Ancient Greek Horse Names

Here’s a stunning and beautiful set of Ancient Greek Horse Names, drawn from eternal mythology, legendary heroes, classical virtues, and the lyrical wonder of the Greek tongue. These names are particularly suited to horses which possess grace, power, nobility, or divine presence, well suited to disciplines such as dressage, eventing, or fantasy fiction.

From battle horses of heroic verse, this mythopoeic list embodies the essence of Ancient Greece, a culture in which horses represented honor, power, and prestige. Are you fascinated by the wisdom of Athena, the swiftness of Hermes, or the strength of Ares, these names convey a heritage of heroism, intelligence, and aesthetic beauty.

If you’re looking for Ancient Greek horse names that carry deep meanings, here’s a carefully handpicked list based on the legends, mythologies, language, and cultural erudition of the ancient world. Ideal for horses with dignified demeanor or for those who love the epic elegance of Hellenic heritage.

Mythological Greek Horse Names

Name	Inspiration
Xanthos	One of Achilles’ immortal horses
Balius	The other horse of Achilles
Pegasus	Winged divine stallion
Arion	Swift, immortal horse of Heracles
Skylla	Sea monster in Greek myth (fierce)
Chiron	Wise centaur who trained heroes
Krios	Titan of the stars
Hippocrene	Sacred spring created by Pegasus
Areion	Immortal war horse of Adrastus

Heroic & Warrior-Themed Names

Name	Meaning / Inspiration
Achilles	Legendary warrior
Aegeus	Father of Theseus
Leonidas	Spartan king / bravery
Atalanta	Swift huntress
Perseus	Slayer of Medusa
Hector	Trojan prince and warrior
Ajax	Powerful Greek hero
Thalassa	Sea spirit / “the sea”
Nikandros	“Victory of men”
Damaris	“Calf” (symbolic name for beauty)

Virtue & Symbolism-Based Names

Name	Greek Meaning
Sophia	Wisdom
Eirene	Peace
Kallos	Beauty
Thumos	Courage / spiritedness
Charis	Grace
Nike	Victory
Elysia	From Elysium, the afterlife paradise
Doxa	Glory
Aletheia	Truth
Arete	Virtue, excellence

Greek-Inspired Feminine Names

Name	Inspiration
Andromeda	Princess saved by Perseus
Callista	“Most beautiful”
Melaina	“Dark” or shadowy
Thalia	Muse of comedy and festivity
Electra	Bright or shining
Evadne	Noble woman of myth
Danaë	Mother of Perseus
Ariadne	Helper of Theseus in the labyrinth
Helene	Another form of Helen
Ione	Violet flower name

Short & Catchy Greek Names

Name	Meaning or Use
Zelos	Zeal, passion
Kora	Maiden
Nysa	Mythical mountain of Dionysus
Tima	Honor
Myrrha	Perfume tree / poetic name
Krios	Titan name / ram
Simos	“Snub-nosed,” often for brave horses
Lyra	The lyre / constellation
Phoebe	Bright, shining

Mythological Horse Names

Name	Origin / Meaning
Pegasus	Winged horse born from Medusa’s blood
Xanthos	One of Achilles’ immortal horses (“blonde”)
Balius	Another of Achilles’ divine steeds
Areion	Speedy, immortal horse of Heracles
Skyphios	Trojan War horse, swift and loyal
Lampos	“Shining” – another horse of Helios
Podargos	“Swift-footed”
Theron	“Hunter”
Krios	“Ram” or strong warrior (also a Titan)

Elegant & Nature-Inspired Greek Names

Name	Meaning
Elysia	From Elysium, paradise for heroes
Galene	Calm seas
Chrysos	Gold
Melaina	Dark or black (ideal for dark coats)
Phoebe	Bright, shining
Dysis	Sunset
Nephos	Cloud
Notos	South wind

Magical & Mystical Greek Names

1. Eirene – Peaceful spirit
2. Orion – Hunter in the stars
3. Erebos – Shadow or deep darkness
4. Callista – Most beautiful
5. Aether – Pure upper air (ideal for white/gray horses)
6. Zopyros – “Life fire” or glowing one
7. Kyros – Supreme power or lordly
8. Myrrine – Myrrh tree (sacred and sweet)

Classic-Sounding Greek Horse Names

1. Stelios – “Of the stars”
2. Timon – “Honor”
3. Alkippe – “Valiant mare”
4. Nereus – Sea elder, calm and deep
5. Damokles – “Glory of the people”
6. Themis – Divine law, order
7. Hippolyta – Queen of the Amazons (horse warrior!)
8. Leonis – Lion-like
9. Kallisto – “Most beautiful”
10. Stratos – Army or strategy

