25 Timeless Grey Horse Names and Meanings
As a horse owner, you’re very particular about finding the most suitable name for your new horse. And your horse’s color is one of the best starting points.
If you own a grey horse, you’ll be well aware that the specific grey color can vary significantly due to the white hairs overlaid on black skin. Some horses will be a darker, smokey color, while others will be snow white. So, all of these factors can play a part in your naming process.
In this article, we’ll cover famous greys throughout history, as well as strong masculine names and delicate feminine names for your horse.
5 Famous Grey Horse Names to Inspire
Throughout history, there have been war horses, racehorses, and companion animals that have captured the attention of the world—starting with the fiery war horse of Napoleon Bonaparte.
- Marengo: Napoleon’s famous grey stallion was small but spirited, which is a common trait for the Arabian breed. Napoleon owned many horses; however, Marengo was his favorite and the one he was most commonly depicted riding.
- Blueskin: One of George Washington’s primary horses during the American Revolution. The striking grey horse was prone to being skittish on the battlefield, but could go all day, most likely a result of the Arabian bloodlines.
- Snowman: This Olympic showjumper was rescued from the slaughterhouse for $80 after years of working as a plow horse. Initially, he was used as a riding school horse but rapidly moved up the ranks after displaying strong jumping ability.
- Native Dancer: This famous racehorse, also known as the “Grey Ghost,” caught public attention in the 50’s for his looks and speed. He also only had one race loss over a 22-race career.
- Peppermint Grove: Affectionately known as “Fred,” this grey gelding was noticed after the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. During the cross-country section, Fred slipped on a corner, causing his rider to fall and break her collarbone and ribs. But, both the horse and rider continued to finish the course and secure a gold medal for their team.
10 Male Grey Horse Names
When choosing a name for a stallion or gelding, horse owners often lean toward a name that gives off a sense of strength and power.
- Sterling: This name is great for a sturdy, reliable grey stallion. The word is associated with a notion of high quality and the appearance of silver.
- Ash: A short, strong name that reflects the soft grey tones of ashen wood. It’s best suited to a smokey grey rather than a bright grey.
- Shadow: This name is perfect for a grey horse with dark skin and a mixture of smokey grey tones. It represents mystery and the interplay of light and dark on a grey coat.
- Nimbus: A short version of the ‘nimbostratus’ cloud responsible for dumping heavy rain. A horse named Nimbus will have a strong personality type and striking appearance.
- Granite: Just like the grey stone, Granite exudes strength and durability. It’s a great name for a dappled grey horse or a fleabitten grey.
- Phantom: This name suggests an element of mystery and elegance. It would work well for a male horse with a coat color mixed with dark shades.
- Steel: This name is ideal for a horse with a strong-willed personality. It would also match a horse with a coat that resembles the silvery-grey of polished steel.
- Echo: This name gives off mystical vibes for a light grey horse whose personality represents a gentle breeze.
- Thunder: The fitting name for a horse with a commanding presence. Just as stormy skies have a powerful energy, this horse’s personality will be just as stormy.
- Drizzle: The perfect name for a horse with a playful spirit and a coat color that resembles morning mist.
Not satisfied? Check out these other male horse names.
10 Female Grey Horse Names
Owners of female gray horses tend to choose names that carry the essence of beauty and nature. Although there are undoubtedly plenty of suitable names for spirited grey mares, here are our top choices:
- Luna: This name is inspired by the Roman goddess of the moon. Luna evokes the silvery glow of moonlight in the night sky. So, it’s ideal for a gentle horse with light tones within the grey color.
- Selene: The Greek goddess of the moon is another perfect name for a graceful horse that reflects beauty and peace.
- Pearl: This is one of the best grey horse names for mares with unique coats that seem to shimmer in the light.
- Aurora: The word means “dawn” in Latin, but it’s also the name of special polar lights in the night sky. Mares with particularly striking coats and a silvery hue are excellent candidates for unique horse names like this.
- Frost: Perfect for horses with dappled grey coats that resemble frost on a winter morning. It could also be a suitable name for a mare with a cool, calm nature.
- Misty: This cute name would suit a mare with a friendly personality. It also works well for white horses with black and white hairs.
- Opal: Named after the gemstone with unique patterns and shimmering colors. It gives off an ethereal quality and is great for a level-headed mare with a dappled grey coat.
- Aoife: This Irish name, pronounced “ee-fa,” is derived from the Gaelic word meaning “radiant” or “beauty.” It’s a delicate name that also carries an element of strength and resilience. It’s perfect for a mare with a bit of spirit.
- Skyla: Derived from the word “sky,” it promotes the image of soft silver clouds on an overcast day.
- Dove: This name represents peace in popular culture. It’s perfectly suited to a soft white-grey horse that resembles the white features of the dove.
Looking for something different? Check out some of our other female horse names or our collection of white horse names.
FAQs
Why are white horses called grey?
Horses with a predominately white coat color are described as being grey because of their grey or black skin. True white coloration does occur, but the horse will have pink skin in these cases.
Are greys slower racehorses?
There has been a long-standing belief that grey racehorses don’t win. But science has put this to rest, indicating that a horse’s color has no impact on its chance of winning a race. In saying that, the famous Grand National in England has had only three grey winners in its history.
Which horse breeds change color as they age?
Predominantly grey horse breeds, like the Andalusian, Lipizzaner, and Percheron, are born dark and change to grey as they mature. Although this can happen in other breeds as well.
Final Thoughts
When naming your striking grey horse, pay particular attention to its grey tone. Are they a bright white or a smokey dapple grey?
Combine this with your horse’s unique personality to make the right choice.
