Horses have been an integral part of human history for centuries. From ancient times, they have played an important role in transportation, warfare, and cultural activities.
Throughout history, horses have been given various names based on their characteristics, appearance, and cultural significance.
In this blog post, we have compiled a list of 250 ancient horse names with meanings, inspired by historical figures, mythical creatures, elegant traits, and more. These names are unique and diverse, spanning across different cultures and languages, and are sure to inspire you to find the perfect name for your equine companion.
Ancient Horse Names
Popular Ancient Horse Names
- Bucephalus – the horse of Alexander the Great, known for his bravery in battle.
- Arion – a mythical horse with the ability to speak, said to be the fastest horse in the world.
- Incitatus – the horse of the Roman emperor Caligula, who allegedly made him a consul.
- Sleipnir – an eight-legged horse ridden by the Norse god Odin.
- Pegasus – a winged horse from Greek mythology, known for his speed and ability to fly.
- Hengroen – the horse of King Arthur, known for his strength and loyalty.
- Balios – one of the horses of Achilles, known for their speed and beauty.
- Gringolet – the horse of Sir Gawain, known for his strength and courage.
- Shadowfax – the horse of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings, known for his speed and intelligence.
- Rocinante – the horse of Don Quixote, known for his endurance and loyalty.
- Babieca – the horse of El Cid, known for his bravery in battle.
- Xanthus – one of the immortal horses of the god Poseidon, known for his speed and endurance.
- Bayard – a magical horse from French mythology, known for his strength and intelligence.
- Khan – the horse of Genghis Khan, known for his speed and agility.
- Incendio – the horse of Hernán Cortés, known for his bravery in battle.
- Brego – the horse of King Théoden in The Lord of the Rings, known for his loyalty and courage.
- Llamrei – the horse of King Arthur’s wife, Queen Guinevere, known for her beauty and speed.
- Marengo – the horse of Napoleon Bonaparte, known for his stamina and bravery in battle.
- Falada – a magical talking horse from German folklore, known for her wisdom and loyalty.
- Murgatroyd – the horse of Robin Hood, known for his speed and agility.
- Sceolang – one of the wolfhounds that pulled the chariot of the Irish hero Cúchulainn, known for his strength and loyalty.
- Trigger – the horse of the cowboy actor Roy Rogers, known for his speed and intelligence.
- Shadow – the horse of the Lone Ranger, known for his loyalty and bravery.
- Topper – the horse of Hopalong Cassidy, known for his speed and agility.
- Blackie – the horse of the cowboy actor Gene Autry, known for his speed and beauty.
- Scout – the horse of the cowboy hero Tom Mix, known for his intelligence and loyalty.
- Tornado – the horse of Zorro, known for his speed and agility.
- Fury – the horse of the cowboy hero Bill Cody, known for his strength and bravery.
- Champion – the horse of the cowboy hero Gene Autry, known for his speed and beauty.
- Silver – the horse of the Lone Ranger, known for his speed and intelligence.
- Flicka – the horse from the novel and film of the same name, known for her independence and spirit.
- Black Beauty – the titular horse from the novel of the same name, known for his resilience and loyalty.
- Ginger – a horse from the novel Black Beauty, known for her fiery spirit.
- Boxer – a horse from the novel Animal Farm, known for his strength and loyalty.
- Denny – the horse from the novel The Art of Racing in the Rain, known for his intelligence and loyalty.
- Rocamadour – a horse from French folklore, said to have carried the Virgin Mary up a steep cliff, known for his endurance and devotion.
- Hrimfaxi – a horse from Norse mythology, who pulled the chariot of the moon, known for his beauty and grace.
- Svaðilfari – a horse from Norse mythology, who helped build the walls of Asgard, known for his strength and endurance.
- Sleipnir – a horse from Norse mythology, ridden by the god Odin, known for his eight legs and speed.
