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Reindeer names: 170+ clever, funny and classic ideas

176 names · Updated · By The Nomezo Editors · Save to Pinterest

The best reindeer names either borrow from Santa's famous team or add a frosty pun, like Blitzen, Mariah Caribou and Rein Check. Classic names suit a holiday decoration, while puns give a plush toy or a pet reindeer instant personality.

Below are 170+ reindeer names in eight groups. We start with Santa's reindeer and other famous ones, with the real history behind each name, then move on to clever puns, funny names, cute names, celebrity puns, girl and boy names, and Nordic names from reindeer country. Every name has a short note.

Can't decide? Shuffle 6 random picks

  • Sugarplum

    Straight out of The Nutcracker and holiday dreams

  • Halley

    Named for the famous comet, due back in 2061

  • Juniper

    Evergreen shrub with frosty blue berries

  • Reign Deer

    Royal pun for the reindeer who runs the stable

  • Glacier

    Slow to rush, strong and very cool

  • Celeste

    Means heavenly, for a doe who loves to fly

Want endless ideas? Try the funny name generator and generate new names in one click.

Santa's reindeer names

Santa's team comes from the 1823 poem A Visit from St. Nicholas. Rudolph joined in 1939, and a few famous reindeer followed.

  1. Dasher: First name called in the 1823 poem A Visit from St. Nicholas
  2. Dancer: Called second in the 1823 poem, a graceful pick for a doe
  3. Prancer: One of the original eight, and the title of a 1989 film
  4. Vixen: An original team member; the word means a female fox
  5. Comet: Original reindeer who coaches the reindeer games in the 1964 special
  6. Cupid: Shares a name with the Roman god of love
  7. Donner: Spelled Dunder in 1823; Rudolph's father in the 1964 special
  8. Blitzen: Means lightning; the 1823 poem first printed it as Blixem
  9. Rudolph: Created in 1939 by Robert L. May for Montgomery Ward
  10. Clarice: The kind doe who stands by Rudolph in the 1964 special
  11. Fireball: Young buck who befriends Rudolph before the 1964 reindeer games
  12. Olive: A dog in a 1997 picture book, named from a misheard lyric
  13. Sven: Kristoff's loyal, carrot-loving reindeer in Disney's Frozen (2013)
  14. Robbie: Rudolph's son in the BBC special Hooves of Fire (1999)
  15. Reginald: A name Robert L. May weighed before choosing Rudolph
  16. Rollo: Another name on May's 1939 shortlist that lost out

Clever reindeer names

Puns on rein, deer, sleigh and antlers. These get a grin from anyone who reads them twice.

  1. Antler Ego: Alter-ego pun for a reindeer with a secret identity
  2. Sleigh Belle: A pretty pun for a doe who rings in the season
  3. Rein Check: For the reindeer who always wants to fly later
  4. Rein Man: Movie pun for a reindeer with a head for numbers
  5. Purple Rein: Prince pun for a reindeer with royal flair
  6. Rein Forest: Lush pun for a reindeer that loves the pines
  7. Reinbow: Bright and cheerful, with a ribbon tied on top
  8. Deer Diary: For a reindeer who keeps notes on every sleigh run
  9. Deerly Beloved: Sweet pun for the family's favorite plush reindeer
  10. Oh Deer: What everyone says when this one knocks over the tree
  11. Fawn Solo: Space-smuggler pun for an independent young reindeer
  12. Antlerella: Fairy-tale princess pun with a holiday crown
  13. Mistlehoof: Mistletoe pun for an affectionate, cuddly reindeer
  14. Jingle Hooves: Cheerful name for a reindeer with bells on its harness
  15. Tinsel Toes: Sparkly, silly and perfect for a plush reindeer
  16. Snow Business: Showbiz pun for a reindeer who loves the spotlight
  17. Sir Prance-a-Lot: Knightly title for a reindeer with fancy footwork
  18. Velvet Underground: Rock-band pun; growing antlers are covered in soft fuzz
  19. Pole Position: Racing pun for the fastest flyer on the team
  20. Claus and Effect: Logical pun for a reindeer who plans every route
  21. Hoofer: Old slang for a dancer, made for a nimble reindeer
  22. The Great Gatsleigh: Novel pun for a reindeer who throws big parties
  23. Sleigh Queen: Slay pun for a confident doe at the front
  24. Reign Deer: Royal pun for the reindeer who runs the stable
  25. Prancelot: Lancelot pun for a gallant, high-stepping buck
  26. Doe Re Mi: Musical pun for a girl reindeer who loves carols
  27. Furry Christmas: Merry and fluffy, perfect for a plush toy
  28. Hoofdini: Escape-artist pun for a reindeer who slips every harness
  29. Cari-Boo: Same species as its North American cousin, with a spooky twist

