The Best and Most Comprehensive List of 140+ Male Horse Names

Are you planning on or have you already purchased a new male horse? If so, you’re probably here looking for awesome male horse names. We’ve compiled a massive list of more than 140 names to help you!

When it comes to naming your male horse, you might be surprised at how many rules and regulations are placed on registered names. A registered name is the name the registry uses to identify the horse in all pedigrees and publications. Whereas, a call name is what you call the horse regularly. Keep in mind, that the rules regarding registered names depend on what registry you use and what the horse does.

Example of Naming Rules for Horses

In Britain, racehorses can only have 18 characters in their name. The spaces in a name also count as characters. They cannot be named after anyone who hasn’t been dead for more than 50 years without express written permission of the person. So, you couldn’t name your male horse Jon Bon Jovi because he’s still alive. Unless, of course, you got Mr. Bon Jovi’s written permission. The name must also be unique and cannot too closely resemble the name of another horse. Most registries provide a look-up tool for you to ensure the name is available before applying for registration.

Although not required, many people prefer to have their horse’s call name match their registered name. For example, the registered name Million Bucks compliments the call name Dollar. However, if your horse already has a registered name and you want to find something to call them, you can pick whatever you’d like. This comprehensive list aims to inspire you to find the perfect name for your male horse!

Why Does a Registered Name Matter?

Really, it only matters if it makes a difference to you. If you plan to breed, show, race, or otherwise compete with the horse, picking a great registered name benefits you. It allows the horse to become well-known and remembered for both its amazing feats and spectacular name. Perhaps your horse came from incredible lines that you want to honor. Then, you might take a look at the pedigree to pay respect to those horses in its lineage. However, if the horse will be your pet for riding around the farm, the registered name might not be too important.

How to Pick an Amazing Male Horse Name

Picking the best name for your male horse isn’t all that difficult. You’ve already completed the first step, looking for inspiration, by checking out this list!

Take some time to study your male horse’s color and markings to come up with a name. Your horse might be the most beautiful shade of chestnut you’ve ever seen, or maybe its marking reminds you of something from your childhood. Thinking about what your horse looks like will help you find a name.

The next step is getting to know your horse. Whether he’s a young colt or an older gelding male, horses each have their own personalities and quirks. Maybe your horse is very shy. Perhaps he’s nosey and always making you laugh with his antics. These traits can help you draw inspiration.

Check out your male horse’s pedigree for naming inspiration! Many great horses were named after their predecessors. Reading through some names of horses that came before yours can be very helpful.

All these things combine to assist you in coming up with the perfect name for your male horse! Whatever name you pick, ensure it makes you smile when you say it and think of your equine friend. If you love the name you picked, your horse will feel your joy whenever you say it — and they’ll love it too!

80+ Male Horse Names by Color or Pattern

You may want to name your male horse to describe his stunning coat color or pattern. We’ve compiled a detailed list of names based on a few of the most common colors and patterns.

Remember, you can use your call name to come up with a great registered name! For instance, a horse called Nutmeg might be registered as Christmas Spice. Alternately, a horse registered under the name Round Em Up might be called Cowboy.

20 Names for Chestnut Horses

Chestnut (brown) male horses are pretty common, but their name doesn’t have to be! There are many variants of chestnut, as well. So, these names could be adapted to fit better. Perhaps your horse is a liver chestnut or dark bay. That means their coat is much darker than a regular chestnut. You might name them from the list below but add something to their registered name to signify their darker coloration. Think Dark Toffee, Dark Chocolate, Burnt Elm, or Baked Nutmeg.

1. Nutmeg
2. Toffee
3. Copper
4. Rusty
5. Chocolate
6. Cappuccino
7. Teddy
8. Cowboy
9. Fox
10. Oakley
11. Mercury
12. Sunny
13. Arun (reddish brown)
14. Braun (brown)
15. Dunham (brown hill homestead)
16. Elm (red/brown tree)
17. Bruno (brown)
18. Clay
19. Acajou (the wood from a mahogany tree)
20. Bronson (son of the brown-haired one)

20 Names for Black Horses

Black male horses might seem a bit plain to some, but naming your boy something great can be what makes him stand out. Be sure to check out our 200+ creative black horse names list, too! A great combination name could be Dirty Dancing with Swayze. Another choice? Read Em N Weep with the call name Blackjack.

1. Alastor (the black horse of Hades)
2. Poe (as in Edgar Allan Poe, who wrote dark poetry)
3. Shadowfax (Gandalf’s horse in Lord of the Rings)
4. Zorro
5. Hurricane
6. Abyss
7. Matte
8. Espresso
9. Guinness
10. Caviar
11. Coal
12. Donovan (dark)
13. Duncan (dark warrior)
14. Onyx
15. Swayze
16. Nero
17. Blackjack
18. Phantom
19. Omen
20. Noir

20 Names for Gray Horses

Gray horses are a pretty neat occurrence since they must have two copies of the gray gene. Some start very dark and lighten with age and vice versa. Name your gray male horse something special that plays to their wonderful coloration! For a registered/call name combo, you might consider Castle Keeper and Knight. You could also choose a name like Nivek and register the horse as Cloudy Sky, showcasing the meaning of the name.

