Written by Roger R. Henderson
The morning I learned about the power of a perfect horse name, I was leaning against a stall door watching a gray mare called “Luna.” Her owner, an elderly woman who’d been riding for sixty years, told me she’d named her after the moon because “she lights up my darkest days.” Simple as that. No complicated reasoning, no family tradition – just pure, honest connection. Names starting with ‘L’ have this lovely, lyrical quality that rolls off the tongue like music. They can be strong like “Lightning,” elegant like “Lacey,” mystical like “Legend,” or sweet like “Ladybug.” There’s something about the letter ‘L’ that feels both grounding and uplifting at the same time.
You know that feeling when you’re trying to name something important and nothing seems quite right? That’s what naming a horse can feel like – times a hundred. Because this isn’t just any name. This is the word that will define countless moments: early morning feedings, triumphant show rings, scary vet visits, peaceful trail rides, and those quiet evenings when it’s just you and your horse and the rest of the world fades away. The name becomes part of your shared language, a bridge between two different species who’ve somehow figured out how to understand each other.
In putting together these 200 ‘L’ names, I’ve drawn from everywhere I could think of – ancient legends and modern trends, different cultures and common stables, formal shows and backyard barns. Some names might make you laugh, others might give you chills, and hopefully, one will make you think, “That’s it. That’s my horse’s name.” Because somewhere in this list, or inspired by it, is the perfect name for that special horse in your life.
Traditional and Classic Names
These timeless names have been beloved by generations of horse owners.
- Lady – Noble woman
- Lucky – Fortunate
- Leo – Lion
- Lucy – Light
- Luke – Light-giving
- Lily – Flower, purity
- Lilly – Variant of Lily
- Larry – Laurel crowned
- Linda – Pretty
- Louis – Famous warrior
Strong and Powerful Names
For horses whose presence demands attention and respect.
- Lightning – Electric discharge
- Legend – Famous story
- Lancer – Spear soldier
- Legion – Army unit
- Lynx – Wild cat
- Laser – Focused beam
- Leviathan – Sea monster
- Lucifer – Light bringer
- Lionheart – Brave soul
- Lawless – Without rules
Nature-Inspired Names
Drawing inspiration from the natural world around us.
- Leaf – Tree foliage
- Lake – Body of water
- Lark – Songbird
- Lotus – Sacred flower
- Lavender – Purple flower
- Laurel – Victory plant
- Lightning Bug – Firefly
- Limestone – Sedimentary rock
- Lily Pad – Water plant
- Linden – Tree species
Playful and Whimsical Names
Perfect for horses with fun-loving, spirited personalities.
- Lollipop – Sweet candy
- Ladybug – Spotted beetle
- Licorice – Black candy
- Lego – Building blocks
- Loopy – Silly, crazy
- Lemonade – Sweet drink
- Linguini – Pasta type
- Llama – Funny animal
- Lunchbox – Food container
- Laughs – Happy sounds
Elegant and Sophisticated Names
For horses that carry themselves with natural grace.
- Luciana – Light
- Lavinia – Roman name
- Lilliana – Lily flower
- Lorelei – Alluring rock
- Lucia – Light
- Lydia – From Lydia
- Leonora – Light
- Lisette – God’s promise
- Lorraine – From Lorraine
- Lucinda – Light
International and Cultural Names
These globally-inspired names bring worldly sophistication.
- Lorenzo – Laurel (Italian)
- Luis – Famous warrior (Spanish)
- Luca – Light (Italian)
- Leila – Night (Arabic)
- Lars – Crowned (Scandinavian)
- Liang – Bright (Chinese)
- Ludmila – People’s love (Slavic)
- Lakshmi – Prosperity (Sanskrit)
- Levi – Joined (Hebrew)
- Luz – Light (Spanish)
Mythology and Legend Names
Ancient stories provide powerful and meaningful names.
- Loki – Norse trickster
- Luna – Moon goddess
- Leda – Zeus’s love
- Lycaon – Wolf king
- Lugh – Celtic god
- Ladon – Dragon
- Leto – Titan goddess
- Lethe – Forgetfulness river
- Lir – Sea god
- Lamia – Greek monster
Western and Ranch Names
The frontier spirit lives in these rugged names.
