French Horse Names and Meanings

Looking for the perfect name with a touch of class? What follows is a custom list of French horse names, along with their meanings and grouped stylishly by theme. From class to romance to a touch of drama, these names are ideal for making a memorable and classy name for your horse.

Oh, les chevaux! French offers a rich assortment of names that are filled with grace, charm, and nobility—qualities that are often associated with French breeds like the Selle Français, Percheron, and Anglo-Arabian.

From poetic and nature-inspired to personality-rich names, these French horse names blend refined tradition and heartfelt meaning. Let’s explore some chic and meaningful choices that embody the spirit of French elegance.

Male French Horse Names

1. Beau – Handsome
2. Chevalier – Knight
3. Noir – Black
4. Louis – Famous warrior
5. Renard – Fox
6. Gaston – Guest or host
7. Lucien – Light
8. Roi – King
9. Marquis – Nobleman
10. Étienne – Crown or garland

Female French Horse Names

1. Belle – Beautiful
2. Fleur – Flower
3. Étoile – Star
4. Lune – Moon
5. Bijou – Jewel
6. Amélie – Hardworking
7. Coco – Chic and playful
8. Soleil – Sun
9. Chérie – Darling
10. Reine – Queen

Nature-Inspired French Names

1. Brume – Mist
2. Rivière – River
3. Neige – Snow
4. Forêt – Forest
5. Ventoux – Windy (from Mont Ventoux)
6. Océane – Oceanic
7. Pluie – Rain
8. Aube – Dawn
9. Lavande – Lavender
10. Feuille – Leaf

Charming & Affectionate Names

1. Mon Ami(e) – My friend
2. Douceur – Sweetness
3. Papillon – Butterfly
4. Trésor – Treasure
5. Bisou – Kiss
6. Joie – Joy
7. Pêche – Peach
8. Charmant(e) – Charming
9. Petit(e) – Little one
10. Amour – Love

Elegant Male French Horse Names

1. Éclair – Lightning
2. Chaudron – Cauldron (mystical, strong feel)
3. Beau – Handsome
4. Noir – Black
5. Marquis – Nobleman
6. Jolieau – Made-up combo of joli (pretty) + eau (water)
7. Valin – Brave, strong
8. Renard – Fox
9. Fier – Proud
10. Orage – Storm

Graceful Female French Horse Names

1. Étoile – Star
2. Chérie – Darling
3. Belle – Beautiful
4. Perle – Pearl
5. Fleur – Flower
6. Bijou – Jewel
7. Amie – Friend
8. Lune – Moon
9. Coquette – Flirty, charming
10. Rêve – Dream

Nature-Inspired French Horse Names

1. Brise – Breeze
2. Soleil – Sun
3. Neige – Snow
4. Feuille – Leaf
5. Rivière – River
6. Tonnerre – Thunder
7. Bois – Woods
8. Vent – Wind
9. Écume – Sea foam
10. Rosée – Dew

Strong & Noble French Horse Names

1. Chevalier – Knight
2. Victoire – Victory
3. Baron – Title of nobility
4. Commandant – Commander
5. Gloire – Glory
6. Argent – Silver
7. Sangreal – Holy Grail
8. Roi / Reine – King / Queen
9. Légende – Legend
10. Triomphe – Triumph

Cute & Sweet French Horse Names

1. Bonbon – Candy
2. Petit – Little
3. Minou – Kitty (cute nickname)
4. Miel – Honey
5. Pomme – Apple
6. Joujou – Toy
7. Loulou – Sweetie / cuddly nickname
8. Tartelette – Little tart (adorable)
9. Papillon – Butterfly
10. Chouchou – Favorite / darling

Nature & Elements

1. Éclair – Lightning; perfect for fast, quick horses
2. Soleil – Sun; ideal for bright, golden horses
3. Nuage – Cloud; lovely for gray or white horses
4. Étoile – Star; classic for horses with facial markings
5. Rivière – River; for horses with flowing movement
6. Neige – Snow; beautiful for white horses
7. Feu – Fire; for spirited, energetic horses
8. Brume – Mist; elegant for gray horses
9. Tempête – Storm; for powerful, dynamic horses
10. Ciel – Sky; for blue roans or gray horses

French Nobility & Elegance

1. Roi – King; for majestic stallions
2. Reine – Queen; for elegant, regal mares
3. Duc – Duke; for dignified, noble horses
4. Duchesse – Duchess; for graceful, refined mares
5. Chevalier – Knight; for brave, strong horses
6. Princesse – Princess; for beautiful, delicate mares
7. Comte – Count; for distinguished gentlemen horses
8. Monsieur – Sir/Gentleman; for well-mannered geldings
9. Mademoiselle – Miss; for young, spirited fillies

