France is a country with a long and rich history of horse breeding. In France, horse names are chosen based on the horse’s colour, size, and personality.
Names like Henri for a stallion and Camille for a mare reflect the gender and personality of the horses. Some owners like to choose colour-based names such as blanc (white), noir (black), or gris (gray).
In this list of over 200 names, you will see the charm, elegance, and sophistication of French names. After reading this article, you will be able to choose a name that highlights the beauty, strength, nobility, and playfulness of your horse.
Popular French Horse Names
Here are some classic French names loved by horse owners around the world:
- Éclair – lightning
- Bijou – jewel
- Amour – love
- Beau – handsome
- Chérie – darling
- Lune – moon
- Papillon – butterfly
- Jolie – pretty
- Roux – redhead
- Chanceux – lucky
- Dior – golden
- Perle – pearl
- Étoile – star
- Reine – queen
- Trésor – treasure
These names are not just trendy—they’re timeless!
Male French Horse Names (Stallions)
Want a name that reflects strength, nobility, or flair? Here are some French male names with meaning:
- Henri – ruler of the house
- Louis – famous warrior
- Marcel – little warrior
- Étienne – crown
- Claude – strong and enduring
- Gaston – guest, hospitable
- Olivier – peaceful
- Pascal – born at Easter
- Théo – gift of God
- Luc – light
- André – manly
- François – free man
- Benoît – blessed
- Pierre – rock
- Alain – handsome
These names are elegant and carry a strong French heritage.
Female French Horse Names (Mares)
Here’s a list of graceful and lovely French names perfect for your mare:
- Colette – victorious
- Élodie – foreign riches
- Fleur – flower
- Camille – helper to the priest
- Isabelle – devoted to God
- Sophie – wisdom
- Manon – bitter grace
- Céline – heavenly
- Renée – reborn
- Anaïs – graceful
- Chantal – singer
- Margot – pearl
- Joséphine – God will increase
- Amélie – hardworking
- Noémie – pleasantness
Each of these names adds a touch of sophistication and femininity.
Cute & Playful French Horse Names
If your horse is full of energy and personality, check out these fun and playful options:
- Petit – small
- Nino – little boy
- Coco – playful nickname
- Lulu – cute and quirky
- Bibi – darling
- Zazou – jazzy, lively spirit
- Pépé – charming old soul
- Mimi – affectionate nickname
- Titi – tiny
- Chou – sweetie
- Fifi – frilly, cute
- Toto – cheeky
- Nana – sassy girl
- Lili – lovely girl
- Dédé – funny, joyful
These names are adorable and suit fun-loving horses.
Elegant & Sophisticated French Horse Names
Want a name that turns heads in the show ring? Here are refined options:
- Geneviève – tribe woman
- Dominique – of the Lord
- Jacques – supplanter
- Antoinette – priceless one
- Émile – to strive or excel
- Véronique – true image
- Philippe – lover of horses (perfect match!)
- Marguerite – daisy
- Alphonse – noble and ready
- Celeste – heavenly
- Bernadette – brave as a bear
- Armand – soldier
- Solange – solemn
- Régine – queenly
- Adrienne – dark one
These names reflect elegance, tradition, and a dash of flair.
French Horse Names Inspired by Nature
Celebrate your horse’s connection to the natural world:
- Brise – breeze
- Neige – snow
- Rosée – dew
- Feuille – leaf
- Étoile – star
- Pluie – rain
- Soleil – sun
- Terre – earth
- Ciel – sky
- Rivière – river
- Montagne – mountain
- Océane – ocean
- Flamme – flame
- Nuit – night
- Forêt – forest
Simple, poetic, and perfect for horses that love the outdoors.
Historical & Famous French Horse Names
Get inspired by history and legacy:
- Napoléon – iconic leader
- Bayard – legendary magical horse
- Roland – epic knight
- Bucephalus – Alexander’s horse (French variant used in literature)
- Astérix – beloved comic character
- Charlemagne – great emperor
- D’Artagnan – famous musketeer
- Versailles – royal palace
- Lafayette – noble patriot
- Hugo – author Victor Hugo
- Voltaire – philosopher
- Richelieu – cardinal and statesman
- Jeanne – Joan of Arc
- Napoléone – feminine variation
- Mazarin – cardinal
These names are bold, memorable, and rich with stories.
