Black horses are as compelling as they are rare. And while they might symbolize darkness and misfortune to some, most people see them as a symbol of strength and power.
To ensure the name lives up to its awe-inspiring looks and larger-than-life presence, you must choose it wisely. In light of that, here are some black horse names to give you ideas:
Top Black Horse Names
| Male Names | Female Names | Gender-Neutral Names |
| Blake | Black Betty | Shadow |
| Nero | Storm | Onyx |
| Phantom | Kala | Midnight |
| Obsidian | Ebony | Shade |
| Hades | Raven | Noir |
| Stout | Kenna | Dawn |
| Vader | Coco | Hershey |
Next, I’ll discuss individual black horse breeds and what kind of names are suitable for each one.
Different Black Horse Names Based on Breeds
1. Thoroughbred Black Horse Names
If horse breeds were a high school, the Thoroughbreds would definitely be the “jocks.” As they are primarily racehorses, they’re tall, slim, and highly athletic. What’s more, they’re bold and high-spirited, but they can also be hot-heads from time to time.
Image source: Pinterest
Thus, when naming your black Thoroughbred, make sure its name reflects its spirit, opting for names that embody vigor and zeal:
• Ace
• Flash
• Shadow
• Mastery
• Phantom
• Bolt
• Panther
2. Friesian Black Horse Names
With some of the strictest requirements out of all breeds, the Fresian is an elite horse. It originates from the Friesland province of the Netherlands, having documents from as far back as the 13th century.
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Fresian horses are exclusively black and are typically above average in terms of their size, which is why they often used to be the go-to warhorses in Europe. Despite their size, they are nimble and elegant, with gorgeous lush and shiny manes.
Of course, such an impressive figure deserves an impressive name. However, keep in mind that there are certain naming rules to consider. For instance, it needs to be a single word and depending on the year it was born, your foal’s name must begin with a certain letter. Thus, if it was born in 2021, its name must begin with a Q, R, or S. Here are some examples:
• Quinten (“fifth”)
• Rebel
• Reus (“king”)
• Ridder (“knight”)
• Storm
• Spirit
• Sten (“stone”)
3. Arabian Black Horse Names
The Arabian horse has a lengthy history, dating back to as far as the 7th century. It’s a truly unique breed, for more than a few reasons. For one, given that they have one vertebrate fewer than average horses (23), they’re smaller than other breeds. However, their strong legs make them agile and fast.
Image source: Pinterest
In spite of the common misconception, Arabian horses are friendly and kind, making them perfect for beginners and children. Furthermore, they look absolutely stunning with their shiny and silky coat, which becomes even more evident when the horse is black.
Although not mandatory, it seems fitting to choose an Arabian word to name your Arabian horse, especially considering the beauty of the language:
• Adham (“black stallion”)
• Kala (“art”, “black”)
• Saud (“fortunate”)
• Khalid (“immortal”)
• Latifah (“kind, gentle”)
• Zafirah (“victorious”)
• Sheitan (“devil”)
4. Mustang Black Horse Names
Mustang is a horse native to the Americas. It’s a descendant of Spanish Iberian horses that came to the continent in the 16th century, but it has been cross-bred many times since. The name originates from the Spanish “mustengo“, which means “wild” “stray beast“, though it is a separate breed of horses as well.
Image source: Pinterest
Characterized as intelligent, fast, and strong-legged, it’s easy to see why Mustang became the #1 riding horse in the U.S. Here are some names suitable for a black Mustang:
• Captain
• Chief
• Gunpowder
• Stout
• Geronimo
• Obsidian
• Raven
5. Clydesdale Black Horse Names
Clydesdale is a Scottish breed and much like the Friesian, it’s known for its above-average size and weight. Not only is it tall and large but also has unbelievably big hooves, each weighing about 5 pounds.
However, by far the most prominent characteristic of the Clydesdale is the feathering on the hooves. As far as the temperament is concerned, they are typically calm and aloof, but also gentle.
Image source: Pinterest
Nobody can deny that Clydesdale is one of the most beautiful and unique horse breeds out there and black ones may be the most captivating of them all. Here are some names that could be worthy of such beauty:
• Blake (“dark-haired”)
• Sherlock
• Duncan (“warrior”)
• Dougal (“dark stranger”)
• Duff/Duffy (“dark”)
• Annabel (“graceful”)
• Kenna (“born of fire”)
6. Andalusian Black Horse Names
As its name suggests, the Andalusian horse comes from the Spanish region Andalusia, descending from Iberian horses. Although not the tallest, the Andalusian is a versatile horse breed that can manifest high levels of intelligence, which makes it a fast learner. And not just that — this type of steed is known for its elegant movements.
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Black Andalusians are not that common, but those that do exist are highly cherished among horse breeders. After all, the sight of their long black manes swaying in the wind as they gracefully gallop through a field is enough to make anyone fall in love with this breed. Some good name examples for black Andalusians include:
• Montenegro (“dark mountain”)
• Zorro
• Figaro
• Oscuro/a (“dark, dim”)
• Ugo (“intelligent”)
• Moreno/a (“dark-skinned”)
• Grizelda (“battle maiden”)
• La Noche (“the night”)
7. Percheron Black Horse Names
The exact origin of the Percheron breed hasn’t been confirmed, but it is known that they come from Perche, a region in Normandy, France. This breed has had many uses in the past, but it excelled the most at farm work. The reason for that is most likely their imposing size and muscularity, as well as their large hooves.