Funny reindeer names

Silly names for the reindeer who never quite made Santa's starting lineup.

  1. Rudolph's Cousin Larry: For the reindeer who never got his own song
  2. Blitzen's Backup: Always ready, never called, still very proud
  3. Dawdler: The opposite of a dasher; always takes the scenic route
  4. Snoozer: Naps through most of December, then claims jet lag
  5. Kevin: A gloriously ordinary name for a magical flying animal
  6. Gerald: Sounds like the reindeer who files the sleigh paperwork
  7. Carol: A holiday song and a perfectly sensible first name
  8. Hoofington: Sounds like a reindeer with a summer home in Maine
  9. Not a Moose: Clears up the most common mix-up at the petting zoo
  10. Antler Envy: Always comparing headgear with the rest of the herd
  11. Sleighed It: For a reindeer who nails every rooftop landing
  12. Comet Relief: Keeps the team laughing on long, cold flights
  13. Dancer With the Stars: Reality-TV pun for a reindeer who loves a night flight
  14. Prancer Pants: For the reindeer who cannot stop showing off
  15. Mr. Jingles: Sounds like a fancy bell salesman with a monocle
  16. Deer in the Headlights: For a reindeer surprised by literally everything
  17. Raindeer: Misspelled on purpose, for a reindeer who loves puddles
  18. Turbo: For the team member who refuses to slow down
  19. Chimney Sweep: Insists on checking every rooftop before Santa goes down
  20. Carrot Thief: Swipes the snowman's nose when nobody is looking
  21. Santa's GPS: Knows every rooftop and never asks for directions
  22. Flight Risk: Leaves the stable at every possible chance
  23. Frequent Flyer: Logs a billion air miles in a single night
  24. Snowbert: A dapper, slightly pompous name for a plush buck
  25. Hay Jude: Beatles pun for a reindeer who loves its dinner
  26. Lichen It: Liking-it pun on the moss-like food reindeer really eat

Cute reindeer names

Soft, sweet names for plush reindeer, baby calves and anything with a jingle bell collar.

  1. Snowdrop: Named for the tiny white flower that blooms in late winter
  2. Twinkle: Sweet and sparkly, like lights on the tree
  3. Button: Small, round and cute as can be
  4. Cocoa: Warm, cozy and perfect for a brown reindeer
  5. Marshmallow: Soft, sweet and fluffy, like a thick winter coat
  6. Gingersnap: A crisp holiday cookie for a reindeer with spice
  7. Sprinkles: Cheerful pick for a reindeer with a sweet personality
  8. Tinsel: Shimmery and festive, a natural holiday name
  9. Snowflake: For a one-of-a-kind reindeer
  10. Mittens: Cozy name for a reindeer with white feet
  11. Nutmeg: Warm holiday spice for a russet-colored reindeer
  12. Starlight: For a reindeer who loves flying on clear nights
  13. Sugarplum: Straight out of The Nutcracker and holiday dreams
  14. Jolly: Cheerful through and through, just like Santa
  15. Peppermint: Fresh, bright and striped with holiday cheer
  16. Pinecone: Woodsy and small, great for a young calf
  17. Cranberry: Tart and festive, for a reindeer with a red collar
  18. Figgy: From the pudding in the carol, sweet and old-fashioned
  19. Snickerdoodle: A cinnamon cookie name for a playful reindeer
  20. Snowball: Round, white and ready for fun
  21. Candy Cane: Classic holiday treat for a red-and-white harness
  22. Halley: Named for the famous comet, due back in 2061
  23. Frosty: Cool, classic and borrowed from a famous snowman
  24. Northern Light: For a reindeer who glows on dark Arctic nights
  25. Gumdrop: Small, sweet and perfect for a baby reindeer