Heroes

1. Achilles – “pain of people” (hero)
2. Hector – “holding fast” (Trojan hero)

Legendary Names

1. Alexander – “defender of men”
2. Perseus – “destroyer”
3. Theseus – “to set, place”
4. Odysseus – “wrathful”
5. Jason – “healer”
6. Orion – “rising in the sky”
7. Hercules – “glory of Hera”
8. Atlas – “to bear, endure”
9. Castor – “beaver” (twin star)
10. Pollux – “crown” (twin star)

Philosophers & Leaders

1. Aristotle – “best purpose”
2. Plato – “broad-shouldered”
3. Socrates – “whole power”
4. Homer – “hostage, pledge”
5. Pericles – “surrounded by glory”
6. Leonidas – “lion-like”
7. Themistocles – “glory of law”
8. Demosthenes – “strength of people”

Heroines & Legendary Women

1. Helen – “torch, bright light”
2. Penelope – “weaver”
3. Andromeda – “ruler of men”
4. Cassandra – “shining upon men”
5. Electra – “amber, shining”
6. Antigone – “against birth”
7. Iphigenia – “strong-born”
8. Clytemnestra – “famous wooing”
9. Medea – “cunning”
10. Ariadne – “most holy”

Muses & Virtues

1. Calliope – “beautiful voice” (muse of epic)
2. Clio – “glory” (muse of history)
3. Euterpe – “rejoicing well” (muse of music)
4. Melpomene – “to sing” (muse of tragedy)
5. Terpsichore – “delight in dancing”
6. Erato – “lovely” (muse of love poetry)
7. Polymnia – “many hymns”
8. Urania – “heavenly” (muse of astronomy)
9. Thalia – “to blossom” (muse of comedy)

Nature & Elements

1. Aether – “upper air”
2. Helios – “sun”
3. Selene – “moon”
4. Eos – “dawn”
5. Gaia – “earth”
6. Thalassa – “sea”
7. Anemoi – “winds”
8. Boreas – “north wind”
9. Zephyrus – “west wind”
10. Notus – “south wind”

Titans

1. Kronos – “time”
2. Rhea – “flow, ease”
3. Oceanus – “ocean”
4. Tethys – “grandmother”
5. Hyperion – “watcher from above”
6. Prometheus – “forethought”
7. Epimetheus – “afterthought”
8. Mnemosyne – “memory”
9. Themis – “divine law”

Virtues & Concepts

1. Sophia – “wisdom”
2. Aletheia – “truth”
3. Dikaiosyne – “justice”
4. Andreia – “courage”
5. Sophrosyne – “self-control”
6. Arete – “virtue, excellence”
7. Philos – “love, friendship”
8. Kalos – “beautiful, noble”
9. Agathos – “good”
10. Makarios – “blessed”

Colors & Descriptions

1. Leukos – “white, bright”
2. Melas – “black, dark”
3. Erythros – “red”
4. Xanthos – “yellow, golden”
5. Glaukos – “blue-gray”
6. Porphyros – “purple”
7. Chrysos – “gold”
8. Argyros – “silver”
9. Lampros – “bright, radiant”
10. Kallos – “beauty”

Geographic (Greek Regions)

1. Attica – region of Athens
2. Sparta – ancient city-state
3. Corinth – “ornament”
4. Thebes – ancient city
5. Delphi – oracle site
6. Olympia – site of games
7. Aegina – island
8. Crete – large island
9. Rhodes – “rose island”
10. Cyprus – island of Aphrodite

Horse-Related

1. Hippos – “horse”
2. Pegasus – “from a water spring”
3. Bucephalus – “ox-head” (Alexander’s horse)
4. Arion – mythical horse
5. Xanthos – “golden” (Achilles’ horse)
6. Balius – “dappled” (Achilles’ horse)
7. Hippodamia – “horse-tamer”
8. Centaurus – “horse-man”

Unisex Names

1. Phoenix – “dark red” (mythical bird)
2. Cosmos – “order, universe”
3. Chaos – “void, chasm”
4. Psyche – “soul, mind”
5. Eros – “love, desire”
6. Thanatos – “death”
7. Hypnos – “sleep”
8. Oneiros – “dream”
9. Phobos – “fear”
10. Deimos – “dread”

Mythological & Divine Horses

1. Pegasus – The immortal winged horse born from Medusa’s blood.
2. Arion – A divine, ultra-fast horse gifted to the hero Adrastus.
3. Xanthus – One of Achilles’ immortal horses (could speak prophecies!).
4. Balius – The other immortal horse of Achilles, known for its speed.
5. Podargos – One of the horses of Hector in the Iliad.
6. Phlogeus – “Fiery one,” a name fitting for a spirited horse.
7. Aethops – A swift horse mentioned in Greek texts.