- Kelpie – a horse from Scottish folklore, who could shape-shift into a human and lure people into the water, known for his cunning and trickery.
- Balmung – a horse from Germanic mythology, ridden by the hero Sigurd, known for his speed and bravery.
- Altivo – the horse from the film The Road to El Dorado, known for his stubbornness and loyalty.
- Buckskin Joe – a horse from American folklore, ridden by cowboys and outlaws, known for his speed and agility.
- Chetak – the horse of the Indian warrior king Maharana Pratap, known for his loyalty and bravery.
- Hidalgo – the horse from the film Hidalgo, based on a real-life race across the Arabian desert, known for his endurance and courage.
- Morvarc’h – a horse from Breton mythology, ridden by the fairy Morgana, known for his magical abilities and beauty.
- Rosinante – the horse from the novel Don Quixote, known for his age and endurance.
- Topthorn – the horse from the novel and film War Horse, known for his bravery in battle.
- Tug – the horse from the film The Black Stallion, known for his speed and beauty.
- Joey – the horse from the novel and film War Horse, known for his loyalty and courage.
Ancient Horse Names Inspired By Horse Characteristics
- Amber – a horse with a golden coat, known for her beauty and elegance.
- Onyx – a horse with a black coat, known for his mysterious and enigmatic nature.
- Sapphire – a horse with a blue coat, known for his regal and dignified nature.
- Ruby – a horse with a red coat, known for his fiery and passionate spirit.
- Emerald – a horse with a green coat, known for his lively and vibrant nature.
- Citrine – a horse with a yellow coat, known for his sunny and cheerful disposition.
- Garnet – a horse with a deep red coat, known for his strength and resilience.
- Amethyst – a horse with a purple coat, known for his mystical and otherworldly nature.
- Jade – a horse with a green coat, known for his wisdom and serenity.
- Topaz – a horse with a golden coat, known for his warm and friendly personality.
- Coral – a horse with a pinkish-orange coat, known for her vibrant and energetic nature.
- Opal – a horse with a multicolored coat, known for her unique and mesmerizing appearance.
- Jasper – a horse with a spotted coat, known for his rugged and adventurous spirit.
- Turquoise – a horse with a blue-green coat, known for his peaceful and calming presence.
- Diamond – a horse with a sparkling white coat, known for his purity and strength.
- Amber Eyes – a horse with warm and inviting eyes, known for her intelligence and empathy.
- Braveheart – a horse with a courageous and fearless spirit, known for his bravery in the face of danger.
- Flame – a horse with a fiery and passionate spirit, known for his energy and enthusiasm.
- Misty – a horse with a misty grey coat, known for her mysterious and alluring nature.
- Nightshade – a horse with a dark and mysterious presence, known for his stealth and cunning.
- Rusty – a horse with a rusty brown coat, known for his rugged and adventurous spirit.
- Shadow Dancer – a horse with a graceful and elegant presence, known for her smooth and flowing movements.
- Silver Fox – a horse with a silver-grey coat, known for his intelligence and cunning.
- Storm Chaser – a horse with a fearless and adventurous spirit, known for his love of storms and bad weather.
- Sundance – a horse with a sunny and cheerful disposition, known for his love of sunshine and warmth.
- Sunrise – a horse with a bright and optimistic spirit, known for her love of early mornings and new beginnings.
- Sunset – a horse with a calm and peaceful presence, known for her love of serene and tranquil evenings.
- Thunderbolt – a horse with a powerful and lightning-fast gallop, known for his incredible speed and agility.
- Wildfire – a horse with a wild and untamed spirit, known for his love of freedom and independence.
- Wind Dancer – a horse with a free-spirited and graceful presence, known for her love of the wind and open spaces.
- Blue Steel – a horse with a sleek and stylish presence, known for his cool and collected demeanor.
- Bluebird – a horse with a gentle and sweet nature, known for her love of nature and freedom.
