Eloise Ebony's list "Names of horses" of 20 great name ideas: Sparrow - Anise!

Names of horses

This won't really make any sense to anyone who doesn't know the context, but these are names from either a book I'm writing or names of my model horses.

With related choices such as Lark and Phoenix gaining popularity, why not Sparrow? Though it's usually thought of as a female name, Nicole Richie and Joel Madden chose it for their son.

Sparrow

Derived from the German Irmhild, Imelda is a warm and pretty name with a battle-worthy feel and meaning. A saintly choice, borne by Imelda Lambertini, a 14th-century Italian Catholic said to have died of joy following her First Communion, the name may have caught on as an alternative to Matilda, Imogen, Isabella, and Esmeralda, if not for its infamous association with Imelda Marcos, the wife of Philippine dictator, Ferdinand Marcos.
 
Out of style in the US since the 70s, is it time to reconsider this name? A way to nicknames Immy, Mel, Idgie, Ella, and Mela, more positive associations include actress Imelda Staunton and singer Imelda May.

Imelda

From the first time we saw the name Saskia attached to a portrait of Rembrandt's wife (her full name was Saakje van Uylenburgh, but she was always called Saskia), we have found it utterly charming and wondered why it hasn't attracted more fans In this country--she's appreciated by the Brits, who have moved her to Number 392. Saskia is one of those names that's been used in Europe since the Middle Ages, but has never crossed the ocean.
 One contemporary bearer is actress Saskia Reeves, who was born to a Dutch mother. Pop artist Red Grooms has a grown daughter named Saskia, and more recently TV's Anne Dudek chose it for her daughter.

Saskia

In Greek mythology, Poseidon is the wild God of seas, storms, earthquakes and horses — which he could tame with a strike of his trident. He is notable for helping the Greeks against the Trojans during the Trojan War nd for punishing Odysseus and his men after they kill the Cyclops Polyphemus. 
 
An equivalent to the Roman Neptune, the name Poiseidon could mean either "lord of the earth", "master of the water", or "earth shaker", though the exact etymology is debated. 
 
Poseidon would make a very bold option, but with Greek names like Odysseus and Perseus on the rise, Poseidon isn't out of the question. In fact, it's been appearing in the US stats since 2010, with 22 boys given the name in a recent count.

Poseidon

J.K. Rowling is a modern master of naming who brought a whole constellation of ancient and celestial names to modern parents. Bellatrix, of one of the stars of Orion, combines fashionable names Bella and Beatrix to make a convivial and original name. The down side: the Harry Potter character Bellatrix, played by Helena Bonham Carter, is a character so evil she's called a Death Eater, killing one beloved character and being murdered by another. And the name Bellatrix is so closely associated with that character that it might be challenging to sidestep the association.

Bellatrix

A distinctive word name with musical ties, Oasis was given to 20 girls in 2024, compared with 14 in 2023. 

Oasis

Wynter is a masculine name representing a modern spelling variation of Winter, one of the English season names that has gained popularity as a given name. This contemporary spelling with 'y' instead of 'i' gives the name a distinctive, stylized quality while maintaining its connection to the cold season. As a masculine choice, Wynter breaks traditional gender associations, as Winter/Wynter has been more commonly used for girls. The name evokes images of snow, resilience, and quiet strength. While still uncommon for boys, Wynter has seen increased interest from parents seeking nature-inspired names with a contemporary edge. The unique spelling adds character to this seasonal name, making it stand out while retaining its natural imagery.

Wynter

This rarely used boys name is one of the few gem names for a boy. Obsidian is actually a type of volcanic glass, formed when lava cools very quickly. This ultra-cool name might spark a love of volcanoes and geology in a little boy.

Obsidian

A flinty mineral name that puts a feminine spin on Micah, or short form of the biblical Michal.

Mica

A word name with a touch of mystery surrounding it, Shadow is a bold, edgy choice for a baby which some may find a bit ominous. While it is predominatly used for cats, dogs, and other furry friends, it can be considered a wild word name that parents are actually using, having debuted in the US stats for girls in 1974 and for boys in 1987.
 
