Coveting about horse names from mythology and folklore? There’s hope:
You may have heard stories of horses that have the power of flight, horses that can gallop over water, and horses that can outrun the wind.
But have you ever heard of a horse that was so fast it could outrun its own shadow?
As evident in this article, horse names are powerful and majestic and can resurrect the past where mice and men knew their purpose (keep scrolling for 50 magical horse names)…
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Horse names from mythology and folklore have been used for centuries to evoke a sense of power and mystery.
- Popular horse names from mythology include Pegasus from Greek mythology, Sleipnir from Norse mythology, and Elidor from Welsh mythology.
- There are various horse names from folklore, each rich in meaning and heritage.
Famous 50 Horse Names from Mythology and Folklore
No matter which name you choose, you can be sure that your horse will be the talk of the stable! Without further ado, here are the 50 famous ones:
- Arion from Greek mythology – one day, as Arion was racing against his own shadow, he realized that he couldn’t possibly win, so he just lifted off the ground and flew away.
- Epona from Gaulish mythology – a horse goddess associated with fertility and prosperity.
- Bucephalus from Greek mythology – the horse of Alexander the Great.
- Kelpie from Scottish folklore – a shape-shifting water horse that means “water horse.”
- Black Beauty from English literature – the titular horse in Anna Sewell’s novel of the same name, which means “beauty of the night.”
- Shadowfax from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings – a descendant of Felaróf, part of the race of the Mearas, the most incredible horses of Middle-earth.
- Aithon from Greek mythology — denotes a horse that is described as “burning,” “blazing,” or “shining.”
- Arod from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings – A horse of Rohan.
- Balius and Xanthus from Greek mythology – two immortal horses with roots in the Podarge and the West wind, Zephyrus.
- Black Buraq from the Islamic tradition – the horse of Prophet Muhammad.
- Zelenko, the horse that Daman Jugovic rode.
- Asvins from Hindu mythology – twin horses that pull the sun and moon across the sky, meaning “the shining ones.”
- Bayro from Peruvi folklore – a ghost horse with a fiery mane, known to help those who are lost. meaning “fiery”
- Ceffyl Dŵr – a Welsh water horse known for its strength and ferocity.
- Echinda – a horse from Greek mythology, known for its speed and endurance.
- Elidor from Welsh mythology – When Elidor was a boy, dwarves led him to gold.
- Gullfaxi of Norse mythology – its name means “Golden man.”
- Ixion of Greek mythology – Is the son of 2 gods: Ares or Phlegyas.
- Jatayu of Hindu mythology – a demigod in one of the famous Hindu epics.
- Llamrei – the horse of King Arthur in Welsh folklore.
- Morvarc’h of Breton mythology – a respected horse in 2 of Breton’s folk tales in both the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Nara-Narayana of Hindu mythology – a Hindu duo of 2 brothers who were sages.
- Onocentaur of Greek mythology – an African animal, part man, part ass.
- Pegasus from Greek mythology – a winged horse known for its speed and beauty.
- Quetzalcoatl of Aztec mythology – a famous feathered serpent.
- Rána of Hindu mythology – an Indian monarch in the Indian subcontinent.
- Sleipnir of Norse mythology – A horse with eight legs and was lucky to have been the first choice of Odin.
- Thunderer of Folklore – Powerful spirits of the storm which had control over thunder and lightning.
- Uchchaihshravas of Hindu mythology – the seven-headed flying horse, the king of the horses.
- Dapplegray – a horse from American folklore known for its speed and endurance.
- Falada from German folklore – a talking horse.
- Xanthos and Balios from Greek mythology – horses belonging to the hero Achilles.
- Each-Uisce from Irish folklore – a water horse known for its strength and ferocity.
- Dyrhólaey from Norse mythology – a horse belonging to the god Odin.
- Hengroen from Breton folklore – a horse with supernatural powers known to help humans in need, which means “old horse.”
- Hippocentaur from Greek mythology – a creature with a horse’s upper body and a centaur’s lower body.
- Gringolet – the horse of the knight Gawain in Arthurian legends.
- Gorynych from Russian folklore – a dragon with three heads and a horse-like body.
- Goldfaxi from Norse mythology – a horse with a golden mane belonging to the giant Hrungnir.
- Gendewitha from Arthurian legends – a horse known for its speed and endurance.
- Marwari from India – a breed of horse known for its loyalty and bravery.
- Kelen from Mongolian folklore – a magical horse that can be ridden to the underworld, which means “magical.”
- Jadran from Croatian folklore – a winged horse.
- Enbarr – the horse of the Irish sea god, Manannán mac Lir.
- Gandolf from Norse mythology – a horse belonging to the god Odin.
- Gaitonde from Indian folklore – a horse known for its speed and endurance.
- Gae Buidhe from Scottish folklore – a yellow horse known for its strength and speed.
- Fjalar from Norse mythology – a horse belonging to the giant Gilling.
- Epona from Gallo-Roman religion- a protector horse of horses.
