Written by Roger R. Henderson
“X? You want to name your horse something that starts with X? Good luck with that!” That’s what everyone said when my friend Sarah announced she wanted an ‘X’ name for her new Arabian gelding. Three weeks later, she was calling “Xerxes!” across the pasture, and honestly, it suited him perfectly – he carried himself like ancient royalty. That’s the thing about ‘X’ names – they’re so rare that when you find one that works, it feels like discovering treasure. Your horse will probably be the only one at any show, any barn, maybe even in your entire state with an ‘X’ name. Talk about standing out from the crowd!
Let’s be honest here: finding ‘X’ names is like trying to find a needle in a haystack while wearing boxing gloves. The letter ‘X’ is probably the most challenging letter in the English alphabet for naming anything, let alone a horse. But that’s exactly what makes it exciting! It forces you to be creative, to look beyond the obvious, to explore other languages and cultures, and sometimes to just make stuff up that sounds cool. The result? A name that’s guaranteed to be unique and memorable.
In assembling these 200 ‘X’ names (yes, I really found 200!), I’ve had to raid Greek history, Chinese culture, scientific terminology, and even some made-up combinations that just sound right. Some come from ancient civilizations where ‘X’ sounds were more common, others from modern concepts, and quite a few from creative spellings and combinations. Each name here could be perfect for someone’s horse – maybe yours. Because when you choose an ‘X’ name, you’re not just naming a horse; you’re making a statement that you and your horse are one of a kind.
Classic and Traditional Names (Well, Sort Of)
These are as traditional as ‘X’ names get!
- Xavier – Bright, new house
- Xander – Defender of mankind
- Xena – Hospitable
- Xerxes – Ruler over heroes
- Ximena – Listener
- Xavi – New house
- Xandra – Defending men
- Xander – Protector
- Xaviera – Bright
- Xenon – Strange, foreign
Strong and Powerful Names
For horses whose presence demands attention.
- X-Factor – Special quality
- Xcalibur – Legendary sword
- Xplosion – Explosive force
- X-treme – Maximum intensity
- Xecutor – One who performs
- Xcelerator – Speed increaser
- X-Force – Powerful team
- Xterminador – Terminator
- X-Warrior – Fighter
- Xpendable – Tough survivor
Nature-Inspired Names
Drawing from the natural world (creatively).
- Xeric – Dry habitat
- Xylem – Plant tissue
- Xanthe – Yellow, golden
- Xerophyte – Desert plant
- X-Ray – Penetrating light
- Xenolith – Rock fragment
- Xiphias – Swordfish
- Xyst – Garden path
- Xerus – African ground squirrel
- Xanthos – Yellow river
Playful and Whimsical Names
Perfect for horses with fun-loving personalities.
- Xylophone – Musical instrument
- X-Box – Gaming console
- Xerox – Copy
- X-Mas – Christmas
- Xoxo – Hugs and kisses
- Xtasy – Ecstasy
- Xquisite – Exquisite
- Xtra – Extra special
- Xciting – Exciting
- Xpress – Express
Elegant and Sophisticated Names
For horses that move with natural grace.
- Xanadu – Luxurious place
- Xiomara – Ready for battle
- Xanthippe – Yellow horse
- Xenia – Hospitality
- Xabrina – Princess
- Xalvadora – Savior
- Xavienne – Bright one
- Xenobia – Life of Zeus
- Xylia – From the forest
- Xandria – Defender
International and Cultural Names
These globally-inspired names bring worldly sophistication.
- Xiao – Small (Chinese)
- Xin – Heart (Chinese)
- Xu – Slowly (Chinese)
- Xi – Hope (Chinese)
- Xiang – Fragrant (Chinese)
- Xolotl – Aztec god
- Xochitl – Flower (Aztec)
- Ximeno – Listening (Spanish)
- Xabi – Basque name
- Xun – Fast (Chinese)
Mythology and Legend Names
Ancient stories provide powerful names.
- Xanthus – Achilles’ horse
- Xibalba – Mayan underworld
- Xochiquetzal – Aztec goddess
- Xipe – Aztec god
- Xuthus – Greek figure
- Xelas – Greek messenger
- Xiuhtecuhtli – Aztec fire god
- Xanthippus – Yellow horse
- Xenophon – Strange voice
- Xisuthros – Babylonian Noah
Western and Ranch Names
The frontier spirit (with an X twist).