It was at its peak in 1993, when 22 girls and 36 boys recieved the name, (possibly thanks to the release of the Honda Dodge Shadow range or the apperance of Shadow, the golden retriever in Disney's 1993 Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey). In a more recent year, it was chosen for 6 girls and 14 boys in the US.
 

Borne by characters in the show and book American Gods and in the game franchise Sonic the Hedgehog, it joins the likes of Midnight, Storm, Jinx, and Raven.

Shadow

Azure is a colorful gender-neutral choice, currently used equally for baby girls and boys in the US. It refers to a specific shade of blue seen in a cloudless sky. Elon Musk revealed Azure to be the name of his daughter with Shivon Zilis, twin sister to Strider.
 
In the Middle Ages, azure was another name for lapis lazuli, the gemstone used to make the brilliant pigment seen in much medieval art. In fact, the word comes from the Persian lājvard, which denotes the blue gemstone.
 
Given to around 30 babies in a recent year, Azure has been over taken by elaborate form, Azura.

Azure

Unusual option, with a Waspy Connecticut air. 

Darian

Enna is a feminine name with multiple possible origins, including as a variation of Anna (Hebrew for 'grace'), a shortened form of names like Ennaline or Marienna, or derived from the ancient city of Enna in Sicily. In Finnish, 'enna' means 'predict' or 'foresee,' adding another layer of meaning. This short, symmetrical name has a gentle yet distinct sound that travels well across different languages and cultures. While never widely common, Enna has seen occasional usage throughout history and across different regions. Its simplicity, melodic quality, and cross-cultural adaptability make it appealing to modern parents seeking something uncommon yet accessible with a subtle ancient resonance.

Enna

Harvest has been occasionally used as a name since the eighteenth century, originally as evenly unisex, though it tips a bit in the girls' direction in the contemporary US. Given the rise of such <a href="https://nameberry.com/popular-names">popular baby names</a> as Harper and August, plus new word names from Heaven to True, Harvest sounds more possible now than ever.

Harvest

Cece, all by itself, gained notice as the nickname of Jim and Pam's baby on television's The Office. On the show as in real life, Cece is often short for Cecelia or even Cecilia, but it can also be a short form of just about any C name. Cece -- or, less elegantly, CeCe -- can also be a stylish nickname name used all by itself, ala Coco and Lulu. If you really love <a href="https://nameberry.com/search/girls-names/c">girl names starting with C</a>, this is one way to express your devotion every time you say your daughter's name!

Cece

The Roman god of the underworld, the former ninth planet, a cartoon dog...but not a baby. 

Pluto

Averleigh is a feminine name with modern English origins, likely created as a contemporary blend of traditional elements. It combines components like Avery (derived from Alfred meaning 'elf counsel') with the popular '-leigh' suffix (meaning 'meadow' or 'clearing'). The name emerged primarily in the 2010s as part of the trend toward elaborated names with lyrical endings. Averleigh fits with similar contemporary favorites like Everleigh and Kinsley. While still relatively uncommon, it has gained modest popularity in the United States. The name has a melodic quality with its three syllables and soft sounds. Averleigh appeals to parents seeking a name that feels both fashionable and distinctive, with a feminine sound but without centuries of established usage.

Averleigh

Though the plays by Sophocles and Eugene O'Neill and via the "Electra Complex" proposed by psychoanalyst Carl Jung, this name has, unfortunately, become associated with incest and murder. 
 
Nevertheless, if you can put the mythology and theory aside, Electra makes a bright, spikey, electric feeling choice, with a shiny, gemstone meaning. If you can't, you could follow actress Isabella Rossellini who chose the gentler Italian version, Elettra, for her now grown daughter.

Electra

This Roman mythology (and planet) name would be very hard to handle. It derives from a root meaning cloud.

Neptune

Name of the licorice plant, this spice comes in the shape of a star, giving this name an extra level of sweetness.