Like the passion and flair of Latin cultures? Dive into our list of Spanish horse names.
Mythological & Legendary French Horse Names
Tap into fantasy and folklore:
- Licorne – unicorn
- Sirène – mermaid
- Fée – fairy
- Griffon – griffin
- Ondine – water spirit
- Dryade – tree nymph
- Chimère – chimera
- Dragonne – dragon (feminine)
- Lutin – imp or elf
- Sylphide – air spirit
- Gargouille – gargoyle
- Phénix – phoenix
- Médée – sorceress
- Triton – sea god
- Morgane – enchantress
Magical names for extraordinary horses.
French Kentucky Derby Horse Names
Add some Derby-worthy flair with these French-inspired names:
- Chevalier d’Or – golden knight
- Vent Rapide – fast wind
- Foudre Royale – royal lightning
- Cavalier Bleu – blue rider
- Tempête de Feu – firestorm
- Esprit Noble – noble spirit
- Chanson Vitesse – speed song
- Flamme Violette – violet flame
- Coeur de Lion – lionheart
- Galop de Gloire – gallop of glory
These names combine elegance and competitive spirit.
French Race Horse Names
Strong, fast, and built for the track:
- Tonerre d’Argent – silver thunder
- Éclair Noir – black lightning
- Roi du Vent – king of the wind
- Flèche Dorée – golden arrow
- Beauté Sauvage – wild beauty
- Faucon Vif – swift falcon
- Reine du Sprint – queen of the sprint
- Commandant Céleste – celestial commander
- Vitesse Royale – royal speed
- Étoile Filante – shooting star
Color-Inspired French Horse Names
Does your horse’s color inspire its name? Try one of these:
Noir (Black) – “Black” in French
- Sombre – dark
- Ébène – ebony
- Nuit – night
- Charbon – charcoal
- Minuit – midnight
- Encre – ink
- Cendre – ash
- Obscur – obscure/dark
- Ténébreux – shadowy
- Ombre – shadow
Blanche (White) – “White” in French
- Neige – snow
- Perle – pearl
- Lait – milk
- Glace – ice
- Nacre – mother of pearl
- Aurore – dawn
- Albe – pale white
- Coton – cotton
- Lys – lily
- Givre – frost
Gris (Gray) – “Gray” in French
- Brume – mist
- Cendre – ash
- Pluie – rain
- Grison – grizzled
- Poussière – dust
- Ardoise – slate
- Acier – steel
- Fumé – smoky
- Nuage – cloud
- Argent – silver
Doré (Golden) – “Golden” in French
- Miel – honey
- Soleil – sun
- Or – gold
- Topaze – topaz
- Paille – straw
- Blé – wheat
- Champagne – champagne
- Ambre – amber
- Lumière – light
- Rayon – ray
Roux/Rousse (Redhead) – “Redhead” (male/female) in French
- Feu – fire
- Cannelle – cinnamon
- Cuivre – copper
- Flamme – flame
- Rouquine – red-haired girl
- Gingembre – ginger
- Aurore – dawn
- Cerise – cherry
- Sienne – sienna
- Rubis – ruby
Brun/Brune (Brown) – “Brown” (male/female) in French
- Châtaigne – chestnut
- Noisette – hazelnut
- Café – coffee
- Terre – earth
- Bronze – bronze
- Mocha – mocha
- Cannelle – cinnamon
- Tabac – tobacco
- Noyer – walnut
- Biscuit – biscuit
Color names make for simple, stylish choices.
French names are full of charm, but if you’re looking for something with ancient appeal, browse our Medieval horse names.
Tips For choosing the French Name
These are a few things to consider before picking the perfect name for your horse. The name should be memorable and easy to pronounce. An easy and short name makes training and communication easier.
Still can’t decide? Click here to generate horse names instantly and discover the perfect match.