French Character Traits

1. Courage – Courage; for brave, fearless horses
2. Esprit – Spirit; for lively, spirited horses
3. Gracieux – Graceful; for elegant movers
4. Rapide – Fast; for speedy, athletic horses
5. Fidèle – Faithful; for loyal, dependable horses
6. Doux – Gentle; for kind, soft-natured horses
7. Vif – Lively; for energetic, bright horses
8. Joli – Pretty; for attractive horses
9. Beau – Handsome; for striking, good-looking horses

French Places

1. Paris – After the capital city; sophisticated, elegant
2. Versailles – After the royal palace; regal, majestic
3. Normandie – Normandy; home of many French horse breeds
4. Loire – After the Loire Valley; flowing, graceful
5. Provence – Southern French region; sunny, warm disposition
6. Champagne – French region; sparkling, effervescent personality
7. Bretagne – Brittany; strong, sturdy horses

French Colors

1. Blanc – White; for light-colored horses
2. Noir – Black; for dark horses
3. Rouge – Red; for chestnut or sorrel horses
4. Gris – Gray; for gray horses
5. Doré – Golden; for palominos or duns
6. Crème – Cream; for cremellos or very light horses
7. Argent – Silver; for horses with silvery sheen

Classic & Elegant French Horse Names

1. Étoile – “Star” (Perfect for a shining, graceful horse)
2. Lumière – “Light” (Great for a bright, spirited horse)
3. Rêve – “Dream” (Ideal for a gentle, dreamy horse)
4. Bijou – “Jewel” (For a precious, valuable horse)
5. Céleste – “Heavenly” (Suits a majestic, divine-looking horse)

Strong & Noble French Horse Names

1. Chevalier – “Knight” (For a brave, strong horse)
2. Victoire – “Victory” (Great for a competitive or winning horse)
3. Foudre – “Lightning” (Perfect for a fast, energetic horse)
4. Templier – “Templar” (A noble, historic name)
5. Courageux – “Courageous” (For a bold and fearless horse)

Nature-Inspired French Horse Names

1. Vent – “Wind” (For a swift, agile horse)
2. Fleur – “Flower” (Delicate and beautiful)
3. Forêt – “Forest” (Great for a strong, earthy horse)
4. Océan – “Ocean” (For a deep, powerful presence)
5. Montagne – “Mountain” (Strong and unshakable)

Romantic & Poetic French Horse Names

1. Amour – “Love” (For a beloved horse)
2. Chanson – “Song” (Graceful and melodious)
3. Poème – “Poem” (Elegant and artistic)
4. Esprit – “Spirit” (For a lively, spirited horse)
5. Destin – “Destiny” (A horse with a grand purpose)

Unique & Mythical French Horse Names

1. Phénix – “Phoenix” (For a horse with a fiery spirit)
2. Licorne – “Unicorn” (Magical and rare)
3. Sorcier – “Wizard” (Mystical and powerful)
4. Légende – “Legend” (A horse worthy of stories)
5. Mirage – “Mirage” (Elusive and enchanting)

Elegant & Graceful

1. Belle: “Beautiful” (a classic and lovely choice for a mare)
2. Beau: “Handsome” (the masculine counterpart to Belle, perfect for a striking stallion)
3. Grâce: “Grace” (ideal for a horse with elegant movements)
4. Élégant: “Elegant” (self-explanatory and fitting for a refined horse)
5. Charmant: “Charming” (for a horse with an endearing personality)
6. Douceur: “Sweetness” or “Gentleness” (perfect for a kind and gentle horse)
7. Harmonie: “Harmony” (for a well-balanced and peaceful horse)
8. Sérénité: “Serenity” (for a calm and tranquil horse)

Strong & Courageous

1. Fort: “Strong” (a straightforward and powerful name)
2. Courageux: “Courageous” (for a brave and spirited horse)
3. Vaillant: “Valiant” (suggests bravery and determination)
4. Fier: “Proud” or “Fierce” (depending on the horse’s demeanor)
5. Puissant: “Powerful” (for a horse with a commanding presence)
6. Tonnerre: “Thunder” (for a horse with a powerful gait or presence)
7. Tempête: “Storm” (for an energetic and perhaps a bit wild horse)

