colors. The simplest is of course to call a horse by the name of their color, with Chestnut being a particularly popular horse name. Of course, you could also call a black horse Chestnut if you have an ironic streak.

When choosing a name for a mare, there is a stereotype to think of cute girl names for female horses. While there are some adorable horse names on this list, there are just as many female horse riders who prefer to choose badass names for female horses because they know their horse is a tough girl. Of course this doesn't mean a tough name for a female horse can't equally be elegant.

You want a name for your horse which represents their personality, but since they won't be able to understand the actual meaning of the name, you can use your personality to influence it too. Also, it doesn't hurt to look at horse culture in general. Many people want to choose southern or western names for horses because of the fine tradition of horse riding associated with these regions. The best thing you can do to choose a name for a horse is to think about what they mean to you. Here is a list of some names to get you started.

Best Names for Horses and Mares - How to pick a proper name for your horse

Names for male horses

Here you have a long list of possible names for your new male horse. It's always a good idea to find a name that matches their physical appearance or their personality. You can maybe to name him after a star or character you admire. Horse names can sound a bit pompous sometimes, but it only goes to show the nobility of the species - and they can also sound fun. Of course, it's not uncommon for males to be pompous or fun, so maybe these names for stallions will be ideal.

If you don't find a male horse name here, keep reading for our unisex horse name list below. Our favorite names for male horses are:

Horse names according to appearance:

  • Russell
  • Goliath
  • Atlas
  • Magnus
  • Beau
  • Thunder

Horse names according to personality:

  • Gallant
  • Ardent
  • Marquis
  • Ambition
  • Spirit
  • Lucky
  • Napoleon
  • Reckless
  • Stormy
  • Sultan
  • Píccard
  • Charming
  • Rogue
  • Necromancer
  • Emperor
  • Scout
  • Traveler
  • Czar
  • Thunder
  • Ace
  • Sargent
  • Fervor
  • Vicarious
  • Lightning
  • Major
  • Victor

Other horse names:

  • Kentucky
  • Zorro
  • Randolph
  • Dagger
  • Dasker
  • Risk
  • Michigan
  • Charming
  • Arthur
  • Ohio
  • Charles - and why not add a number, as in Charles III?
  • Argo
  • Huckleberry
  • Venom
  • Bullitt
  • Mars
  • Blue Eyes
  • Spartan
  • Sapphire
  • Bandit
  • Coral
  • Nile
  • Weston
  • Angus
  • Alexander
  • Nicanor
  • Odin
  • Darcy
  • Rolo
  • Hemingway
  • Heathcliff
  • Black Beard
  • Wyld
  • Pious
  • Vincent
  • Atticus
  • Holden
  • Pompeii
  • Jade
  • Silvester
  • Simeon
  • Shadow
  • Pegasus
Best Names for Horses and Mares - Names for male horses

Names for female horses

The factors to take into account when choosing a female name for your mare are the same as for male horses. For equestrian sports such as dressage or show jumping, it is common to see many female riders. For this reason, there is a stereotype that female horses should be given cute and adorable names. Magical names such as Jewel and names derived from stones are especially popular, as are goddesses and literary characters.

While these names are great, stereotyping women riders as wanting just one type of name for their mare is not helpful. This diverse list is great to inspire all types of riders:

Mare names according to appearance:

  • Rose / Black Rose
  • Maxima
  • Kit Kat
  • Autumn
  • Pippi
  • Bonnie
  • Misty
  • Dolly
  • Beauty / Black Beauty
  • Belle
  • Chica
  • Nyx
  • Willow

Mare names according to personality:

  • Enchantress
  • Czarina
  • Empress
  • Victoria
  • Grace
  • Flame
  • Fortunate
  • Storm
  • Duchess
  • Witch
  • Nightmare
  • Queen
  • Calamity

Other names for mares:

  • Gypsy
  • Arabella
  • Aguamarina
  • Alabama
  • Libia
  • Arkansas
  • Agatha
  • Mischief
  • Indiana
  • Harley
  • Vera
  • Arizona
  • Dulcinea
  • Indigo Blue
  • Indy
  • Esmeralda
  • Luna
  • Freya
  • Danvers
  • Storm
  • Dakota
  • Banana
  • Legend
  • Babiera
  • Hera
  • Nebraska
  • Electra
  • Turquoise
  • Triana
  • Beretta
  • Ivy
  • Sioux
  • Kitty
  • Beatrix
  • Amethyst
  • Davina
  • Dorothea
  • Blossom
  • Athenea
  • Kenia
  • Genevieve
  • Getrude
  • Laurel
  • Petra
  • Priscilla
  • Hope
  • Frida
  • Stella
  • Holy Smoke
Best Names for Horses and Mares - Names for female horses

Unisex names for horses and mares

Looking at either male or female horse names is a great way to find inspiration. However, there are many names for horses which can fit both sexes. If you're not convinced by any of the previous lists, you can consider these unisex names:

