Last Updated on March 30, 2022
Calm, dependable, and loyal – if you’re a gelding fan you’ll understand why they are a popular choice with many horse owners! Geldings are loved by horse fans around the world, and can often have unusual, funny, or just downright crazy names. But what are the best unique horse names for geldings?
Geldings are undoubtedly the gentlemen of the horse world and choosing a name for your gelding can be a fun task. It can be hard to come up with an original horse name, so let’s take a look at some good horse names for geldings.
How Are Horses Named?
Many horses have two different names. They will have a registered name that appears on their official identification documents. This name is normally given at birth, although some horses are named later in life.
This official name may often be quite fancy. Sometimes it is a combination of the dam and sire’s names, particularly in racehorses. These names sound great when called out over the public address system at a competition but are a bit of a mouthful for everyday use!
For this reason, many horses are given a stable or barn name. This can be a shortened version of the official name or something completely different. A horse’s barn name is the one which is used every day and is normally short and easy to pronounce.
There are some rules around the naming of certain types of horses. One example of this is racehorses – their names must be 18 characters or less, and easy for commentators to pronounce.
Popular Male Horse Names
Many horse names are popular and may be used over and over again. Western horses are often given names such as Buck, Cowboy, or Poncho. Draft breeds are given names like Jack, Hercules, and Thunder. Finer breeds like Thoroughbreds may be named Midnight, Eclipse, or Phantom. Children like to call their ponies cute names like Billy, Rascal, or Spot.
These names are popular for a reason – they are easy to pronounce, and often perfectly sum up the characteristics of the horse. But maybe you are looking for something a bit more unusual, but how do you find something unique? Keep reading for some great ideas!
How To Choose A Male Horse Name
Choosing the right name for your gelding is very important, so it is essential that you don’t rush into this decision. The name should reflect the breed, color, and characteristics of the horse. For example, it wouldn’t make sense to call a bright palomino a name like Thunder or Shadow!
Often a good place to start is by looking at the name of the dam and the sire. With some imaginative thinking, you can come up with a new name that combines elements of the parents’ names.
The Incredible Little Book of 10,001 Names for Horses
Remember to check how the name you choose sounds when spoken out loud, or even shouted. One day you might hear this name called out over the loudspeaker as you enter the arena at a competition, and you don’t’ want the crowd to fall about laughing!
Unique Horse Names For Geldings
Looking for an unusual name for your gelding? You’re not the only one – many people are veering away from traditional names and picking something out of the ordinary. However, it is highly unlikely that you’ll find a name which is truly unique – after all, there are nearly 2 million horses in the United States alone!
One of the best ways to find a name which is not commonly used is to pick a theme. Here are some good suggestions of how to pick some unique or unusual male horse names:
Food Or Drink Related Names
Do you have a favorite cuisine or type of food? Perhaps you could name your gelding after your favorite cocktail, curry or dessert? Some of them might sound odd at first but say them out loud a few times – you might be pleasantly surprised!
Here are our top 5 food and drink-related names for geldings:
- Ricotta
- Brioche
- Martini
- Butterscotch
- Pasanda
TV Or Film Characters
It’ll come as no surprise that there has been a big surge in geldings named after TV or film characters – particularly long-running popular series such as Game Of Thrones. To find something unique you might need to look for something a bit more niche or delve back into the archives. Perhaps you had a favorite film character as a child?
Here are our top 5 TV and film character names for male horses:
- Dexter
- Maximus
- Shrek
- Snoopy
- Barristan
Location Names
If you’re struggling for inspiration, look through your atlas! Perhaps you’ve got a favorite place you visited on vacation, or a mountain you have always dreamed of climbing? Many horses have unusual names which are derived from different locations, so this can be a great place to start.
Here are our top 5 location-based names for male horses:
- Sorrento
- Dublin
- Paris
- Cairo
- Boston
Astronomical Horse Names
If you’re struggling to find a unique name for your gelding, then why not look to the stars! For centuries astrologers have been giving our celestial bodies some very beautiful names, and some of these would make great male horse names. Does your gelding sparkle and shine? Then why not pick him a celestial name!
Here are our top 5 astronomical names for horses:
- Sirius
- Altair
- Draco
- Triton
- Callisto
Geological Horse Names
Like astrologers, scientists over the years have used some beautiful names to identify different geological characteristics. These can make great names for geldings, and often sum up their dependable but quirky characters perfectly. If your gelding is as solid as a rock, then a geological name might fit the bill!
Here are our top 5 geological names for horses:
- Flint
- Opal
- Dacite
- Scoria
- Obsidian
Summary
So, as we’ve learned, there are some great unique horse names for geldings! If you want to stray away from traditional horse names, then you have a huge range of different names to choose from. However, check how it sounds when shouted out loud – you don’t want to get funny looks every time you call your gelding in from the field!