- X-Ranch – Unknown ranch
- Xross – Cross
- Xpedition – Expedition
- Xtension – Extension
- X-Trail – Unknown trail
- Xodus – Exodus
- Xplorer – Explorer
- X-Rider – Mystery rider
- Xactly – Exactly
- Xcursion – Excursion
Color-Inspired Names
When a horse’s coloring deserves recognition.
- Xanthe – Yellow, blonde
- Xanthous – Yellowish
- X-Ray – See-through
- Xerus – Tawny
- Xotic – Exotic colors
- Xquisite – Beautiful shade
- Xtra Dark – Very dark
- X-Chrome – Metallic
- Xenon Blue – Gas color
- X-Factor Red – Special red
Musical and Artistic Names
For horses that move like music or art.
- Xylophone – Percussion instrument
- X-Tempo – Unknown beat
- Xacto – Exact, precise
- Xymphony – Symphony
- Xoundwave – Sound wave
- Xpression – Expression
- Xhale – Exhale
- Xchord – Ex-chord
- Xmelody – Ex-melody
- Xrhythm – Ex-rhythm
Speed and Athletic Names
Built for speed or blessed with athletic ability.
- X-Speed – Extreme speed
- Xcelerator – Accelerator
- Xpress – Express, fast
- X-Velocity – Unknown speed
- Xpedite – Expedite
- X-Treme Speed – Maximum velocity
- Xecute – Execute perfectly
- X-Runner – Mystery runner
- Xhilarate – Exhilarate
- Xert – Exert effort
Royal and Noble Names
These regal names suit horses with commanding presence.
- Xerxes – Persian king
- Xavier – Noble bright
- Xanadu – Royal palace
- X-Crown – Unknown crown
- Xceptional – Exceptional
- Xalted – Exalted
- Xquisite Noble – Beautiful nobility
- X-Reign – Mystery reign
- Xellency – Excellency
- X-Throne – Unknown throne
Adventure and Travel Names
For horses ready to explore the world.
- Xanadu – Mythical place
- Xinjiang – Chinese region
- Xalapa – Mexican city
- Xanten – German city
- Xiamen – Chinese port
- Xochimilco – Mexico City area
- Xining – Chinese city
- Xuzhou – Chinese city
- Xalisco – Mexican state
- Xai-Xai – Mozambique city
Gemstone and Precious Names
Like rare gems, these names suggest unique value.
- Xenotime – Rare earth mineral
- Xonotlite – Calcium silicate
- Xiangjiangite – Iron phosphate
- Xifengite – Iron silicate
- Xenophyllite – Rare mineral
- Xanthoxenite – Calcium iron phosphate
- Ximengite – Bismuth phosphate
- Xitieshanite – Iron chloride
- Xocolatlite – Tellurium mineral
- Xanthaugite – Yellow augite
Literary and Historical Names
For the cultured owner, these reference great figures.
- Xenophon – Greek historian
- Xerxes – Persian emperor
- Xavier – Saint Francis Xavier
- Xanthippe – Socrates’ wife
- Xenocrates – Greek philosopher
- Ximenes – Spanish cardinal
- Xu Beihong – Chinese artist
- Xunzi – Chinese philosopher
- Xuanzang – Buddhist monk
- Xiang Yu – Chinese general
Food and Flavor Names
Sweet or savory, these culinary names add flavor.
- Xacuti – Curry dish
- Xiaolongbao – Soup dumpling
- Xalapa – Jalapeño origin
- Xylocarp – Hard fruit
- Xigua – Chinese watermelon
- Xnipec – Hot sauce
- Xocoatl – Chocolate origin
- Xeres – Sherry wine
- Xylitol – Sugar substitute
- X-Hot – Extra spicy
Weather and Sky Names
These atmospheric names capture nature’s moods.
- X-Wind – Crosswind
- Xenon – Noble gas
- X-Ray – Radiation
- Xeric – Dry conditions
- X-Stream – Extreme weather
- Xpanse – Expanse of sky
- X-Hale – Exhale, breath
- Xerothermic – Hot and dry
- X-Atmosphere – Unknown air
- Xyclone – Ex-cyclone
Unique and Modern Names
Contemporary choices for those seeking something current.
- Xbox – Gaming system
- X-Files – Mystery show
- X-Men – Superhero team
- Xerox – Copy technology
- X-Ray Vision – Super sight
- XML – Computer language
- Xfinity – Internet service
- X.com – Website
- XRP – Cryptocurrency
- X-Platform – Cross-platform
Spiritual and Meaningful Names
Names with deeper significance.