Unisex horse names according to appearance:

  • Brandy
  • Cinnamon
  • Colorado
  • Raven
  • Pepper
  • Ebony
  • Onyx
  • Jet
  • Pepsi
  • Bolt
  • Coal
  • Muffin
  • Chocolate
  • Ruby
  • Spot
  • Mocha
  • Freckles
  • Ivory
  • Blondie
  • Snow
  • Cookie
  • Strawberry
  • Dusty

Unisex horse names according to personality:

  • Brave
  • Chili
  • Alpha
  • Noble
  • Constance
  • Challenger
  • Trigger
  • Angel
  • Arrow
  • Babe
  • Bullet
  • Magic

Other unisex horse names:

  • Aeneas
  • Burbank
  • Ekene
  • Ambrose
  • Monie
  • Chance
  • Attilah
  • Eddie
  • Beau
  • Rumor
  • Briar
  • Cyrene
  • Irresistible
  • Abiah

If you have a show jumping horse, don't hesitate to read our AnimalWised article for some more name inspiration. If you haven't found the best name for you yet or if you have any other ideas, please share them in the comments section!

Best Names for Horses and Mares - Unisex names for horses and mares

Famous names for horses

If your horse reminds you of famous horses from history, television, or literature you may want to choose a famous name for your horse. In case you don't already have one in mind, here are some famous names for horses that may inspire you:

  • Arod - Legolas's horse in the Lord of the Rings
  • Artax - the horse from The Neverending Story
  • Binky - Death's horse from Terry Practhet's Discworld novels
  • BoJack Horseman - the titular horse from BoJack Horseman
  • Boxer and Clover - From Orwell's Animal Farm
  • Bullseye - the horse from Toy Story
  • Capilet - from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
  • Flicka - from the book and film Flicka
  • Gulliver - form the Horse Whisperer
  • Hidalgo - from the film Hidalgo about long distance horse racing
  • Khan - the family horse from Disney's Mulan
  • Kolstomer - protagonist horse of the Tolstoy story Kolstomer
  • Lilla Gubben - Pippi's horse from Pippi Longstocking
  • Man o' War - considered one of America's greatest racehorses
  • Pegasus - the winged horse of Greek mythology
  • Rocinante - Don Quixote's horse
  • Seabiscuit - the famous racehorse who had a film made after him
  • Shadowfax - Gandalf's horse in the Lord of the Rings
  • Silver Blaze - from the Sherlock Holmes story Silver Blaze
  • Sleipnir - the horse of Norse god Odin
  • The Pie - racing horse from the book and film National Velvet
  • Tornado - Zorro's black horse

We hope you found this list useful in choosing the perfect name for your horse or mare!

If you want to read similar articles to Best Names for Horses and Mares, we recommend you visit our Names category.

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116 comments
Rating:
barbie
Horse names
1.trigger
Babe
Magic
Muffen
Bolt
Raven
Pepper
Atlas
Shorty
Pegasus
Paint
Spartain
Shadow
Rating:
Kathryn
Lady, Ladybug, Angel
Rating:
Liana van Someren
good names, very useful too
Rating:
Hessatje productions
Hi everyone, I am wrighting a series and I need a name for this horse. Its a mare, she is kind, she always listens to her owner, she is convident, and she really wants a good English name so please let me know if you have a good name for her
Lucy
Lady,Duchess, or Queeny just some suggestions that might match what your looking for
Rating:
Sofie
interesting names!
Rating:
Rex
Mare names:
Lucy-my horse
Fancy
Tiz
Pari
Paris
Pink
Skittles- if your horse is wild/crazy
Echo
Mini
Honey
Holly
Molly
Joy
Gold
Rating:
Toes x
Mint, Monty, Russia, barbeque, Tufftey, Simba, Cruz{Cruzader}
Rating:
Sofie
I recommend this website if you are looking for a unique name but it was useful to me.
Rating:
Night
I'm going to get a Triple Dilute and I don't have a name for her. Any suggestions? I don't know what color though.
Administrador AnimalWised
How about Moët after the famous Champagne?
Maddie
Maybe olivia, tucker or sahara
Rating:
Rex
Cute names:
Lucy ( my horse’s name
Enzo
Tex
Rex
Champ
Regal
Bud
Mango
Kiwi
#horselover
Names:

.Knight
.Storm
.Mercury
.Dash
.Blizzard
.Cookie
.Abby
.Blue Moon
.Dixie
.Ellie
.Galaxy
.Liberty
.Misty
.Moonlight
.Matilda
.Starlight
.Chino
.Dakota
.Flash
.Pixie
.Stella
.Star
.Alaska
.Montana
.Nevada
.River
.Queen
.Willow
.Autumn
.Kit Kat
.Luna
.Legend
.Jet
.Bolt
.Arrow
.Shadow
.Tornado
.Tex
.Raven
.Annie
.Toffie
.Toffy
.Flame
.Carrots
.Hurricane
.Mystery
Yes there are 45 but I hope you find them usefull. I dont know if these are on there or not though. Any good names for a grey and white thouroughbred mare?
Administrador AnimalWised
Thank you for these suggestions. We are seeing 'Blizzard' come up a few times, so we will add some of these idea to the article.
Rating:
Maddie
What should I name my tinker filly? She’s a black pinto/paint ( I’m not very good with colors, sorry). She’s super sweet, loves to run, and I think I’m going try barrels with her.
Bee
Belle or Tinkerbelle should suite her.
Maddie
Bee thank you so much for these names I really like them I definitely will use Tinkerbelle ( belle as a nickname).
Lucy
Night-Sparkle
Sofie
Oreo? or the state you live in.
Toes x
-Maybe: Parris {nick name: Parrie/parry}, Galaxy Quest{ Questy, Gally} Idk, just a quick suggestion x
Rating:
waqar
Here are some names,Brownie,Raven,Nala,Nuka,Lexi,Annie,Nashota,Cal,Calli,Ash,Shadow,Clay,Clara,Gypsy,Sorro,Dutchess,Stockings,Addy,Austin,Elsa,Majesta,Mason,Blizzard,Diamond,Proof,Paisley,Heart,Kit Kat,Broncho,Bailey,Tom,Trixi,Trouble,Toast,Boomerang,Sunny,Wes,Wakely,White Knight,Luna,Tanner,Rain,Dakota,Apples,Apollo,Wild,Free,Untamed,Spirit,Cloud,Cliff,Tracker,Scout,Red Raven,Blue Sue,Sicka,Flint,Boulder,Snow,Ice,Winter,Sid,Smoke,Stephanie,Sass,Sam,Beauty,Mollie,Morgan,Monty,Elvis,Jet,Mollie,Sky i picked name from myhorsenamesfor my female horse which were also good
Administrador AnimalWised
Wow, thank you so much for sharing all of these!!!
Sofie
It is a very usefull website. I am planning on getting a horse soon but cant find a broke one for free.
Rating:
HALEY
ADDING TO THE LIST I THINK THE NAME AMETHYST ROSE WOULD BE A GOOD NAME FOR A MARE BASED ON THEIR COAT COLOR
Rating:
Dream Horse
Hey, not sure if these are on the list, but...

Hoko (Meaning 'star')
Zorse
Orion
24 Carrots
Wish
Wishing Well
Flaming
After Dark
Black Fire
Farah
Little Elf (Like Little Alf, but I prefer my version)
Sweetie
Malibu
Hawaii
Sunday
Brunch
Libby
Toffee
Crunch Time (or just Crunch)
Oddball
Secret
My Way
This Boy (or This Girl)
Administrador AnimalWised
Thank you so much for sharing all these great ideas, we'll add them as soon as we can!
starr
i have a name that is unique and has not been shared with many people

passion

claccy

hugo

topsy

first 2 girls 3 one boy and last one girl
Administrador AnimalWised
Thank you for sharing!
Faythe
Those are really good they should add those to the list
Rating:
Mystery
I think that all the other names were great but mystery is a nother name great for a horse
Administrador AnimalWised
Raven is already on our list, but we'll add Mystery right now. Thank you so much!
#horselover
Aww thats cute!
Nykki
Jasper, rusty, Texas, bolt, doc, roper or rodeo
Administrador AnimalWised
Thanks for the recs!
Rating:
tash
not sure if these are on there already but Shadow, Coblet, Nile,Linnet, Mars, Elf, Pepsi,Kellogs, Muffin, Rolo, Eddie, Grace, Connie, Rumour (have i said that already? sorry)Spartan and Chance
hope this is helpful :)
Administrador AnimalWised
Hi Tash,

It is very helpful, thank you so much for sharing! We will add the ones you have provided and hopefully they can provided inspiration for others as well.
Rating:
tash
colorado
i love this name what do you think
Administrador AnimalWised
It's a great name Tash, we'll add it to the list!
tash
also musket, mist, summer,Viking, Angelo, copper, Nevada and Montana
and i recently had a skewbald blue and white mare named Gentoo i love the name
dave
alabama?
Administrador AnimalWised
Hi Dave,

Do you like this as a name?
Rating:
Old Goat
Necromancer
Administrador AnimalWised
Hi,

This is a dark name with magical meanings, great for a dark colored horse which can appear magical! We've added it to the list, thank you.
Maddy
My horse is a flaxen chestnut, she is a 15hh Arabian stock horse appolosa, she is super sweet has never kicked me or bitten me and I am going to do showjumping on her, her name is Indy, but her show name is going to be Indigo blue, I have a bay thorough bred and I need a show name for her, she is sweet but when being lounged she will tear, she acts like a mustang.
Administrador AnimalWised
Hi Maddy,

Thank you for sharing. We put both her full name and nickname on the list for others to choose from.
#horselover
Show Name: Lightning Bolt
Nickname: Bolt

Bit popular though!
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Best Names for Horses and Mares