180 Best Horse Names

One of the most important decisions you make when you get a new horse is what to name them. It should be something that reflects their personality and that you’ll love for years to come. Naming your horse can be just as challenging as it is exciting. If you’re looking for a little inspiration, check out our extensive list of the best horse names.

How to decide what to name your horse

Unless you’ve been dreaming up the perfect horse name for years, coming up with the perfect name off the top of your head can feel like a lot of pressure. If you’re stumped, here are a few methods to help you come up with a name for your horse:

1. What names describe the physical appearance of your horse? Is there a food that matches your horse’s coat? Does your horse have a pattern that reminds you of something?
2. What is your horse’s personality like? Is your horse bubbly or calm? Majestic or silly?
3. Do you have a favorite place you’ve lived in or visited? Maybe the name of a street you lived on?
4. Do you have a favorite book, TV show, or movie with a horse in it? What about a favorite character whose personality reminds you of your horse’s?

As you browse our list of the best horse names, ask yourself these questions to figure out which names are the perfect match for your equine friend!

Best horse names by color

One of the most popular ways to name a horse is to draw inspiration from their coat color. We’ve curated a list of our favorite horse names by color, allowing you to easily find the name that best suits your beautiful equine companion.

Brown horse names

• Brownie
• Mocha
• Bear
• Cocoa
• Espresso
• Mahogany 
• Brandy 
• Flicka 
• Nutella 
• Coffee

Chestnut horse names

• Opie 
• Toffee
• Copper
• Rusty
• Nutmeg
• Cinnamon 
• Chewbacca 
• Sienna 
• Penny
• Ginger

Black horse names

• Noir
• Ebony
• Onyx
• Jaguar 
• Eclipse
• Coal 
• Midnight 
• Panther 
• Jet 
• Raven

Gray horse names

• Pepper
• Granite 
• Dusk
• Stone
• Asher
• Storm
• Smoky
• Goose
• Moondust
• Nickel

White horse names

• Casper
• Snowflake
• Shadowfax
• Pearl
• Marshmallow 
• Luna
• Angel
• Sugar
• Coconut
• Elsa
• Daisy 

Palomino horse names

• Macchiato
• Snickerdoodle 
• Biscoff
• Honey
• Caramel
• Aurora
• Biscotti
• Butterscotch
• Chai
• Whiskey

Spotted horse names

• Domino
• Dottie
• Spot
• Freckles
• Dalmatian
• Checkers
• Oreo
• Sprinkles
• Pebbles
• Raindrop

Buckskin horse names

• Bambi
• Sven
• Boots
• Hazel 
• Acorn
• Hickory
• Teddy 
• Sandy
• Buckeye
• Latte

Pinto horse names

• Patches
• Pirate
• Jigsaw
• Scout
• Henna
• Ink
• Picasso
• Rembrandt 
• Monet
• Marble

Best horse names by gender

If you’re looking for a name as unique as your horse, consider one of these standout names for male or female horses.

Unique male horse names

• Trigger
• Wilbur
• Ranger
• Jasper
• Atlas
• Major
• Tucker
• Nike
• Cisco
• Santana
• Ollie
• Percy

Unique female horse names

• Cadence
• Clover
• Mabel
• Poppy
• Barbie
• Belle
• Skye
• Meadow
• Roxie
• Mavis
• Annie
• Rosie

Best horse names by personality

Does your horse have a big personality? Whether they’re calm and collected, graceful and majestic, or sweet and cute, find a name that perfectly encompasses your horse’s unique traits.

Cool horse names

• Strider
• Thunder 
• Zeus
• Dash
• Chief
• Gunner
• Diesel
• Duke
• Dakota
• Blaze
• Tank

Majestic horse names

• Knight 
• Willow
• Gatsby
• Spirit
• Whisper
• Pandora
• Majesty
• Maximus
• Titan
• King

Cute horse names

• Princess
• Sunshine
• Lucky
• Bingo
• Charm
• Strawberry
• Chip
• Cookie
• Cupcake
• Nacho

Best show horse names

Most show horses have a show name and a barn name. Show names are often created using a combination of the horse’s bloodlines. For example, I have a horse named Drumfields Ellusion and chose to spell it with an “e” because his sire’s name is Escapade.

Take some time with this decision, and have some fun! This is your opportunity for creativity and humor. Here are a few of our favorites we’ve heard over the years:

• Saved the Best for Last
• Celtic Harlequin
• Weekend Shakeup
• Out Like a Light
• Ice on the Bey
• Debutante
• Mane Attraction
• All That Jazz
• Lost My Sock
• Snowglobe
• Still Deciding
• Don’t Tell Daddy

Best barn horse names

A barn name is a casual name for your horse, similar to a nickname. It should be shorter than a show name–something that rolls off the tongue. I use the name “Drumfields Ellusion” for competitions and on my horse’s formal paperwork, but I call him Lego back at home. After all, who’s going to yell across the barn, “Drumfields Ellusion, stop chewing on your halter right now!”? Barn names make everyday communication with your horse much easier.

Barn names can be a shortened version of your horse’s show name, or they can be completely different. Here are some of our favorite barn names for show horses:

• Bean
• Sheriff
• Blazer
• Lego
• Merlin
• Amigo
• Blue
• Moxie
• Phoenix
• Beau
• Quincy

Best pony names

Ponies are known for their small stature and their friendly demeanor. Pick a name for your pony that represents their unique personality. These are some of the best pony names we’ve heard:

• Bubbles
• Olaf
• Lil Sebastian
• Applejacks
• Dolly
• Buttons
• Buttercup
• Biscuit
• Lady
• Curly
• Peanut

What not to name your horse

There is such a thing as a bad name for your horse. Avoid any names that imply negative behaviors or traits. After all, you want your horse’s name to reflect the good boy or girl they are! For example, the name “Bucky” may make people think the horse bucks, or people may assume a horse named “Sharky” has a biting issue.

Here are a few names to think twice about: 

• Bucky
• Sharky
• Tyson
• Grimace
• Spooky
• Jaws

Looking for more inspiration? Check out our list of 28 Famous Horse Names.

The bond you form with your horse is one-of-a-kind–you’ll spend lots of time together, both in and out of the show ring. Choosing your horse’s name is a reflection of that relationship. Get creative, and have some fun!

No matter what name you choose for your new friend, The Farm House has everything you need to care for them. From grooming supplies to saddles, we offer a collection of customer-approved and staff-tested products to keep your horse healthy and happy. Explore our full collection of horse tack, and if you have questions about any of the tack we carry, give us a call at 864-457-3557. We’re always happy to help!

You might also like:

• 20 of the Best Horse Breeds for Competitive Riders (by Discipline)
• Dealing with the Ups and Downs of Your Horse
• Essential Horse Riding Gear for Beginners