1. Slate
2. Grayson (son of the gray-haired one)
3. Eclipse
4. Ghost
5. Silver
6. Thunder
7. Moonstone
8. Gracian (grace)
9. Hazen (gray)
10. Storm Cloud
11. Ashken (gray)
12. Grissom (gray)
13. Keir (dark one)
14. Kyan (little dark one)
15. Gulliver (gray-haired)
16. Clai (gray)
17. Charcoal
18. Nimbus (stormy clouds)
19. Nivek (cloudy sky)
20. Bailen (gray)

20 Names for Two-Toned Horses

Some horses have more than one color on their body. These can be dapple, pinto, paint, piebald, or snowflake among others. Calling attention to your male horse’s unique patterns is a great way to name him! A fun registered name for a two-toned male horse could be Split Decision, with the call name Tied (since both colors won in your horse’s pattern). Another choice could be the call name Dali and the registered name Crazy Strokes (since Salvador Dalí made crazy paintings of melted clocks and such).

1. Checkers
2. Splash
3. Jasper (spotted treasure)
4. Tie Dye
5. Jupiter
6. Riptide
7. Ripple
8. River
9. Rain
10. Vortex
11. Vandal
12. Picasso
13. Puzzle
14. Yin Yang
15. Sandstorm
16. Milky Way
17. Cosmos
18. Macha (aurora)
19. Spectrum
20. Tuxedo

Naming Your Male Horse After a God — 40+ Options

Without a doubt, horses are incredibly powerful creatures. Not only that but bonding with a horse often makes a person feel elated that they have been chosen. Gods in every culture worldwide are worshiped for their abilities and the blessings they bestow upon their human followers. Horses are much stronger, more athletic, and have better stamina than we could ever hope to have. So, why not select a powerful god name for your male horse?

A good combination name might be Law N Order with Tyr. Another suggestion? Combine the registered name Thundering Warlord with the call name Donar (Teutonic god of war and thunder).

Norse Gods

1. Odin (king of gods)
2. Tyr (god of law and justice)
3. Loki (god of mischief)
4. Balder (god of light and peace)
5. Thor (god of thunder)

Hindu Gods

1. Vishnu (preserver of the universe)
2. Brahman (god of creation)
3. Ganesha (king of gods)
4. Indra (ruler of the heavens)

Egyptian Gods

1. Ra (sun god)
2. Anhur (god of war)
3. Anubis (god of the dead)
4. Osiris (god of the dead)

Chinese Gods

1. Yu Lao (Chinese god of love)
2. Pangu (Chinese creator god)
3. Lei Gong (Chinese god of thunder)
4. Yu Shi (Chinese god of rain)
5. Yan Wang (Chinese god of hell)

Greek Gods

1. Apollo (god of the sun)
2. Poseidon (god of the sea)
3. Hades (god of the underworld)
4. Ares (god of war)
5. Zeus ( king of gods)
6. Chronos (god of time)
7. Helios (god of the sun)

Roman Gods

1. Neptune (god of the sea)
2. Mars (god of war)
3. Spec (god of hope)
4. Bronte (god of thunder)
5. Janus (god of beginnings and time)

African Gods

1. Shango (god of thunder)
2. Eshu (trickster god)
3. Ogun (god of iron)
4. Bumba (god of creation)

Aztec/Mayan Gods

1. Tlaloc (god of rain)
2. Hurukan (god of storms)
3. Xolotl (god of death)
4. Hunahpu (god of the sun)

20 of the Most Common Names for Male Horses

Contrary to the other options in this comprehensive list of male horse names, these are very common and overused names you might want to avoid! While these names are incredibly common, they may still fit your horse and your preferences. If you love the name, don’t let its commonality sway your decision.

1. Outlaw
2. Cody
3. Hero
4. Johnny
5. Blaze
6. Buck
7. Chief
8. Tucker
9. Spirit
10. Cisco
11. Chance
12. Blue
13. Lucky
14. Ranger
15. Charlie
16. Magic
17. Red
18. Dash
19. Flash
20. Dusty

Final Thoughts on Naming Your Male Horse

Naming your male horse the perfect name is important to you. Just remember that choosing a name you love is what matters most. That said, don’t try to make anyone happy except yourself. A new horse is potentially a 30-year commitment to both a pet and a name. Pick something that makes you smile and your horse will love it too! Although you might impress someone else with your creativity in naming your male horse, what’s important is what you like. Also, if you didn’t like any of the names on this list, that’s ok! Take some inspiration from our list and run with it.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © DawidKasza/iStock via Getty Images