Historical & War Horses

1. Bucephalus – Alexander the Great’s legendary warhorse.
2. Incitatus – Caligula’s famously pampered horse (Roman, but heavily influenced by Greek culture).
3. Areion (or Arion) – A horse from Spartan legends, said to be impossibly fast.
4. Skydros – A name meaning “swift” or “nimble.”
5. Aithon – Means “blazing” or “burning,” great for a fiery horse.

Beautiful & Poetic Names

1. Hippolyta – “She who frees horses” (also an Amazon queen).
2. Thalestris – Another Amazon name, evoking strength.
3. Nikephoros – “Victory-bringer.”
4. Lysippe – “She who lets loose the horses.”
5. Chrysaor – “Golden sword,” the brother of Pegasus.

Names Inspired by Greek Words

1. Astra – “Star” (for a celestial or shining horse).
2. Pyrrhos – “Flame-colored” (for a red or chestnut horse).
3. Kyanos – “Deep blue” (for a dark or majestic horse).
4. Alcibiades – A noble Athenian name meaning “strength of the sea.”

Names Reflecting Greek Virtues & Qualities

These names embody the ideals and characteristics highly valued by the Ancient Greeks.

• Male / Unisex:
  1. Agathos (Αγαθός): “Good,” “noble,” “brave.”
  2. Andreus (Ανδρέας): “Manly,” “brave.”
  3. Arete (Αρετή): “Excellence,” “virtue.” (Can be unisex)
  4. Dorian (Δωριανός): From the Dorians, an ancient Greek tribe, implying strength.
  5. Eudaimon (Ευδαίμων): “Fortunate,” “prosperous.”
  6. Lysander (Λύσανδρος): “Liberator,” “freer of men.” For an independent or swift horse.
  7. Sophos (Σοφός): “Wise.” For an intelligent horse.
  8. Spartan (Σπαρτιάτης): From Sparta; implies discipline, strength, and bravery.
  9. Stratos (Στρατός): “Army,” “people.” For a strong, leading horse.
  10. Thrasos (Θράσος): “Boldness,” “courage.”
• Female:
  1. Areta (Αρετή): “Virtue,” “excellence.”
  2. Eunice (Ευνίκη): “Good victory.” For a successful mare.
  3. Kallisto (Καλλιστώ): “Most beautiful.”
  4. Nica (Νίκη): “Victory.”
  5. Philomena (Φιλομένα): “Lover of strength” or “loving song.” For a strong or graceful mare.

Descriptive & Color-Based Names (in Greek/Latin derivatives)

Often simple and direct, describing the horse’s appearance or defining characteristic.

• Male / Unisex:
  1. Aether (Αιθήρ): The pure upper air or sky. For an ethereal or light-colored horse.
  2. Argus (Άργος): “Bright,” “shining,” or “all-seeing.” Also a loyal dog in the Odyssey.
  3. Pyrrhus (Πύρρος): “Fiery red.” For a reddish or spirited horse.
  4. Xanthos (Ξάνθος): “Yellow,” “golden,” or “fair-haired.” One of Achilles’ immortal horses.
  5. Podargos (Ποδάργος): “Swift-footed.” Another of Achilles’ immortal horses.
  6. Balios (Βάλιος): “Dappled.” Another of Achilles’ immortal horses.
  7. Melas (Μέλας): “Black,” “dark.”
  8. Glaukos (Γλαυκός): “Bluish-grey,” “gleaming.”
  9. Chlōros (Χλωρός): “Pale green,” “fresh.”
• Female:
  1. Alba (Άλμπα): Latin for white. For a white mare.
  2. Leukos (Λευκός): “White,” “bright.” (Could be feminized as Leuka)
  3. Melaina (Μέλαινα): “Black,” “dark” (feminine form of Melas).
  4. Chrysos (Χρυσός): “Gold.” (Could be feminized as Chrysa)

Tips for Choosing an Ancient Greek Horse Name

• Consider their Personality: Does the name’s meaning align with your horse’s temperament (brave, calm, fiery, regal)?
• Look at their Appearance: Does their coat color or markings suggest a specific descriptive name (e.g., Xanthos for a golden, Melas for a dark)?
• Sound and Feel: Say the name aloud. Does it have the grandeur, classical resonance, or mythological mystique you’re seeking?
• Mythological Connection: If you love Greek myths, picking a name of a hero or deity can add a powerful layer of depth.

I hope this list helps you find a truly magnificent Ancient Greek name for your horse!