- Xanadu – Paradise
- Xenial – Hospitable
- Xyst – Garden portico
- Xaos – Chaos (creative spelling)
- Xistence – Existence
- Xalt – Exalt
- Xile – Exile
- Xemplary – Exemplary
- Xperience – Experience
- Xternal – External/eternal
Final Ten Favorites
These last selections deserve special mention.
- X Marks the Spot – Treasure location
- Xtra Special – Very special
- X-Quisite Dream – Beautiful vision
- Xenith – Zenith variant
- X-Factor Plus – Special quality
- Xanadu Nights – Paradise evenings
- X-Static – Ecstatic
- Xellent Choice – Excellent selection
- X-Phenomenon – Special occurrence
- X-traordinary – Extraordinary
The X-traordinary Challenge of ‘X’ Names
Well, we did it! 200 ‘X’ names! If you’re still reading, you’re either incredibly dedicated or slightly amazed that I actually found this many. Truth be told, creating this list required some serious creativity, liberal use of alternative spellings, and a deep dive into languages where ‘X’ is more common. But that’s exactly what makes choosing an ‘X’ name so special – it shows you’re willing to go the extra mile (or should I say, X-tra mile?) for your horse.
The biggest advantage of an ‘X’ name? You will never, ever have another horse with the same name at your barn. Probably not at any show you attend. Maybe not even in your entire country. When the announcer calls “Xerxes” or “Xanadu,” everyone will know exactly which horse they’re talking about. There’s something powerful about that level of uniqueness.
Now, let’s be practical for a moment. ‘X’ names can be challenging. People will ask you to repeat it. They’ll ask you to spell it. They’ll probably mispronounce it at first. But here’s the thing – that makes the name even more special. It becomes a conversation starter, a story to tell, a point of connection between you and your horse that no one else shares.
One tip: have a simple explanation ready. “Xander – it means defender of mankind” or “Xanthe – it’s Greek for golden.” People remember stories better than just names, and your horse’s unique name will stick in their minds long after they’ve forgotten all the Thunders and Stars they met that day.
The Stories Behind X-treme Names
The stories of how people choose ‘X’ names are often as unique as the names themselves. I knew someone who named their horse “X-Ray” because the vet bills from his pre-purchase exam were so extensive they joked they could have bought an X-ray machine. The name stuck, and ironically, he turned out to be the healthiest horse she ever owned.
Another friend chose “Xanadu” after watching the old movie during a barn sleepover. The horse was nothing like the glamorous palace the name suggested – he was a scrappy little mustang – but somehow the contrast made it perfect. “He’s my paradise,” she’d say, “even if he doesn’t look like much to anyone else.”
“Xerox” got his name because he was an almost identical copy of his famous sire. “X-Factor” was named by a teenager who insisted her horse had that special something that couldn’t be defined. “Xoxo” was chosen by a little girl who wanted her horse’s name to mean “hugs and kisses” because that’s what she gave him every day.
The process of finding an ‘X’ name often brings barns together. Everyone gets involved, shouting out increasingly creative suggestions, looking up words in different languages, making up spellings. It becomes a community effort, and when you finally find the right name, everyone feels like they were part of something special.
X-actly Right: A Final Thought
Whether you’ve found your perfect ‘X’ name in this list or it’s inspired you to create something entirely new, remember that choosing such a rare letter is already making a statement. You’re saying that you and your horse aren’t afraid to be different, to stand out, to be remembered. That’s pretty special in a world full of safe choices.
Your horse won’t know their name is unusual. They won’t care that it starts with the rarest letter for names. What they’ll learn is that this unique sound means you – their person, their friend, their partner. They’ll learn that when they hear “Xerxes” or “Xena” or even “Xbox” (hey, no judgment), good things follow.
The bond between horse and human transcends language anyway. We communicate in touches and trust, in time spent together and challenges overcome. The name is just the word we use to hold all of that meaning, and an ‘X’ name holds it in a way that no one will ever forget.
So here’s to you, brave soul, choosing an ‘X’ name for your horse. May you wear that uniqueness with pride. May your chosen name become famous at your barn for all the right reasons. May announcers learn to pronounce it properly (eventually). And may you and your X-traordinary horse write an X-ceptional story together.
After all, in the algebra of horse ownership, X marks the spot where human and horse meet, where trust begins, and where adventures start. And that’s not just special – that’s X-traordinary!