Having to name an animal has always been a challenge for me; I don’t want a generic name that every horse has. I want something unique with meaning that also fits the horse’s personality. If you’ve just gotten a horse, congrats!! Now it’s time to name him!
In this article, I have compiled a list of gelding and stallion name ideas to help inspire you to find the best name for your horse. Best wishes!
Most Common Names for Geldings & Stallions
I will start with the most common names for male horses. Some people don’t mind that their horse has a popular name; these names are usually easy to remember and can fit various personalities. Some people prefer to steer clear of common horse names and go for something a bit more unique. Some of the most common male horse names are:
- Charlie
- Tucker
- Blaze
- Cody
- Lucky
- Joey
- Buddy
- Chance
- Midnight
- Rocky
- Blue
- Red
My personal horse is named Tucker. While Tucker is probably one of America’s most popular horse names, and I wanted something more authentic, it fit him so well! I decided to keep the name for his sake.
Classic Names For Geldings & Stallions
Here are the oldies-but-goodies. Classic names have been used for years…and for good reason – most traditional male names evoke strength, wisdom, and courage. Many consider these traits masculine and strong and well-associated with horses. An advantage of using a classic name is that it will age gracefully. These names are timeless, and won’t seem out of place in twenty years, unlike a name derived from, say, a current pop singer (not that there is anything wrong with naming your gelding after Justin Bieber, but it is something to consider nonetheless). You can’t go wrong with the following if you are interested in a classic name for your gelding or stallion.
- Ranger
- Jasper
- Rusty
- Dakota
- Sheriff
- Phoenix
- Bandit
- Hunter
- Thunder
- Rebel
- Trooper
- Vader
- Sherman
- Sarge
- Captain
Pop Culture Names For Geldings & Stallions
You can always find great names in pop culture. These names can immediately educate someone on the personality and demeanor of your horse by relating it to a character they know from a movie or TV show. I’m a big fan of pop culture names; right now, we have a running list of Lord of the Rings and video game character names for the animals on our farm. Here are pop culture equine names that everyone should know:
- Spirit – From both the Disney movie and the cartoon of the same name
- Maximus – Another animated horse, Maximus is the law-enforcing steed from Tangled
- Black Beauty – Though some adaptations will differ, the original Black Beauty was a stallion
- Shadowfax – If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, you know this gem
- Mister Ed – From Mister Ed, the 1960s television series
- Pilgrim – From The Horse Whisperer
- Trigger – A Palomino ridden by one of the most famous movie cowboys in history…Roy Rogers
- Big Mac – A farm draft horse in My Little Pony, brother of Applejack
- Cheese Sandwich – Yes, this is the actual name of a character from My Little Pony. He goes by “Cheese” for short.
- Cobalt – one of Veronica’s horses from The Saddle Club
The next list still has to do with pop culture, but these names come from characters who aren’t necessarily horses!
- Legolas
- Grimli
- Draco
- Dumbledore
- Gale
- Peeta
- Frodo
- Sam-Wise
- Radagast
- Obi-Wan
- Qui Gon
- Solo
- Remus
- Jasper
- Jacob
- Forrest
- Lucius
Moody Names for Stallions & Geldings
While I find stallions and geldings to be quirky and playful usually, sometimes you may want a moody mystical name for your horse. My husband has been telling me that whatever horse he ends up getting, it has to have a very manly name that sounds like he’ll be riding into battle or something. Little does he know that his first horse will probably be an ancient lesson horse that doesn’t like to go fast! 😂 Anyway, here is my top list of moody names for your stallion or gelding:
- Kratos
- Warlord
- Titan
- Grimhelm
- Rakor
- Engor Rot
- Viper
- Bastian
- Zeus
- Griffin
- Artemis
- Perseus
- Ajax
- Ezra
Stallion & Gelding Names for Miniature Horses
There’s something a bit more fun about naming miniature horses than naming a normal-sized horse. Their size makes them much more fit for cute and funny names that probably wouldn’t make sense for a 16.2 hh Thoroughbred. Here are the best names I’ve heard for miniature geldings or stallions:
- Pork Chop
- Hot Dog
- French Fry
- Pinto Bean
- Rolly Polly Olly
- Osh
- Yoshi
- Kirby
- Bowzer
- Firefly
- Munchkin
- Oompa Loompa
- Mario
- Larry
Gelding & Stallion Names Inspired By Famous Horses
While the previous list of names was inspired by famous fictional horses, this list will be inspired by real famous horses. These horses may have had movies made in their namesakes, but they originally made history for other reasons – some were revered warhorses, while others were made famous for their performances on the racetrack. If you are looking for a name that honors a celebrated horse from history, the following names may suit your horse well.
- Secretariat – The 9th Triple Crown winner who still holds time records for each of the three races
- Traveler – While Robert E. Lee was on the wrong side of history, serving as the general of the Confederate Army during the Civil War, his horse was made famous for his bravery and speed in battle. Traveler has been portrayed in many movies and can still be seen at the Virginia Military Institute as a taxidermied horse.
- Bucephalus – Alexander the Great’s beloved warhorse, described as being large and black with a white star
- Man o’ War – One of the greatest racehorses of the 20th century, having won 20 out of his 21 career starts
- Nelson – The regal chestnut mount of George Washington, seen in many paintings of the 1st president of the United States.
- Seabiscuit – The underdog racehorse that gained an enthusiastic following while acting as a diversion from the Great Depression
- War Admiral – Another champion racehorse and winner of the fourth Triple Crown
- Comanche – The lone survivor of the Battle of Little Bighorn, found with at least seven bullet wounds days after the battle. He was nursed back to health and lived the rest of his days in retirement.
For centuries, horses were a catalyst in humanity becoming what it is today. To learn more about these horses from history, visit my article Horses in History: 15 Most Famous Horses.
Gelding & Stallion Names Inspired By Puns
Are you someone who loves a good pun? A pun is a type of wordplay, and the possibilities are almost endless. You can use celebrity names, media, or idioms to develop a punny name. Popular horse-inspired words that can be used in a good pun include “neigh,” “pony,” “trot,” “hay,” and “colt.” If you enjoy a good pun, you may get a kick out of the following funny names:
- Harry Trotter
- Usain Colt – A great name for a horse prized for his speed
- Pony Stark
- Al Capony
- Edgar Allen Pony – A good name for a dark, moody horse
- Sylvester Stallione – If you have a fighter for a horse, this may be the name for you
- ZZ Trot
- Jon Bon Pony – Especially fitting if your horse has a mind of his own and you find yourself singing “Livin’ on a Prayer” while riding!
- Rein or Shine
- Fifty Bales of Hay
- Tater Trot
Finding The Perfect Name For Your Gelding Or Stallion
Naming your horse can be challenging, but try not to put too much pressure on yourself. Most of us have a multitude of nicknames for each of our pets, and it’s no different with horses. Over time, I have found that a horse will tend to take on its name. Write down the names you like and share them with your friends and family; sometimes, they may have an objective view that can create the ultimate name. Best wishes with your new horse, and I hope this article will inspire you to find the perfect name!
If you’re looking for even more name ideas, check out these articles below:
- 200+ Black Horse Names (That You’ve Never Heard)
- 175 Best Horse Names Ever
- 200+ Show Names For Your Horse (Picked by an Equestrian)
