There is something very special about bringing a new mare home-those big soulful eyes. She looks at you as if waiting for direction, partnership, and most importantly – the perfect name that will be uniquely hers for life.
To name a horse is similar to naming a child, except that this “child” will more than likely weigh 1200 pounds and occasionally eat your fence posts. The struggle is real!.
I still remember pacing around my first mare’s stall for three days straight, trying names out loud while she munched her hay, completely unbothered by my existential crisis. “Willow? No… Pepper? Maybe… Duchess? Are you a Duchess, girl?”
To save you from this particularly charming brand of stress, I’ve compiled this extensive list of female horse names to help you find the perfect fit for your four-legged companion. There’s something here for every equine personality!
Beautiful Horse Names for Your Mare
Beautiful horse names should roll off the tongue as gracefully as your mare moves. These names capture the elegance and majesty that makes horses so captivating:
- Aurora – After the goddess of dawn
- Bella – Simply means “beautiful”
- Celeste – Heavenly and ethereal
- Delilah – Delicate and refined
- Eden – Paradisiacal and serene
- Fiona – Fair and lovely
- Grace – Elegant movement personified
- Iris – Goddess of rainbows
- Juliet – Romantic and passionate
- Lacey – Delicate and intricate
- Melody – Harmonious and sweet
- Nova – Bright like a star
- Ophelia – Helpful and serene
- Pearl – Precious and luminous
- Roseanna – Graceful as a rose
Western Names with That Country Charm
For those mares with a bit of grit and western spirit, these country horse names and western horse names capture that down-home feeling:
- Annie Oakley – After the famous sharpshooter
- Barbwire – For the spirited mare
- Cisco – Meaning “brave”
- Dakota – After the territories
- Dixie – Southern charm
- Dolly – Sweet and classic
- Dusty – Perfect for a palomino
- Faith – Strong and reliable
- Georgia – Southern grace
- Honey – Sweet as can be
- Liberty – Free-spirited
- Memphis – Musical heritage
- Reba – Country music legend
- Sierra – Mountain majesty
- Whiskey – Bold and fiery
Unique Horse Names to Stand Out in the Stable
Looking for something a bit different? These unique female horse names will ensure your mare stands out from the herd:
- Anthem – Powerful and iconic
- Calypso – Mythical sea nymph
- Eclipse – Dramatic and powerful
- Fable – Storytelling magic
- Gypsy – Free-spirited wanderer
- Indigo – Deep blue mystery
- Juniper – Evergreen strength
- Kestrel – Swift bird of prey
- Lyra – Constellation named after a lyre
- Mirage – Mysterious illusion
- Nyx – Goddess of night
- Phoenix – Rising from ashes
- Rune – Ancient mystery
- Tempest – Wild storm
- Zephyr – West wind
Cool Female Horse Names for the Standout Mare
When your horse has that certain je ne sais quoi, she needs a name with equal swagger. These cool names fit the bill:
- Blaze – Fiery and bold
- Cipher – Mysterious code
- Domino – Strategic and smart
- Echo – Resonating power
- Flint – Spark of fire
- Harley – Powerful engine
- Jagger – Rock and roll spirit
- Lazer – Sharp precision
- Maverick – Independent thinker
- Onyx – Black as night
- Phantom – Mysterious presence
- Rebel – Breaking all the rules
- Sable – Dark and elegant
- Tango – Passionate dancer
- Viper – Quick and cunning
Pretty Female Horse Names for the Elegant Mare
Some horses simply exude grace and beauty. These pretty female horse names complement a refined equine lady:
- Acacia – Elegant tree
- Blossom – Delicate flower
- Camille – Perfect in every way
- Daphne – Laurel tree nymph
- Eloise – Famous warrior
- Felicity – Great happiness
- Gardenia – Fragrant flower
- Harper – Harp player
- Isabella – Devoted to God
- Jasmine – Sweet-smelling flower
- Lilac – Purple beauty
- Magnolia – Southern elegance
- Odette – Wealthy
- Penelope – Faithful weaver
- Rosalie – Beautiful rose
Best Female Horse Names with Meaningful Backgrounds
Sometimes you want a name with depth. These horse names with meanings provide beautiful backstories:
- Altalune – “High moon” in combined Latin
- Bellerophon – Tamer of Pegasus in Greek mythology
- Clarita – “Clear, bright” in Spanish
- Epona – Celtic goddess of horses
- Farasi – “Horse” in Swahili
- Hippolyta – Amazon queen with ties to horses
- Inara – “Heaven-sent” in Arabic
- Kalypso – “She who conceals” in Greek
- Mestengo – Origin of “mustang”
- Nasrin – “Wild rose” in Persian
- Rhiannon – Welsh goddess who rides a white horse
- Saoirse – “Freedom” in Irish
- Tabitha – “Gazelle” in Aramaic
- Uhuru – “Freedom” in Swahili