Nature-Inspired

1. Ciel: “Sky” (evokes openness and freedom)
2. Soleil: “Sun” (for a bright and cheerful horse)
3. Lune: “Moon” (for a horse with a gentle or silvery appearance)
4. Étoile: “Star” (for a horse that shines)
5. Vent: “Wind” (for a swift and agile horse)
6. Fleur: “Flower” (a delicate and pretty name for a mare)
7. Forêt: “Forest” (evokes a sense of mystery and depth)
8. Rivière: “River” (for a flowing and graceful horse)

Descriptive & Unique

1. Noir: “Black” (a simple and classic name for a black horse)
2. Blanc: “White” (similarly classic for a white horse)
3. Or: “Gold” (for a horse with a golden coat)
4. Argent: “Silver” (for a horse with a silver or grey coat)
5. Éclair: “Lightning” (for a fast and striking horse)
6. Ombre: “Shadow” (for a dark or mysterious horse)
7. Mystère: “Mystery” (for a horse with an enigmatic charm)
8. Rêve: “Dream” (for a horse that feels like a dream come true)

French Horse breeds and suitable names for them

France is home to several magnificent horse breeds, each with unique characteristics. Here are some of the most notable French horse breeds, along with suitable names that match their traits, origins, or appearances.

1. Percheron (Draft Horse)

Traits: Powerful, elegant, often gray or black. Originally used for war and farming.
Name Ideas:

1. Tempête (“Storm”) – For a strong, imposing presence
2. Ombre (“Shadow”) – Perfect for a dark-coated Percheron
3. Goliath – Emphasizing their massive size
4. Maréchal (“Marshal”) – Noble and commanding
5. Granit – Solid and unyielding

2. Camargue (Wild White Horse)

Traits: Agile, semi-wild, known for their white coats and endurance.
Name Ideas:

1. Blanc (“White”) – Simple and classic
2. Vent (“Wind”) – For their swift, free-spirited nature
3. Lune (“Moon”) – Mystical and pale
4. Sauvage (“Wild”) – Celebrates their untamed roots
5. Étoile de Mer (“Starfish”) – Inspired by their coastal Camargue region

3. Selle Français (French Sport Horse)

Traits: Athletic, versatile, excels in show jumping and eventing.
Name Ideas:

1. Éclair (“Lightning”) – Fast and agile
2. Victoire (“Victory”) – For a competitive champion
3. Aurore (“Dawn”) – Bright and full of energy
4. Flamme (“Flame”) – Passionate and spirited
5. Cavalier (“Rider”) – A nod to their equestrian excellence

4. Breton (Draft Horse)

Traits: Sturdy, gentle, often chestnut or bay. Used for farming and meat (in some regions).
Name Ideas:

1. Roux (“Red”) – For a chestnut-coated Breton
2. Boulanger (“Baker”) – A rustic, hardworking name
3. Titan – Strong and dependable
4. Biscuit – A cute, friendly name for a gentle giant
5. Terre (“Earth”) – Grounded and solid

5. Anglo-Arab (French-Arabian Cross)

Traits: Elegant, fast, endurance-focused. A mix of Thoroughbred and Arabian.
Name Ideas:

1. Sultan – Regal and refined
2. Zéphyr (“Breeze”) – Light and swift
3. Mirage – Mysterious and desert-inspired
4. Sahara – Evokes Arabian heritage
5. Prince/Princesse – For a noble, graceful horse

6. French Trotter (Harness Racing Horse)

Traits: Fast, energetic, bred for trotting races.
Name Ideas:

1. Rapide (“Fast”) – Straight to the point!
2. Bolt – Inspired by speed
3. Foudre (“Lightning”) – Electric energy
4. Champion – For a winning racer
5. Pistol – Quick and explosive

7. Merens (Small Mountain Horse)

Traits: Black-coated, hardy, from the Pyrenees.
Name Ideas:

1. Noir (“Black”) – Simple and striking
2. Montagne (“Mountain”) – Strong and resilient
3. Ébène (“Ebony”) – Sleek and dark
4. Pyrénées – After their homeland
5. Sorcier (“Wizard”) – Mystical and dark

8. Poitevin (Rare Draft Horse)

Traits: Calm, heavy-built, often used for logging.
Name Ideas:

1. Géant (“Giant”) – Big and gentle
2. Bois (“Wood”) – For a logging horse
3. Paisible (“Peaceful”) – Calm temperament
4. Chêne (“Oak”) – Strong and enduring
5. Lentement (“Slowly”) – Ironic for a draft horse!

Tips for Choosing

• Consider your horse’s personality and appearance.
• Say the names aloud to see how they sound.
• Think about the flow and rhythm of the name.
• Choose a name that resonates with you and feels right for your horse.

Bonne chance! (Good luck!)