- Cinnamon – a horse with a warm and inviting nature, known for his sweet and spicy personality.
- Crimson – a horse with a bold and daring spirit, known for her love of adventure and excitement.
- Diamond Dust – a horse with a sparkling and magical presence.
- Dreamcatcher – a horse known for his ability to capture and hold onto dreams, like a dreamcatcher.
- Mystic – a horse known for his mysterious and enchanting presence, like a mystic.
- Sunflower – a horse known for her bright and sunny disposition, like a sunflower.
- Moonshadow – a horse known for his cool and mysterious presence, like a moonshadow.
- Starlight – a horse known for his twinkling and magical nature, like starlight in the sky.
- Thunderstorm – a horse known for his power and energy, like a thunderstorm.
- Wildheart – a horse known for her wild and untamed spirit, like a wildheart.
- Ocean – a horse known for her tranquil and calming presence, like the ocean.
- River – a horse known for his fluid and graceful movements, like a river.
- Autumn – a horse known for her warm and earthy presence, like the colors of autumn.
- Winter – a horse known for his cool and stoic nature, like the winter season.
- Spring – a horse known for his fresh and vibrant personality, like the season of spring.
- Summer – a horse known for his warm and sunny disposition, like the season of summer.
- Rustic – a horse known for his rugged and natural appearance, like a rustic setting.
- Blaze of Glory – a horse known for his bold and triumphant spirit, like a blaze of glory.
Ancient Horse Mythical Names
- Sleipnir – an eight-legged horse ridden by the Norse god Odin, known for his speed and grace.
- Epona – a Celtic goddess of horses, known for her fertility and protection of horses.
- Kelpie – a shape-shifting water spirit from Scottish folklore, known for his ability to lure humans to their doom.
- Hippocampus – a sea creature from Greek mythology with the upper body of a horse and the lower body of a fish, known for his speed and agility.
- Chiron – a centaur from Greek mythology known for his wisdom and teaching skills.
- Unicorn – a mythical horse with a single horn on its forehead, known for its purity and magic.
- Pegasus – a winged horse from Greek mythology, known for his speed and ability to fly.
- Chrysaor – a golden-armored giant from Greek mythology, born from the neck of the slain Medusa, known for his strength and bravery.
- Arion – a swift and beautiful horse from Greek mythology, known for his musical talents and speed.
- Buraq – a winged horse from Islamic mythology, who carried the prophet Muhammad on his night journey to heaven.
- Xanthus and Balius – the immortal horses of the god Poseidon, known for their speed and beauty.
- Hengroen – the horse of King Arthur, known for his strength and loyalty.
- Agrotera – a Greek goddess of the hunt and horses, known for her strength and hunting abilities.
- Kujata – a giant winged bull from Islamic mythology, known for his power and strength.
- Rakshasa – a demon horse from Hindu mythology, known for his ability to shape-shift and cause chaos.
- Buraq – a winged horse from Islamic mythology, who carried the prophet Muhammad on his night journey to heaven.
- Ceffyl Dŵr – a water horse from Welsh folklore, known for his ability to shape-shift and lure humans into the water.
- Enbarr – a magical horse from Irish mythology, known for his ability to travel on water and land.
- Hayagriva – a horse-headed god from Hindu mythology, known for his wisdom and knowledge.
- Svaðilfari – a horse from Norse mythology who helped build the walls of Asgard, known for his strength and endurance.
- Helhest – a three-legged horse from Danish folklore, associated with death and the underworld.
- Ratri – a dark horse from Hindu mythology, associated with the goddess of night and darkness.
- Kinnara – a half-human, half-horse creature from Buddhist mythology, known for his musical talents and beauty.
- The Mares of Diomedes – man-eating horses from Greek mythology, captured and tamed by the hero Heracles.
- Bai Ze – a mythological creature from Chinese mythology with the body of a horse and the head of a man, known for his wisdom and knowledge.