We’d love to hear your thoughts on the best male horse names! Perhaps your gelding has a particularly unusual name you would love to share with us? Please add your comments below!
Whats a good boy name for a horse?
Here are some popular names for male horses: Amigo, Applejack, Blaze, Buck, Cash, Cody, Cowboy, Cupid, Dusty, Eagle, Foxy, Flame, Frodo, Goober, Goldie, Green, Grizzly, Ice, Iron, Jack, Jax, Jake, Jay, Jet, Jockey, Joker, Kid, Kit, Lance, Lenny, Lightning, Lion, Lobo, Maverick, Midnight, Moo, Moose, Mountain, Nell, Night, Nick, Nugget, Octave, Oscar, Patches, Prince, Quill, Ramon, Red, Romeo, Rocky, Rowdy, Rufus, Sam, Scout, Shadow, Silver, Smiley, Snappy, Spike, Storm, Sundance, Swifty, T-Bone, Teddy, Ten, Tiger, Tug, Van, Vinnie, Virgil, Wally, Whitey, Willie, Willy, and Zeke.
Horse names can vary widely depending on the region and ethnicity of the horse’s owner. A horse’s name may be chosen for its color, its personality, or its physical features. Names are also often chosen to convey a meaning, such as “determined” or “fast”.
What is a strong horse name?
A name for a strong horse can be inspired from mythology, folklore, literature, history, and nature. It should be unique and memorable, yet also be descriptive. The name should have a meaning beyond its sound or spelling. You want a name that you can be proud to tell others about, one that describes your horse’s personality and character. Here are some examples of names that fit a strong horse: Pegasus, Silver, Arion, Blackie, Apollo, Blackjack, Fireball, Thor, Titan, Crescent, Hawk, Stingray, Eagle, Lion, Warrior, Goliath, Rambo, Buck, Shark, Firestorm, Gremlin, Vixen, Raven, Storm, Thunderbolt, Lightning, Lancer, Blackie, Starlight, Sapphire, Racer, Comet, Lightning Bolt, Thunder, Hurricane, and Storm.
What are funny names for horses?
The list of funny horse names can go on forever, but here are a few of my favorites. Some of these have been used by other people before, so you may have heard of them. Here we go: Pissed Off Mustang, Horsen Around, Dancin’ Dervish, Hoofy Heart, Bored Bronco, Crazy Horse, Mad Hatter, Mr. Whiskers, The Beast, Gaits of Hell, Whatshesaid, Talk Derby to Me, Walk of Shame, Odor in the Court, and Foul Play.
As for the rest of the names, I’ll let you be the judge. These are just some of the more interesting ones I’ve seen but they should be enough to get your imagination going.
What do you name a brown horse?
There are many options to choose from for a name for a brown horse. Here are some that are based only on the color and they sound pretty cool! If you can find a connection between any of those names and your horse’s personality, it’s even better! Here are some ideas for brown horse names: Autumn, Chestnut, Brownie, Cinnamon, Toffee, Clay, Chocolate, Cappuccino, Kahlua, Mocca, Vanilla, Honey, Pumpkin, Peanut, Brown Sugar, Nutella, Butterscotch, Caramel, Maple, Mocha, Nougat, Oatmeal, Pecan, Porter, Rum, Rye, Walnut, Waffle, Fudge, Pudding, Truffles, Trifle, Cake, Cookie, Cacao, Buckwheat, and Sorghum.
Horse names are very important and they should be chosen carefully to reflect your horse’s personality. Your horse’s name will also influence how people perceive your horse.
What are the Valkyries horses called?
In the 1970’s, Marvel comics introduced Valkyrie. She was the first superheroine in the Marvel Universe to be based on a Viking mythological figure. The famous character Valkyrie is also known as Brunnhilde. She rides a white horse called Aragorn and carries a sword called Dragonfang. Aragorn was her companion in the war against the evil sorcerer, Mordred.
Kate Chalmers is a qualified veterinary nurse who has specialized in horse care for the vast majority of her career. She has been around horses since she was a child, starting out riding ponies and helping out at the local stables before going on to college to study Horse Care & Management. She has backed and trained many horses during her lifetime and competed in various equestrian sports at different levels.
After Kate qualified as a veterinary nurse, she provided nursing care to the patients of a large equine veterinary hospital for many years. She then went on to teach horse care and veterinary nursing at one of the top colleges in the country. This has led to an in-depth knowledge of the care needs of horses and their various medical ailments, as well as a life-long passion for educating horse owners on how to provide the best possible care for their four-legged friends.
Kate Chalmers BSc (Hons) CVN, Dip AVN (Equine) Dip HE CVN EVN VN A1 PGCE