- Lariat – Lasso rope
- Lone Star – Texas symbol
- Lasso – Catching rope
- Liberty – Freedom
- Lawman – Sheriff
- Longhorn – Cattle breed
- Leather – Tanned hide
- Lodge – Western cabin
- Laramie – Wyoming city
- Leadville – Mining town
Color-Inspired Names
When a horse’s coloring deserves special recognition.
- Latte – Coffee color
- Lilac – Purple shade
- Lemon – Yellow citrus
- Lime – Green citrus
- Lead – Gray metal
- Lapis – Blue stone
- Licorice – Black
- Linen – Off-white
- Lavender – Light purple
- Lobster – Reddish
Musical and Artistic Names
For horses that move like music or art.
- Lyric – Song words
- Largo – Slow tempo
- Legato – Smooth playing
- Lullaby – Sleep song
- Libretto – Opera text
- Louder – Volume increase
- Lyra – Constellation, lyre
- Ludwig – Beethoven
- Liszt – Composer
- Lyrical – Expressive
Speed and Athletic Names
Built for speed or blessed with athletic ability.
- Lightning Bolt – Fast strike
- Leap – Jump
- Launch – Quick start
- Lightspeed – Ultimate fast
- Lateral – Side movement
- Lift – Upward motion
- Loop – Circular path
- Long Jump – Athletic event
- Leadoff – First position
- Locomotive – Train engine
Royal and Noble Names
These regal names suit horses with commanding presence.
- Lord – Noble title
- Lady – Female noble
- Lancaster – Royal house
- Lionel – Young lion
- Leopold – Bold people
- Lancelot – Knight
- Laurent – Crowned
- Lordship – Noble rank
- Liege – Feudal superior
- Luxor – Palace
Adventure and Travel Names
For horses ready to explore the world.
- London – English capital
- Lima – Peru capital
- Lebanon – Middle East country
- Louisiana – US state
- Lisbon – Portugal capital
- Luxembourg – European country
- Las Vegas – Nevada city
- Lagos – Nigerian city
- Lyon – French city
- Liverpool – English city
Gemstone and Precious Names
Like rare gems, these names suggest unique value.
- Lapis Lazuli – Blue stone
- Larimar – Blue pectolite
- Labradorite – Feldspar mineral
- Lepidolite – Lithium mineral
- Lazulite – Blue phosphate
- Leucite – Silicate mineral
- Ludlamite – Green mineral
- Lawsonite – Sorosilicate
- Lazurite – Blue mineral
- Londonite – Rare mineral
Literary and Historical Names
For the cultured owner, these reference great figures and works.
- Lincoln – US President
- Leonardo – Da Vinci
- Longfellow – Poet
- Lawrence – Of Arabia
- Lenin – Revolutionary
- Luther – Reformer
- Locke – Philosopher
- London – Jack London
- Lancelot – Arthurian knight
- Lear – Shakespeare’s king
Food and Flavor Names
Sweet or savory, these culinary names add flavor.
- Latte – Coffee drink
- Lasagna – Italian dish
- Lentil – Legume
- Leek – Onion relative
- Lobster – Seafood
- Linguine – Pasta
- Lychee – Tropical fruit
- Limoncello – Italian liqueur
- Lox – Smoked salmon
- Lebkuchen – German cookie
Weather and Sky Names
These atmospheric names capture nature’s moods.
- Lightning – Electric discharge
- Low Pressure – Weather system
- Lunar – Of the moon
- Light – Illumination
- Luminous – Glowing
- Leeward – Sheltered side
- Landfall – Storm arrival
- Latitude – Earth position
- Lenticular – Cloud type
- Lightwave – Radiation
Unique and Modern Names
Contemporary choices for those seeking something current.