- Nuggle from the Shetland’s folklore – a mythical horse.
Give your horse a touch of historical charm with our article ‘Medieval Names for Horses‘, filled with elegant and timeless names that will make your horse stand out in any setting.
Definition of Mythology and Folklore
Horse trainer Clarissa Cupolo reveals the following about the significance of horses [1]:
” Some owners treat their young horses like they treat the family dog: run with them, chase them, even wrestle with them.”
To fill the giant shoes expected of them, horses need fabulous names, ones creating an imprint, emphatic and resonating…
Mythology and Folklore are closely related terms that refer to a particular culture or group’s traditional stories, beliefs, and customs.
Mythology is typically associated with ancient cultures and their gods, goddesses, and heroes, while folklore is more closely associated with the oral traditions of a particular culture or group.
Overview of Horse Names from Mythology and Folklore II.
Horses are often given names in folklore that reflect their strength and power. Examples include Black Beauty, Silver, and Shadowfax.
From Pegasus to Sleipnir, these names will surely bring a smile to your face. If you’re looking for a unique name for your horse, why not consider naming them after one of these legendary steeds?
You could call your horse Pegasus, the winged horse of Greek mythology, or Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse of Norse mythology.
Or, you could go with something more whimsical, like Arion, the magical horse of Greek mythology, or Bucephalus, the loyal horse of Alexander the Great.
These names evoke a sense of mystery and adventure and are often associated with heroic deeds. Other popular horse names from folklore include Blaze, Thunder, and Storm.
These names often reflect the horse’s power and speed and can evoke a sense of awe and admiration.
Horse names from mythology and folklore can be used to create a sense of mystery and adventure. They can also be used to evoke a sense of strength and power.
Whether you are looking for a name for a new horse or want to add a bit of mythological flair to your existing horse, these names can be a great way to honor the power and beauty of the horse.
Before I continue, I’ve got something to share: If you’re the visual type, feel free to check out this video on famous horses in mythology and their names:
Horse Names from Greek Mythology
Horses have been a part of Greek mythology for centuries.
Many gods and goddesses had horses, and some of the most famous horses in Greek mythology have names derived from the gods and goddesses.
For example, Pegasus was the winged horse of the god Zeus, and Xanthus was the immortal horse of Achilles [2].
Other famous horses from Greek mythology include Balius and Xanthus, the horses of Achilles; Arion, the horse of Adrastus; and Aethon, the horse of Helios.
These horses were often seen as symbols of strength, speed, and loyalty, and their names have been passed down through the ages.
From classic works to modern tales, our article ‘Literary Horse Names‘ is a must-read for book lovers and equestrians alike, with a collection of memorable and inspiring names for your beloved horse!
Significance of Horse Names in Mythology and Folklore
In some cases, the names are also used to represent specific characteristics of the horse, such as speed, agility, or intelligence.
In other cases, the names evoke a sense of mystery or adventure. In some cultures, horses’ names are even used to tell stories or impart wisdom.
Horse names can also be used to signify a certain level of intelligence. For example, “Einstein” often signifies a brilliant horse.
But what many people don’t know is that horse names can also be used to signify a certain level of stupidity.
For example, the name “Dumbbell” is often used to signify a particularly slow-witted horse.
FAQs
1. Where do these horse names come from?
These horse names come from various mythologies and folklore from around the world, including Greek, Norse, Celtic, Islamic, Hindu, Welsh, Breton, Aztec, Native American, and Persian.
2. Are these horses real or just part of mythology?
They are part of mythology and folklore and are not considered real horses.
However, some cultures may have believed that these horses were real.
3. Are there any common themes among these horse names?
Sure!
These horse names are associated with power, speed, and strength.
Many of them have supernatural abilities, such as the ability to fly or gallop over water. Some of them are also associated with specific gods or goddesses.
4. Are there any other notable horses in mythology and folklore?
Certainly!
Some examples include the four horses of the Apocalypse in the Bible, the eight horses of the Hindu god Surya, and the eight horses of the Chinese dragon king.
CONCLUSION
Horse names from mythology and folklore are a popular choice for horse owners.
These names often reflect the horse’s strength, beauty, and power, as well as the culture and history of the horse’s owner.
Famous names from mythology and folklore include Pegasus, the winged horse from Greek mythology, and Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse from Norse mythology.
Other popular names include the Celtic goddess Epona, the Arabian horse Buraq, and the Chinese dragon horse, Lung-Ma.
Horse owners often choose these names to honor their horse’s heritage and to reflect the unique characteristics of their horses.
So, if you’ve enjoyed this article, feel free to share with me your favorite horse names.
Until next time…
Resources
1. A Horse’s Sense of Humor [Internet]. Horse Illustrated Magazine. 2015 [cited 2023 Jan 19]. Available from: https://www.horseillustrated.com/horse-training-a-horses-sense-of-humor
2. GreekMythology.com. Pegasus – Greek Mythology [Internet]. Greekmythology.com. GreekMythology.com; 2018. Available from: https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Creatures/Pegasus/pegasus.html