- Baku – a mythological creature from Japanese mythology with the body of a horse and the head of a lion, known for his ability to devour nightmares.
- Gullfaxi – a horse from Norse mythology, ridden by the god of thunder, known for his golden mane and ability to gallop across the sky.
- Svadilfari – a horse from Norse mythology, who helped build the walls of Asgard, known for his strength and endurance.
- Tulpar – a winged horse from Turkic mythology, known for his speed and agility.
- Uchchaihshravas – a seven-headed horse from Hindu mythology, known for his strength and beauty.
- Zephyr – a gentle and swift horse from Greek mythology, known for his association with the god of the west wind.
- Jorvik – a mystical horse from Norse mythology, associated with the god of fertility and abundance.
- Kapre – a horse-headed creature from Philippine folklore, known for his ability to smoke tobacco and create illusions.
- Kirin – a mythical horse from Chinese and Japanese mythology, known for his gentle nature and association with good fortune.
- Osschaart – a horse from Flemish folklore, known for his mischievous and disobedient nature.
- Karkadann – a mythical horse from Islamic and Persian mythology, with a single horn on his forehead and fierce demeanor.
- Yali – a mythical horse from Hindu mythology, known for his fierce and protective nature.
- Hanuman – a monkey god from Hindu mythology, known for his association with horses and his bravery.
- Svaha – a horse goddess from Hindu mythology, known for her association with fire and sacrifice.
- Atvar – a mystical horse from Norse mythology, associated with the goddess of the earth and fertility.
- Abada – a mythical horse from African folklore, known for his ability to walk on water and his association with good luck.
- Ahuizotl – a horse-like creature from Aztec mythology, known for his association with water and his mischievous nature.
- Baku – a mythical horse from Japanese mythology, known for his ability to devour nightmares and bad dreams.
- Chollima – a legendary horse from Korean mythology, known for his incredible speed and stamina.
- Hippogriff – a mythical creature from Greek and Roman mythology, with the body of a horse and the wings of an eagle.
- Kheiron – a centaur from Greek mythology, known for his wisdom and teaching abilities.
- Kamadhenu – a divine cow from Hindu mythology, known for her ability to grant wishes and her association with fertility.
- Kelpie – a shape-shifting water spirit from Scottish folklore, known for his ability to lure humans to their doom.
- Unicorn – a mythical horse with a single horn on its forehead, known for its purity and magic.
- Hippocamp – a mythical horse from Greek mythology with the upper body of a horse and the lower body of a fish, known for his speed and agility in water.
Ancient Horse Names Inspired by Historical Figures
- Alexander – named after Alexander the Great, a famous conqueror and military leader.
- Bucephalus – named after Alexander the Great’s beloved horse, known for his courage and loyalty.
- Caesar – named after Julius Caesar, a famous Roman general and statesman.
- Cleopatra – named after Cleopatra VII, the last pharaoh of ancient Egypt known for her beauty and intelligence.
- Attila – named after Attila the Hun, a fierce warrior and ruler of the Huns.
- Boadicea – named after Queen Boadicea, a Celtic queen who led a rebellion against Roman rule.
- Constantine – named after Emperor Constantine the Great, who made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.
- Genghis – named after Genghis Khan, founder and first emperor of the Mongol Empire.
- Hannibal – named after Hannibal Barca, a Carthaginian general famous for his tactical skills in battle.
- Hatshepsut – named after Queen Hatshepsut, one of the few female pharaohs of ancient Egypt known for her building projects and trade expeditions.
- Herodotus – named after Herodotus, the ancient Greek historian known as the “father of history.”
- Joan – named after Joan of Arc, a French heroine and military leader during the Hundred Years’ War.
- Kublai – named after Kublai Khan, the fifth Khagan of the Mongol Empire and founder of the Yuan dynasty in China.
- Louis – named after King Louis XIV of France, known for his grandeur and long reign.
