​
​
Advanced Search

Horse Names

  1. Don

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Donald, Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "proud chief"

    • Description:

      Short form of Donald -- or more stylishly, Donahue or Donovan -- that's acquired a new sixties-era suaveness thanks to Mad Man Don Draper. The name also carries a Sopranos or Godfather-style double entendre.
  2. Skip

    • Description:

      Skip is a casual, spirited masculine name that originated as a nickname rather than a formal given name. Traditionally, it emerged as a diminutive for various names, particularly Christopher, but also for Richard, Skipper, or other names. The name evokes a carefree, energetic personality—someone who might 'skip' through life with enthusiasm. Skip gained some popularity in mid-20th century America, particularly during the 1950s-60s, reflecting the era's fondness for friendly, approachable nicknames as standalone names. While rarely used as a birth name today, it retains nostalgic charm and continues to be used as a nickname. The name carries associations with youthfulness, informality, and an unpretentious American sensibility.
  3. Ringo

    • Origin:

      English nickname

    • Description:

      The most outlandish Beatles-inspired name, if Lennon or McCartney are too tame for you. Ringo Starr is the stage name of drummer Richard Starkey, taken from his nickname Ringo (because he wore lots of rings) and the first part of his surname. A bold rock-n-roll inspired choice!
  4. Roswell

    • Description:

      Roswell is a masculine name with English origins, derived from an Old English surname that combines 'rose' (the flower) and 'well' (a spring or water source). The name gained some recognition in the United States after the alleged UFO incident in Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947, which added a mysterious dimension to its appeal. As a first name, Roswell has remained relatively uncommon, appealing to parents seeking distinctive names with historical roots. It conveys a sense of strength and uniqueness while maintaining its connection to natural elements. The name can be shortened to Ross, providing a more conventional nickname option.

  5. Minty

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Aminta and Araminta, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "defender"

    • Description:

      Minty isn't a fresh word name — it's an old-fashioned nickname for Araminta, the romantic smoosh name coined by playwright William Congreve in 1693.
  6. Filippo

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Philip, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "lover of horses"

    • Description:

      As classic as it comes in Italy — Filippo was once common during the Renaissance, and today remains in the Top 25.
  7. Jonesy

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Jones, English surname derived from John

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      It's difficult to imagine anyone using the first name Jonesy -- and in fact, in the most recent US tally, there were nearly 100 babies named Jones but none named Jonesy. Still, this is a name that many people with Jones for a name, last or first, end up being known by, and as a nickname, it's sorta cute in a Skip, Chip, Bitsy kind of way.
  8. Rider

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "horseman"

    • Description:

      Rider is a rock-and-roll baby name, in every sense of the term, though usually spelled Ryder, as in the sons of Kate Hudson and John Leguizamo.
  9. Calhoun

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "from the narrow forest"

    • Description:

      A beaming, friendly Irish last-name-first-name waiting to be discovered, though anyone into American history might associate it with John C. Calhoun, a 19th century statesman who defended slavery. There are however plenty of places called Calhoun which might lessen that association.
  10. West

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      West is the most fashionable of what you might call the direction names, with North and East (or Easton and Easter) coming up behind, and South not yet on the map.
  11. Tesla

    • Origin:

      Slavic

    • Meaning:

      "from Thessaly"

    • Description:

      Tesla, the surname of Serbian inventor Nikola Tesla that has more recently been used as the brand name for an electric car, is gaining some use as a first name for girls. Exactly 100 girls were named Tesla in the U.S. last year. You might think of the name as a Tessa/Isla hybrid, though with Tesla the s is not silent. There was also a rock band named Tesla.
  12. Gypsy

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "wanderer"

    • Description:

      Gypsy, long associated with the intellectual stripper Gypsy Rose Lee and the musical that was made about her life, was used by Drea de Matteo and Shooter Jennings as the middle name of their daughter Alabama. Be aware, however, that the word gypsy is now considered an ethnic slur when used for the Romani, or Roma, people.
  13. Bay

    • Origin:

      English word, Old English

    • Meaning:

      "an inlet of the sea where the land curves inward; berry"

    • Description:

      One of the most usable of the pleasant, newly adopted nature/water names (like Lake and Ocean), especially in middle position. It's gentle, slightly whimsical, but grounded by its similarity to May or Rae.
  14. Gentry

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "aristocracy"

    • Description:

      A distinctive surname that, despite its meaning, has a cowboy swagger, a la Autry.
  15. Flick

    • Description:

      Flick is a feminine name with English origins, often considered a diminutive or nickname form of names like Felicity or Felicia. It has a bright, spunky quality that conveys quickness and vitality. The name evokes a sense of movement—like the quick motion of flicking something. As a standalone name, Flick gained some popularity in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, particularly in English-speaking countries, appealing to parents seeking short, contemporary names with character. The name has a modern, energetic feel that balances brevity with personality, making it both playful and distinctive for girls.

  16. Bela

    • Origin:

      Czech

    • Meaning:

      "white"

    • Description:

      Despite the light, pretty sound of Bella for a girl, the boys' name Bela has dark and mysterious undertones, thanks to Dracula actor Bela Lugosi. Béla is also the first name of composer Bartók.
  17. Major

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "greater; or, a military rank"

    • Description:

      This bold choice soared in popularity from 2008 to 2013, and now seems to have plateaued. But watch out—the character Major Major Major Major in the classic absurdist novel Catch-22 had a terrible time.
  18. Sappho

    • Origin:

      Ancient Greek

    • Meaning:

      "sapphire"

    • Description:

      Name of the 7th century BC Greek lyric poet born on the island of Lesbos, whose name has been synonymous with lesbian love. Though this name is rarely used today, it certainly could be and, some might say, SHOULD be revived.
  19. Blessing

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Blessing is among the Top 1000 girls' names in the UK and recently joined the ranks in the US as well. With modern spiritual names like Shiloh, Chosen, and Halo trending upwards, Blessing is likely to continue to rise in popularity.
  20. Diesel

    • Origin:

      German, from a pet form of Mathias

    • Description:

      Diesel, which you can think of as a word name for the fuel or as a German surname that derives from a pet form of Matthew or Mathias, is a new entry to the American name lexicon thanks to celebrities Jennie Finch and Casey Daigle, who chose it for their son, baby brother of Ace. Diesel might also be thought of as one of the neo-macho names, joining such bros as Harley, Ranger, and Breaker.