50+ Native American Horse Names

ByGraham Skinner

If you’re looking for a creative and meaningful name for your horse, drawing inspiration from the rich languages and cultures of Native American tribes would be a great idea. Horses are greatly respected in Native American cultures as the most loyal companions of warriors. They symbolize strength, freedom, and a connection to nature.

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of 54 names Native American names you could consider for your horse.

Native American Horse Names Based on Gender

Whether you’re looking for feminine, masculine, or unisex names, we’ve got you all covered in this section.

Female horse names

Here are some Native American name ideas to bring out the feminine grace of your female horse:

  • Winona: “First born daughter” in Sioux
  • Aiyana: “Eternal blossom” in Cheyenne
  • Nayeli: An expression of love in Zapotec
  • Tala: “Wolf” in Sioux
  • Tiva: “Dance” in Hopi
  • Aponi: “Butterfly” in Algonquin
  • Elu: “Graceful” in Zuni
  • Mansi: “Plucked flower” in Hopi

Male horse names

If you’d like a name that can bring out more of the masculine qualities of your horse, try any of the following:

  • Cheveyo: “Spirit warrior” in Hopi.
  • Takoda: “Friend to everyone” in Sioux
  • Akecheta: “Fighter” in Lakota Sioux
  • Honi: “Wolf” in Arapaho
  • Tokala: “Fox” in Lakota Sioux
  • Honaw: “Bear” in Hopi
  • Machk: “Bear cub” in Algonquin
  • Adahy: “One who lives in the oak woods” in Cherokee
  • Waya: “Wolf” in Cherokee
  • Kitchi: “Brave” in Algonquin

Unisex names

For more gender-neutral names, consider the following:

  • Dakota: “Friend” in Sioux
  • Chayton: “Falcon” in Sioux
  • Kanti: “One who sings” in Algonquin
  • Nodin: “Wind” in Ojibwe
  • Amitola: “Rainbow” in Sioux

Native American Horse Names Based on Themes

Silhouette of a wild horse overlooking a sunset.

In this section, we’ll cover some Native American horse names based on various themes.

Mythical names

Native culture is rich in mythology. Here is a list of names inspired by Native American spirits and mythological creatures:

  • Nanabozho: The Ojibwe trickster spirit
  • Kokopelli: A fertility deity from Hobi and Zuni folklore, often depicted as a humpback flute player.
  • Uktena: The horned serpent from Cherokee folklore.
  • Wakinyan: The sacred thunder from Lakota Sioux folklore.
  • Manitou: “Spirit” in Algonquin
  • Coyote: A trickster spirit in various Indigenous American cultures and the grandfather of horses according to Chemehuevi mythology. The word “coyote” was borrowed from Indigenous peoples, who used it for both the animal and spirit.

Nature-inspired names

Nature is a big theme in Native American culture. Here are some names that reflect a deep connection to nature:

  • Ashkii: “The spirit of nature” in Navajo
  • Peta: “Golden eagle” in Lakota Sioux
  • Nokomis: “Maiden of the moon” in Algonquin and Ojibwe.
  • Tallulah: “Leaping water” in Choctaw
  • Yoki: “Rain” in Hopi

Names based on archetypes

When picking out a name for your horse, you may want to give it a name based on its unique traits. Here are a couple of Native American names that are inspired by traits and archetypes.

  • Kohana: Sioux word for “Swift”
  • Ahote: “Actor” in Algonquin
  • Wanikiy: “Savior” in Lakota Sioux

Names of Native American historical figures

Native American history is full of notable figures, the most well-known being war lords who led the resistance against the settlers.

  • Sitting Bull: Hungpapa Lakota leader who led a resistance against the U.S. Army and government.
  • Crazy Horse: Lakota war leader of the Oglala band.
  • Geronimo: War leader and medicine man from the Bedonkohe band of the Apache people.
  • Red Cloud: A leader of the Oglala Lakota.
  • Black Hawk: Leader of the Sauk people.
  • Pocahontas: Daughter of Powhatan chief, Wahunsenacawh.

Names of fictional Native American horses

The following names are of iconic fictional Native American horses. So, if you’re a fan of any of these works, you may consider paying homage to the characters by using one of these famous horse names:

  • Spirit: From the movie Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (one of the best horse movies)
  • Little Creek: Another character from Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
  • Running Moon: From the book The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses
  • Bright Dawn: From the book Ice Island
  • Kiche: From the book White Fang

Names inspired by Native American tribal symbols

While each tribe has its own symbolism, it’s common to see symbols shared by many Native American cultures. Here are names inspired by some of the more prevalent ones:

  • Arrowhead
  • Eagle Feather
  • Dreamcatcher
  • Running Bear
  • Thunderbird
  • Sun Dance

Tips for Choosing A Native American Horse Name

If you’re planning on choosing a Native American name for your horse, we would advise you to choose one that reflects your horse’s unique spirit and personality. Keep the following tips in mind to make the best choice:

  • Remember, Native American names have specific meanings and are often derived from natural or spiritual elements.
  • Research the meaning of the name and the culture of the tribe it comes from. This is a great way to show respect for the culture and language of the people. It can also deepen your understanding of the name and its connection to your horse.
  • Think about your horse’s appearance and personality traits. Naming your horse can be a great bonding process, and is a wonderful way to honor the unique attributes of your horse.

FAQs

What is the Lakota name for horses?

Horses are called “sun’ka wakan” in Lakota, and this name roughly translates into “holy dog”.

What is a Native American Spirit Horse?

Native American Spirit Horses, also known as Lac La Croix Ponies, are small horses with thick fur. They are an endangered, rare species, as the Canadian government once saw them as pests and hunted them to near extinction.

Who is the Native American god of horses?

The Navajo god of horses is Begochiddy, who created horses for the Navajo (a.k.a. Diné) people.

Who is the most famous Native American horse?

The most notable Native American horse in history was Sitting Bull’s unnamed horse. Sitting Bull was a leader of the Sioux people. He and his horse were key players in the Battle of Little Bighorn, where the Sioux people claimed victory over the U.S. Army.

Final Thoughts

Horses are a symbol of many virtuous attributes in Native American cultures. American Indian horse names can be powerful and mysterious, and reflect the unparalleled grace and beauty of your animal.

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