- Marcus – named after Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor and philosopher known for his Stoic beliefs.
- Napoleon – named after Napoleon Bonaparte, a famous French military leader and emperor.
- Nero – named after Emperor Nero, known for his tyrannical rule and lavish lifestyle.
- Ptolemy – named after Ptolemy I Soter, founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt.
- Ramses – named after Ramses II, one of the most powerful pharaohs of ancient Egypt known for his military campaigns and building projects.
- Saladin – named after Saladin, a Muslim general and sultan who captured Jerusalem during the Crusades.
- Shaka – named after Shaka Zulu, a powerful king and military leader of the Zulu people in southern Africa.
- Sundiata – named after Sundiata Keita, the founder of the Mali Empire and a legendary figure in West African history.
- Tamerlane – named after Tamerlane, a Turkic-Mongol conqueror and founder of the Timurid Empire.
- William – named after William the Conqueror, a Norman nobleman who became King of England after the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
- Zeno – named after Zeno of Citium, the founder of the Stoic school of philosophy.
- Ashoka – named after Emperor Ashoka, who ruled over the Maurya Empire in ancient India and is known for his conversion to Buddhism and promotion of nonviolence.
- Charlemagne – named after Charlemagne, a Frankish king who became the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.
- Confucius – named after Confucius, the Chinese philosopher and founder of Confucianism.
- Cyrus – named after Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Empire and one of the most successful conqueror.
- Darius – named after Darius the Great, a Persian king who expanded the Achaemenid Empire and promoted religious tolerance.
- Eleanor – named after Eleanor of Aquitaine, a powerful queen and mother of several kings of England and France.
- Elizabeth – named after Queen Elizabeth I of England, known for her strong leadership and patronage of the arts.
- Ferdinand – named after King Ferdinand II of Aragon, who sponsored Christopher Columbus’s voyage to the Americas.
- Frederick – named after Frederick the Great, a Prussian king and military leader known for his tactical genius.
- Galileo – named after Galileo Galilei, the Italian astronomer and physicist who made groundbreaking discoveries in the fields of astronomy and physics.
- Harriet – named after Harriet Tubman, an American abolitionist and political activist who led enslaved people to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
- Isabella – named after Queen Isabella I of Castile, who sponsored Christopher Columbus’s voyage to the Americas and is known for her role in the Spanish Inquisition.
- Josephine – named after Empress Josephine, the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte and a patron of the arts and fashion.
- Julius – named after Julius Caesar, a Roman general and statesman known for his military conquests and political reforms.
- Laozi – named after Laozi, the Chinese philosopher and founder of Taoism.
- Martin – named after Martin Luther King Jr., an American civil rights leader and advocate for nonviolence and social justice.
- Montezuma – named after Montezuma II, the last Aztec emperor who was captured by Spanish conquistadors during their conquest of Mexico.
- Nelson – named after Admiral Horatio Nelson, a British naval commander known for his victories during the Napoleonic Wars.
- Pablo – named after Pablo Picasso, a Spanish artist and founder of the Cubist movement.
- Qin Shi Huang – named after Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of a unified China and a major figure in Chinese history.
- Roosevelt – named after Theodore Roosevelt, a former President of the United States known for his conservation efforts and “Big Stick” diplomacy.
- Salome – named after Salome Alexandra, a Jewish queen who ruled over Judea during the Hasmonean dynasty.
- Suleiman – named after Suleiman the Magnificent, a powerful Ottoman sultan and patron of the arts and sciences.
- Tutankhamun – named after Tutankhamun, a pharaoh of ancient Egypt whose tomb was discovered nearly intact in the 20th century.
- Wu Zetian – named after Wu Zetian, the only woman to ever rule China as emperor and a major figure in Chinese history.
Ancient Horse Elegant Names
- Althea – a Greek name meaning “healer” or “wholesome.”
- Amalia – a German name meaning “work” or “industrious.”
