Historical Horse Names and Their Meanings
A horse is probably one of the most beloved animals that people have had the privilege of coexisting with for centuries. They have been partners in labor, conflict, and game, and hence, many of them would have been christened with names that depict strength, elegance, and loyalty. In this article, we are going to discover some of those famous historical horse names with their meaning and history. Read the following sections to get the fantastic names for your horses or get involved in the history of these great creatures.
1. Bucephalus
Meaning: Ox-head
Origin: Greek
Bucephalus is one of the most famous horses of history and is accredited to being the horse of the great Alexander. The name Bucephalus comes from the Greek words- bous, which means ox, kai, and kephalos, which means head. This name must have been given to the horse because of the massive and wide structure of his head. Bucephalus was Alexander’s trusty steed who was loyal and fought to the bitter end, so it was appropriate to name a stout and heroic horse that.
2. Pegasus
Meaning: Strong
Origin: Greek Mythology
Pegasus is the flying horse in Greek mythology symbolizing might associated with speed. The name Pegasus is believed to have been derived from the Greek word “pegai” which means springs or wells; as the horse was born from the springs of blood that erupted when Medusa was decapitated by Perseus. Pegasus has always been associated with strength and ability to fly, thus putting it as a perfect name for the powerful and free-spirited horse.
3. Marengo
Meaning: Derived from the Battle of Marengo
Origin: Italian
Marengo is the name of the most popular horse that belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte. It was called Marengo, after the Napoleonic battle fought in 1800 which was Napoleon’s victory. Marengo, a gray Arabian horse was famous as a long-suffering and loyal animal. It is possible that the name Marengo would be given about history and particularly in respect of a horse with endurance and reliability.
4. Black Beauty
Meaning: Beautiful black
Origin: English
Anna Sewell has written a famous novel that is based on the life of a horse named Black Beauty. The name refers to the look of the horse in terms of intending to establish a show-stealing towering black-coated horse. This name has become associated with beauty, kindness, and the endurance factor and is thus apt for a gentle-spirited horse.
5. Comanche
Meaning: Named after the Native American tribe
Origin: Native American
Comanche was the name given to a horse that was alive when the battle of the Little Bighorn was over and had been ridden by Captain Myles Keogh who was a member of the 7th Cavalo. Comanche is the name given from its Native American root word meaning: ‘Those who Like to Ride’ or ‘They are Riding’. As for the name of the horse named Comanche, it is associated with great courage and strength, and showing the ties to the glorious past of America.
6. Secretariat
Meaning: Pertaining to secretarial work
Origin: Latin
Secretariat is one of the few famous racehorses that garnered victory at the Triple Crown in 1973. The meaning of the word Secretariat comes from the Latin word ‘secretarius’ which means secretary, however when used in the context of this great horse, may be about the systematic and administrative way that the entourage of the horse and his owners handled his training and racing career. “Secretariat” has become a brand name of excellence and hence names a horse that would be full of the spirit to compete.
7. Shadowfax
Meaning: Shadow + Mane
Origin: English
In the film based on books by J. R. R. Tolkien titled ‘The Lord of the Rings’, the big mysterious horse is called Shadowfax. The name is a portmanteau of “shadow”, a word for a phantom – indicative of the horse’s speed as well as “fax”, an old English word meaning mane. Shadowfax was intelligent, fast and understood human language, thus this was a perfect name for a wise and fast horse.
8. Rocinante
Meaning: Refers to a worn-out horse
Origin: Spanish
Rocinante: This is the name of Don Quixote’s horse, which is prominently featured in the novel written by Miguel de Cervantes. It is a blend of two words: “rocín,” which means a regular or inferior horse, and “ante,” which means something great, magnificent. This name is a kind of evolution of the horse being changed into something noble and precious by the eyes of the rider. Rocinante is a perfect name for a horse, which does not seem to be that exciting at first, but it is full of spirit and courage deep inside.
9. Seabiscuit
Meaning: Refers to a type of hardtack biscuit
Origin: American
Seabiscuit was a great racehorse that gained popularity during the Great Depression due to its small stature and great race. The name of the horse, Seabiscuit, is derived from a type of biscuit that sailors used to eat and this styled the horse as something small that could not perform great wonders. However, Seabiscuit’s name struck a chord of hope, making it an ideal name for a fighting horse that came from lowly stock.
10. Tornado
Meaning: A violent windstorm
Origin: Spanish
Such versions of the legendary story feature a horse named Tornado as the principal companion of Zorro. The name Tornado, which translates to a form of destructive windstorm in the vocabulary, represents its speed and long muscular neck. Choosing Tornado as a name indicates a force that cannot be controlled such as the power of a tornado which is ideal for a horse that is muscular and needs to be light when it jumps.
11. Copenhagen
Meaning: Named after the city of Copenhagen
Origin: Danish
Copenhagen is the famous horse of the Duke of Wellington, which was named after the city where he had a number of successes during the military expedition. This name has meanings associated with history, tradition, and concern with important events. Copenhagen was famous for his strength and ability to endure; as such, this is a good name for a horse that is strong and dependable.
12. Epona
Meaning: Horse Goddess
Origin: Celtic
Epona is the name of the Celtic Goddess of horses, fertility, and protection. Apparently, the etymology of the name Epona originated from the word ‘epos’ of the Gaulish language, which means horse. It has evolved that Epona was a Celtic goddess that was later adopted by Romans and was believed to be the only one to be able to protect both horse and rider. GIxy’s naming of a horse, Epona, gives it an air of tradition, and it is also associated with some kinds of worship that come with nature.
Choosing the Perfect Horse Name
Before naming your horse, it will be appropriate to take into consideration the personality, looks, and temperament of the animal. A name is not merely a tag; it is the connection that you have with your horse. You could decide to go for a name that has something to do with the traits you come across in the horse or a name that, anyhow, has a special meaning to you.
Begin by body-watching your horse earmark and develop a meth trafficking Design key for your Horse. Are you choosing a horse to ride for leisure, playful and full of energy, or one that is steady enough to go with your mood? Some names associated more with the breeders may include Tornado, which may be good for an energetic horse, while Copenhagen may be more appropriate for a loyal horse. There were also physical appearance features that could be adopted as part of the consideration when selecting a horse. For instance, a handsome black-coated horse could be called Black Beauty, while a fast and agile horse must be Pegasus.
The other suggestion is to try to focus on the historical or mythical narrative that you may appreciate. It is for this reason that you get names such as Bucephalus or Epona for the horse because they have a social and historical context. Other times, you may decide to use a name that has a certain appeal to you; this could be based on some events that you have undergone or if it is a place you like or a word you hold dear.
So always remember this, the best name to give to your horse must suit your personal preferences as well as your horse. Do not rush to name your horse, instead, spend some time to test any name and observe your horse’s response. It will also give you a name that fits your horse perfectly and at the same time improve your bond with your horse.
Conclusion
Naming a horse is not just an easy decision; it is an important decision that makes you join the lineage of horse friendship. To select an appropriate name, you can go for historical names such as Bucephalus or Seabiscuit; you could also settle for a name that is funny, or that best describes the personality of your horse friend. It is worth knowing the meaning and history behind these historical horse names. To learn more about the historical importance of horses, visit the International Horse Museum.