- Linux – Operating system
- Laser – Light beam
- Link – Connection
- Login – Access entry
- LCD – Display type
- LED – Light technology
- LTE – Network speed
- Laptop – Portable computer
- Livestream – Real-time broadcast
- Lyft – Ride service
Spiritual and Meaningful Names
Names with deeper significance for profound connections.
- Light – Illumination, hope
- Love – Deep affection
- Liberty – Freedom
- Legacy – What remains
- Loyalty – Faithfulness
- Life – Existence
- Limitless – Without bounds
- Luminescence – Inner light
- Lodestar – Guiding star
- Lasting – Enduring
Final Ten Favorites
These last selections are personal favorites deserving special mention.
- Lighthouse – Guiding beacon
- Lucky Star – Fortunate guide
- Last Dance – Final performance
- Legendary Tale – Epic story
- Liquid Gold – Precious fluid
- Lost and Found – Rediscovered
- Lavender Dreams – Purple visions
- Lightning Strike – Sudden impact
- Love Letter – Written affection
- Life’s Journey – Existence path
The Art of Choosing
So here you are, 200 names richer and possibly more confused than when you started. That’s okay – actually, it’s perfect. Naming a horse should make you think, should make you feel, should make you consider what this animal means to you and what you hope your journey together will be. The letter ‘L’ gives us such beautiful options, from the simple and sweet to the grand and glorious.
I’ve learned over the years that horse names have a way of revealing themselves. Sometimes it’s immediate – you look at your new horse and just know they’re a “Lightning” or a “Luna.” Other times, you might try on names like clothes, seeing what fits. You might call them one thing for a week before realizing it’s all wrong and switching to something that suddenly feels perfect.
Here’s a practical tip: write your top five choices on a piece of paper and carry it around for a few days. Say them out loud when you’re alone in your car. Imagine introducing your horse to someone new. Picture the name on a stall plate, on show paperwork, being called over a loudspeaker. Some names look beautiful written but feel awkward to say. Others sound perfect but are impossible for anyone else to spell or remember.
Remember too that many horses end up with barn names that are completely different from their registered names. “Luminescent Lightning” might just become “Lou” around the barn, and that’s perfectly fine. The formal name can be as fancy as you want, while the daily name can be simple and sweet.
The Stories Behind the Names
Every horse name I’ve ever encountered has a story. Sometimes they’re simple – “Lily” because she was born on Easter, “Lucky” because he survived a difficult birth. Sometimes they’re complex – “Legacy” for the horse bought with an inheritance from a beloved grandfather, “Liberty” for the horse that gave someone freedom from their fears.
I once knew a woman who named her horse “Lighthouse” because he guided her through the darkest period of her life. Another friend chose “Laughter” for a horse who never failed to make her smile, even on the worst days. These aren’t just names; they’re declarations of love, markers of important life moments, promises for the future.
The process of naming itself becomes a memory. Years from now, you’ll remember the arguments with your family about whether “Laser” or “Legend” was better. You’ll remember the friend who suggested the perfect name just when you’d given up. You’ll remember the moment when you first called your horse by their name and they turned to look at you, and something just clicked.
Final Thoughts
Choosing from these 200 names – or letting them inspire something completely new – is really just the beginning. The name you pick will be said thousands of times over your horse’s lifetime. It will be whispered in quiet moments and shouted in emergencies. It will be written on vet forms and prize ribbons (hopefully!). It will become as familiar as breathing.
But here’s the secret: your horse doesn’t care what you call them. They care about how you say it. They care that your voice means safety and food and companionship. They care that when they hear that particular combination of sounds, good things usually follow. The name is for us as much as for them – it’s how we humanize these magnificent creatures just enough to build a bridge between our worlds.
Whatever ‘L’ name you choose – whether it’s “Lightning” for speed, “Luna” for beauty, “Lucky” for fortune, or “Love” for what they mean to you – make it yours. Say it with affection, with respect, with the joy that comes from sharing your life with a horse.
Here’s to you and your soon-to-be-named horse. May your chosen name be the first word in a long, beautiful story filled with morning nickers, sunset rides, and all the small miracles that happen when humans and horses decide to trust each other. Happy naming!