Celebrity reindeer pun names

Famous names with a reindeer twist. Holiday singers work especially well.

  1. Mariah Caribou: For a doe who owns the whole holiday season
  2. Taylor Swiftfoot: For a speedy doe with a new era every year
  3. Elvis Presleigh: Blue Christmas pun for a buck with swagger
  4. Ryan Reinolds: Witty pun for a reindeer with a dry sense of humor
  5. Keanu Reindeer: For a calm hero who saves the night without fuss
  6. Prancer Swayze: Nobody puts this reindeer in a corner
  7. Bing Crosleigh: White Christmas crooner pun for a snow-white buck
  8. Nat King Coal: Velvet-voiced pun for a reindeer on the naughty list
  9. Donner Summer: Disco pun for a reindeer who loves a dance floor
  10. Antlerson Cooper: Reports live from the North Pole every December
  11. Hoof Jackman: Showman pun for a reindeer who loves a stage
  12. Jennifer Antlerston: For a doe who is everyone's favorite friend
  13. Rein Charles: Soulful pun for a reindeer who loves holiday music
  14. Fawn Connery: Suave pun for a young reindeer with spy-movie charm
  15. Vincent van Doe: For an artsy reindeer who loves a starry night
  16. Leonardo DiCaribou: For a dashing buck who never lets go
  17. Rudolph Valentino: Silent-film heartthrob name for a dashing red-nosed buck
  18. Blitzen Spears: Pop-princess pun for a reindeer with dance moves

Girl reindeer names

Pretty, festive names for a doe. Female reindeer grow antlers too, so a girl can wear the crown.

  1. Noelle: French for Christmas, a classic holiday girl's name
  2. Holly: Evergreen and festive, with bright red berries
  3. Ivy: Pairs with holly in the old English carol
  4. Joy: Simple, cheerful and straight from the carols
  5. Gloria: Latin for glory, sung in many Christmas hymns
  6. Merry: Says the whole season in one word
  7. Clara: The young heroine of The Nutcracker ballet
  8. Aurora: Named for the northern lights over reindeer country
  9. Stella: Latin for star, for a doe who leads the way
  10. Crystal: Clear and sparkling, like ice on the pines
  11. Hazel: Warm, woodsy and a little old-fashioned
  12. Bianca: Italian for white, for a pale or snowy doe
  13. Blanche: French for white, elegant and old-world
  14. Felicity: Means happiness, the whole point of the holidays
  15. Celeste: Means heavenly, for a doe who loves to fly
  16. Wren: Tiny bird honored in Irish St. Stephen's Day traditions
  17. Winnie: Short, sweet and warm, like a winter sweater
  18. Evie: Feels like Christmas Eve, softened into a name
  19. Ginger: Spicy, sweet and straight from the cookie jar
  20. Juniper: Evergreen shrub with frosty blue berries

Boy reindeer names

Strong, rugged and festive names for a bull reindeer.