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However, the personality of the Percheron is perhaps the most sought-after among horse breeders. They are energetic, intelligent, and quite collaborative with people. Here are some French names to commemorate your wonderful wavy-maned black French steed:
• Noir (“black”)
• Foncée (“dark”)
• Maurice (“dark-skinned”)
• Percival (“the one who pierces the valley”)
• Merlot (dark grape/red wine type)
• Beau/Belle (“handsome/beautiful”)
• Charlotte (“strong and free”)
8. Kabarda Black Horse Names
Kabarda is a horse breed that originates from the Caucasus, a mountainous region in Russia. Unsurprisingly, it’s known for being strong, muscular, and easily adaptable to harsh conditions. Although primarily bred for their endurance, Kabarda horses can also boast about their unique good looks, with their long ears, thick manes, and hair on the fetlocks.
Image source: Pinterest
Black Kabarda horses are quite rare. Thus, if you own one, it goes without saying that its name needs to be special:
• Adrik (“dark”)
• Vasily (“regal”)
• Viktor
• Lada (Slavic goddess of beauty)
• Nikita (“winner”)
• Pyotr (“rock”)
• Czar (“emperor”)
Different Black Horse Names Based on Personality
It’s not all about the breed. Your horse’s attitude and demeanor could also serve as a great naming inspiration.
Cute Black Horse Names
If your black horse is mild-tempered and friendly, consider giving it one of these adorable names:
• Nero (“black”)
• Coco
• Hershey
• Espresso
• Ganache
• Truffle
• Muscovado (type of brown sugar)
• Black Betty
Powerful Black Horse Names
A proud champion racehorse deserves an effective name that’s equally as majestic:
• Midnight
• Shade
• Thunder
• Hades
• Coal
• Crow
• Dawn
Funny Black Horse Names
Life is too short not to have some fun. Here are some comical and quirky black horse name suggestions:
• Black Bean
• Smokey
• Vader
• Tuxedo
• Scar (Lion King)
• Jafar (Aladdin)
• Gargamel (Smurfs)
• Ryuk (Death Note)
Elegant Black Horse Names
Dark-haired steeds already look like they’re ready to attend a fancy black-tie event. So, here are some elegant names that could be fitting for their majestic appearance:
• Black Diamond
• Onyx
• Black Pearl
• Ebony
• Harlow
• Equinox
Famous Black Horse Names
From beloved fictional steeds to real-life champions, here are some of the most popular black horse names in the world:
The Black Stallion
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The Black Stallion is the main character of Walter Farley’s series of children’s novels by the same name, which were later turned into a movie. Born and bred in Arabia, this horse quickly became one of the best racers in America after being adopted by Alec and forming a strong bond with him.
Bucephalus
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Bucephalus, which translates to “ox head” from Greek, was Alexander the Great’s black warhorse and one of the most famous horses in history. He was characterized as having a white star on his head and a blue eye. The legends about Bucephalus depict him as having many heroic attributes. Also, it is said that Alexander was the first to be able to actually tame the beast.
Eclipse
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This horse was foaled in 18th century England during a solar eclipse, which is exactly how it got its name. Eclipse was a Thoroughbred and an undefeated racing champion with over 18 wins in total, apparently being able to reach 25 feet with a single stride. He is often mentioned in the phrase “Eclipse first and the rest nowhere” to emphasize his unbeatable status. Furthermore, he became a sire upon retirement.
Black Jack
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Black Jack was a popular riderless steed that had a rich military career back in the mid 20th century. He was a cross between a Morgan and a Quarter horse and named after a reputable army general. As he attended more than 1,000 military funerals, including J. F. Kennedy’s and H. Hoover’s, he became a symbol of fallen leaders.
Ruffian
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Despite its intimidating name, Ruffian was an outstanding mare with an even more outstanding racing career. Ever since she was born, her breeders knew she was destined to be a winner due to her imposing size and unrelenting spirit. Fun fact — Ruffian earned a spot on Sports Illustrated’s list of Top 100 Female Athletes of the 20th century.
Black Caviar
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Black Caviar is yet another famous black racing mare. She is an Australian Thoroughbred, with as many as 25 wins under her belt. Currently, she’s 14 years old and enjoying her well-deserved retirement.
Black Beauty
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The Black Beauty is a 19th-century novel by Anna Sewell, which tells the story through the eyes of the main character, i.e., a black Thoroughbred horse, which had a rich and oftentimes unfortunate life. According to the author, the main goal of Black Beauty is to evoke kindness and fair treatment of animals, especially horses.
Goliath
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Although not as universally famous as the previous listings, the black Percheron called Goliath was a local rodeo celebrity at the beginning of the 2000s. With 19.1 hands in height and over 2,500 pounds in weight, Goliath was truly a force to be reckoned with.
How to Choose a Black Horse Name
First of all, if your steed is purebred and you plan on registering it, you should check whether there are any local naming requirements. For instance, the name of a Friesian must begin with specific letters to indicate its birth year.
However, for most breeds, rules are pretty loose, requiring you only to avoid offensive names and names that already exist in the registry. Typically, there are also rules in terms of the name length and the use of numbers and symbols.
After you’ve familiarized yourself with the official rules, it’s time to pick a name for your equine friend. The first thing you should do is look at their appearance and see what kind of name comes to mind. Then, you should get to know the horse, as that will help you determine their temperament and thus a suitable name, too.
If you’re shooting blanks, don’t worry. There are many helpful tools that you can consult. For example, online horse name generators and dictionaries are always a good place to start. In addition, foreign baby names can sometimes make great horse names and they usually have deep spiritual meanings.
When you narrow your choice down to a few favorites, it’s time to test their effectiveness. Say them out loud in front of your horse and see how they react to each one.
The Bottom Line
To sum up, black horses should be cherished, as they’re one of nature’s finest creations. With their striking presence and blueish glow in the Sun, black steeds are the epitome of elegance. Therefore, they can’t have basic and characterless names.
So, what do you think of these black horse names? Which one is your favorite?