- Valkyrie – Choosers of the slain in Norse mythology
Cute Female Horse Names for the Sweet Mare
For the mare with an adorable personality, these cute horse names capture that playful spirit:
- Buttercup – Sweet as can be
- Cookie – Everyone’s favorite treat
- Cupcake – Sweet and small
- Daisy – Fresh and innocent
- Ginger – Spicy but sweet
- Lollipop – Sweet and colorful
- Muffin – Soft and warm
- Peaches – Sweet and fuzzy
- Pebbles – Small and precious
- Pixie – Magical little creature
Blue Roan Horse Names for This Special Coloration
The blue roan is a stunning coat color, and these names highlight their unique appearance:
- Azure – Sky blue
- Bluebell – Delicate blue flower
- Denim – Blue jean color
- Indigo – Deep blue-purple
- Misty – Fog-like appearance
- Pewter – Metallic blue-gray
- Sapphire – Blue gemstone
- Slate – Blue-gray stone
- Storm – Stormy sky color
- Winter – Cool blue season
Making the Horse Names List: Finding “The One”
When I was going through my own horse names list for my blue roan mare, I literally carried a notebook EVERYWHERE. I’d be in the middle of cooking dinner and suddenly yell, “What about Tempest?”
Before choosing a name, spend time observing your mare’s personality. Is she sassy, sweet, or serious? My mare dramatically sighed whenever I was slow with carrots, earning her the name “Diva” – perfect for her attitude!
Remember that you’ll be calling this name across fields and announcing it at shows (if that’s your thing). Test it out loud! “And next in the ring is…” should sound smooth and clear with whatever name you choose.
Horse Names Female Equestrians Love: Community Favorites
I polled some of my barn friends about their favorite female horse names, and these consistently topped their horse names female favorites list:
- Athena
- Callie
- Dakota
- Fancy
- Gracie
- Harper
- Lola
- Maggie
- Penny
- Willow
One friend told me she named her mare “Monday” because “she’s beautiful but sometimes difficult to face.” I laughed for five straight minutes because…relatable!
Mare Horse Names Inspired by Famous Equines
Sometimes the best inspiration comes from famous horses throughout history:
- Black Beauty – From the classic novel
- Buttercup – Wesley’s horse in Princess Bride
- Flicka – From “My Friend Flicka”
- Ginger – Black Beauty’s friend
- Lady – Many famous mares carried this title
- Penny – Secretariat’s nickname was “Big Red”
- Seabiscuit – Famous racehorse (gender-neutral name)
- Silver – The Lone Ranger’s horse (gender-neutral)
- Tilly – Champion barrel racer
- Winnie – From “Winnie the Horse Gentler”
Matching Your Mare’s Personality
Sometimes the perfect name emerges naturally during those quiet bonding moments in the barn. My friend named her mare “Pickpocket” after watching her constantly nose through pockets searching for treats – a name that captured her personality perfectly!
Another friend has a mare who’s sweet as pie in the stall but turns into a different horse in the arena—she named her “Jekyll & Hyde” (Hyde for short). The barn hands all nodded in complete understanding.
The right name sometimes takes time. Don’t rush it! My daughter changed her pony’s name three times before settling on “Marshmallow” because “she’s soft, sweet, and sometimes we catch on fire together.” (I chose not to probe deeper into that last part!)
Final Thoughts About Finding That Perfect Name
The perfect name is the one that makes you smile every time you say it. It’s the name you’ll whisper when you’re having a tough day and need your equine therapist. It’s the name you’ll proudly announce when someone asks about that gorgeous mare in your paddock.
The perfect name is the one that makes you smile every time you say it. It’s the name you’ll whisper during hard times when you need your equine therapist. And it’s the name you’ll say with pride when someone asks about that gorgeous mare in your paddock.
And remember—horses don’t really care what we call them as long as we say it with love (and maybe offer a carrot while we’re at it). My mare responds equally well to her actual name and to “Hey beautiful,” “Miss Priss,” and “Would you PLEASE stop eating my jacket?”
What matters most is the bond you build, not the name on the stall door. But finding that perfect name? That’s just part of the fun of welcoming a new four-legged family member into your heart.
What name have you chosen for your mare? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments section below! And if you’re still deciding, which names from this list speak to you?
Happy trails and happy naming!
Looking for names for a stallion or gelding? Check out this post on 100+ Male Horse Names!