  1. Jasper: Traditional name for one of the three wise men
  2. Nicholas: The saint who inspired the whole Santa story
  3. Jack Frost: The folklore figure who nips noses in winter
  4. Buck: Classic deer word for a strong, steady male
  5. Atlas: Strong enough to carry the whole sleigh
  6. Ridge: Rugged name for a reindeer who loves the mountains
  7. Glacier: Slow to rush, strong and very cool
  8. Maverick: For an independent buck who flies his own way
  9. Blaze: Fiery name for a reindeer with a bright nose
  10. Spruce: Evergreen and sharp, like a well-dressed buck
  11. Everest: Named for the highest peak, for a high flyer
  12. Yukon: Canadian territory crossed by herds of wild caribou
  13. Rufus: Latin for red-haired, a nod to a famous nose
  14. Rory: Irish name meaning red king
  15. Klaus: German short form of Nicholas
  16. Rowan: Tree with red winter berries and old protective lore
  17. Garnet: Deep red stone, the birthstone of January
  18. Gus: Short, friendly and very good at pulling sleds
  19. Ranger: For a buck who patrols the whole tundra
  20. Tundra: Named for the treeless Arctic plains reindeer call home
  21. Fritz: A cozy, old German name with holiday charm

Nordic and Scandinavian reindeer names

Reindeer live across Scandinavia, Finland and the Arctic. These names come from the languages and traditions of the far north.

  1. Nils: Scandinavian form of Nicholas, the saint behind Santa
  2. Bjorn: Scandinavian name meaning bear, for a big, strong bull
  3. Astrid: Old Norse name often read as divinely beautiful
  4. Freya: Norse goddess whose name means lady
  5. Sigrid: Old Norse name meaning beautiful victory
  6. Leif: Old Norse name meaning heir or descendant
  7. Gunnar: Old Norse name built from the word for battle
  8. Liv: Means life in modern Scandinavian languages
  9. Thor: Norse god of thunder, a fine partner for Donner
  10. Saga: Swedish name meaning story, for a reindeer full of tales
  11. Tomte: The small Swedish Christmas gnome who guards the farm
  12. Nisse: Norwegian and Danish cousin of the Christmas gnome
  13. Jul: The Scandinavian word for Christmas, related to Yule
  14. Lumi: Finnish for snow, short and sweet
  15. Revontuli: Finnish for the northern lights; literally fox fire
  16. Joulupukki: Finland's Santa Claus; the name means Yule goat
  17. Rovaniemi: Finnish Lapland city that calls itself Santa's hometown
  18. Lucia: Swedish festival of light held every December 13
  19. Hygge: Danish word for cozy comfort, perfect for a homebody
  20. Fika: Swedish coffee-and-cake break, for a sociable reindeer
  21. Lapland: The Arctic region where reindeer herding is a way of life

How to pick the right name

Start with Santa's team

Dasher, Comet and Blitzen are recognized instantly. For a pair of reindeer decorations, match a classic with a pun, like Blitzen and Mariah Caribou.

Think past December

If the reindeer stays out after New Year, a Nordic or nature name like Lumi, Tundra or Snowdrop lasts all winter.

Say it in one breath

Short names land best when kids shout them across the yard. Two or three syllables, one joke, no explanation needed.

Check the nose

A red nose deserves a Rudolph nod. Rufus and Rory both have red in their meanings, and Blaze or Cranberry do the job too.

Reindeer names: 176 ideas from Nomezo

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Frequently asked questions

What are the names of Santa's reindeer?

The eight from the 1823 poem A Visit from St. Nicholas are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. Rudolph joined in 1939, when Robert L. May wrote his story for Montgomery Ward.

Is it Donner or Donder?

Both have been used. The 1823 poem printed Dunder and Blixem, later editions changed them to Donder and Blitzen, and the 1949 Rudolph song made Donner the everyday spelling.

What are some funny reindeer names?

Mariah Caribou, Rein Check, Hoofdini, Not a Moose and Rudolph's Cousin Larry always get a laugh. Puns on rein, deer and sleigh work best.

Were Santa's reindeer girls?

Quite possibly. Adult male reindeer usually shed their antlers by early winter, while females keep theirs until spring, so a team with antlers on Christmas Eve was most likely female.

Are reindeer and caribou the same animal?

Yes. They are the same species, Rangifer tarandus. Wild herds in North America are usually called caribou, while the herded animals of northern Europe and Asia are called reindeer.

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