- Amira – an Arabic name meaning “princess” or “leader.”
- Ansel – a Germanic name meaning “follower of a nobleman” or “godly.”
- Arabelle – a French name meaning “lovely” or “adorable.”
- Armando – a Spanish name meaning “soldier” or “warrior.”
- Aveline – a French name meaning “hazelnut” or “hazel tree.”
- Beauregard – a French name meaning “beautiful view” or “beautiful regard.”
- Calanthe – a Greek name meaning “beautiful flower” or “orchid.”
- Camila – a Spanish name meaning “attendant at a religious ceremony” or “young ceremonial attendant.”
- Carina – a Latin name meaning “dear” or “beloved.”
- Catalina – a Spanish name meaning “pure” or “clear.”
- Celine – a French name meaning “heavenly” or “moon.”
- Chevalier – a French name meaning “knight” or “horseman.”
- Chiara – an Italian name meaning “clear” or “bright.”
- Constance – a Latin name meaning “steadfast” or “constant.”
- Cosima – a Greek name meaning “order” or “harmony.”
- Damien – a Greek name meaning “to tame” or “subdue.”
- Dario – a Persian name meaning “upholder of the good” or “kingly.”
- Desdemona – a Greek name meaning “ill-starred” or “unlucky.”
- Eleanora – a Greek name meaning “bright” or “shining one.”
- Elise – a French name meaning “pledged to God” or “God is my oath.”
- Emilia – a Latin name meaning “rival” or “emulating.”
- Emmanuelle – a French name meaning “God is with us” or “God is among us.”
- Esme – a French name meaning “loved” or “esteemed.”
- Fabienne – a French name meaning “bean grower” or “bean farmer.”
- Fiorella – an Italian name meaning “little flower” or “blooming flower.”
- Francesca – an Italian name meaning “free” or “from France.”
- Galiana – a Spanish name meaning “brilliant” or “shining one.”
- Gideon – a Hebrew name meaning “hewer” or “mighty warrior.”
- Gracelyn – an English name meaning “graceful” or “pleasant.”
- Ingrid – a Scandinavian name meaning “fair” or “beautiful.”
- Isolde – a Welsh name meaning “fair” or “white.”
- Jacinda – a Spanish name meaning “hyacinth” or “beautiful.”
- Jocasta – a Greek name meaning “shining moon” or “far-sighted.”
- Kairos – a Greek name meaning “the opportune moment” or “the right time.”
- Kaida – an Arabic name meaning “leader” or “commander.”
- Katrien – a Dutch name meaning “pure” or “chaste.”
- Leander – a Greek name meaning “lion-man” or “man-lion.”
- Lilliana – a Latin name meaning “pure” or “innocent.”
- Luciana – a Latin name meaning “light” or “shining.”
- Magnolia – a Latin name meaning “flower” or “Magnol’s flower.”
- Mariella – an Italian name meaning “bitter sea” or “rebellious.”
- Natalia – a Latin name meaning “born on Christmas day” or “birthday of the Lord.”
- Odelia – a Hebrew name meaning “praise God” or “I will thank God.”
- Olivia – a Latin name meaning “olive tree” or “olive branch.”
- Penelope – a Greek name meaning “weaver” or “duck.”
- Seraphine – a French name meaning “burning ones” or “fiery.”
- Valentina – a Latin name meaning “strong” or “vigorous.”
- Willow – an English name meaning “slender” or “graceful.”
Wrap Up
In conclusion, naming your horse is an important decision, and choosing the right name can help create a strong bond between you and your equine friend. Our list of 250 ancient horse names offers a diverse range of options, from popular names inspired by historical figures to elegant names based on characteristics and traits. Whether you are looking for a name that reflects your horse’s personality or a name that has cultural significance, this list has something for everyone. We hope that this compilation has helped you find the perfect name for your beloved horse and has added to your appreciation of the rich history and cultural significance of these magnificent creatures.